Title
Approval of a Resolution Updating the Sister City Affiliations Policy for the City of Olympia
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution updating the Sister City affiliations policy for the City of Olympia.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution updating the Sister City affiliations policy for the City of Olympia.
Staff Contact:
Susan Grisham, Assistant to the City Manager, 360.753.8244
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
In September 2022, Mayor Selby, Councilmember Jim Cooper and Councilmember and Yến Huỳnh put forward a referral to update Resolution M-1234 that outlined a process for how the City would manage new and existing sister city relationships. The Resolution, passed in 1987 barred the City from using resources to help maintain and expand sister City relationships and from maintaining a membership with Sister Cities international (SCI).
SCI is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit which serves as the national membership organization for individual sister cities, counties, and states across the United States that provides access to the Sister Cities International directory of members and professional diplomatic and protocol services.
The updated Resolution clarifies the objective of Olympia’s sister cities program, allows for membership in SCI and provides a process for considering new sister City relationships.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Exchanges help to further international understanding at all levels of a community.
Options:
1. Approve the Resolution.
2. Do not approve the Resolution.
3. Approve the Resolution with amendments.
Financial Impact:
Membership in SCI is approximately $800 per year.
Attachments:
Resolution