2023-09-25 Sister City Commission MinutesEdmonds Sister City Commission MINUTES
Monday, September 25, 2023
6:00-7:00 pm
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Pos. 1 OPEN
Pos. 4 Anne Nadreau
Pos. 7 lyoko Okano
Pos. 10 Karyn Heinekin
Student Representative:
Pos. 2 Katy Renz
Pos. 5 OPEN
Pos. 8 Michele Fellows
Pos. 11 Colin Torretta
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Pos. 3 Greg Lange
Pos. 6 Samantha Hopper
Pos. 9 Yuri Nishiyama
Pos. 12 OPEN
In -person attendance: Samantha Hopper, Katy Renz, Yuri Nishiyama
Virtual attendance: lyoko Okano, Greg Lange, Colin Torretta, Michele Fellows
Absent: Karyn Heinekin (ex), Anne Nadreau (ex)
Staff Liaison: Carolyn LaFave
Call to Order: by Katy @ 6 pm
Guests: Yuri's niece
Administration:
1. Meeting called to order: by Katy @ 6:03 pm
2. Land acknowledgement: ready by Katy
3. Approve/Amend Minutes: Colin motioned, Samanth 2"d to approve with no changes; approved
unanimously
4. Approve/Amend Agenda: Katy requested an amendment to the agenda to include item 4d:
Library exhibit update. Michele motioned to approve agenda as amended, Colin 2nd; approved
unanimously
Continued Business:
1. Museum Market 10/14/2023
a. Katy heading -up and will be there all day.
b. Michele will help with set-up @ 8 am
c. lyoko will cover the morning shift.
d. Karyn will cover the evening shift.
e. Anne will also provide coverage.
2. Edmonds delegation trip update to Council
a. Katy did a dry run of her PowerPoint presentation to the council on Tuesday, 9/26 on
the Edmonds delegations visit to Hekinan.
b. Carolyn provided a list of highlighted Hekinan visit itinerary items for presentation to
council as well.
3. 2023 Hekinan visit
a. Review of itinerary and commissioners' assignments. Commissioners asked to review
their assignments and let Carolyn know if they needed to make changes. Group going to
airport for pick-up will plan to text Michele when on the way to Edmonds; Michele will
relay to other commissioners.
b. Reviewed to do list:
i. Need commissioners in attendance at daily events to take photos.
ii. Will need a small group to help with gift bags. Also, asked for small items to
include in bags.
iii. Colin and Yuri will help with set-up of Halloween tables @ city hall.
c. Reviewed hosting assignments
d. Reviewed reception guest list
e. Carolyn will create reception invite and program
4. Katy informed the commission that the library would be unavailable for an exhibit of Hekinan art
in November as their re -opening date had moved to end of December.
New Business:
1. Commissioners were requested to submit candidates for 2024 officer positions of Chair and
Secretary. Nominations and elections to take place at October meeting with new officers taking
office in February 2024.
2. 2024 student exchange
a. Hekinan is currently hopeful for a 2024 student exchange. They would like to discuss the
terms and number of students. Considering a shorter timeframe, possibly 7-10 days
instead of 14
b. Commissioners discussed their thoughts on an exchange considering rising COVID
infections.
i. Possibly widen time between Edmonds visit and Hekinan visit.
ii. Require masks.
iii. The group is amenable to timeframe changes but would like to ensure at least
one weekend with host families is provided.
iv. Conclusion: The commission decided it would be best to wait until early 2024 to
determine if a trip is possible. Will plan to notify public prior to 2024 of
possibility of an exchange and when further information will be available.
Carolyn will communicate with Hekinan on this matter.
Announcements: none
Adjourned: 7:00 pm
Next Meeting: Monday, October 23, 2023