City Council
MEETING DATE: 3/14/2018
TITLE:
Title
City of Cathedral City membership with SisterCities International and formation of a Local Sister Cities Committee.
End
FROM:
Paul S. Wilson, Fire Chief
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council approve an annual City of Cathedral City membership with SisterCities International and form a Local Sister Cities Committee.
Body
BACKGROUND:
The City of Cathedral City presently participates with Tequila Jalisco Mexico as a sister city. The City of Cathedral City and the City of Tequila Jalisco Mexico have both benefitted from cultural and governmental exchanges.
The City’s membership with SisterCities International can strengthen the relationship with Tequila Jalisco Mexico and provide opportunities to partner with other sister cities.
The formation of a Local Sister Cities Committee would be of value to local businesses and community members. Applications could be solicited from community representatives and the Council could appoint members.
DISCUSSION:
The SisterCities International membership can provide staff assistance to municipal officials in structuring local bylaws and policies for a formalized sister city program.
Additionally, SisterCities International can provide diplomatic opportunities to match other sister cities with the City of Cathedral City.
SisterCities International promotes “Young Artists Showcase” and “Authors Showcase” where youth in member cities can submit artwork, essays and poems inspired by an annual theme. Winners receive cash prizes and top entries tour the U.S.
The Local Sister Cities Committee is recommended to have two City Council Members and five business and community members. Their role would be to formalize the City’s Sister Cities program and encourage exchanges between representatives from other sister cities and the City of Cathedral City.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The annual membership with SisterCities International is $790. and would require a FY2018/19 budget amendment.
A Local Sister Cities Committee could be handled with existing staff support.
Exchange travel by members of a Local Sister Cities Committee or other community members is not budgeted and would need to be addressed in future City budget planning or through fund raising.
ATTACHMENTS:
None