Sister Cities

Idaho Falls Sister City Meeting Minutes Monday, August 13, 2018 Members in Attendance: Cal & Cindy Ozaki, Paul & Sheri Hansen, Kevin & Joan Fuhrman, Brian & Julie Wartchow, Clarke Kido, Edward & Cheryl Zaladonis, Val Haddon, Jim & Nancy Thorsen, Lynda Ulschmid, Nan Hong, Bill Toth, Reginald & Isoke Fuller, Brad Cramer. Minutes: Approved as written Treasurer’s Report: Beginning Balance $10762.09. Donations received $100 from Jerry & Carrie Scheid, $250 from Kingston Properties, $65 from donations in memory of Bob Rohrdanz, New Balance: $11177.09. Business:  Cindy talked to Russ & Lynn Cawley former members of the delegation who have moved away and are living in an assisted living facility. They miss IF and the Sister City organization. Russ started our facebook page and has given control over to us to continue. Litton is committee chairman of the media/marketing committee. The facebook site and web-site are up and running. Please check them out. Litton was unable to attend today’s meeting but will report on it at next meeting.  Cindy mentioned of Bob Rohrdanz’s passing and that he and Kay have been members long standing in Sister Cities and in his obituary they requested that instead of flowers for people to make donations to the IF Sister Cities.  Clarke reported on the Garden that Judy Seidel stated that projects for this fall are to re- stain the bamboo fence. She plans on asking the youth group for help. They are researching what material to use for more long term life. They also need to replace some of the rope and post fencing that have weathered and broken.  Fund Raising: Nancy and her committee have been working very hard in getting donations. Kirsten has received a commitment from Medical Imaging for $300 and is contacting EIRMC and Mt. View Hospitals. We have received donations from Kingston Properties, Teton Toyota, Nancy’s neighbor Geraldine Reilly and former members Jerry & Carrie Scheid, Lee Gagner, and Curtis Looslie. Nancy will call Lori Priest for donation from INL.  Delegates: Cindy had e-mailed a list of the 9 delegates coming from Tokai for this year’s exchange. They are: 1) Mr. Osamu Yamada (Mayor) 2) Mr. Hiroshi Sunaoshi (Tokai Village Sister Cities Association) 3) Ms. Keiko Sunaoshi (Tokai Village Sister Cities Association) 4) Ms. Chieko Kashima (Tokai Village Sister Cities Association) 5) Mr. Shinji Ueki (Councilor) 6) Mr. MichihiroYoshida (Councilor)  7) Mr. Takamichi Akiyama (Manager, Secretarial and Public Relations Section, Tokai Village Office. 8) Ms. Tomomi Ishikawa (Secretarial and Public Relations Section, Tokai Village Office) 9) Mr. Noboru Aoyagi (Interpreter, JAEA) All will do homestay weekend, a few requested week long homestay. Cindy, Sheri, and Joan will meet to assign homestays and report at next meeting. Mr. Shinji Ueki does not speak English so requested a family that speaks Japanese or that the interpreter do homestay with him.  Tailgate & ISU/UI Football game: Kris reported that we had 44 people sign up to attend and that he is coordinating with a friend at ISU for tickets. Game only tickets are $8 each or $20 each for game and tailgate party that includes food, beer, and game with pre-game, half-time and post-game refreshments. It was voted to do the $20 tailgate party tickets. Members need to pay for their tickets in advance so that we may pay ISU booster club. This is sponsored through the ISU booster and they want to do something special for our attendance. We will all be seated in the same section close to the field. Once you have committed to going you are responsible for paying for your ticket. Each car going will need a designated driver since alcohol is involved. Kris suggested if we are interested he could arrange a tour of campus and the nuclear program facility prior to the game activities. The tail gate party begins in the morning and was suggested we start at the tail-gate party between 11:30-12:00 since they will be arriving the night before and will be tired, game time is app. 3:00 pm and post-game refreshments after.  It was discussed that our Sister City group get together with Pocatello Sister City.  Feedback from Japan indicate that Mayor Yamada is interested in things that connect with community and development, some are interested in the INL and requested a tour, one person it will be his first visit to USA, two have never been to Yellowstone and of the 9 delegates five have been here before with Sister Cities and 4 will be their first time.  We need to set up a committee for Welcome bags to be given upon arrival. It was suggested that we include ISU hats or bandanas for them to wear at the game on Saturday.  Brad had submitted an agenda for City Day on Tuesday to include: City Hall photo, meet and greet City Council members in Council Chamber, Fire Station 1 tour, Broadway tour, lunch with Directors (Council?) at Lucy’s Pizza or Grandpa’s BBQ if Lucy’s not open yet provided by City of Idaho Falls. Tour of Historic Homes-Ridge Ave. and a few new built homes by local builders. It was decided not to include ARTitorium so we could be done by 4:00 so everyone can rest before community reception. (It would be nice while we are at the Broadway if we could include a quick tour of the Friendship Garden for new delegates).  Community Reception Tuesday evening 6:00 at Art Museum. This is a formal reception, catered event with speeches and formal gift exchange. (We will to check on caterers).  The Youth Group would like to host a Mexican dinner for the delegation on the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 10th.  Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday events were open it was decided that Friday would be the best day for the day bus trip. (suggestions were Grand Teton Park/Jackson, Granite Hot Springs, Melvin Brewery and Bull Moose saloon and restaurant in Alpine.)  Thursday Cal is arranging for a tour of INL, EBR1, possible CAES, and/or ESL. (He will let us know what he can arrange and what needs to be done for clearances). Wednesday is open for activities to be determined. Some things we are looking at are tours of Thunder Ridge (new high school), tour of CEI, visit to the Humanitarian Center, Tour of Teton Toyota (Mario wants to give the delegates a tour and gift. He is a good supporter and does business with Japan and would like to reciprocate the kind treatment he is given by them), possible cooking class (Some suggestions were to use kitchen at Developmental workshop-evening only, Lemon Persnickety has a kitchen available, a cook and presentation we could check with was Brenda Baumgardner Stanley. Nancy will organize a golf time if decided. Cindy will check to see with Japanese how many would be interested. These things would have to be decided on and fit into Wednesday, possible Friday afternoon. Julie & Sheri will coordinate the Wednesday events.  Cal & Litton will check on INL vans for the INL tour.  Cindy will check with Thunder Ridge and CEI for possible times for tours.  Saturday brunch exchange: Brad offered for his family to make crepes. A place to hold the exchange still needs to be determined.  Thorsen’s would like to do a BBQ for the delegation at their house they offered the Friday Oct. 5th welcome or Monday Oct. 8th. Times and date will be determined after we get their flight information.  Clarke checked on using the room at the airport for a light breakfast prior to their departure.  Farewell Dinner: We discussed doing it at the Sandpiper or having a catered Thanksgiving fall dinner at a location to be determined. We will check on costs for the Sandpiper and look for location for Thanksgiving dinner to decide.  City Vans: Since we are now part of the city there are a lot of regulations that need to be followed and costs involved using the city vans. Therefore we decided to car pool.  Brian took pictures and handed out information sheets for a member directory to give the Japanese delegation. It will also be nice since we have quite a few new members to help us get to know each other as well. Cindy will e-mail a form to each member and we ask that you complete it ASAP and return to Cindy at cindyozaki@gmail.com or to Brian Wartchow at bjwartchow@yahoo.com. If you have not had your picture taken please plan on attending the next meeting on Monday, August 27th so Brian can get the directory completed.  Nancy & Kevin have been checking on hotels for the delegates most are ranging in the $100/night area including taxes. Cindy will check with the Candlewood to see what they can do. PLEASE NOTE: We have a lot to do in a short period of time and would like everyone’s support and help in making this exchange a success. The next meeting is: Monday August 27th at 7 pm in the City Council Chambers. Also scheduled Monday, Sept 10 and Monday Sept 24. Sheri Hansen (Filling in for Lisa Sehlke)