HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/15/2004 - STAFF REPORTS (13) Page 1 of 2
Michael McCulloch
From: "KC Jones" <kcj@calientetropics.com>
To: <chrism@ci.palm-springs.ca.us>; <DavidR@ci.palm-springs.ca.us>; <ginnyf@ci.palm-
springs.ca.us>; <michaelm@ci.palm-springs.ca.us>; <RonO@ci.palm-springs.ca.us>;
<stevep@ci.palm-springs.ca.us>; <TroyB@ci.pal m-springs.ca.us>
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 12:59 PM
Subject: Item 11 on the Consent Agenda for December 15 -Sister CityProgram
> ----------
> From: KC Jones[SMTP:KCJ@CALIENTETROPICS.COM]
> Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 12:59:54 PM
> To: chrism ci. ap lm-sprin s.ca.us; DavidR@ci.palm-s�rings.ca.us;
iim f ci.palm-sprin sg ca.us; michaelm ci.palm_sprins.ca.us;
RonO ci.palm-springs ca.us; sieve ci.palm-SsT-rin sue;
Troy B a ci alm=sprins.ca.us
> Subject: Item 11 on the Consent Agenda for December 15 - Sister City
Program
> Auto forwarded by a Rule
Aloha!
I don't know enough of the specifics about what is involved in researching a
"Sister City Program," and I don't know if Arthur Block is a city employee or
a third party, but I have these questions.
1) What is this costing us in terms of a) labor or b) money?
2) Is this really something we want to be doing when we're in a fiscal crisis?
3) Why would we chose a city in China (as opposed to a city in a major
proven tourism feeder market somewhere in England or Germany)?
4) What is in this for Palm Springs? What's the return on this investment?
5) Is this just a "nice thing" to do (do we not have anything better or more :.
urgent to focus on)?
12/15/04
RESOLUTION NO. 21161
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA SUPPORTING THE
EXPLORATION OF A SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP
WITH A COMMUNITY IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF
CHINA.
WHEREAS, the friendship and commerce program in the form of the sister city
concept was inaugurated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 to establish
greater friendship and understanding between people of the United States and
other nations through the medium of direct person contact; and
WHEREAS, all succeeding United States Presidents have endorsed the sister city
concept for the broad purpose of exchanging ideas between the citizens the
United States, and the people of other nations; and
WHEREAS, such exchanges contribute to more harmonious international relations
among countries and contribute to the solidarity among people who seek peace
and understanding; and
WHEREAS, several Palm Springs residents, led by retired Judge Arthur Block,
have expressed an interest in establishing a sister city relationship with a
community in the People's Republic of China; and
WHEREAS, the resources of the City are limited in being able to financially
support a sister city relationship; and
WHEREAS, Judge Block is planning to travel to the People's Republic of China in
January 2005 and has offered, at no cost to the City, to meet with various
government, education and tourism officials to discuss the possibility of
establishing a sister city relationship; and
WHEREAS, the City Council believes that a sister city relationship is in the best
interest of the community in that it will help foster an exchange of information,
ideas and skills, in such areas as tourism, construction, information technology
and cooperative business practices; and
WHEREAS, it is hoped that such exchanges will also develop more personal visits
between citizens from both countries enabling an open dialogue to find unique
solutions to improving the quality of urban life and help us to better understand our
own community by interpreting our way of life to people of another culture.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Palm Springs City Council does
hereby find in the tradition of furthering peace, understanding, and cooperation
with the people of other nations that a sister city relationship is in the public's best
interest.
116
Resolution , 21 161
Page 2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Palm Springs City Council does hereby
designate Arthur Block to act as the official representative of the City Council to
discuss the possibility of establishing a sister city relationship with a community in
the People's Republic of China.
ADOPTED this 15" day of December 2004.
AYES: Members McCulloch, Mills, Pougnet and Mayor Oden
NOES: None
ABSENT: Member Foat
ATTEST: CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
By:
City Clerk City Manager
REVIEWED AND ADOPTED AS TO FORM:
Ilfit