City of Lawrence

Lawrence Sister Cities Advisory Board

July 13, 2011

MEMBERS PRESENT:	Linda Hyler, Jon Josserand, Kathleen Hodge, James Hilliard, Kelly Herndon, Gina Ross, Dennis Christilles, Bob Moody, Michael Kennedy, Ken Albrecht
MEMBERS ABSENT:	Bill Keel, Lynn Ground
STAFF LIAISON PRESENT:	Cynthia Wagner
PUBLIC PRESENT:

The meeting was brought to order by Vice-Chair Hyler at 5:35.  

Accounting – Herndon

Herndon distributed a sheet indicating gross deposit and expenditures amounts for the four sister cities accounts for the second quarter.  The cash balances are: Eutin account – $2,774.72;  sister cities interest bearing - $33,733.76;  Hiratsuka - $5,008.86;  and sister cities checking - $6,669,01.   

20^th Anniversary Official Visit of Hiratsuka to Lawrence – Hodge

Two meetings of the committee and sub-committee have occurred recently.  The delegation is expected to arrive on October 3^rd at 12:30 pm.  Arrival in Lawrence is expected at 2:30 pm.  Fifteen guests expected, six of whom are elected officials, and nine others who have been or are active in sister cities events.   

The first night stay is expected at a hotel.

The tentative schedule includes:

• On October 4, tentative activities include a welcome reception at the Lawrence Arts Center, lunch at city hall with city commissioners, a downtown walking tour, a visit to the city commission meeting at 6:35, and a welcome reception at the Gaumnitz home.

• Home stays are being arranged for the guests after the first night.

• Wednesday October 5 is tentatively scheduled as a “KU and Haskell day” which would include a meeting with the chancellor and a lunch hosted by the University.    The evening would include a dinner function, with possible entertainment, to commemorate the 20^th year of our relationship.

• Thursday morning would be open, and the afternoon would include a lunch and visit to a local vineyard and winery.

• The schedule and details are a work in progress and are still under development.  Discussion occurred about many of these issues.

• Friday would involve transportation back to the airport.

Hilliard requested a meeting of the 20^th anniversary planning committee soon to discuss details, based upon his conversations he had with individuals in Hiratsuka. 

Minutes

The minutes for June were approved as previously distributed with one correction regarding attendance.

Friends of Eutin – Albrecht

Herndon indicated that she has obtained eight families who will home stay Eutin high school students for the September 10 to October 9 visit.  Twelve students and one male teacher are expected and will need accommodations.

Sister Cities International Grant Opportunity (Josserand)

Josserand indicated that the grant was submitted as required by the deadline of June 15.  He indicated he would distribute a copy of the final request to the full board.

Friends of Hiratsuka  –  (Hilliard)

Hilliard, who was a chaperone on this year’s trip indicated that all twelve students had returned from Japan last weekend.  He believes the trip was one of the smoothest he had been associated with.  Twelve students visited Japan.  A trip to Disneyland-Japan was part of the touring, which was a big hit, and the students lived in a different city dormitory than usual. 

Twenty students and three chaperones are expected to arrive in Lawrence on July 29^th.  Details for the arrival ceremony and farewell party are still in flux. 

Friends of Iniades - (Christilles)

Christilles indicated there was little to report.  Christilles and Hodge reported on a recent email communication from Iniades.

Lawrence City Satisfaction Survey Report – (Wagner)

Wagner distributed and reviewed a summary from the recent city satisfaction survey which was made by a Johnson County opinion research firm on behalf of the city.

The meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm.