SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Establish a Sister Cities Relationship with Bourges, France and adopt Resolution 19-35.
Body
SUMMARY:
In December 2018, the city of Bourges, France, sent a letter to Mayor Cretekos expressing interest in establishing a Sister Cities partnership. Staff was instructed to research necessary protocols to partner with a new sister city. Per the Sister Cities International advocacy group, a new relationship is initiated by each city passing a resolution declaring their desire to establish a Sister Cities partnership. Following this, 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 and the Sister Cities partnership is officially established.
The Sister Cities Advisory Board has reviewed the request from Bourges at their July 25, 2019 meeting and indicated their support of establishing a new Sister Cities partnership.
Background on Bourges, France: Founded in 52 BCE by Romans during the Gallic Wars, Bourges is the site of Bourges Cathedral, built from 1195-1255 and added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1992. Bourges has an economy based primarily on manufacturing, but also supports a tourism and education-based market. The Monin brand, an international manufacturer of flavored syrups, was established in Bourges in 1912 and opened their US headquarters in Clearwater in 1996.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: N/A
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS: N/A