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Home My WebLink AboutItem 23 - Sister Cities City Manager Office www.santa-ana.org/city-managers-office Item # 23 City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Staff Report October 4, 2022 TOPIC: Sister Cities AGENDA TITLE: Adopt a Resolution Establishing a Sister City Relationship with Sahuayo, Michocan, Mexico RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt a resolution proclaiming the establishment of an educational, cultural, and business affiliation with the City of Sahuayo of the state of Michoacán of the United Mexican States. BACKGROUND: At the request of Mayor Sarmiento, staff has prepared a resolution establishing a Sister City affiliation with the City of Sahuayo of the State of Michoacán of the United Mexican States (“Mexico”). About Sister Cities Programs The term “sister cities”, also referred to as “twin towns”, is used generally to refer to a form of agreement between two geographically and politically distinct localities for the purpose of promoting commercial, cultural, and economic ties. “Sister city” programs became popular in the United States in 1956 when former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed a citizen diplomacy initiative, Sister Cities International. While Sister Cities International originated as a program of the National League of Cities, it has since become its own entity. Although Sister Cities International is not the only mechanism to establish “sister city” relationships between cities, it is popular among cities wishing to do so. The City of Santa Ana currently does not operate a Sister Cities program. About Sister Cities International Sister Cities International (SCI) is a nonprofit organization that serves as the national membership organization for individual sister cities across the United States. According to Sister Cities International, a sister city relationship is an abroad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two different countries. Elected officials from Sister Cities October 4, 2022 Page 2 2 9 9 5 both communities sign off on an agreement to become sister cities. A city may have any number of sister cities, with community involvement ranging from a half dozen to hundreds of volunteers. In addition to volunteers, sister city organizations can include representatives from nonprofits, municipal governments, the private sector, and other civic organizations. Each sister city organization can partake in youth, education, arts, cultural, trade, government, and community development exchanges. Examples of Sister Cities Outside of Sister Cities International Below are examples of cities launching their own Sister Cities Program. Garden Grove Sister City Association The City of Garden Grove and Anyang have had a Sister City relationship since 1989. A student exchange program began in 1991, in hopes of expanding cultural knowledge among youth in the community. The Garden Grove Sister City Association is a nonprofit corporation used to connect GG with cities in foreign countries. The organization works closely with the City. Buena Park Sister City Foundation In 2017, the City of Buena Park and Seongbuk officiated a relationship. The purpose of the Buena Park Sister City Foundation is to focus on cross-cultural interpretation at a local level. The first official student exchange program was part of the inauguration in 2017. The foundation prioritizes itself with bringing in new perspectives, so both cites can learn and thrive together. Sister Cities of Long Beach Inc. In 1996, Long Beach City Council passed a resolution to form an umbrella organization called Sister Cities of Long Beach Inc. (SCLB). Through this initiative, Long Beach has successfully brought together the international communities they served. SCLB is a nonprofit focused on further developing and executing projects in regards to the current and future sister cities of Long Beach. Next Steps The City Council has the discretion to adopt or not adopt the attached resolution (Exhibit 1) establishing a sister city affiliation with the City of Sahuayo of the State of Michoacán of the United Mexican States (“Mexico”). If the City Council adopts the resolution, staff will review best practices for implementing the sister city affiliation and will return to the City Council with additional information, if directed to do so. Sister Cities October 4, 2022 Page 3 2 9 9 5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT There is no environmental impact associated with this action. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. EXHIBIT(S) 1. Resolution Submitted By: Kristine Ridge, City Manager Approved By: Kristine Ridge, City Manager Resolution No. 2022-XXX Page 1 of 2 RESOLUTION NO. 2022- XXX A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA PROCLAIMING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, AND BUSINESS AFFILIATION WITH THE CITY OF SAHUAYO OF THE STATE OF MICHOACÁN OF THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby, finds, determines and declares as follows: A. The City of Santa Ana (the “City”) seeks to establish, promote and encourage friendship, goodwill and charity and promote educational, cultural, environmental and business exchanges between the citizens of Santa Ana and the City of Sahuayo of the State of Michoacán of the United Mexican States. B. Common ties of mutual interests exist between the City and the City of Sahuayo. C. The exchange of said interests and cultures by the mutual establishment of a “Sister City” relationship with City of Sahuayo will enhance the quality of life for the City and its residents. D. Given that such relationships are forged between citizen-volunteers of both cities, it is hoped that such an affiliation will encourage and promote common understanding and goodwill among the citizens of both cities. E. The City looks forward to continuing to develop the Sister City relationship and collaborating on future exchanges between the two cities. Section 2. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby approves the establishment of a Sister City affiliation with the City of Sahuayo of the State of Michoacán of the United Mexican States for the purpose of encouraging friendship and goodwill and promoting educational, cultural, environmental and business exchanges between both cities. Section 3. The City Manager, or his or her designee, is hereby authorized and directed to execute any required documents or agreements consistent with this Resolution in furtherance of the sister city affiliation with the City of Sahuayo of the State of Michoacán of the United Mexican States. Resolution No. 2022-XXX Page 2 of 2 Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council, and the Clerk of the Council shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this Resolution. ADOPTED this ______ day of ______________, 2022. _______________________ Vicente Sarmiento Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney By:________________________ Jose Montoya Assistant City Attorney AYES: Councilmembers _______________________________________ NOES: Councilmembers _______________________________________ ABSTAIN: Councilmembers _______________________________________ NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers _______________________________________ CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY I, ______________, Clerk of the Council, do hereby attest to and certify the attached Resolution No. 2022-XXX to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana on _______________. Date: ________________ ____________________________________ Clerk of the Council City of Santa Ana