Title
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Regarding the Formulation and Implementation of Sister City Relations Between the Village of Wadi Foquin, Palestinian Territories and the City of Alameda. (City Manager 10021030)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Alameda Sister Cities Association (ASCA) recommends consideration of the attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Village of Wadi Foquin and the City of Alameda (City).
The relationship between the two cities began in 2009, through a partnership established by the Buena Vista United Methodist Church. Reverend Michael Yoshii chairs ASCA’s Wadi Foquin Sister City Committee and is committed to implementing the friendly exchange of programs between the two cities and carrying out the day-to-day work of a Sister City relationship. At this time, staff seeks City Council approval of the attached resolution, authorizing the Mayor to sign an MOU regarding the formulation and implementation of Sister City relations between the Village of Wadi Foquin and the City.
BACKGROUND
The City’s Sister City program works to promote cultural understanding and cooperation with cities around the world and strengthen international partnerships at the municipal and person-to-person levels. Currently, Alameda has four Sister Cities and one Friendship City, all linked through formal agreements [MOUs and Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs)]:
Alameda’s Sister City program is a partnership between the City and ASCA, a local 501c3 nonprofit organization established in 2009. ASCA is a member of Sister Cities International, an organization dedicated to promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation - one individual, one community at a time. Before ASCA’s formation, Alameda’s Sister City program was facilitated by the Social Services Human Relations Board (SSHRB) and its dedicated Sister City workgroup.
Guidelines/Criteria for Establishing a Sister City Relationship
In October 2017, City Council approved Sister City Program Guidelines, which include the following criteria for establishing a new Sister City relationship:
• Sustainability of the relationship, as illustrated by community support and the presence of a dedicated ASCA committee, led by a committed chairperson.
• Compatibility of the cities, based on similarities such as population size, culture, industries, or other commonalities.
• Opportunity for mutually beneficial exchanges.
• Financial Resources, or fundraising plan, to fund program activities, cultural exchanges, and maintenance of the relationship.
Responsibilities of the City of Alameda include:
• Facilitate the approval of proposed Sister Cities.
• Provide support for Sister City visits and delegations, including helping plan meetings and activities, and serving as a liaison with other stakeholder groups.
• Draft and review all City communications.
• Assist with marketing and publicity.
Responsibilities of ASCA include:
• Managing all Sister City relationships in partnership with the City.
• Evaluate and recommend potential Sister Cities for City Council Approval.
• Plan and execute all Sister City events, delegations, and trips.
• Plan and execute all program and fundraising activities.
• Provide protocol and sensitivity training ahead of formal delegations and visits.
• Provide formal itineraries for delegations visiting Alameda and delegations from Alameda to its Sister Cities.
• Provide regular reports to the City summarizing all Sister Cities activities.
• Establish and maintain a Sister City photo gallery.
In February 2017, ASCA recommended the adoption of three new Sister Cities: Yeongdong, South Korea, Wadi Foquin in the Palestinian Territories, and Varazze, Italy. At the time, the relationship with Yeongdong was the most developed of the three proposed cities, and ASCA recommended moving forward with signing an MOU to formalize the Sister City relationship.
Village of Wadi Foquin
Alameda’s connection with the village of Wadi Foquin began in 2009 through a partnership established by the Buena Vista United Methodist Church (BVUMC). In 2015, Wadi Foquin’s Mayor, Ahmad Sokar, visited Alameda and the Bay Area, expressing his interest in developing a Sister City relationship with the City. He returned in 2016, and later that year, Ata Manasra, Coordinator for the Narjes Community Development project, and Adel Hroub, Youth Development Coordinator, also visited Alameda and met with ASCA board members. (Mr. Manasra returned to Alameda to address the City Council at its September 19, 2017 meeting.) In October 2016, ASCA approved the formation of the Wadi Foquin Sister City Committee, chaired by Reverend Michael Yoshii.
Later in 2017, the ASCA Wadi Foquin Sister City Committee recommended moving forward with formalizing a Sister City relationship with Wadi Foquin. On December 5, 2017, the City Council meeting agenda included authorizing the Mayor to sign a MOU regarding the formulation and implementation of Sister City relations between the Village of Wadi Foquin, Palestinian Territories, and the City. In response to the Israeli Consulate General in San Francisco raising a number of legal and political issues regarding the MOU, City Council directed the City Attorney’s office to review the item to ensure it was not in violation of State law. The City Attorney’s Office researched the issue to determine if the MOU with Wadi Foquin violated Public Contracts Code section 2010 and concluded that it did not.
DISCUSSION
Wadi Foquin is located approximately five miles south of Bethlehem, in the Palestinian Territories. It lies in a rich agricultural valley on the Green Line - the Israel-Palestinian Border - and has a population of approximately 1,300 people. Wadi Foquin is known for its natural springs and its agriculture, including olive trees, honey, fruits, and vegetables.
BVUMC is the committed group of community members who are willing and able to manage a long-term relationship with Wadi Foquin. BVUMC has been working on the following projects with the people of Wadi Foquin since 2009, with the goal of promoting economic prosperity in the village:
• Funding and construction of bee hives to enable the production and sale of honey
• Youth leadership program that provides village youth the skills to succeed in a changing economy
• Women’s initiative to empower the women of Wadi Foquin to harvest and sell honey and sell hand-embroidered goods that help support the village
Additionally, BVUMC has been instrumental in creating a village community center and provided new sodding to a soccer field, and organizes regular educational trips to Wadi Foquin.
The goals of the Wadi Foquin Sister City Committee for a Sister City relationship between Alameda and Wadi Foquin are to develop people-to-people relationships, provide opportunities for education and cultural exchange, and continue supporting projects in Wadi Foquin that promote the sustainability of daily life in the village, including:
• Ongoing support for soccer activities and youth exchange through soccer
• Improving roads in the village
• Facilitating student exchange
• Establishing a tour train in the village to support both local and international tourism
• Hosting delegations to and from Wadi Foquin
Current members of the Wadi Foquin Sister City Committee include Reverand Michael Yoshii, Emily Lin, Austin Tam, Paula Rainey, Jeanne Nader, and Cynthia Bonta. The Committee is working with Ata Manasra, the coordinator of the village who previously visited Alameda, and his son Adam Manasra, an engineer by profession who currently resides in California.
Future Sister Cities
ASCA is currently working with community members to explore Sister City relationships in Japan, India, and El Salvador. A previous SSHRUB working group evaluated relationships with Lindigo, Sweden and Arita-Machi, Japan.
Recommendation
Based on its adherence to the Sister City criteria, including the opportunity for mutually beneficial activities and the formation and ongoing commitment of the Wadi Foquin Sister City Committee, as well as the support of Sister Cities International (Exhibit 2), ASCA has evaluated Wadi Foquin and recommends the Village of Wadi Foquin as an Alameda Sister City. This report provides background information, criteria for establishing a Sister City relationship, and moves forward ASCA’s recommendation to adopt a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign an MOU (Exhibit 1) regarding the formulation and implementation of Sister City relations between Alameda and Wadi Foquin.
ALTERNATIVES
• Approve the resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a MOU regarding the formulation and implementation of Sister City relations between the Village of Wadi Foquin, Palestinian Territories and the City of Alameda.
• Not approve the resolution and provide alternative direction to staff.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
City funds in the amount of $10,000 have been budgeted within the FISC Fund (256) for the support and maintenance of Sister City relationships.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with SSHRB Charter and Ordinance authority “to create an environment which will encourage and bring about mutual understanding, respect, and goodwill among groups of people in the community” (Alameda Municipal Code Section 2-11-15).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in 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 a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a MOU regarding the formulation and implementation of Sister City relations between the Village of Wadi Foquin, Palestinian Territories and the City of Alameda.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Henry, Communications and Legislative Affairs Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Acting Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Wadi Foquin MOU
2. Sister Cities International Letter of Support