2017-03 Friendship City MinutesRichfield Friendship City Commission, Meeting Minutes ‐ March 16, 2017
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 by Ahmad Ansari, Chair.
Those in attendance: Marty Kirsch, Ahmad Ansari, Mary Olafson, JoAnn Boraas, Dave Delzer, Rori Coleman‐Woods, Pixie
Pixler, Jim Topitzhofer (staff liaison), Darwin Schaeferlane (liaison from Community Service Commission)
Absent, excused: Cynthy Mandl (RFCC Ambassador), Hadiya Bakar
Absent: Sharon Amegee
Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the February 16, 2017 meeting were approved as drafted.
Treasurer's Report: Report was approved. Bank account balance as of February 28 was $3,407.25.
Old Business:
Heredia Park Sculpture Report ‐The company which will be fabricating the granite base for the sculpture have asked Jim
to provide photos of the area, as well as the name of the sculpture and name of the sculptor. This information will be
inscribed in advance of the dedication ceremony. The entire poem written in conjunction by the sculptor may be
incorporated in part or in its entirety as phase two. The sign company Jim is working with will forward a proof to him.
Sculpture Dedication Ceremony ‐The ceremony will be Saturday, June 24 in the afternoon. Cynthy had provided
information in advance of the meeting that approximately 10 Costa Ricans may travel to attend the ceremony, with
possible timeframe of June 21‐27, all dependent upon schedules and airfares.—The City of Richfield has agreed to pay
for $500 of the sculptor's airfare, and the RFCC may pay the remaining balance. Subcommittees were established as
follows: Welcoming Committee (at the airport) ‐ Rori, Pixie, JoAnn; Dedication Ceremony ‐ Mary, Karen Shragg; Activities
& Accomodations for the Costa Rican guests ‐ JoAnn, Cynthy. Multiple activities were proposed as options, depending
upon number of guests, and their interests. Rori reported no update from the soccer association. Mary will contact
Mayor Elliott regarding the 6/24 event and Jim will reserve the necessary rooms. Cynthy had reported that she attended
a dual‐language school meeting and that they are interested in participating. Others to be contacted include the police
department, public works, etc. A small group consisting of Mary, JoAnn and Dave will meet with Cynthy after her March
22 return. Jim will check with the City of Richfield leadership regarding a financial contribution to the cost of the
sculptor’s airfare.
Art in Heredia Room Approval will likely not be given to mount art or photos on the walls of the Heredia Room, per Jim.
New Business: Jim distributed Invitations to the FOWL Dinner event being held April 28. Discussion regarding RFCC
participation in a City of Richfield July 4 event concluded that RFCC would not participate this year as the event is so near
to the Dedication Ceremony and potential visitors from Costa Rica.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:03 PM.
Next Meeting: 7:00 PM, Thursday, April 20, 2017, Heredia Room.
Submitted by JoAnn Boraas, RFCC Secretary