2017-06 Friendship City MinutesRichfield Friendship City Commission, Meeting Minutes – June 15, 2017
The meeting was called to order at 7:07 PM by Ahmad Ansari, Chair.
Those in attendance: Rori Coleman‐Woods, JoAnn Boraas, Ahmad Ansari, Mary
Olafson, Dave Delzer, Marty Kirsch, Hadiya Bakar, Cynthy Mandl (RFCC
Ambassador), Jim Topitzhofer (Staff Liaision)
Absent, excused: Pixie Pixler, Sharon Amegee, Darwin Schaeferlane (Community
Services Commission liaison), Karen Shragg (Staff Liaision)
Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the May 18, 2017, meeting were approved
with minor correction.
Treasurer’s Report: Checking account balance as of May 31, 2017, was $3407.67.
Report accepted.
Old Business: Heredia Park Sculpture Report – The sculptor is traveling to
Houston, Texas, then on to Minneapolis, and will arrive here Tuesday, June 20.
The airline fare was very similar to what it would have been had his itinerary not
included time in Texas. Mary is to submit the airline invoice to Jim as the City will
reimburse the RFCC a total of $500. This will cover the cost of the dedication
ceremony reception, and remaining dollars will go toward the airline ticket.
Sculpture Dedication Ceremony ‐ Refreshments will be planned for 100, to
include cake, water, juice boxes and coffee. Dave will provide for the Costa Rican
coffee using the 60‐cup coffeemaker. Mary will purchase other items as well as
nametags, plates, forks, etc., and bring to the Municipal Center the day before the
ceremony, and refrigerate the water and juice boxes. She also will bring a sheet
to cover the sculpture prior to its unveiling. The ceremony will be in the rotunda
or outside, depending on the weather, and refreshments in the rotunda. Jim will
see that some chairs are available for those who need them. Otherwise guests
will stand. Hadiya and Sharon will greet guests and direct them to get a nametag,
RFCC brochures, to displays, and refreshments. At 2:30, Ahmad will provide a
greeting to guests, and introduce VIP’s, City of Richfield representatives, RFCC
members, visitors from the Richfield Soccer Association, visitors from the dual
language school, etc. Marty will present information about the relationship of
Richfield and Heredia, and additional information about the RFCC. The sculptor
will be introduced by Cynthy, followed by development of the sculpture by Jim.
Guillermo and the young girl, Sofia, will then unveil the sculpture, Sofia, the
plaque’s poem will be read by Rori, in both languages, and the symbolism
discussed by Jim & Cynthy. Guillermo as well as Sofia and/or her mother, will be
asked to provide a response. Rori will translate for Guillermo. Mary and Jim will
work with John Evans to finalize the program. The dual language school has not
yet been able to commit to a sufficient number of students to provide music.
RFCC members will wear their official t‐shirts to the ceremony, the men to wear
business casual pants, and the women khaki‐colored pants, skirts, etc. All are to
arrive at City Hall, Saturday, June 24 at 1:00 (one hour prior to the ceremony.)
RFCC Display Cabinet – Cynthy and JoAnn will finalize the arrangement of items
and Cynthy will provide the description of name of the item, material/s used, and
when it was created. Cynthy will bring other items to possibly display, including
map/s and additional information regarding Heredia, and work with Jim on how
to display the items.
RFCC Dinner following the Ceremony – Ahmad will arrange a 5:00 dinner
reservation for ~ 15 people. This will include RFCC members, our Costa Rican
guests, and other associated individuals. The restaurant is Mediterranean Cruise
Café, 12500 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville.
New Business: Jim distributed a motion via email, written by JoAnn, following the
May 18 meeting, requesting a vote by members regarding approval of $125
expense to arrange for a Spanish language tour of Minneapolis Institute of Art
(MIA) for the sculptor. Jim at that time reported the motion to have been
approved. This was reaffirmed by those present at the meeting. JoAnn has
arranged for a Spanish language tour of the newly‐reopened Minneapolis
Sculpture Garden. This tour will be Thursday, June 22, 11:00, and will be provided
by Walker Art at no charge. RFCC approved purchase of a sculpture garden book
to present to the sculptor. A Spanish language tour of MIA is scheduled for 1:00,
Friday, June 23. Additional individuals may accompany Guillermo on these tours,
at no charge. JoAnn will provide final arrangements.
Other activities for Guillermo’s visit – Cynthy has considered a number of
activities and will present them to Guillermo and others interested. Cynthy and
Mary will coordinate a time to visit the credit union and reimburse Guillermo for
his plane ticket from RFCC monies.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:38 PM.
Next Meeting: Thursday, July 20, 2017, Heredia Room, Richfield Municipal
Center, 6700 Portland Avenue.