Delaware Sister City Advisory Board Meeting – April 14, 2026

The Delaware Sister City Advisory Board met on April 14, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall, Delaware, Ohio. The meeting included approval of the prior motion summary, a presentation by Ohio Wesleyan University students about their visit to Sakata, Japan, and a discussion of the 2027 Sakata delegation visit. The board voted to adopt a new every-other-month meeting schedule at least through 2027.

Consent Calendar

• Roll call: Present: Chairwoman Ho, Mr. Gruber, Vice Chair Ray, Mayor Riggle, Ms. Wilsakel (spelled Vaselka in transcript), Mr. Giebert. Absent: Mr. Perry.
• Motion to excuse Mr. Perry passed unanimously.
• Motion to approve the January 13, 2026 Motion Summary passed unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chairwoman Ho reported no emails or public comments were received for this meeting.

Discussion Items

• Ohio Wesleyan University Presentation on Sakata Visit: Professor Jun Kawabe and three students (Claire Evans, Timmy Hill, Ariana Morris) presented on their trip to Sakata, Japan (December 9–11, 2025). The group of 11 Ohio Wesleyan travelers spent two nights in Sakata as part of an 11-day Japan trip funded by grants. Students highlighted hands-on experiences including a gagaku performance at a middle school, a geisha (Maiko) show, a sake brewery visit, a fish market lunch, and interactions with local university students. The delegation reported that Sakata officials are eager to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the sister city relationship with a 2027 visit to Delaware by a group of about 15 people, including students and the mayor. Sakata also wishes to restart the Habataki exchange program with Dempsey Middle School and establish an in-person student exchange with Ohio Wesleyan. Board members asked about cultural exchange, language education, food preferences, and hosting advice. Students advised showing local Delaware/Ohio culture rather than replicated Japanese experiences, with Ariana noting the value of Columbus's diverse culinary scene.
• New Meeting Schedule Discussion: Chairwoman Ho proposed moving from quarterly to every-other-month board meetings to improve planning rhythm and preparation for the 2027 visit. Board members expressed support, noting the need for early budget requests and additional planning sessions. Some members suggested keeping flexibility to cancel if no agenda items exist.
• 2027 Sakata Visit Discussion: The board reviewed a communication from Sakata requesting a seven-day visit in late 2027, avoiding Thanksgiving. Board members discussed potential timing (late October/early November 2027 to include Halloween), host family stipends (board opposed to paying host families, but open to reimbursement parameters), lodging for adults, interpreter needs, and involvement of Ohio Wesleyan students. It was noted that a budget must be developed starting in September 2026. The board decided to request more details from Sakata (adult lodging preferences, interpreter allocation) and to place a detailed planning session on the next meeting's agenda.
• Baumholder Update: The board received breaking news that the Ohio Wesleyan University soccer team's summer 2026 trip to Baumholder, Germany is confirmed after successful fundraising. More information will be shared at the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Approved motion summary from January 13, 2026 meeting (unanimous).
• Approved motion to change the board's meeting schedule to every other month at least through 2027, with the next meeting scheduled for April 27, 2026 (unanimous). This will later be presented to City Council for approval.
• Agreed to propose a revised 2027 Sakata visit timeline around October 28–November 3, 2027 (subject to Sakata's confirmation), and to communicate the board's position on host family stipends.
• Directed the chair to compile questions for Sakata regarding adult lodging, interpreter allocation, and exact group composition for the next meeting.
• Will place the detailed 2027 visit planning, Baumholder soccer trip, and potential Tom Herring video exchange on the agenda for the next meeting.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:05 PM.