Title
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Memorandum of Agreement Regarding the Exchange and Cooperation Between Alameda, California, United States of America and Varazze, Italy. (Base Reuse and Economic Development 10061810)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This is a recommendation for the Mayor of Alameda to execute a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City of Varazze, Italy and the City of Alameda (City). On September 5, 2021, the cities of Varazze and Alameda began the first step in a formal Sister City relationship by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The signing of the MOA will help to solidify this relationship.
BACKGROUND
Alameda’s Sister City program works to promote cultural understanding and cooperation with cities around the world, and to strengthen international partnerships at the municipal and person-to-person levels. Alameda currently has four active Sister Cities, and one active Friendship City:
Sister Cities (and initial year of agreements)
• Jiangyin, China (2008)
• Dumaguete, Philippines (2015)
• Yeongdong-gun, South Korea (2017)
• Varazze, Italy (2019)
Friendship City
• Wuxi, China (2005)
The Sister City program is a partnership between the City and the Alameda Sister Cities Association (ASCA), a local 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2009. Prior to 2009, the Sister City program was facilitated by the City’s Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB) Sister City workgroup. ASCA evaluates and recommends new Sister Cities for adoption and, as a representative of the City, organizes and supports all Sister City activities. These activities include fundraising and cultural events, economic exchanges, delegation visits, humanitarian efforts, and other initiatives.
Residents of Italian ancestry make up approximately 5.4% of the City’s population (2022 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates). In 1941, local Italian-Americans established the Alpicella Family Club. A large percentage of Alpicella Club’s founding members traced their roots to Alpicella, a small town within the Varazze jurisdiction, a “commune” or municipality in the Province of Savona in Italy. Most of the Club’s current active members live in Alameda.
With oversight from ASCA, the Alpicella Club facilitated a year-long dialogue with the Varazze Committee in Italy to outline the terms of a MOU for a Sister City partnership. Based on the Alameda Sister City Program Guidelines, including the opportunity for mutual exchanges, information sharing, and diplomatic relations, the City adopted a resolution on September 18, 2018 authorizing the Mayor to sign the MOU regarding the formulation and implementation of Sister City relations between the City of Varazze, Italy and the City of Alameda. The MOU was signed virtually on September 5, 2019.
Following the execution of the MOU, a member of the ASCA committee also visited Varazze in December 2021. In late June and early July 2023, the Varazze Police Chief, Mauro Di Gregorio, Comandate Polizia Locale Varazze, visited Alameda for meaningful exchanges regarding policing, training, and related topics. He also participated in the July 4th parade.
DISCUSSION
To further solidify the City’s relationship with Varazze, ASCA and the Varazze Committee in Italy have explored opportunities for educational exchanges and cooperation programs. The attached Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), included as Exhibit 1 was developed to establish a formal agreement for exchanges and cooperation between the two cities for a five-year period. The MOA is summarized below:
• Purpose: To strengthen the mutual cooperation in carrying out the exchanges between the Parties.
• Areas of cooperation:
o Share skills and experiences in the areas of administration, tourism, festivals, and cultural arts projects.
o Promote regional development to help activate the local economy by utilizing regional characteristics and resources.
o Share policy and technology information on the local agricultural products and the wine industry.
o Develop and implement youth exchange programs.
o Cooperate to continuously improve on achieving the Agreement’s goals.
o Cooperate in other areas as agreed by the Parties.
• Implementation:
o Exchange important information and best practices.
o Interact for mutual cooperation.
o Exchange of and participation in cultural, tourism, and other arts programs.
o Consult and cooperate on sales and development of agricultural products, such as wine.
o Cooperate on joint activities, such as visits to educational institutions and research centers.
o Implement other terms agreed upon by the two cities.
• Organization of the Working Group: The Parties shall form a working group for the implementation and continuity.
• Cost: The expenses required for the implementation of the present MOA shall be reciprocal and shall be borne by each of the Party.
In late April through early May, the Mayor of Alameda will lead a delegation of approximately 20 people from ASCA to Varazze. If the MOA is approved by City Council then on April 29, the Mayors of Alameda and Varazze will sign the MOA in English and Italian. On the following day, the delegation will join in the celebration of the national holiday of Saint Catherine.
ALTERNATIVES
• Authorize the Mayor to sign the MOA.
• Direct staff to further refine the wording in the MOA.
• Decline to authorize the Mayor to sign the MOA.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from approving the MOA with Varazze. Individuals travelling to Varazze for the MOA signing will be responsible for their own travel expenses. Activities related to Sister Cities are part of the Economic Development Division budget.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with Alameda Municipal Code Section 2-9.1 of the Alameda Municipal Code, “to create an environment which will encourage and bring about mutual understanding, respect, and goodwill among groups of people in the community.”
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the resolution authorizing the Mayor of Alameda to sign a Memorandum of Agreement regarding the exchange and cooperation between Alameda, California, United States of America and Varazze, Italy.
Respectfully submitted,
Abby Thorne-Lyman, Base Reuse and Economic Development Director
By,
Lois Butler, Economic Development Division Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret O’Brien, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Memorandum of Agreement