STAFF REPORT
CITY OF BURBANK
BURBANK
PUBLIC
LIBRARY
DATE: May 24, 2022
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Elizabeth Goldman, Library Services Director Elizabeth dold SUBJECT: Consideration of a Discussion Regarding a Resolution to Invite Arezzo, Italy, to be a City of Burbank Sister City
RECOMMENDATION
Direct staff whether to bring back for City Council consideration a resolution inviting Arezzo, Italy, to be a new City of Burbank Sister City.
BACKGROUND
At the City Council meeting of April 5, 2022, Mayor Talamantes requested information regarding the potential to invite the City of Arezzo, Italy, to be a new Burbank Sister City.
Pursuant to the Council's "One Step-Two Step" policy, this report has been placed on the Council's agenda as a first step report. The purpose of this report is to allow the Council to determine whether the City should spend additional staff resources to prepare a full analysis and resolution to move forward with establishing a new Sister City.
DISCUSSION
The concept of a Sister City - a formalized and ceremonial relationship between cities in two countries - was developed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. In 1960, Burbank established its first Sister City relationship with Solna, Sweden. Today, Burbank has four Sister Cities, with the addition of Incheon, Korea, in 1961; Gaborone, Botswana, in 1975; and Ota, Japan, in 1983. In the case of Solna and Gaborone, Burbank initially reached out with an invitation to join in a Sister City relationship. In the case of Incheon and Ota, the request came from the other city to Burbank.
Establishing a Sister City relationship requires passage of a resolution by City Council, as well as a resolution by the Sister City's governing body. There are no requirements for Sister Cities to engage in activities together. Burbank has an active relationship with Incheon and Ota and has had less interaction with Solna and Gaborone, particularly in recent years.
Within the City of Burbank, Sister City activities are coordinated by the Library Services Department, which has a materials, supplies and services line item of $14,000 and no budgeted staff hours for this work. The Burbank Sister City Committee (BSCC) is an independent nonprofit organization consisting of community members who volunteer their time to coordinate annual student exchanges with Ota and Incheon, working in partnership with the Library Services Department.
If staff are directed to bring back a full report, BSCC will be invited to provide input.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact related to preparing a full analysis and resolution. The fiscal impact of entering into a fifth Sister City relationship is dependent on whether Council wishes staff to engage actively with the new city. Additional staff positions and other resources would be required for any expansion of Sister City activities.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends Council discuss the information presented in this report and provide direction to staff regarding whether to bring back for Council consideration a resolution inviting Arezzo, Italy, to be a new City of Burbank Sister City.
ATTACHMENT
None.
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