2017-04 Friendship City MinutesRichfield Friendship City Commission, Meeting Minutes – April 20, 2017
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 by Ahmad Ansari, Chair.
Those in attendance: Dave Delzer, Mary Olafson, JoAnn Boraas, Ahmad Ansari,
Hadiya Bakar, Marty Kirsch, Rori Coleman‐Woods, Cynthy Mandl (RFCC
Ambassador), Jim Topitzhofer & Karen Schragg (staff liaisons), Darwin
Schaeferlane (Community Services Commission liaison), Sara Sadorra & Alexander
Dahl (Arts Commission guests)
Absent, excused: Pixie Pixler
Absent: Sharon Amegee
Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the March 16 meeting were approved with
minor correction.
Treasurer’s Report: Checking account balance as of February 28, 2017, was
$3407.39. Report approved.
Old Business: Heredia Park Sculpture Report – Jim’s update regarding the
sculpture included information that the base will be made of concrete, and the
sculpture mounted using pins and adhesive. An aluminum plaque with black
background and raised engraving will have the name of the sculpture (“Sofia”)
and that it was presented by Guillermo Hernandez, the sculptor and author, to
the City of Richfield. The dedication date of June 24, 2017, as well as the artist’s
poem will also be engraved. Discussion followed regarding editing of the poem’s
translation into English, and its formatting on the plaque.
Sculpture Dedication Ceremony – Mary reported that the ceremony is set
for Saturday, June 24, 2:00‐4:00, with the dedication event scheduled for 2:30
outside (weather permitting) by the sculpture. The program will include reading
of the poem written by the sculptor/author, and speakers may include Cynthy,
Guillermo (with an interpreter), Ahmad, Jim, and a representative from the Arts
Commission. Refreshments will be served inside in the Heredia and Bartholomew
Rooms. The City has agreed to contribute $500 towards the ceremony and
refreshments, per Jim. Guillermo Hernandez is currently the only confirmed
traveler from Costa Rica, and he will be hosted by Cynthy and Ken Mandl. Other
Costa Rican guests will include a family who was until recently living in Plymouth,
MN, and who have now relocated to Texas. Their daughters’ images were used
by the sculptor in his project. Sara will invite artists through contacts with the
Arts Commission, and may arrange for display of Richfield artists’ works for the
day. Cynthy will organize a tribute to the artist’s work in the RFCC display cabinet,
with her own pieces, along with the artist’s biography, resume, and photo. She
will also follow up with the dual language school and Andrew Wig from the Sun
Current. Rori is to continue follow up with the soccer association and Latino
Family Association. Activities in addition to the dedication ceremony may include
a dinner in the artist’s honor. Other activities will be scheduled as the final list of
out‐of‐town guests is confirmed.
New Business: Unity in the Community – This will be held Thursday, May 25,
5:00‐7:30 at Veterans’ Park. Dave and Marty will co‐chair arrangements for RFCC
information, etc. Others who will attend include Cynthy, Mary, JoAnn, and Rori.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
Next Meeting: 7:00 PM, Thursday, May 18, 2017 in Heredia Room.
Submitted by JoAnn Boraas, RFCC Secretary