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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.1 - 2784 Sister Cities Activities Page 1 of 3 STAFF REPORT CITY COUNCIL DATE: August 20, 2019 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Christopher L. Foss, City Manager SUBJECT: Discussion on the City of Dublin's Sister City Activities Prepared by: Suzanne Iarla, Managemen t Analyst II EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City Council will consider providing a one-time contribution to the Dublin Sister City Association in support of the Green & White Gala event in 2020, consider the Mayor traveling to Ireland at the invitation of the W icklow County Council, and receive a report on the City's participation in Sister Cities International. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: 1) Receive a brief presentation from the Dublin Sister City Association ("DSCA" or "Association"); 2) Discuss and consider a one-time only contribution to DSCA of $5,000 towards the Green & White Gala in March, 2020 ; 3) Discuss and consider the Mayor traveling to Bray, Ireland in 2019 to participate in a planning meeting to discuss a visit by a City of Dublin delegation to Bray, Ireland in 2020; and, 4) Receive a report on the City's participation in Sister Cities International. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Neither a contribution to support the Green and White Gala, or a trip to Ireland are currently budgeted. If the City Council decides to make a contribution to the Dublin Sister City Association in support of the 2020 Green & White Gala, a mid-year budget adjustment could be prepared. If the City Council decides the Mayor should travel to Ireland for a planning meeting with representatives from Bray and Wicklow County, a mid-year budget adjustment could be prepared. DESCRIPTION: At the June 18, 2019 City Council meeting, Councilmember Josey raised the topic of support for the Dublin Sister Cities Association (DSCA or Association) and the re was Page 2 of 3 agreement to put the item on a future agenda for discussion. Since that time, the Mayor also received an invitation from the Wicklow County Council in Ireland to travel to Bray, Ireland this fall for a planning meeting to discuss a visit by a City o f Dublin delegation in 2020, as well as to discuss a possible new "Twinned Counties" relationship. Dublin Sister City Association DSCA incorporated as an organization in 1987 to foster Dublin’s new sister city relationship with Bray, Ireland. For the pas t three decades, DSCA has annually hosted several representatives from Bray who visit in March to participate in Dublin’s annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The Green and White Gala, an annual formal dinner with live entertainment held on the weekend of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, is DSCA’s signature event and is held in honor of the visitors from Bray. The DSCA has a five-seat board and holds general member meetings three times each year. The Association’s primary source of revenue is membership dues. According to DSCA, membership has declined in recent years from more than 80 to approximately 35 people and the Association’s financial status has dwindled. The City is a member of DSCA and pays annual dues of $25 per year. According to DSCA, the cost to put on the Green & White Gala has increased in recent years and revenue for the Gala no longer covers the full expense of the event. DSCA is seeking financial support from the City in order to continue to host the Gala event. Invitation from the Wicklow County Council In June of 2019, Mayor Haubert received an invitation (Attachment 1) from the Wicklow County Council in Ireland to travel this fall to Ireland for a planning meeting to discuss a visit by a City of Dublin delegation in 2020, as well as to discuss a possible new sister or "Twinned Counties" relationship between Alameda County and Wicklow County. Town twinning is a common term used in Europe to describe an official relationship -building effort and means the same as “sister cities” or “sister counties.” Staff has researched the cost for Mayor Haubert to travel to Bray, Ireland in September or October and estimates the cost for a 3-night, 4-day stay not exceed $2,500. Sister Cities International Sister Cities International creates relationships based on cultural, educational, information and trade exchanges creating lifelong friendships that provide prosperity and peace through person-to-person “citizen diplomacy.” The Northern California Chapter of Sister Cities International has more than 40 member cities and assists Sister Cities International members by promoting and developing sister city activities in Northern California. The City was previously a member of Sister Cities International, however, the City’s membership was not renewed in 2017 due to an administrative error. Staff is in the process of renewing the City’s membership (annual dues: $790). STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE: N/A Page 3 of 3 NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: Kim Halket, the President of the Dublin Sister City Association has been invited to make a brief presentation at the meeting. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Invitation from Wicklow County Council Z:OMI)AMLe COMAC CNLL MI)AMAM "UCK.LoU. Coupto coupcit Ceantair Bardasach Bhre - Municipal District of Bray Mayor David Haubert City of Dublin 101 Civic Plaza Dublin CA 94568 USA 215LJune 2019 Dear Mayor Haubert, Oifigi Cathartha / Civic Offices An Prfomhshriid / Main Street Br+s /Bray Corrkae Chill Mhantain / County Wicklow Guthan / Tel: (01) 2744900 Faia / Fax: (01) 2860930 Rphost / Email: braymd@wicklowcoco.ie Suiomh / Website: www.wicklow.ie During the recent Sister City delegation visit from Bray to Dublin, CA it was discussed that both sides would appreciate a future delegation visit from Dublin CA to Bray. It was mentioned that in the heyday of the Sister City relationship there were more frequent visits from the US, often large groups to include the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Lions as well as the Sister City organization. All agreed it would be splendid to re-create such a visit. In addition, there was some discussion that perhaps Alameda County and Supervisor Scott Haggerty may be willing to start a new relationship as Sister or Twinned Counties. This seems to be in line with Ireland's current structure since the move several years ago toward county governance. We feel that such planning for a delegation from the US to Ireland for 2020 and/or discussions of new Twin County relationship should occur sometime in 2019 with pre -planning. Therefore, we would like to expend an invitation to David Haubert, Mayor of Dublin, CA and/or Scott Haggerty as well as anyone else necessary for such planning to visit Bray sometime in Summer/Autumn 2019. The purpose of said planning meeting would be to show real interest on behalf of the American side and to engage in concrete planning for a visit in 2020. Please take the necessary time to contemplate a response and let us know at your earliest convenience when you may be able to visit. Please do not hesitate to reach out via email or phone with any questions. Sincerely, David Forde District Administrator for a better night out Ta an doicimead seo ar fall 1 bhforma{di eile ar iarratas. This document is available in a{ternative formats on request.