HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 2949 CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION NO. 2949
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A SISTER CITY AFFILIATION
POLICY FOR THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON.
WHEREAS, the citizens of Renton have demonstrated a desire to
learn more about the people of other cultures, and to enhance
international communication and understanding; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Renton wish to participate in
cultural, educational, sports, technical, governmental and economic
exchanges to increase their knowledge of the diversity in the world
and in their community; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable to provide the citizens of Renton
with an opportunity to give service to and derive benefit from a
community project of international scope; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable to encourage international trade and
tourism between Renton and its sister cities; and
WHEREAS, selection of sister city affiliations should be made
-in a thoughtful manner to assure productive and mutually beneficial .
relationships;
WHEREAS, any sister city relationship should be based upon
common interests and characteristics important to both Renton and
the sister city;
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON,
WASHINGTON, DO RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I . The above recitals are found to be true and
correct in all respects.
RESOLUTION NO. 2949
SECTION II. The. City of Renton seeks international
relationships which will enhance its citizens ' understanding of
other cultures and, to that end, hereby establishes the following
criteria for sister city selection and guidelines for conduct of
the sister city program.
Section 1. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES
The City will support and encourage the establishment of sister
city affiliations which serve the following objectives :
A. To provide for increased awareness of, and sensitivity
to, cultural diversity;
B. To increase citizens ' opportunities for social cultural,
,
and educational enrichment;
C.. To . enhance citizens ' economic well-being by developing
opportunities for trade and tourism;.
D-. To s.har.e. exper.tise. in solving municipal- problems .
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Sect-Ion:2:. SELECTION'. CRITERIA
'To ;:address the above. goals and objectives, affiliations will be
c.onsid-eyed.-with...the..-f allowing .characteristics:, i
A. Sarong community, support for the sister city bond,,
including the: existence. of an organization . able .to work
closely with. the City;.
B. Similarity to the City, of Renton in terms- of size,
geographic or demographic characteristics, historical
development, or proximity to a major urban center;
C. A strong educational system, or a demonstrated commitment
to serving the educational needs of its citizens;
D. Humanitarian concerns, shared by the people of Renton,
for the health and well-being of all individuals and
families;
E. An interest in sharing views and information on issues of
governance and citizen participation in government;
F. An interest in developing business and economic ties in
Renton.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2949
G. A national political climate consistent with the interest
of the United States .
Section 3. GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCT
To assure that the Renton sister Cities Program is conducted in a
manner consistent with the public interest and in accordance with
the laws of the State of Washington, and the laws and policies of
the City of Renton, the following guidelines are hereby prescribed.
A. Through its sister cities program, the City of Renton
carries out a fundamental governmental purpose of
providing social, cultural and educational services . The
City will, therefore, expend such funds as it may deem
necessary and appropriate to ensure the proper function
of the sister cities program.
B. The City of Renton shall provide such staff support as is
necessary to establish and maintain communication with
its sister cities .
C. The City of Renton will involve private citizens and
organizations in the implementation of this policy with
the following guidelines :
( 1 ) Sister city relationships can be initiated by
citizens, . members of the City Council or by City
staff. Each sister city relationship will be
f-ormally .recognized by the Renton ..City Council and
by Sister Cities international.
(2 ) Renton will have a citizen committee for. each sister
city comprised of not less than 10 members,
appointed by the Mayor :and :confirmed by the- City
Council, committed to making the affiliation a
success:
(3) The members of the committee will represent a cross
section of cultural and commercial interests There
should be a sister city committee counterpart or
like body in each affiliating city.
(4) Each sister city committee shall be responsible for
providing funding for a reasonable level of
activities in order to maintain an effective and
viable program
(5) Each sister City committee will be duly and
officially established as a non-profit organization
having authority to receive and disburse funds .
D. City funding of sister city activities will be limited to
public purposes . Publicly funded activities may include:
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RESOLUTION NO. 2949
( 1) Appropriate activities to receive public officials,
or their delegates, when visiting Renton on official
sister city business;
(2 ) The exchange of information and materials which
support the objective of providing social, cultural
and educational services, or economic benefit to the
public;
(3) The exchange of technical resources, when such an
exchange serves the objectives outlined in this
policy, and is necessary to establish or maintain
the sister city affiliation.
E. Any funding for private purposes is prohibited.
F. Donation of a city asset, when the donation clearly
serves a public purpose as outlined in this policy, may
be authorized by the Mayor, provided the recipient is a
public entity.
.Y
G. Non-perishable official gifts made to the City, its
elected officials or staff members•,. received in the
--course of sister -city activitieswill be the sole
---property of the City of Renton.. The. City will maintain
an inventory of such . gifts, and- will attempt to display
.them in appropriate public settings .
.PASSED BY :THE CITY COUNCIL this 1,4,14 day of ,. 1993 .
Marilyn P tersen, City Clerk
APPROVED" Y THE:.MAYOR':ahis day of , 19.93 .
'B
LAI\A i
9-arl Clymer, May"qr
Approv as to
Lawrence J. War en, City Attorney
RES.253 : 1/26/93
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