City of Lawrence

Lawrence Sister Cities Advisory Board

April 11, 2007 minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT:	Stuart Boley, Lynn Ground, Kathleen Hodge, Linda Hyler, Jon Josserand, William Keel, Michael Kennedy, Graham Kreicker, Bob Moody, Gina Ross, Bob Schumm, Andrew Tsubaki
MEMBERS ABSENT:	Karen Swisher, Nancy Bjorge
STAFF LIAISON PRESENT:	Michael Tubbs
PUBLIC PRESENT:	Cathy Hilliard

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Meeting called to order at 5:30 by Ross.

Kreicker moved that the minutes from March be approved as corrected. Moody seconded.  Passed.

Ground presented the financial report.  He reported that the taxes on the Hiratsuka plane tickets were rather high, and he is making inquiries as to why this is.  He also reported on steps that he is taking regarding research for our accounts and interest rates.  Schumm moved that we authorize Ground to move bank accounts so as to improve our interest rates while retaining separate accounts for the two separate student exchange accounts.  Hodge seconded.  Discussion followed.  Motion passed.  Ground also pointed out that we had been assessed fees for the credit card payments and a stopped check fee.  Schumm will check on the credit card fees.  Kreicker moved and Schumm seconded that we accept the financial reports for February and March.  Motion passed.

Ross shared a thank you from Lisa Patterson.  Ross also reported on the coin map that was a gift to Hiratsuka from the parent of a student who went on the trip.  It could not be shipped due to regulations regarding the shipping of U.S. monies so it was hand carried by Mr. Suzuki who was returning to Japan.  Ross wrote a thank you note to Mr. Suzuki.

Ross led a discussion regarding the document entitled “Standard Queries for any city seeking sisterhood with Lawrence, Kansas.”  Hyler moved and Hodge seconded that we change the wording in the questions on the sixth bullet to the following:

How does "city seeking sisterhood" intend to further the sister city involvement including student exchanges for junior and/or senior high students in both cities? 

Keel abstained.  Motion passed.  See complete list of questions following the minutes.

Ross reported the IRS had acknowledged that they had received our letters and documents regarding our appeal on fines and penalties.

Ross reported that Karen Swisher had resigned from the board.  Traditionally, the president of Haskell has held this seat.  The consensus was that we would like to continue to reserve a seat on the board for a representative from Haskell. Ross will contact the new president of Haskell and report back to the board.  Then a recommendation can be made to the mayor from the board.

Moody moved we adjourn.  Kennedy seconded.  Motion passed.

Next meeting is May 9, 2007.

Lawrence Sister Cities Advisory Board

Standard Queries for any city seeking sisterhood with Lawrence, Kansas

Last update September 2006 by Gina Ross, Bob Schumm, Lynn Ground, Kathleen Hodge, and Jon Josserand

Last update March 2007: Moody, Keel

• Describe the Friends of "city seeking sisterhood" support group including number of members, and ability/willingness to become actively engaged over the time in Sister Cities relationship?
• Highlights of your recent trip to "city seeking sisterhood"?
• What is the depth and extent of the relationship with "City seeking sisterhood"?
• Is there a counterpart friends group in "city seeking sisterhood" and what is their commitment?  Describe that group.
• Is there a commitment in "city seeking sisterhood" beyond the current city regime to actively engage in a Sister Cities relationship with Lawrence over the long haul? If so, by whom?
• How does "city seeking sisterhood" intend to further the sister city involvement including student exchanges for junior and/or senior high students in both cities?
• What is the ability for "city seeking sisterhood" to fund student exchanges?
• In what types of exchanges other than student ones do you envisage that "city seeking sisterhood" is willing/able to exchange?
• What is "city seeking sisterhood"’s relationship with its other sister cities and what are the city’s resources?
• What are the Friends of "city seeking sisterhood"’s expectations in becoming a Sister City of Lawrence?
• Universities in "city seeking sisterhood"?
• Overview of demographic & economic situation in "country of the city seeking sisterhood"/"city seeking sisterhood.”
• Overview of political/security situation in "country of the city seeking sisterhood"/"city seeking sisterhood.”  Would students and other visitors be/feel safe and welcome?
• Review the history of Kansas "country of the city seeking sisterhood" Partnerships & Projects.
• Expectation that Friends of "city seeking sisterhood" would become members of Lawrence Sister Cities.
• Cost of travel/routes to "country of the city seeking sisterhood"?