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Anaheim, CA 92805
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
DATE: FEBRUARY 13, 2024
FROM: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
SUBJECT: SISTER CITY DELEGATION TRIP TO MITO, JAPAN
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): NO ITEM # 04
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, receive a report regarding the planning of a City of Anaheim delegation trip to Mito, Japan this spring as part of our long-standing Sister City relationship.
DISCUSSION:
The Sister City Program has played a pivotal role in fostering understanding and collaboration between communities worldwide. Mito, Japan, our sister city since 1976, has been a valued partner in this endeavor, with a history of delegation visits spanning 48 years.
This past fall, a delegation from Mito, Japan, led by Mayor Yasushi Takahashi visited Anaheim. At that time, Mayor Takahashi formally invited members of the City Council and staff to visit Mito in the coming year. As a result, staff has begun having conversations with officials in Mito about the possibility of an official Anaheim delegation visit spring of 2024. The last Anaheim delegation visit to Mito occurred almost two decades ago, back in 2006.
The delegation visit is timely considering the re-establishment of our student exchange program with Mito for this summer. The student exchange program, which has been on hiatus since the pandemic, will send up to six high school students from Anaheim to Mito for ten days this summer. Additionally, Anaheim will host up to six students from Mito for a couple of weeks in August. Applications for this year’s student exchange are now live on the City’s website and all high school students who live in Anaheim (Grades 9-11) are eligible to apply.
The delegation trip this spring would be available to any interested City Council members and will include a few members of City staff as well as two members of the Sister City Commission. Funds from the City Administration’s existing budget will cover travel expenses including airfare and accommodations related to the visit.
Additionally, other Anaheim stakeholders and businesses could participate as well, but would be required to cover their own costs. It is anticipated that the cost of the trip for Sister City Delegation Trip to Mito, Japan
February 13, 2024
members of the official City delegation will total between $25,000 to $35,000, depending on the actual number of Anaheim council members and staff that participate.
Although the Sister City Commission independently raises funds in order to support the student exchange program and other activities, there is no ongoing city financial support for the student exchange programs or delegation visits. City staff has had conversations with the commission in the past about addressing this and potentially seeking city assistance moving forward to help the commission achieve their mission. This is something that could be considered in future budget discussions.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
There are sufficient funds within the City Administration’s FY 2023/2024 budget to cover the proposed trip expenses. Funding for subsequent delegation trips and student exchange activities as part of the Sister City Commission will be considered in upcoming budgets.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Vanderpool
City Manager