HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - AIPCA Meeting Minutes from November 20, 2025Ames International Partner City Association
November 20, 2025
Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Karla McCollum, Laura Hansen, Nicki Mackey, Marina Kraeva, Jessica Fincham,
Valerie Stallbaumer, Charlotte Marqueste, Tim & Deb Lentsch, Katrina Williams. Cindy Hicks
joined later.
Karla called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. A correction was made in the Minutes
concerning how much money was paid for the October 16 Wine -Tasting Event at Clouds in
honor of Podujeva becoming a new partner city with Ames. The $2,000 mentioned was to pay
for Karla’s flight to Kosovo. The City of Ames paid $600 for the event and AIPCA paid $400.
The event was planned to only cost $1,000 total. The Minutes were then approved by Marina
and Nicki seconded it.
There was some discussion about the Podujeva Partnership event at Clouds. Everyone
seemed to agree that they enjoyed the event. The food from Clouds was good and the wines
from Kosovo were very good. The presentations helped us learn about the history of the
Iowa—Kosovo relationship and more about Podujeva in particular.
Laura’s Treasurer Report showed what was paid and what was deposited to leave a balance
on November 3, 2025, of $6,646.89. Marina moved to approve the report and Nicki
seconded it.
The City of Ames solicited budget requests for the fiscal year of July 1 -June 30, 2027. AIPCA
requested $5,000, mostly to be used for the Kosovo visit in October 2026.
Katrina and Laura are on a subcommittee to plan the Ames eighth grade students’ trip to
Koshu in July 2026. The suggested total was for 12 students and 3 adult chaperones.
Another subcommittee for planning a Kosovo student exchange is being directed by Cindy
and Nicki.
Podujeva wants to send Ames some artwork. It was mentioned that Ames could send a CY
statue to Podujeva. Laura has some ideas for an AIPCA membership drive. Jessica had
helped to develop ideas for the Koshu-Ames Winefest, but she will no longer be able to work
as an AIPCA member. Charlotte wants to help with that topic now.