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. (Community Development 285) [Continued from November 21, 2017 to December 5, 2017]
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
RE: 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
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 Services 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 cultural events, economic exchanges, delegation visits, and humanitarian efforts, among other initiatives.
The relationship between Wadi Foquin and the Alameda community began in 2009, when the Buena Vista United Methodist Church (the “Buena Vista UMC”) established a partnership with the village. In 2015, the Buena Vista UMC hosted Mr. Ahmad Sokar, the Mayor of Wadi Foquin, on a trip to Alameda and the Bay Area, and he expressed an interest in developing a Sister City relationship with the City of Alameda. In 2016, Mayor Sokar again visited Alameda. At that time, he met with Councilmembers Matarrese and Ashcraft, as well as members of the ASCA Board. In August of 2016, Ata Manasra, Coordinator for the Narjes Community Development project, and Adel Hroub, the Youth Development Coordinator, also visited Alameda and met with ASCA board members. At the September 19th, 2017 City Council Meeting, Mr. Manasra was introduced to the City Council during oral communications.
In October of 2016, ASCA approved the formation of the Wadi Foquin Sister City Committee, chaired by the Reverend Michael Yoshii of the Buena Vista UMC. Additional Committee members include Suzanne Yoshii, Paula Rainey, Austin Tam, Michi Yoshii, Judy Tam, Binh Nguyen, Julie Harris, and Cynthia Bonta.
In February of 2017, ASCA recommended the adoption of three new Sister Cities: Yeongdong in South Korea, Wadi Foquin in the Palestinian Territories, and Varazze in Italy. At that time, the relationship with Yeongdong was considered to be the most developed of the three proposed Sister Cities, and the ASCA recommendation to adopt Yeongdong as a Sister City was, therefore, the first to be forwarded to City Council. In June of 2017, City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the Mayor to formalize the Sister City relationship between Yeongdong-gun and the City of Alameda.
In October of 2017, the City Council approved the Sister City Program Guidelines, which include the following criteria for establishing a new Sister City relationship:
§ Sustainability: Support of a sizable, committed group of Alameda community members willing and able to manage a long-term relationship.
§ Compatibility: One or more similarities with Alameda, which may include, but are not limited to: population size, geography, culture, industries, academic institutions, historic or ancestral connections, peace efforts or other shared goals.
§ Opportunity: Opportunities for mutually beneficial cultural, economic, humanitarian and educational exchanges and program activities between community-based organizations.
§ Financial Resources: Adequate financial resources or fundraising plan to fund program activities, cultural exchanges, and maintenance of the relationship.
Reverend Michael Yoshii has indicated that officials from Wadi Foquin, including Mayor Sokar and Mr. Manasra, are prepared to visit the City of Alameda in the spring of 2018. Based on this upcoming visit, and their adherence to the criteria described above, the Wadi Foquin Sister City Committee has asked that the Sister City relationship with Wadi Foquin be forwarded to City Council for approval, so that the relationship can be formalized during this visit through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (Exhibit 1). Tonight’s action is the next step in formulating a Sister City relationship with Wadi Foquin.
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 of 1,300 people. Wadi Foquin is known for its natural springs and its agriculture, including olive trees, honey, fruits and vegetables.
The Buena Vista UMC has worked actively with the people of Wadi Foquin since 2009, with the goal of promoting economic prosperity in the village. Projects have included the funding and construction of bee hives to enable the production and sale of honey; a Youth Leadership program to provide village youth the skills to succeed in a changing economy; and a Women’s Initiative, to empower the women of Wadi Foquin to harvest and sell honey, and sell hand-embroidered goods to help support the village. The Buena Vista UMC was also instrumental in the creation of a village Community Center, which hosts these community programs and acts as a gathering space for the village. Most recently, the Buena Vista UMC worked to re-sod a soccer field in the village. The Buena Vista UMC also organizes annual educational trips to Wadi Foquin.
The Wadi Foquin Sister City Committee has stated that the goals of a Sister City relationship between Alameda and Wadi Foquin would be to develop people-to-people relationships, provide opportunities for education and cultural exchange, and to continue to support projects in Wadi Foquin that promote the sustainability of daily life in the village. Potential projects identified by the Wadi Foquin Sister City Committee include the completion of the sodding of the soccer field in the village, and ongoing support for the soccer activities; making improvements in roads to the village (and naming one after the City of Alameda); facilitating student exchange; establishing a tour train in the village to support both local and international tourism; and hosting delegations to and from Wadi Foquin. These proposed Sister City activities will be refined and finalized in conversation between ASCA and representatives from Wadi Foquin, and the Wadi Foquin Sister City Committee will be responsible for planning and implementing all program activities.
Based on its adherence to the Sister City criteria described above, 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, as demonstrated in the attached letter of support, ASCA has evaluated Wadi Foquin and recommended it be adopted as a Sister City. As a result, staff is moving forward ASCA’s recommendation that City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign an MOU regarding formulation and implementation of Sister City relations between Alameda and Wadi Foquin.
In addition to establishing formal Sister City relations, the proposed MOU calls on both cities to promote visits between their people and encourage exchanges in the fields of education, cultural exchange, and the development of person-to-person relationships. The MOU also establishes the Alameda Sister City Association as the City Council’s designee responsible for formulating 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
City funds in the amount of $10,000 per fiscal year have been budgeted 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 2-11.5).
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 Wadi Foquin, Palestinian Territories, and the City of Alameda.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Potter, Community Development Director
By:
Amanda Gehrke, Management Analyst
Financial impact section reviewed,
By: Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1) Exhibit 1 - Alameda - Wadi Foquin Memorandum of Understanding
2) Exhibit 2 - Sister City International Letter of Support