2021-04-26 Sister City Commission MinutesEdmonds Sister City Commission
Meeting Date: April 26, 2021
Pos. 1 Rae Podrebarac
Pos. 4 OPEN
Pos. 7 lyoko Okano
Pos. 10 Karyn Heinekin
Student Representative:
Pos. 2 Katy Renz
Pos. 5 Gillian Lim
Pos. 8 Michele Fellows
Pos. 11 OPEN
Commissioners Absent: Gabe Longoria and Karyn Heinekin
Staff Liaison: Carolyn LaFave
Call to Order: 6:05
Guests: Steve Comstock (Sister City International)
Administration:
Pos. 3 Greg Lange
Pos. 6 Laura Braithwaite Otto
Pos. 9 Gabe Longoria
Pos. 12 OPEN
• Approve/Amend Agenda: Amended to include Steve as a guest speaker and add to New
Business. Laura moved, Michele seconded. Approved.
• Approve/Amend Minutes: Michele moved, Rae seconded. Approved.
• Financials: No updates (no expenditures or income)
New Business:
• Steve Comstock (Denver Takayama Sister City Committee)
o Steve Comstock spoke about connecting the Edmonds Sister City Commission to other
cities with Japanese Sister Cities.
o Carolyn and Greg shared their contact information as the point people for our group.
o Overview: both groups have had to cancel several trips. The Edmonds Group has taken
the time to focus on preparing for a virtual exchange. We are approaching 40 years of
exchanges (student and adult exchanges).
• Greg reached out to the Everett AquaSox to see if they can participate in the exchange.
Continuing Business:
• Virtually Connecting with Hekinan
o Date/Time: Saturday, August 28t" is confirmed. We will aim from the 6-9pm hour (7-8
preferred)
o Agenda
■ Shared videos
■ Breakout rooms for kids and adults
■ Q & A time
■ Some form of Zoom game
• Turning camera on and off based on what criteria/question is
■ Have an interpreter on hand to assist
■ Carolyn will reach out to the former adult delegate, student participants, and
former commissioners about the event
■ Zoom Link: Out of security concerns, the zoom link will only be shared with
those who officially register for the event.
■ Michelle will take the lead with creating the video
• OPMA training
o Please complete free training and send to Carolyn for her records.
o https://wacities.org/elearning/opma/index.html?sfvrsn=2
Announcements: None
Next Meeting: May 24, 2021
Adjournment: 6:50 pm