CITY OF ANAHEIM
SISTER CITY COMMISSION
MINUTES
April 28, 2025 – 4:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Lori Dinwiddie, Simin Heydari,
Joseph Aihara, Susan Klaren-Hatzenbuhler,
Monika Sargent, Anthony Al-Jamie, David
Bracey, Jennifer Sasai
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Chiarina Piazza, Alicia Valadez-Gonzalez, Deana Helmy, Kevin Barrot, James Dinwiddie
STAFF PRESENT: Taylor Griffin, City Administration
Kimberly Kelemen, Community Services
GUEST PRESENT: None
Agenda Posting: A complete copy of the Anaheim Sister City Commission Agenda was posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Anaheim City Hall.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Lori Dinwiddie called the Anaheim Sister City Commission (ASCC) meeting to order at 4:28 p.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025.
II. FLAG SALUTE
Per Chair Lori Dinwiddie, Flag salute was skipped.
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
IV. OATH OF OFFICE
Staff Kimberly Kelemen administered the Oath of Office to our newest Commission Member Jennifer Sasai.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Treasurer Simin Heydari offered a Motion, and was seconded by Commissioner Susan Klaren-Hatzenbuhler AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote:
Anaheim Sister City Commission
April 28, 2025
8-0; ABSENT: Chiarina Piazza, Alicia Valadez-Gonzalez, Deana Helmy, Kevin Barrot, James Dinwiddie (One Vacancy) that the Anaheim Sister City Commission does hereby approve the minutes from the ASCC meeting held on April 28, 2025, as presented.
VI. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT
MOTION: Commissioner Jennifer Sasai offered a Motion and was seconded by Commissioner Susan Klaren-Hatzenbuhler AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote:
8-0; ABSENT: Chiarina Piazza, Alicia Valadez-Gonzalez, Deana Helmy, Kevin Barrot, James Dinwiddie (One Vacancy) that the Anaheim Sister City Commission does hereby approve the Treasurer’s report from the ASCC meeting held on April 28, 2025, as presented.
VII. UPDATE ON STUDENT EXCHANGE
Chair Lori Dinwiddie confirmed the students were chosen that will be going to Japan for the student exchange program and noted that they were all very excited. 9 Students were selected with 3 alternates.
Dates are booked for training the students ahead of the trip.
Chair Lori Dinwiddie stated they will be working with the Anaheim School District to help schedule school visits while students are here.
Commissioner Jennifer Sesai talked about the 6 Japan students coming here for the exchange during the dates of August 8-28, 2025. Jennifer will be needing student details and how many days the commission would like the students to visit the schools.
VIII. DISCUSS FUNDRAISING & INBOUND/OUTBOUND COMMITTEES Chair Lori Dinwiddie is finalizing letters for fundraising efforts to send out to businesses. Smaller donations will also be needed and will be sending an email out to all commissioners to be able to share with friends and family.
Chair Lori Dinwiddie stated how important the fundraising is, as they do not have enough to cover the plane tickets. Commissioner Anthony Al-Jaime stated there is currently $4400 in the commissioner fund. Plane tickets run from $1200 to $1800 per ticket. Will need a minimum of about $5,000 dollars.
Commissioner Simin Heydari suggested to purchase tickets ahead of time while the rest of the funds come in. Chair Lori Dinwiddie will be asking Staff, Greg Garcia if that is possible then reimburse the city once all the payments from the students come in.
Anaheim Sister City Commission
April 28, 2025
Commissioner Anthony Al-Jaime stated he has a meeting coming up with Anaheim Benihana contact to discuss a possible fundraising idea/partnership.
Chair Lori Dinwiddie made a comment regarding Vice-Chair David Bracey, he would like to resign as Vice-Chair, and Commissioner Anthony Al-Jaimie has resigned his title as fundraising chair. Chair Lori Dinwiddie suggested they trade titles.
Both David Bracey and Anthony Al-Jaime gave their official resignation to their current titles on commission.
The Commission will be voting for the new Vice-Chair and Fundraising Chair at the next meeting on Monday May 19, 2025.
Commissioner Jennifer Sasai brought up the host application and when those families are chosen. Chair Lori Dinwiddie stated they will need to update the application within the next two weeks to have it ready to go.
VIII. APPROVAL TO CHANGE NEXT MONTHS MEETING DATE:
MOTION: Chair Lori Dinwiddie offered a Motion and was seconded by Treasurer Simin Heydari AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote: 8-0; ABSENT:
Chiarina Piazza, Alicia Valadez-Gonzalez, Deana Helmy, Kevin Barrot, James Dinwiddie (One Vacancy) that the Anaheim Sister City Commission does hereby approve to change next month’s ASCC meeting from May 26 to May 19, 2025.
IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner David Bracey presented the Commissioners information about the Southern CA Sister Cities and CA Sister Cities are hosting an event that will be streamed on May 31. It is the CA Youth Summit for high school and college students for those that would like to register.
Commissioner Anthony Al-Jaime made a comment that they see registration from students all over Orange County, but never from Anaheim. He is seeking information as to how to spread the word within the City of Anaheim.
Staff Kimberly Kelemen offered some help and requested Anthony to share the information with her as well.
Chair Lori Dinwiddie announced that two Anaheim High School Band Directors went to Mito, Japan as ambassadors.
Anaheim Sister City Commission
April 28, 2025
X. STAFF COMMENTS
Staff Kimberly Kelemen asked the commissioners to make a greater effort to seek out host families, so they are not struggling at the last minute to find homes for the inbound students.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:07 p.m. to Monday, May 19, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.