Sister City 2020/02/24
CITY OF ANAHEIM
SISTER CITY COMMISSION
MINUTES
February 24, 2020
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Paul Anderson, Taline Cole, James Dinwiddie II,
Lori Dinwiddie, Emily Fuentes, Elizabeth Jabaz,
Steven Kleine, Larry L. Larsen, Germaine Neumann
Brian O’Neal, Anna Piercy, LaShé Rodriguez and
Mark Roeske
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Kevin Barrot and Brian Stanley
STAFF PRESENT: Greg Garcia, City Manager’s Office
Kimberly Kelemen, Community Services
Maggie Solorio, City Manager’s Office
GUESTS PRESENT: None
Agenda Posting: A complete copy of the Anaheim Sister City Commission Agenda was posted
on Friday, February 21, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at Anaheim City Hall.
Public Input: Vice Chair Lori Dinwiddie explained that members of the public are invited to
address the Anaheim Sister City Commission and will be called upon under Agenda Item
No. IX. Public Comment.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Lori Dinwiddie called the meeting of the Anaheim Sister City
Commission (ASCC) to order at 4:04 p.m. on Monday, February 24, 2020 at the
Anaheim City Manager’s Office, City Hall, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., Seventh Floor,
Anaheim, California.
II. FLAG SALUTE
Commissioner James Dinwiddie led the Flag Solute.
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February 24, 2020
Page 2
III. OATH OF OFFICE
Kimberly Kelemen administered the Oath of Office to the newest member of the
Sister City Commission, Mark Roeske who was appointed by the City Council on
February 11, 2020 with term expiring on June 30, 2020.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Commissioner Larry Larsen offered a Motion, seconded by
Commissioner Paul Anderson AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote: 13-0; Absent:
Kevin Barrot and Brian Stanley) that the Anaheim Sister City Commission does
hereby approve the minutes from the ASCC meeting held on January 27, 2020 as
presented.
V. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer James Dinwiddie presented the Treasurer’s Report dated February 20,
2020 with a balance of $15,800.36 and noted the Commission received a donation
from Commissioner O’Neal for the fundraiser that was held in December.
MOTION: Commissioner Larry Larsen offered a Motion, seconded by
Commissioner Germaine Neumann AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote: 13-0;
Absent: Kevin Barrot and Brian Stanley) that the Anaheim Sister City
Commission does hereby approve the Treasurer’s Report dated February 20, 2020
as presented.
VI. MITO OUTBOUND STUDENT EXCHANGE
Vice Chair Dinwiddie reported the Commission received four applications for
chaperones and she has a recommendation. In the past, the Commission has sent
women with the students because they seem to relate really well with the students,
specially the girls. Three men and a woman applied and Vice Chair Dinwiddie
would like to recommend the husband and wife team, who happens to be our
commissioner Larry Larsen and his wife. Of the other two applicants that
applied, one is a former commissioner who is a Japanese teacher at Western High
School and the other is a teacher from the Anaheim Union High School District.
MOTION: Commissioner Lori Dinwiddie offered a Motion, seconded by
Commissioner Anna Piercy AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote: 13-0; Absent:
Kevin Barrot and Brian Stanley) that the Anaheim Sister City Commission does
hereby recommend that Larry Larsen and his wife Georgette be the chaperones
for the 2020 Outbound Student Exchange.
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February 24, 2020
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Chair Taline Cole announced the travel dates for the Outbound Exchange have
been confirmed. The students and chaperones will be leaving LAX on Thursday,
June 18, arriving in Japan on June 19 and returning from Japan on Tuesday,
June 30, arriving at LAX on June 30.
Chair Taline Cole advised she received an email from Mr. Wong saying Mito is
not sure they are going to be able to send students to Anaheim this year because
of the Olympics. The Olympics are scheduled to take place at the same time that
they usually send their students to Anaheim. Chair Cole suggested Mito students
could come at another time, maybe when the Anaheim kids are in school and Mr.
Wong said he would inform their committee and let her know what they decide.
When Chair Cole asked for an update, Mr. Wong responded they are now worried
about the coronavirus because there are new cases of the virus in Japan and they
are concerned about that. Mr. Wong said they would know more and would make
a decision by the end of March.
There was discussion about sending a message to the students selected to go to
Mito this year regarding the possibility of having the trip postponed due to the
Olympics and the coronavirus, but after further discussion it was decided against
that and if the trip indeed gets postponed or cancelled, ACF would refund the
payments.
VII. MITO INBOUND STUDENT EXCHANGE
Chair Taline Cole noted she has a suspicion Mito students are not coming this
year, but the Commission should move forward with plans.
Commissioner Paul Anderson is moving forward with recruiting host families and
he was happy to say most of the students that are participating in the student
exchange showed interest in hosting.
Chair Cole advised the Commission is going to need to hire teacher for the Mito
students. The Commission received an application from someone who is
interested and noted former Commissioner Jackie Filbeck’s son is interested.
Once, the exchange is confirmed the Commission will make a decision on that.
VIII. NEW SISTER CITY SUBCOMMITTEE
Greg Garcia reported he received a follow-up note from Cebu City. The
delegation from Cebu City really enjoyed their time here and they wanted the
Commission to start thinking about sending a delegation to Cebu to check out
their City. Greg is going to follow-up and let Cebu City know the Commission is
considering it.
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February 24, 2020
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IX. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
X. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Chair Cole welcomed Commissioner Mark Roeske to the Commission.
Commissioner Mark Roeske introduced himself and mentioned he lived in Asia
an accumulated 15 years; he left Asia in 2006 and came back to the United States.
He does consulting, global strategy on strategy work, he teaches at MBA schools.
He used to teach at UCI, at UCR and at Chapman. He lives in Asia part of year
and teaches there.
Introductions took place around the room.
XI. STAFF COMMENTS
Kimberly Kelemen announced the Volunteer Recognition banquet is going to be
held on Thursday, March 26 at the Citi National Grove. Everyone who served on
the Commission during the last year should have received an invitation. RSVP’s
are due by Friday, February 28.
Kimberly brought in some plates that Mito gifted. Staff received authorization to
auction them.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m. to Monday,
February 24, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. at the Anaheim City Hall, City Manager’s Office
Large Conference Room.