Title
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the Formulation and Implementation of Sister City Relations Between the City of Dumagete, Philippines and the City of Alameda. (Community Development 267)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Elizabeth D. Warmerdam, Interim City Manager
Re: Resolution Authorizing The Mayor To Sign A Memorandum Of Understanding Regarding The Formulation And Implementation Of Sister City Relations Between The City Of Dumagete, Philippines And The City Of Alameda
BACKGROUND
In 2004, members of the Social Services Human Relations Board (SSHRB) and local volunteers formed the Alameda Sister City Workgroup. The Workgroup was established to examine and evaluate the status of Alameda's existing Sister City relationships with Lindigo, Sweden and Arita-Machi, Japan and to determine the interest in, and commitment to, developing a new Sister City relationship with Wuxi, China. A "Friendship City" relationship was established with Wuxi, China and a Sister City relationship was formalized with Jiangyin, China with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2008.
In 2009, the Alameda Sister City Association (ASCA), a non-profit organization, was formed to assume the role formerly played by the SSHRB Sister City Workgroup. ASCA received its 501 (c) (3) non-profit status in 2014. In 2013, members of ASCA expressed interest in pursuing a Sister City relationship with Dumaguete, Philippines in Negros Oriental province. Cynthia Bonta, a former resident of Dumaguete, agreed to take on the leadership role in exploring this relationship. Conversations were initiated with Dumaguete officials later that year. Shortly thereafter, then Mayor Gilmore sent a letter expressing interest in exploring a Sister City relationship between the two cities. Ms. Bonta traveled to Dumaguete to meet with government officials to begin plans for a delegation from Dumaguete to visit Alameda.
In February 2015, Vice Mayor Matarrese, former President of ASCA, informed Mayor Spencer that ASCA had sent a letter to Dumaguete Mayor Sagarbarria offering to host a delegation from Dumaguete in June 2015. Vice Mayor Matarrese requested that Mayor Spencer also send an invitation, as an invitation from the ranking city official is required for the purpose of getting government clearance to travel and for getting visas. In March 2015, Mayor Spencer sent a letter to Mayor Sagarbarria inviting a delegation from Dumaguete to Alameda for the purpose of becoming Sister Cities, as recognized by Sister City International. On March 17, 2015, ASCA made a presentation on Dumaguete to the City Council. Tonight's action is the next step in formulating a Sister City relationship with Dumaguete.
DISCUSSION
Dumagete ("dum-a-get-eh") is known in the Philippines as the City of Gentle People, is the capital of Negros Oriental and lies on the southeast coast of Negros, within sight of the southerly tip of Cebu Island. The city is becoming a tourist destination with exquisite architecture, a laid-back university town ambience, and a lovely concrete path along the seafront promenade shaded by acacia trees and coconut palms. The seafront is lined with cafes, restaurants, bars and hotels, and is especially lively at dusk with the after-work crowd and then again towards midnight, when the serious nightlife begins. Dumaguete is also close to some of the country's best scuba diving and has opportunities for whale- and dolphin-watching. The coast to the south boasts good beaches and some resorts.
Dumaguete is also a university town. The population is approximately 100,000 people, of which 30,000 are students. Foremost of the city's educational institutions is Silliman University, which is the oldest American private university in the Philippines, as well as the first Protestant school to be founded in a predominantly Catholic country. Among the famous landmarks of its campus are the Silliman Hall (built in 1903) which houses the Anthropology Museum, the Luce Auditorium (considered as the Cultural Center of the South), and its Marine Laboratory Museum, which houses the second largest whale bone collection in the world.
Dumaguete's many attributes make it a natural Sister City partner for the City of Alameda. Alameda residents and the ASCA have long been interested in building deeper ties with the Philippines. Sister City relationships are an effective way to build social and economic ties with jurisdictions around the world. Therefore, staff is requesting that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a MOU regarding formulation and implementation of Sister City relations between Alameda and Dumaguete.
In addition to establishing formal Sister City relations, the proposed MOU (Exhibit 1) calls on both cities to promote visits between their people and encourage exchanges in the fields of economy and trade, science, technology and culture. The MOU also establishes the Alameda Sister City Association as the City Council's designee responsible for formulating, funding, and implementing the friendly exchange and cooperation programs between the two cities and carrying out the day-to-day work of a Sister City relationship.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no impact on the General Fund. Funds to support the development of the Sister City relationship between Alameda and the City of Dumaguete, Philippines come from the Alameda Sister City Association.
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 2-11.5).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15601(b)(3).
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the formulation and implementation of Sister City relations between the City of Alameda, CA, USA and the City of Dumaguete, Philippines.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Potter, Community Development Director
By,
Jim Franz, Community Development & Resiliency Coordinator
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Alameda - Dumaguete MOU