Loading...
Item 10ACITY OF SOUTH LAKE MEMORANDUM March 12, 2013 To: Shana Yelverton, City Manager From: Candice Edmondson, Deputy Director of Community Services Subject: Sister City Relationship with El Fuerte, Mexico Action Requested: City Council direction on the future sister city relationship between the City of Southlake and El Fuerte, Mexico Background Information: This item was placed on the agenda at the request of Council Member Jeff Wang on behalf of the Southlake Sister Cities Board of Directors. The purpose is to bring to City Council's attention the current status of the Southlake Sister City relationship with El Fuerte, Mexico and receive direction from Council on how to proceed. Recall Southlake Sister Cities was established in 1991 with the goal to promote global understanding, friendship and communication through education and exchange opportunities. Southlake Sister Cities is the official liaison between the City of Southlake and its sister cities and friendship cities. Currently, the City has three (3) foreign partnerships with Tome City, Japan; El Fuerte, Mexico; and Suzhou, China. While popularity and community interest in the partnerships with Tome, Japan and Suzhou, China has increased over the years there has been little interest in El Fuerte since the last delegation visit in 2001. Since that time attempts at communication and continued programs with El Fuerte have not been successful. Southlake Sister Cities has explored ways of rebuilding the relationship, but has yielded no viable solutions (see attached memo). Southlake Sister Cities would like City Council direction on whether or not the City of Southlake should continue a sister city relationship with El Fuerte, Mexico. City of Southlake Values: Integrity ♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability ♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork Shana Yelverton, City Manager Meeting Date — March 19, 2013 Page 2 of 3 On August 21, 2012 City Council adopted the Southlake Sister City/Friendship City Policy that formalizes the processes by which the City of Southlake and Southlake Sister Cities work together to establish new sister city and friendship city relationships, maintain current relationships or dissolve a sister city or friendship city relationship. A copy of the Policy is attached for reference. Section III of the Policy provides guidelines that may be considered should circumstances warrant dissolving of a sister city or friendship city relationship. When deciding to change the status of a sister city or friendship city relationship there are several options to consider: • If there has been a period of inactivity, but both cities want to continue the relationship, then steps should be taken to build the relationship • If one city wants to continue the relationship, but the other city does not want to continue activity at this time then the cities need to decide if they want to place the relationship in "emeritus status" (on hold) or dissolve the relationship completely. Placing a relationship in emeritus status shows that the two cities are still sister cities or friendship cities, but are currently inactive. • If neither city wants to continue the relationship, then the relationship should be dissolved. Changing the status of a current sister city or friendship city relationship is a formal process and requires written notification from the Mayor of Southlake to the Mayor of the foreign city. Written notification should also be sent to Sister Cities International informing them of any changes in sister city or friendship city relationships. Financial Consideration: N/A Strategic Link: This item is linked to the City's Strategy Map related to the focus area of Partnerships and Volunteerism and meets the corporate objectives to attract and keep top -tier businesses to City of Southlake Values: Integrity ♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability ♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork Shana Yelverton, City Manager Meeting Date — March 19, 2013 Page 3 of 3 I[la'ii�i[�L'�cj drive a dynamic and sustainable economic environment and promote opportunities for partnerships and volunteer involvement. Citizen Input/ Board Review: Southlake Sister Cities Board of Directors voted 6-1 in favor of placing this item on a future City Council agenda at their September 24, 2012 meeting. City Council discussion March 19, 2013. Legal Review: N/A Alternatives: City Council direction to Southlake Sister Cities to continue the current relationship with El Fuerte, Mexico City Council direction to Southlake Sister Cities to place the relationship with El Fuerte, Mexico into emeritus status as outlined in the Southlake Sister City/Friendship City Policy City Council direction to Southlake Sister Cities to proceed with dissolving the relationship with El Fuerte, Mexico as outlined in the Southlake Sister City/Friendship City Policy Supporting Documents: Supporting documents include: ■ Written request from Southlake Sister Cities ■ Southlake Sister City/Friendship City Policy ■ Sister Cities Agreement with El Fuerte, Mexico Staff Recommendation: City Council direction on the future sister city relationship between the City of Southlake and El Fuerte, Mexico City of Southlake Values: Integrity ♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability ♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork Southlake Sister Cities To: Candice Edmonson, Southlake Community Services (817) 748-8311, cedmondson(a�ci.southlake.tx.us From: Jeff Wang, President of Southlake Sister Cities (817) 251-1001, ieff(aD-southlakesistercities.org Date: September 26, 2012 Subject: Dormant relationships between Southlake and El Fuerte Mexico 11MININDYTIQ! The City of Southlake and El Fuerte, Mexico entered into a sister city agreement in 1997 for the purpose of fostering culture understanding and education exchange between our two communities. However, community -wide participation and exchange programs were never established. The relationship has stayed inactive and become dormant for more than a decade. The Southlake Sister Cities has been exploring ways of rebuilding the relationship but yielded no viable solutions. Currently, Southlake Sister Cities does not have sufficient resource or volunteers capable to rebuild the relationship from ground up. Our board desires a discussion of this subject to be placed on future city council meeting agenda. Southlake Sister Cities would like to receive a clear direction from the city council as to how this dormant relationship with El Fuerte should be handled. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Item 10A - 5 City of Southlake Policies and Procedures Policy: Southlake Sister City/Friendship City Policy Source: City Council Category: Community Services Department Statement of Purpose The Southlake Sister Cities program is dedicated to fostering global understanding, friendship and communication through education and exchanges. Per an agreement with the City of Southlake, Southlake Sister Cities (SSC), a 501(c)3 organization, acts as the official liaison for Southlake's sister cities and friendship cities. As such, Southlake Sister Cities may at times propose new sister city and friendship city relationships between the City of Southlake and other foreign cities. The purpose of this policy is to provide a process by which the City of Southlake and Southlake Sister Cities will work together to consider new sister city and friendship city relationships and maintain current relationships. A. Strategic Alignment — This policy is linked to the City's Strategy Map related to the Focus Area of Partnerships and Volunteerism, and meets the Corporate Objectives to Attract and Keep Top -Tier Businesses to Drive a Dynamic and Sustainable Economic Environment and to Promote Opportunities for Partnerships and Volunteer Involvement. Establishinq New Sister City and Friendship City Relationships A. When trying to establish new sister city or friendship city relationships, Southlake Sister Cities will identify regions or countries that would present the best exchange program with Southlake. Other community members may also suggest regions or countries for exchange programs, and should submit their suggestions to Southlake Sister Cities to be included in the formal review process. B. Southlake Sister Cities will submit a formal proposal for each region or country to the Assistant to the Director of Community Services for City Council consideration. C. The proposal should include: 1. A brief narrative describing the foreign country and why it would make a strong sister city/friendship city relationship with Southlake. 2. A detailed plan for developing the sister city/friendship city relationship. The plan should include at least one area of exchange (i.e. educational, cultural, business, etc.). 3. Identify potential sources of funding and fundraising plans to help support the new sister city/friendship city relationship. D. Upon City Council approval, Southlake Sister Cities will engage each region or country and identify potential sister cities/friendship cities. Criteria to consider include the city's size, culture, economic status, common characteristics and capability to have a successful sister city/friendship city relationship. Southlake Sister City/Friendship City Policy Page 2 of 3 Item 10A - 6 E. Southlake Sister Cities will choose 1-2 potential sister city/friendship city candidates and make a recommendation to the City Council based on their knowledge of the city(s). F. Upon City Council approval, Southlake Sister Cities will initiate a plan of visitation to each potential sister city/friendship city. Delegates on the trip may include Southlake Sister Cities' officers, City Council members, city staff and/or other community members. G. Southlake Sister Cities will select the city it believes will have the most successful sister city/friendship city relationship with Southlake and present the official sister city or friendship city agreement to the City Council for approval. H. The official sister city or friendship city agreement will then be presented to the foreign city for approval. Once the sister city or friendship city agreement has been signed by all parties, Southlake Sister Cities will officially inform Sister Cities International of the new relationship. III. Dissolving a Sister City or Friendship City Relationship Sister city and friendship city relationships are long-term commitments between two communities. However, unforeseen circumstances may cause one or both cities to place the sister city/friendship city relationship on hold or dissolve it all together. The following actions should be taken if changing the status of a current sister city/friendship city relationship. A. If there has been little communication between the two cities, but there are members of the Southlake community who wish to keep the relationship active then: 1. A letter from the Mayor of Southlake and President of Southlake Sister Cities should be sent to the Mayor of the sister city/friendship city expressing a desire to continue with the relationship. If the foreign city agrees, then steps should be taken to build the relationship. 2. If the foreign city does not respond, or responds that they do not wish to continue activity at this time, then the Mayor of Southlake should inform Sister Cities International of the situation in writing. The City of Southlake and the sister city/friendship city will need to decide if they wish to dissolve the relationship or place it on hold, i.e. "emeritus status." Placing a relationship in emeritus status shows that the two cities are still sister cities/friendship cities, but are currently inactive. 3. If the City Council chooses to place the relationship in emeritus status, then a letter of agreement should be sent by the Mayor of Southlake to the Mayor of the sister city/friendship city. A letter from the Mayor of Southlake should also be sent to Sister Cities International informing them of the change in relationship status. City of Southlake Values. - Integrity ♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability ♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork Southlake Sister City/Friendship City Policy Page 3 of 3 Item 10A - 7 B. If there is no interest from the Southlake community or the foreign city to continue the relationship, then the relationship should be dissolved. The City Council will need to approve dissolution of the relationship, and a letter from the Mayor of Southlake should be sent to the Mayor of the sister city/foreign city dissolving the relationship. A letter from the Mayor of Southlake should also be sent to Sister Cities International informing them of the change in relationship status. Approval Date: 1 8/21/2012 1 Approved by: I City Council City of Southlake Values. - Integrity ♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability ♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork SISTER CITIES AGREEMENT WHEREAS, we the citizens of Southlake, in Texas, in the United States of America, and the citizens of El Fuerte, in Mexico, do hereby confirm a friendship alliance between the peoples of our two communities; and, WHEREAS, we accordingly agree to promote mutual understanding and goodwill for the welfare of our peoples, to accelerate the relationship between our two countries, and in doing so, to contribute to world peace and prosperity; NOW, THEREFORE, WE HERETO DO MUTUALLY AGREE: To build mutual trust and to establish a permanent friendship we agree to work toward an achievement of the following: 1) An exchange of information regarding each area of administrative and civilian life. Z) An exchange of educational and cultural data. 3) An exchange of youth information and data at elementary school, junior high school and high school levels. 4) Mutual cooperation to introduce to each city. August 8, 1997 0��04� Rick Stacy Mayor of Southlake Gary Fickes President of Southlake Sister Cities Jose Julian Vega Ruiz Presidente Municipal de El Fuerte Miguel Castillo Osuna Presidente del Comite de Ciudades Hermanas de El Fuerte Item 10A - 9 ACUERDO DE CIUDADES HERMANAS CONJUNTAMENTE, nosotros los ciudadanos de Southlake, en el Estado de Texas, Estados Unidos de Norteamerica; y los ciudadanos de El Fuerte, en el Estado de Sinaloa, Mexico; por este medio confirmamos el acuerdo de CIUDADES HERMANAS entre las personas de ambas comunidades, adernas: CONJUNTAMENTE, y en consecuencia, acordamos promover el entendimiento mutuo y la buena voluntad para el bienestar de nuestros pueblos, acrecenmr ]a amistad entre nuestros pueblos, y contribuir con ello a la paz mundial. AHORA, POR LO TANTO, MUTUAMENTE ACORDAMOS: Fortalecer la confianza en ambas direcciones, y establecer una amistad permanente que resolvemos cultivar y ensanchar, en virtud de to cual, proponemos: Un intercambio de informaci6n con respecto de la vida civil y administrativa. 2. Un intercambio de datos educacionales y culturales. 3. Un intercambio de informaci6n acerca de ]a juventud y de sus niveles de educaci6n. 4. Cooperaci6n mutua para fortalecer las relaciones entre arnbas ciudades. 5. Expander Jos horizontes culturales, civicos y econ6micos de ambas comunidades. Agosto 9 de 1997. 61 - CA�� Rick Stacy, Mayor de Southlake Gary Fickes, Presidente de Ciudades Hermanas de Southlake Jose Julian Vega Ruiz, Presidente Municipal de El Fuerte Miguel Castillo Osuna, Presidente del Comit6 de Ciudades Hermanas de El Fuerte