SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Establish a Sister Cities relationship with Ixmiquilpan, Mexico and adopt Resolution 22-18.
Body
SUMMARY:
In March 2022, representatives from the Orlando office of the Mexican Consulate, the Mayor of Ixmiquilpan, Aracelli Beltran Contreras, and representatives from the Federation of Hidalguense met with Mayor Hibbard expressing interest in establishing a Sister Cities partnership. Per the Sister Cities International protocol, a new relationship is initiated by each city passing a resolution declaring their desire to establish a Sister Cities partnership. Following this resolution, the cities will develop a Partnership Agreement that outlines the parameters and activities of the partnership and whether to, and how to, establish an exchange program. The Partnership Agreement is enacted at a signing ceremony, officially establishing the Sister Cities relationship.
The Sister Cities Advisory Board has reviewed the request from Ixmiquilpan at their July 28, 2022 meeting and unanimously indicated their support of establishing a new Sister Cities partnership.
Located in the central-eastern Mexican state of Hidalgo, about 3 hours (100 miles) north of Mexico City, Ixmiquilpan was originally settled by the Otomi people prior to the arrival of the Toltec civilization (c. 950 CE). The municipality was first established in 1550 with the arrival of Spanish colonials and the construction of the church and monastery of San Miguel Archangel.
It is the 7th largest municipality (of 84) in Hidalgo with a population of 98,654 in 2020. The traditional economy is based on mining (magnesium, zinc, silver) and agriculture. Modern industry has focused on manufacturing (autos, trains, metal products, and cement) and tourism, which employ about 30% and 44% of the population, respectively. Residents not employed in these industries find work as construction workers and day laborers or support themselves with the creation of traditional craft art and goods for sale as souvenirs.
Tourism is centered on the Church of San Miguel Archangel, which was declared a national monument in 1933, and includes unique murals that blend pre-Hispanic indigenous Otomi and Aztec mythology with Christian imagery from the European Renaissance. Also of note, the city’s central plaza fountain which features a statue of Diana, the huntress (photo attached), which serves as an homage to strength, beauty, and freedom and has become an icon of home to many Hidalguense living abroad. Ixmiquilpan also has many water parks, fed by warm mineral springs and streams and are claimed to have curative powers.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: N/A
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS: N/A