Title
Adoption of Resolution Approving Guidelines for the Sister Cities Program. (Community Development 256)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
RE: Adoption of Resolution Approving Guidelines for the Sister Cities Program
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 three active Sister Cities, and one active Friendship City:
Sister Cities
• Jiangyin, China (2008)
• Dumaguete, Philippines (2015)
• Yeongdong-gun, South Korea (2017)
Friendship City
• Wuxi, China (2005)
The Sister City program is a partnership between the City of Alameda and the Alameda Sister Cities Association (ASCA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2009. Prior to 2009, the Sister Cities program was facilitated by the 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 of Alameda, organizes and supports all Sister City activities, including fundraising and hosting cultural events, economic exchanges, delegation visits, and humanitarian efforts, among other activities.
In February of 2017, ASCA recommended the adoption of three new Sister Cities: Yeongdong-gun in South Korea, Wadi Foquin in the Palestinian Territories, and Varazze in Italy. In June 2017, City Council authorized Mayor Spencer to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enter a Sister City relationship with Yeongdong-gun. On July 3, representatives from the City of Alameda and Yeongdong-gun formalized the Sister City relationship at an MOU signing ceremony. It is anticipated that ASCA’s recommendations to adopt Varazze and Wadi Foquin as Sister Cities will come to City Council for review in the next 12 months.
DISCUSSION
In order to lay the groundwork for adopting future Sister Cities and for thriving relationships with all of our Sister Cities, staff and ASCA worked in close collaboration to develop formal guidelines for the Sister City program (Exhibit 1). These guidelines provide a set of criteria for the adoption of new Sister Cities, and clarify and define the roles of the City and ASCA in Sister City relationships. The Sister Cities Guidelines include:
1. Criteria for establishing a Sister City relationship, including:
a. Sustainability of the relationship, as illustrated by community support and the presence of a dedicated ASCA committee, led by a committed chairperson.
b. Compatibility of the cities, based on similarities such as population size, culture, industries, or other commonalities.
c. Opportunity for mutually beneficial exchanges.
d. Financial resources or fundraising plan to fund program activities, cultural exchanges, and maintain the relationship.
2. Responsibilities of the City of Alameda, including:
a. Facilitate the approval of proposed Sister Cities.
b. Provide support for Sister City visits and delegations.
c. Draft and review all City communications.
d. Assist with marketing and publicity.
e. Establish and maintain a Sister City gallery.
3. Responsibilities of ASCA, including the primary responsibility for managing all Sister City relationships in partnership with the City of Alameda, including:
a. Evaluate and recommend potential Sister Cities for Council Approval.
b. Plan and execute all Sister City events, delegations, trips.
c. Plan and execute all program activities
d. Plan and execute all fundraising activities.
e. Provide protocol and sensitivity training ahead of formal delegations and visits.
f. Provide formal itineraries for delegations visiting Alameda, and delegations from Alameda to Sister Cities.
g. Provide regular reports to the City summarizing all Sister Cities activities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
City funds in the amount of $10,000 per fiscal year have been budgeted for the support and maintenance of Sister City relationships in the FISC Fund (Fund 256).
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with SSHRB’s 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 Approving Guidelines for the Sister Cities Program.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Potter, Community Development Director
By:
Amanda Gehrke, Management Analyst
Financial impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Alameda Sister Cities Guidelines
2. Alameda Sister City Association Letter of Support