2012-10-22 Sister City Commission MinutesEdmonds Sister City Commission
Meeting Date: October 22, 2012 — Meeting Minutes
Pos. 1 Michelle Van Tassell
Pos. 4 Marlene Friend
Pos. 7 lyoko Okano
Pos. 10 Beth Fuhriman
Pos. 2 OPEN
Pos. 5 Kay Vreeland
Pos. 8 Kody McConnell
Pos. 11 Jill Van Berkom
Commissioners not in Attendance: McConnell, Fuhriman
Staff. Carrie Hite
Call to order: 7:02pm
Pos. 3 Yoshikata Inoue
Pos. 6 Rita Bailey Ikeda
Pos. 9 Joseph Fletcher
Pos. 12 OPEN
Agenda was modified through a motion to remove several items. Michelle and Marlene made and
supported the motions. The Agenda change was accepted by group vote.
Minutes: A move was made to make corrections to the participants of the Skype meeting. Ms.
Sakakibara was not at the meeting.
Treasurer's report: Kody submitted a report which illustrated the monthly balance for the
Commission. There was a request that the report's detail level be increased with itemization of
expenses and additions. There was a receipt for $738 from the Mariners' fund raising event. The report
is attached to the minutes.
Correspondence Yoshi shared a correspondence from Kody who can no longer attend meetings but
will perhaps be able to serve in some fashion. The Commission discussed having a position of
Treasurer/Secretary with the treasurer's work being done by Mr. McConnell. Yoshi will discuss this
option with him.
Old business:
• New Commissioner Interviews: Two candidates were interviewed - Paul Anderson and Ray Olitt.
After a brief discussion, the Commission supported a motion to accept these gentlemen as
Commissioners.
• Saturday Market Booth: We received a letter from the organizer of the Saturday market that
expressed appreciation for our presence. Some requests were made to have some additional
supplies and materials at the booth and that our booth be located underneath the Edmonds sign.
• Adult Delegation Planning: A list is being created for those who will receive an invitation for the
Hekinan adult delegation. There is no set number for the invitees. A publication is being
prepared by the Mayor's office that will provide a venue to make the news public, however the
private invitations are to go out first. The invitations will be prepared to go out by Christmas.
Michelle is leading this effort.
• Hazel Miller Foundation Update: Michelle reports that Hazel Miller declined to offer us a grant,
however, they are interested in supporting our effort during the Hekinan adult delegation visit.
Michelle's research into the Verdant foundation grants found that the grant target criteria might
be too specific for our needs. Michelle has also been in contact with the Edmonds Rotary club
and will be meeting with them to discuss our program.
• Student Delegation Recruit update: Beth is working on an email for inclusion into the School
District eNewsletter. An email describes her activity and is attached to the minutes. A
discussion arose concerning what can be done to provide additional motivation to district
students to participate in the program. Some ideas such as a movie night or other activity or
visiting the school's anime club might allow us to present some information. Edmonds CC also
has a Running Start program which may have motivated students. Yoshi will contact the
Running Start program teacher. Sue will be asked to send the Chaperone and Student
application forms to the group for review.
• Student Rep: Jill presented a draft document which was created from the Arts Commission
template. The Commission cited a number of changes during the meeting and Jill will
incorporate those into a draft which will be sent out to the Commission members.
• Edmonds Floretum Garden Club: Joseph will send an electronic copy of the document to Sue
for printing on Commission letterhead for Yoshi's signature.
New Business:
• City update: The city of Edmonds is undergoing a budget crunch and will enact budget cuts
across the board. Large changes include a change in the health benefits for city employees and a
retirement buyout. Sue Johnson is one of the employees who have chosen to leave
employment with the city. There will be numerous changes to how the Commission interacts
with the City in the future. Carrie will set a meeting between the new city coordinator and the
Commission leadership (Yoshi, lyoko, Michelle). In addition, the Commission will buy a gift for
Sue and several members made contributions. Marlene is leading this effort.
• Doll Making Class (Fundraiser Idea): a teacher at Nikei concerns runs a kaminingyo (paper doll)
making class which runs $35. An idea is to run the class out of the Anderson center with a $50
price — with a profit on the class of about $150. The Commission expressed ideas that this could
expand into a continuing series of classes in Japanese culture. Marlene and lyoko will follow up
on this program.
• Library Lobby SCC display: Beth sent an email describing her information about the library
display cases. The Commission would like to have a display for October next year during the
adult delegation visit.
• Quarterly E-Newsletter for Beacon: Michelle did not have an update on the request for the
Beacon newsletter.
• Culture Night: Possibilities are to use the theater for a movie night, Halloween activities, or a
Saturday Fair type activity. This idea is still in development but may be tied with the idea
cultural based class offerings.
• Officers for 2013: In light of the upcoming activities schedule, Yoshi suggested that the slate of
officers for 2013 be Michelle — Chair, Yoshi — Vice Chair, Secretary /Treasurer — Joseph.
• Web Site update: Our website contents (Minutes & Agenda) have not been updated in some
time. Joseph will look into updating these items.
Tabled:
• Committees for 2013 Events
• Host family selection / timeframe
• Review of 5 year plan
• Review of Commissioners' role per by-laws
Next Meeting: November 26th — 7:OOpm
Adjournment: 8:45pm