Sister City Advisory Board Meeting - June 11, 2026

The Sister City Advisory Board of Delaware, Ohio, met on June 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The board approved the prior meeting’s minutes, excused absent members, and discussed updates on the Baumholder (Germany) and Sakata (Japan) sister city relationships. A presentation was postponed, and the board deliberated on logistics for the Sakata visit in 2027 and a student video exchange project.

Consent Calendar

• Excuse Absent Members: Motion to excuse Todd Perry (seconded by Mayor Riggle) passed 4-0. Karen Waselko and Franz Gruber were also absent but not included in the motion; later in the discussion, the board noted they remained excused.
• Approval of Motion Summary: The minutes from the April 14, 2026 meeting were approved as recorded and transcribed. Motion by Vice-Chair Ray, seconded by Mr. Guebert, passed 4-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made. No written submissions were received.

Discussion Items

• Sister City Gold Award Project Presentation: The scheduled presentation was postponed to the August 11, 2026 meeting due to a family pet death in the presenters’ family. The board extended condolences.
• Baumholder, Germany Update: Chair Ho reported that the Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) soccer trip to Baumholder has been postponed again, now targeted for summer 2027. The board discussed establishing regular check-ins (e.g., video calls) with Baumholder to maintain communication, even without pending visits. Chair Ho will follow up with OWU soccer coach Weiss and report in August.
• Sakata, Japan Visit Planning: A delegation of 15 (10 students, 5 adults) is tentatively scheduled for October 28–November 3, 2027 (Wednesday–Tuesday, over Halloween). Key discussion points:
  • Cost Sharing Proposal: The board discussed reversing the original expectation: instead of the city paying hotel costs and Sakata paying host family stipends, the city would not pay stipends (families volunteer), and Sakata would cover hotel expenses for adults (students hosted by families, except first/last nights). Transportation and welcome event costs may be shared with partners (e.g., OWU, local businesses).
  • Translator: June Kowane (OWU Japanese faculty) provided updates. Sakata is seeking a translator after losing contact with previous translator Mayumi Ransom. Kowane recommended professional interpreter Megumi Music (based in Pittsburgh but with a local home). The board discussed obtaining a quote for Music’s daily rate and potentially supplementing with volunteers. The board agreed Kowane can serve as volunteer liaison and negotiate costs.
  • Budget: The board noted the need for a line item in the city’s FY2027 budget (likely from bed tax funds). Past sister city budgets were around $5,000 but may need increase. Transportation may be secured via in-kind contributions (e.g., Chrysler Jeep previously provided a van).
  • Host Families: Rand Guebert noted that Dempsey Middle School’s Jenny Nicely (retiring) has historically coordinated host families. June Kowane offered to reach out to returned Honda families in the area who might host. The board also considered hosting adults with families if they prefer.
• Student Video Exchange Project: Tom Herring (31 Forest Ave) presented a video created by his student Micah Georgi featuring a Japanese exchange student (Fuka). Herring proposed formalizing a sister city video production project with his two video production classes, creating videos for both Baumholder and Sakata. The board agreed to send the existing video to both cities along with a framework for collaboration, framing it as an opportunity (not expectation). Chair Ho will draft a document for Herring and potentially contact Burkhard May (Baumholder contact) about interest from local schools.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All votes (excuse member, approve minutes) passed unanimously (4-0).
• Next Steps:
  • Chair Ho to draft a communication to Sakata proposing the revised cost-sharing model (no host family stipends, Sakata covers hotel and translator) and share a summary with June Kowane before August 11 meeting.
  • Kowane to obtain a daily rate quote from Megumi Music.
  • Chair Ho to follow up with OWU soccer coach on Baumholder trip status.
  • Herring and Chair Ho to develop a video project proposal and send the existing video to Sakata and Baumholder.
  • Board to finalize budget request for FY2027 (present to city council).
  • Next meeting: August 11, 2026. Remaining 2026 meetings: October 13, December 8.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:45 PM.