Title
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Sister City Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Between the County of Yeongdong, the Republic of Korea and the City of Alameda, United States of America. (Community Development 256)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On July 3, 2017, the City of Alameda (City) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the County of Yeongdong, the Republic of Korea (Yeongdong-gun) to form a Sister City partnership. Yeongdong is a county in South Korea. The Sister City program works to promote cultural understanding and cooperation with cities around the world to strengthen international partnerships at the municipal and person-to-person levels. Since the establishment of its Sister City relations, residents from both cities have exchanged delegations to promote cultural understanding and foster mutually beneficial opportunities. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) affirms the partners’ commitment to their Sister City collaboration by specifying the terms of the partnership and the activities that will facilitate cooperation and advancement of each other’s development.
BACKGROUND
The Sister City program is a partnership between the City and the Alameda Sister City Association (ASCA), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2009. Prior to 2009, the Sister City 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, organizes and supports all Sister City activities, including fundraising and cultural events, economic exchanges, delegation visits, and humanitarian efforts. Alameda currently has four active Sister Cities and one active Friendship City:
Sister Cities
• Jiangyin, China (2008)
• Dumaguete, Philippines (2015)
• Yeongdong-gun, the Republic of Korea (2017)
• Varazze, Italy (2019)
Friendship City
• Wuxi, China (2005)
Since the signing of the MOU in 2017, Alameda has hosted a delegation of Yeongdong-gun students each year for a cultural exchange visit. The Academy of Alameda has hosted the students for the last three years, giving them an American school experience and providing opportunities to form friendships and cultural understanding among peers. The South Korean youth also had a chance to sample Alameda’s iconic sites, including the Alameda Recreation and Parks District (ARPD) teen center, Pin Ball Museum, U.S.S. Hornet, Alameda’s Fire and Police stations, Tucker’s Ice Cream, Crab Cove Beach, and Semifreddi’s Bakery. In 2019, over 40 Alameda martial arts students and guests were hosted by Yeongdong-gun where they were exposed to the county’s arts, traditional music, foods, and culture.
The Sister City MOA between the City and the County of Yeongdong further describes the terms of the partnership and the implementation of activities that advance each other’s interests and development. A delegation from Yeongdong-gun, including Mayor Park se-Bok, will be visiting Alameda on March 30-31, 2020 and will take this opportunity to sign the MOA.
DISCUSSION
The signing of the MOU on July 3, 2017, was the first step in formalizing the Alameda-Yeongdong-gun Sister City relationship. This MOA further clarifies the understanding between the City and Yeongdong-gun on the roles, responsibilities, activities, and terms to execute the Sister City partnership. Specified in the MOA are the areas of cooperation in the exchange of delegates, reciprocal financial commitment to cultural exchanges, organizational support to sustain the collaboration, and adherence to laws and regulations. Consistent with the Sister City guidelines and ongoing commitment of ASCA and the City of Alameda and Yeongdong-gun, staff is recommending adoption of the Alameda-Yeongdong-gun Sister City MOA.
ALTERNATIVES
• Adopt a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign the MOA confirming the terms of the Alameda-Yeongdong-gun Sister City partnership.
• Do not authorize the signing of the Sister City MOA with Yeongdong-gun.
• Postpone signing the MOA until further review of Alameda’s Sister City relationship with Yeongdong-gun.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Currently, the City allocates $10,000 for the support and maintenance of all its Sister City relationships.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the SSHRB’s authority under the City’s Charter and Municipal Code “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).
CLIMATE IMPACTS
There are no climate impacts from signing a Sister City Memorandum of Agreement.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a Sister City Memorandum of Agreement between the County of Yeongdong, The Republic of Korea and the City of Alameda, United States of America.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends consideration for approval of the Sister City MOA.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Potter, Community Development Director
By,
Ana Bagtas, Community Development Analyst
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Memorandum of Agreement
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager