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Sister City 2021/10/25CITY OF ANAHEIM SISTER CITY COMMISSION MINUTES October 25, 2021 – 4:00 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Paul Anderson, Kevin Barrot, James Dinwiddie II, Lori Dinwiddie, Elizabeth Jabaz, Dara Maleki, Germaine Neumann, Anna Piercy, Brian Stanley COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Taline Cole, Emily Fuentes, Brian O’Neal LaShe Rodriguez, (Two Vacant Seats) STAFF PRESENT: Kimberly Kelemen, Community Services Maggie Solorio, City Manager’s Office Karen Harrell, City Manager’s Office GUESTS PRESENT: None Agenda Posting: A complete copy of the Anaheim Sister City Commission Agenda was posted on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at 2:45 p.m. at Anaheim City Hall. I.CALL TO ORDER Chair Lori Dinwiddie called the Anaheim Sister City Commission (ASCC) meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. on Monday, October 25, 2021. II.FLAG SALUTE Commissioner James Dinwiddie led the flag salute. III.APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Commissioner Paul Anderson offered a Motion, seconded by Commissioner Dara Maleki AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote: 6-0; Abstained: Commissioner Ann Piercy Absent; LaShe Rodriguez, Taline Cole, Emily Fuentes, Brian O’Neal (Two Vacant Seats) that the Anaheim Sister City Commission does hereby approve the minutes from the ASCC meeting held on September 27, 2021 as presented. ITEM # 07 Anaheim Sister City Commission October 25, 2021 Page 2 IV. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT Treasurer Kevin Barrot presented the Treasurer’s Report dated October 20, 2021 with a balance of $15,800.36 and noted there had been no changes in the account since February 2020. MOTION: Commissioner Paul Anderson offered a Motion, seconded by Commissioner James Dinwiddie AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote: 6-0; Absent; LaShe Rodriguez, Taline Cole, Emily Fuentes, Brian O’Neal (Two Vacant Seats) that the Anaheim Sister City Commission does hereby approve the Treasurer’s Report dated October 20, 2021 as presented. V. MITO STUDENT EXCHANGE Chair Lori Dinwiddie emailed Mr. Wang, and he agrees and is all for a virtual exchange in 2022, and returning to in-person in 2023. This will be summertime. Chair Lori Dinwiddie sent Mr. Wang a preliminary schedule and when he returns we can figure out details. VI. VITORIA-GASTEIZ RELATIONSHIP UPDATE There being no updates on this item, the item was continued to the November meeting for discussion. VII. SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP REQUEST/POTENTIAL VISIT FROM ETHIOPIA Chair Lori Dinwiddie emailed Commissioner Emily Fuentes, as she is putting together an application for cities who would like to apply to be Sister Cities with us. Commissioner Taline Cole is to review the application but Chair Lori Dinwiddie has not heard back from either one. Once it is reviewed and done, it will be sent to the gentleman from Ethiopia. Commissioner Germaine Neumann had a concern over Ethiopia’s recent human rights issues like China and other countries. Chair Lori Dinwiddie noted that is the reason for the application process to allow for the correct fit for the Commission. Chair Lori Dinwiddie also stated that the application should be ready by next month and will email it to everyone to look it over. VIII. NEW SISTER CITY MEETING LOCATION Chair Lori Dinwiddie asked everyone his or her thoughts on the new meeting location. Everyone present agreed it was easier to get in and out and parking is convenient. Anaheim Sister City Commission October 25, 2021 Page 3 Staff member Kimberly Kelemen explained the heightened security process at the City Hall building. It now is a longer process to get in the building. New location here at the Downtown Community Center is easier and more convenient for everyone. IX. PUBLIC COMMENT None. X. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Dara Meleki asked about possible fundraising and sponsorships with local business. With the effects of the pandemic and slowly coming out of it, businesses are now willing to give back. Staff member Kimberly Kelemen stated she would look into it. Commissioner Dara Meleki suggested reaching out to the Anaheim Chamber and Visit Anaheim. Staff member Kimberly Kelemen, added that Visit Anaheim has participated and provided gifts to the students in the past while they have been here. Commissioner James Dinwiddie noted they had planned to do a brewery type tour and had come together with Anaheim Brewery. Chair Lori Dinwiddie also noted that silent auctions have been successful. Commissioner Germaine Neumann suggested reaching out to the contact who runs the annual Japanese fair here in Anaheim. Commissioner Dara Meleki asked about re-establishing the relationship with Spain and where the Commission is on that. Chair Lori Dinwiddie explained the contact has retired and the Commission has not had a relationship since. Chair Lori Dinwiddie further noted there was an exchange with Spain and City employees. Commissioner Ann Piercy stated Sister City Commission did go out there for a delegation visit and were treated wonderfully. Commissioner Dara Meleki asked if the Commission has gone down a checklist and reassessed the Sister City qualifications. Staff member Kimberly Kelemen, noted that no, Commission has not reassessed the countries it has relationships with. Staff member Kimberly Kelemen stated Greg Garcia put together a letter to reach out to Spain. Staff member Kimberly Kelemen will follow up and update everyone on the outcome if any. Commissioner Germaine Neumann stated that she too, tried reaching out to Spain and has not received a response either. Commissioner Dara Meleki made a comment about going down the line with each city like Pudong, China and see where we are. Chair Lori Dinwiddie noted we currently have an MOU with Pudong, China, but that’s as far as it’s gone. Staff Member Kimberly Kelemen noted that as it stands it’s only Mito and Victoria- Gasteiz. Anaheim Sister City Commission October 25, 2021 Page 4 Chair Lori Dinwiddie noted the good relationship we currently have with Mito, Japan and Mr. Wang. She also noted Mito, Japan is the “gold standard” to go by when looking into other Sister City relationships. Commissioner Brian Stanley asked about having a relationship with Taiwan and what is required to get the process started. Chair Lori Dinwiddie stated that all the information will be on the application. Commissioner James Dinwiddie noted that although a relationship with Taiwan or any other city would be great, they would need to look to see if Taiwan is already a Sister City with anyone else. Furthermore, the time that needs to be put into another city relationship as well as the budget available. Chair Lori Dinwiddie made a comment saying there needs to be something that works for both ends so both cities get something out of it. Commissioner Brian Stanley stated he would put something together for review. XI. STAFF COMMENTS Staff member Kimberly Kelemen asked the commission members when they are looking to start the Virtual Exchange so the City can help advertise. Chair Lori Dinwiddie stated she sent a schedule to Mr. Wang but has not heard back. XII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. to Monday, November 29, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.