City of Lawrence

Sister Cities Advisory Board

June 23, 2004 minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Trish Bransky, Sheila Immel, Linda Hyler, Kathleen Hodge, Jon Josserand, Michael Kennedy, Graham Kreicker, Beth Reiber, Gina Ross, Karen Swisher, Bob Schumm, Andrew Tsubaki

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Stuart Boley and Bill Keel 

STAFF LIASION PRESENT: Lisa Patterson

 

PUBLIC PRESENT:  Frank Baron

 

Kreicker called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.

 

Immel moved to approve the minutes of the May 12th meeting.  Seconded by Ross and passed unanimously.

 

In lieu of a Treasurer’s report, the Board briefly reviewed the City Auditor’s compilation for the year 2003, which had previously been approved by the City.  It was noted that we have about $30,000 in operating funds, which is ample for our anticipated expenses this year, including Sesquicentennial activities.

 

Bob Schumm & Kathleen Hodge reported on plans for the Sesquicentennial Banquet to be held on Saturday, 18 September; including the menu, music, decorations, and the proposed sequence of short speeches and gift presentations.  Gina Ross moved that their report be accepted.  Seconded by Reiber and passed unanimously.

 

Tsubaki and Baron reviewed plans for the arrival and hosting of the delegations from Hiratsuka and Eutin, as well as the proposed itineraries for each group.  It appears at this time that the two delegations will total 85 individuals.

 

Tsubaki reported that the sketch of the Japanese Garden would be finished before he leaves for Japan.  He or Kreicker will get it to Patterson so the note cards can be printed in time to present to the visiting delegates.  The artist, Alvin Howell, is also creating a painting of the same scene, which our delegation can present to the City of Hiratsuka next year.

 

Kreicker appointed Tsubaki, Kennedy and Baron to a committee to finalize the selection of gifts for the delegates.  Their report will be given at next month’s meeting.

 

Hyler reported that the Friends of Hiratsuka would need funds to cover the cost of taking the Japanese students to Words of Fun, the Topeka Zoo and the State History Museum.

Boley will prepare the checks as soon as the correct amounts are known.

 

Bransky encouraged the Board to enlist the Friends of Eutin and the Friends of Hiratsuka for entertaining the delegates.  This will be done.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:10 pm.