Title
Recommendation to Authorize the Mayor to Sign a Memorandum of Agreement Regarding the Formulation and Implementation of Sister City Relations Between the City of Dumaguete, 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: Recommendation to Authorize the Mayor to Sign a Memorandum of Agreement Regarding the Formulation and Implementation of Sister City Relations Between the City of Dumaguete, Philippines and the City of Alameda
BACKGROUND
Sister Cities International was created at President Eisenhower’s 1956 White House summit on citizen diplomacy where he envisioned a network that would be a champion for peace and prosperity by fostering bonds between people from different communities around the world. By forming these relationships, President Eisenhower reasoned that people from different cultures could understand, appreciate, and celebrate their differences while building partnerships that would lessen the chance of new conflicts.
The City of Alameda embodies many of the principles promoted by President Eisenhower. In 2009, to strengthen its involvement in Sister Cities International, several Alameda residents formed the Alameda Sister City Association (ASCA), a non-profit organization, to assume the role formerly played by the Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB) Sister City Workgroup. ASCA received its non-profit 501(c)(3) 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, an Alameda resident and 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 June 2015, at the invitation of Mayor Spencer, a delegation led by Dumaguete’s Mayor, Manuel Sagarbarria, traveled to Alameda for the purpose of establishing Sister City relations. The Dumaguete delegation’s visit included tours of Alameda, a Sister City Reception and Dance, visits to Wind River and other Alameda businesses, a Philippine Independence Day Commemoration on the steps of City Hall, a Mayor’s Roundtable, and the signing of a Sister City Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (Exhibit 1).
DISCUSSION
Over the past several months, the ASCA Dumaguete Committee, under the leadership of Ms. Bonta, has continued to explore opportunities for educational exchange programs, and other friendly exchange and cooperation programs with Dumaguete.
On August 7, Mayor Sagarbarria extended an invitation to Mayor Spencer for her to lead a delegation to visit Dumaguete from November 21st to the 25th. Mayor Spencer has accepted the invitation, and will lead a delegation that includes ASCA President Karen Fong, and Chairperson of the ASCA Philippine Committee, Cynthia Bonta. Members of the public have been invited to join the delegation, paying their own travel and expenses.
During the visit, the delegation will be participating in many events within Dumaguete’s 67th Charter Anniversary Fiesta, including tours of the City and waterfront area, and attendance at business, academic, and government forums. Delegates will also participate in a Sister City conference that will include Mayors Spencer and Sagarbarria signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) (Exhibit 2), outlining the plans for cultural, educational and business exchanges over the coming years.
The City of Dumaguete has reviewed and approved the MOA; therefore, staff recommends that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the Memorandum of Agreement regarding the formulation and implementation of Sister City relations between the City of Alameda, CA, USA and the City of Dumaguete, Philippines.
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
Authorize the Mayor to Sign a Memorandum of Agreement 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
Exhibits:
1. Memorandum of Understanding
2. Memorandum of Agreement