HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-23; Council Policy No. 77 - Carlsbad Sister City Program Guidelines{9ityof
Carlsbad
Council Policy Statement
Category: CARLSBAD SISTER CITY PROGRAM
Policy No.
Date Issued:
Effective Date:
Resolution No:
Cancellation Date:
Supercedes No.
77
Jan. 23, 2018
Jan.23,2018
2018-008
N/A
77 dated
Apr. 24, 2012
Specific Subject: Guidelines for the establishment and management of sister city
relationships involving the City of Carlsbad
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to:
• Establish guidelines for the maintenance and expansion of Carlsbad's Sister City
Program.
• Encourage sister city programs for the benefit of the City of Carlsbad and its residents.
• Duly authorize and endorse a not-for-profit, community-based organization to be the
managing organization for the sister city relationships with Futtsu, Japan and Karlovy
Vary, Czech Republic and for sister city program activities conducted for the benefit of
Carlsbad citizens.
BACKGROUND:
The Sister City Program was officially established in 1956 by President Eisenhower for the
purpose of aiding in the development of mutual understanding between U.S. cities and
international cities. One facet of the program was furthering economic and cultural
cooperation and interchange between the participating entities.
In January 1988, the City of Carlsbad established its first sister city relationship with Futtsu,
Japan (Resolution 88-18) by invitation of that city. It also established a Sister City Steering
Committee (Resolution 88-19), made up of representatives from several community
organizations, to be responsible for the sister city program in Carlsbad. This body worked
together for 18 months, and then requested a new structure with additional assistance
from the city.
The Carlsbad Sister City Committee and Program were established in 1990 by City Council
Resolution 90-3 which created a nine-member Sister City Committee with a staff liaison in
the Cultural Arts Office to assume management of the existing sister city relationship with
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Futtsu, Japan. In early 1991, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic requested a formal relationship
with its namesake, Carlsbad, California, and became the program's second sister city
(Resolution 90-452).
In June 2010, the City Council dissolved the Sister City Committee by Resolution 2010-160,
and suggested that the sister city program should be conducted and managed by a not-
for-profit, community-based organization rather than through continued city
management.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad that the relationships between the
City of Carlsbad and its sister cities be conducted by a not-for-profit, community-based
organization whose purpose is the operation of international relations with sister city
partners and the presentation of appropriate recommendations to the City Council
concerning the establishment of possible additional sister city relationships.
Activities undertaken in pursuit of this purpose should increase the visibility, effectiveness,
efficiency and viability of Carlsbad's existing sister city partnerships, thereby supporting their
missions in the areas of cultural, educational and economic relationships. At all times the
benefits to the residents of Carlsbad should serve as the primary objectives of the not-for-
profit, community-based organization as it develops its relationships, programs and activities.
The City Council reserves to itself the right to rescind, restrict or transfer its appointment and
endorsement by a vote of the majority of the City Council members.
The not-for-profit,community-based organization must maintain and demonstrate the ability
to fund its activities without reliance on direct financial support from the City of Carlsbad,
other than CSCA's annual Sister City lnternational's membership fee, including future fee
increases, which the City can decide to discontinue at any time. CSCA will maintain
membership in the Sister Cities International for the general benefit of the community and to
support effective management of the program, unless otherwise directed by the City Council.
If the City Council directs CSCA to not enroll with Sister Cities International, the City will no
longer appropriate the annual membership fee to CSCA.
In considering the establishment of additional sister city relationships, the not-for-profit,
community-based organization should use sound policy and practices of its own development,
should recommend additional relationships only if the following requirements are satisfied:
1. There must be a logical area of mutual interest with the city in prospect, in the fields of
culture, commerce, education or history.
2. The not-for-profit, community-based organization must favor the proposed affiliation
and intend to pursue a meaningful program after the relationship is established. The
not-for-profit, community-based organization must be in a position to finance the
resulting expanded activities without expectation of financial backing by the City.
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3. A similar identifiable civic or official group must exist in the city with which affiliation
is proposed, with a clear indication of intent to carry out active mutual programs. The
government of the foreign city itself must evidence a desire to affiliate.
Recommendations of new sister cities will be brought before the City Council for consideration
and approval before the not-for-profit, community-based organization proceeds with the
formation of a Sister Cities Agreement (Agreement) with any proposed sister city. The
Agreement will be executed between the officials of the sister city and the not-for-profit,
community-based organization and the City of Carlsbad will not be a party to any specific
obligations and commitments undertaken within the scope of the Agreement. After
execution of the Agreement,and following a vote in favor by the City Council, the City of
Carlsbad will sign an Acknowledgement recognizing the partner city as a Sister City of Carlsbad.
As a condition of its authorization to manage and operate Carlsbad's Sister City Program, the
not-for-profit, community-based organization will appear before the City Council annually to
submit current reports on its programs, relationships and finances. Within its appropriate
scope of activities as an incorporated not-for-profit organization, the not-for-profit,
community-based organization is encouraged to pursue independent funding opportunities in
the community.
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