2017-10 Friendship City MinutesRichfield Friendship City Commission, Meeting Minutes
October 19, 2017
The meeting was called to order by Marty Kirsch, Vice Chair.
Those in attendance: Dave Delzer, Pixie Pixler, Marty Kirsch, Mary Olafson, JoAnn
Boraas, Cynthy Mandl (RFCC Ambassador), Jim Topitzholfer (Staff Liasion)
Absent, excused: Ahmad Ansari (Chair)
Absent: Rori Coleman-Woods
Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the July 20, 2017 meeting were approved as
drafted. No meeting was held in August, and a brief Penn Fest planning meeting was
held September 14, 2017.
Treasurer’s Report: Mary reported transactions since July include expenses of
$124.85 reimbursed to Mary for the sculpture dedication ceremony, $22.87 to Cynthy
for materials used by Guillermo to work on the Allianza sculpture, and $206.94 to
Ahmad for the group dinner following the sculpture dedication ceremony. Deposits to
our checking account have included $0.28 in interest (3 months) and $500 from the City
of Richfield for its contribution to the ceremony. This results in a checking account
balance of $2624.30. Report was approved.
Old Business: Allianza sculpture: There was discussion revolving this sculpture,
including who is responsible for maintaining it, who pays for the maintenance, and who
owns the property where it is located. Since it is not situated on public property, the city
is not responsible for its maintenance, per Jim. He recommended determining who
exactly owns the property now, in order to follow up on future sculpture care. Our
visiting sculptor, Guillermo Hernandez, felt that this sculpture, following his recent care,
is now in good condition.
Costa Rican Inventory: A subcommittee of Dave, Marty, Cynthy and Pixie are
following up on determining what to keep from the current inventory of Costa Rica
items. Cynthy suggested offering extra items to the dual language school located in
Richfield.
Commission vacancies: Our student members, Sharon Amegee and Hadiya
Bakar have now graduated from high school, and Darwin Schaeferlane has transferred
from RFCC. Discussion included recognition of our recent student members and
acquiring new student members for this year. The high school principal has in the past,
per Jim, been helpful in identifying potential student members.
Penn Fest: One notable addition to Penn Fest was that of a Costa Rican food
truck. It was not located near the RFCC booth this year, but intent was expressed to
pursue that in the future.
New Business: Cynthy has approached the Community Center to express interest in
displaying a photo exhibit of Costa Rican wildlife. She reported that there is usually a 2-
month exhibition phase, and that her suggestion would possibly be exhibited in March-
April, 2018. Publicity for RFCC would be likely, and a possible Saturday gathering to
highlight the exhibit opening is an option.
Next meeting: Thursday, November 16, 2017. 7:0O PM, Heredia Room.
Submitted by JoAnn Boraas, RFCC Secretary