HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 4095CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION NO.4095
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; and
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, DOES
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. The above recitals are found to be true and correct in all respects.
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.
RESOLUTION NO. 4095
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 share expertise in solving municipal problems.
Section 2. SELECTION CRITERIA
To address the above goals and objectives, affiliations will be considered with the following
characteristics:
A. Strong 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;
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:
RESOLUTION NO. 4095
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. A Sister City Association shall be duly and officially established as a non-profit
organization having authority to receive and disburse funds;
D. The City of Renton will encourage involvement by 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 recognized by
the Renton City Council;
(2) Each sister city relationship will be organized into a separate committee
within the Sister City Association;
(3) The members of the committee should 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.
E. City funding of sister city activities will be limited to public purposes. Publicly
funded activities may include:
(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.
RESOLUTION NO. 4095
F. Any funding for private purposes is prohibited;
G. 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;
H. Non-perishable official gifts made to the City, its elected officials or staff
members, received in the course of sister city activities will 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 16thday of May , 2011.
Bonnie I. Walton, City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 16thjav of MaY , 2011.
JUL*?'
Denis Law, Mayor
Approved as to form:
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Lawrence J. Warren, City Attorney
RES.1461:3/21/ll:scr