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Sister City 2024/09/23CITY OF ANAHEIM SISTER CITY COMMISSION MINUTES September 23, 2024 — 4:00 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Lori Dinwiddie, James Dinwiddie, Simin Heydari, Chiarina Piazza, Joseph Aihara, Susan Klaren- Hatzenbuhler, Deana Helmy, Anthony Al -Jamie COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Kristin Erickson Juan -Carlos Mendez, David Bracey, Monika Sargent Kimberly Kelemen, Community Services Taylor Griffin, City Administration Agenda Posting: A complete copy of the Anaheim Sister City Commission Agenda was posted on Friday, September 20, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Anaheim City Hall. I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Lori Dinwiddie called the Anaheim Sister City Commission (ASCC) meeting to order at 4:08 p.m. on Monday, September 23, 2024. II. FLAG SALUTE Commissioner James Dinwiddie led the flag salute. III. PUBLIC COMMENT NA IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: No motion due to lack of quorum. Two commissioners abstained. That was Joseph Aihara and Kristin Erikson. Minutes to be approved will be moved to next meeting on Monday, October 28, 2024. V. APPROVAL OF TREASURER'S REPORT MOTION: With new Commissioners on board both staff Taylor Griffin and Kimberly Kelemen did a quick overview of the new updated Treasurer's report, Anaheim Sister City Commission September 23, 2024 Page 2 broke down the details of the costs for the different expenses on the list, and discussed the role of the Anaheim Community Foundation (ACF) budget process. Chair Lori Dinwiddie accepted the current report and asked the commission to have the report ready for next month's meeting to be approved. VI. APPOINT NEW VICE -CHAIR MOTION: Chair Lori Dinwiddie offered a Motion to open nominations for new Vice -Chair. Commissioner Anthony Al -Jamie nominated commissioner David Bracey, who was absent. Commissioner Anthony Al -Jamie texted him via phone and commissioner David Bracey accepted the nomination. The group had no other nominations. AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote: 9-0; Absent: Juan - Carlos Mendez, David Bracey (One Vacant Seat) that the Anaheim Sister City Commission does hereby approve the appointment of Commissioner David Bracey as Vice -Chair. VII. DISCUSS IN -BOUND AND OUT -INBOUND STUDENT EXCHANGE Chair Lori Dinwiddie discussed creating committees going forward to make things easier for those working on the exchange. Chair Lori Dinwiddie originally sent out an email ahead of this meeting asking the commissioners to think about what committee they would like to be a part of Commissioner Anthony Al -Jamie and Joseph Aihara both responded and would like to be on the outbound committee. Commissioner Kristin Erickson replied and asked to be on the in -bound committee. Commissioner James Dinwiddie asked if they will be having sub -committees where they can have non -commission members join those to volunteer. Commissioner Joseph Aihara suggested alternating the student exchange so there is more focus on the in -bound one year and the out- bound the following year. Furthermore, commissioner Deanna Helmy discussed creating an ambassadorship for the students. Commissioner Anthony Al -Jamie made a comment to keep the trip every year because it allows all students to have a chance to join the program. Commissioner Kristin Erickson suggested also alternating when/if we continue a relationship with Victoria-Gasteiz, Spain. Chair Lori Dinwiddie stated that Spain has been more of an adult/Staff business exchange, not yet with students. Lori went on to explain that when we consider a new Sister City, we look into what the interest is in becoming a Sister City with us here in Anaheim, CA. Commissioner James Dinwiddie brought up that we do have a current Sister City Application, it's then gets reviewed, if there is interest they come in and do a presentation, then as a Commission it's decided if it's something that is then taken to council as a recommendation. Commissioner Anthony Al -Jamie commented we are currently in a Sister City relationship with 2 cities. That being Mito and Victoria-Gasteiz. He is suggesting we grow those relationships before moving on to look for others. Chair Lori Dinwiddie let the Anaheim Sister City Commission September 23, 2024 Page 3 commissioners know that staff Karen Harrell reached out to Victoria-Gasteiz and was able to get a new contact that we can reach out to. She also let everyone know there was a delegation visit to Germany, but nothing came out of it. Commissioner Anthony Al -Jamie suggested Juan Carlos reach out to Mayor's office in Victoria-Gasteiz. VIII. FUNDRAISINGBUDGET AND SISTER CITY APPLICATION COMMITTEES Commissioner Deana Helmy asked for clarification with the Fundraising and the Budget Committees. Commissioner James Dinwiddie stated that when it comes to the Sister City budget it needs to be requested through the City Council to approve funds. Chair Lori Dinwiddie asked who would like to work on updating the Sister City Application for those interested cities. Commissioners Susan Klaren- Hatzenbuhler and Chiarina Piazza both offered to be part of the Sister City application committee. Chair Lori Dinwiddie stated she would assist in the process. Commissioners asked Anthony Al -Jamie if current application needs review or update and for now Anthony Al -Jamie said there is no need. Commissioners agreed to leave as is. IX. DISCUSS VICTORIA-GASTEIZ Chair Lori Dinwiddie discussed an upcoming zoom meeting taking place with the Honorary Consul of Spain. Lori and staff member Karen Harrell will be attending and opened it up to the commissioners as well. X. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioners Susan Klaren-Hatzenbuhler and Deana Helmy asked for follow- up regarding the required Brown Act training session. Commissioner Anthony Al -Jamie talked about an upcoming expo called the Osaka World Expo that is open to 19-27-year-olds and has various time frames they can do. They also do offer scholarships available to those who would like to apply. Commissioner Anthony talked about an event that was held in Tokyo and stated he invited Mr. Wang. Staff member Kimberly Kelemen stated that Mr. Wang is our main contact in Japan for the Student Exchange program. Commissioner James Dinwiddie commented on our relationship with Pudong, China. Staff Kimberly Kelemen explained we do currently have a "friendship" connection with the city but could look into where our relationship stands and if want to move further with it. Commissioner Deana Helmy asked for clarification on the inbound or outbound process. Lori said that there would need to be a further discussion with Mito before changing the process. Anaheim Sister City Commission September 23, 2024 Page 4 Commissioner James Dinwiddie and Chair Lori Dinwiddie clarified that the dates are usually the same every year with the program. Commissioner Deana asked for clarification on the school year for Japanese students. Commissioner Joseph Aihara explained the Japanese school year and the expectations with the timing of the program. Chair Lori Dinwiddie suggested to have Commissioner Joseph Aihara reach out to the Mito Association and work with the contact to settle the details. Treasurer Simin Heydari asked Commissioner Joseph about his experience as a chaperone in Japan. Joseph talked about both his experience as a chaperone and the feedback from the Japanese students coming to Anaheim. Commissioner Joseph Aihara added that 2026 is the 50th anniversary of the Sister City. Chair Lori Dinwiddie stated that it should be done big. Commissioner James suggested a committee for it to help in the planning process leading up to the anniversary. Commissioner Anthony Al -Jamie asked to keep the ad rolling for the homestay program. Staff member Kimberly Kelemen said she would look into it and make sure that we keep it published. Commissioner Susan Klaren-Hatzenbuhler mentioned reaching out to the International School of Orange County to advertise for homestay families. Treasurer Simin Heydari asked for an example of a fundraising event that was done in the past. Chair Lori Dinwiddie discussed an event that was done in the past with a dinner and possible new ideas to look into. Commissioner Kristin Erickson asked what amount of revenue was made from fundraising. Chair Lori Dinwiddie mentioned that fundraisers have helped cover main costs previous years but not too much over that. Suggests thinking about creative fundraisers to make a bigger difference. XI. STAFF COMMENTS NA XII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:07 p.m. to Monday, October 28, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.