HomeMy WebLinkAboutPresentation - Sister CitiesV.9 07.21.21 (Final Presentation Version)1
Palm Springs
Sister City
Sister City Strategic Plan
Palm Springs,California
Presentation to Palm Springs City
Council
July 22,2021
Palm Springs Sister City
Good evening:
I am Al Jones, and I am here today as the co-chair and on behalf of the Sister City Exploratory
Committee to provide a brief update about the progress we have made in identifying potential
international and domestic sister cities.
For the past 10 months, we have been seeking and integrating stakeholder feedback,
including One-PS.
Now, we are asking today for the blessing of the City Council to move forward to seek
additional public feedback with the goal of reaching out to other cities to explore their
interest in becoming a sister city with Palm Springs.
Let me begin by providing a brief background on the work of the committee by ——
o Providing a brief explanation about the Sister Cities Program,
o Sharing our mission and vision,
o Proposed international and domestic cities,
o Timeline,and
o Committee members.
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About the Sister Cities Program
A Sister City is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries with
guidance and support from Sister Cities International.
However, the Palm Springs Sister City Exploratory Committee has chosen to develop Sister City
relationships with 1 international and 1 domestic city, the latter outside the aegis of Sister City
International.
o As these relationships mature, additional cities may be considered.
All Sister Cities are independent, typically 501 (c) (3) organizations and are lrun by a group of
volunteers and local municipal government representatives.
However, only the Palm Springs mayor may execute an official agreement with the mayor of the
international and domestic cities.
Each Sister City pursues the activities and thematic areas that are important to it and its community
including municipal, business, trade, education, and cultural exchanges and projects with their Sister
City.
Sister Cities —
•Promote volunteer groups of citizens who form long-term relationships with people and organizations;
•Enhance the ability of people from different cultures to understand, appreciate, and celebrate their
difference while building partnerships that advance the interested of all humankind;and
•Create global relationships based on culture, education, information, and trade exchanges.
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Palm Springs Sister City
Mission &Vision
Taking advantage of increased passengers as a result of new airlines and new flight destinations at the Palm
Springs International Airport, the Palm Springs Sister City Mission will expand awareness about and promote
business, cultural, and social opportunities in post-COVID 19 Palm Springs.
The Palm Springs Sister City Program will expand awareness about and promote year-round (not seasonal)
programs to —
Promote and expand tourism that will benefit Palm Springs hotels, restaurants, businesses,
performing arts and other recreational activities,
Promote sustainability, quality of life, human rights efforts, social justice, and LGBTQ rights and civil
rights issues,
Sponsor municipal, business, and trade exchanges,
Publicize and market Palm Springs as a nationally-recognized destination for its sunshine, recreation,
restaurants, hotels, cultural and artistic exhibits, performing arts, and retail shopping opportunities,
Develop and implement cultural exchange programs: artist-in-resident, culinary, literary festivals,film
festivals, musical performances theatre performances and performing arts programs,student
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Suggested Sister Cities Considered by the
Exploratory Committee and Suggested by
Stakeholders
The Sister City Exploratory Committee developed a list of international and U.S. cities suggested by the
Sister City Exploratory Committee and stakeholders. After a thorough review of each city and how it
matched the mission and vision of Palm Springs Sister City Program, the Sister City Exploratory Committee
selected and recommends the following international and domestic Sister Cities for consideration.
Three finalists recommended for consideration as Palm Springs International Sister City:
San Miguel de Allende
o Sister City relationships with Redlands, CA; St Augustine, FL; West Palm Beach, FL; Santa Fe,
NM; Laredo, TX; McAllen, TX; and Tyler,TX.
Aix en Provence,France
o Sister City relationships with Coral Gables, FL and Philadelphia, PA
Henley-on-Thames,England
o does not have any U.S. sister City
Three finalists recommended for consideration as Palm Springs Domestic Sister City:
Provincetown,MA
Ashville,NC
Aspen,CO
The Sister City Exploratory Committee considered twenty other international cities located in Australia,
Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, and Scotland. Thirteen other domestic cities were
also considered in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho,
North Carolina, Oregon, and Utah.
Action Roadmap and Timeline
As mentioned in my opening remarks,for the past 10 months,we have been seeking and
integrating stakeholder feedback,including One-PS.
Now,we are asking today for the blessing of the City Council to move forward to seek
additional public feedback with the goal of reaching out to other cities to explore their
interest in becoming a sister city with Palm Springs.
Specific steps we have taken are summarized below:
Form Sister City Exploratory Committee (October,2020)
Jeffrey Bernstein,Co-Chair
Community engagement: business owner (Destination PSP)
Al Jones,Co-Chair
Community engagement: former Chair, Airport Commission and board member of
Dezart Performs, member of DAP Partners for Life Leadership Committee, Safe
Schools Scholarship Committee, Desert Business Association member
David Perry, communications and public affairs professional
Expand Exploratory Committee to include representatives from hotels, restaurants, and business
(November,2020)
Lauri Kibby, Vice Chair, DAP Board of Directors, experience in construction and business
development
Willie Rhine, Co-owner of Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge and 1501 Uptown Gastropub
Ann Sheffer, Chair of Palm Springs Arts Commission
Peggy Trott, General Manager, Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs Hotel
Draft Strategic Plan (November 2020 –July 2021)
Al Jones, drafted 9 versions based upon review and feedback from members of the Sister City
Exploratory Committee
Identify potential Sister Cities (December 2020 –May 2021)
Join Sister Cities International (January 2021)
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Annual Cost $610 for a city with a population between 25,000 and 50,000
Members of the Sister Cities Exploratory Committee paid the $610 membership fee
Member Services
Facilitate relationship with a sister city
•Assistance with starting the partnership process from scratch and assistance at
various stages of establishing a relationship with a sister city.
Provides sample bylaws and will review draft bylaws
Assist with communications
•Promoting sister city programs, exchanges, and events
•Publicize program’s success stories
Promote upcoming exchanges and events through targeted emails, social media, and
event calendar
Provide guidance to navigate crises or controversies regarding the sister city programs.
Brief Mayor Christy Holstege and City Councilmember Geoff Kors who also serves as the City
Council Tourism Liaison) (February 23,2021)
Consultation with Palm Springs Organizations,subsequent to meeting with Mayor Holstege and
City Councilmember Kors,consult with stakeholders to stimulate conversation to gather feedback
and additional ideas to strengthen the Sister City Strategic Plan.(February –May 2021)
Palm Springs Hospitality Association,
General Manager’s meeting,
Palm Springs Business Development & Retention Subcommittee,
Main Street
Chamber of Commerce
Desert Business Association (DBA)
Great Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB)
Community Leadership Council
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP)
ONE PS
The broader Palm Springs community
Kate Anderson, Director of Public Relations, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians joins
Palm Springs Sister City Exploratory Committee
Renew Sister City International Membership (June 31,2021)
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Submit Strategic Plan to City Council for review and approval (July 2021)
Upon approval of the Sister City Strategic Plan by the Palm Springs City Council, expand the Sister
City Exploratory Committee into the Sister City Operating Committee to reflect greater diversity of
Palm Springs’ population and stakeholders.
Create a website to publicize the Sister City project and include a “contact us” section to allow
members of the public to provide additional comments and feedback.
Contact potential International and U.S. Sister Cities and finalize Sister City agreements (June
2021 –December 2021)
Sister City Exploratory Committee Members
Jeffrey Bernstein, Sister City Exploratory Committee Co-Chair; business owner, Destination PSP
Al Jones, Sister City Exploratory Committee Co-Chair; Former Chair, Palm Springs International
Airport Commission, board member of Dezart Performs, member of DAP Partners for Life Leadership
Committee, Safe Schools Scholarship Committee, CSU Palm Desert Advancement Board member,
Desert Business Association member.
Kate Anderson, Director of Public Relations, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
Lauri Kibby, Vice Chair of DAP Board of Directors, experience in construction and business
development
David Perry, communications and public affairs professional
Willie Rhine, Co-owner of Eight4Nine & Lounge and 1501 Uptown Gastropub
Ann Sheffer, Chair of Palm Springs Arts Commission, member of DAP Board of Directors
Peggy Trott, General Manager, Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs Hot
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