Item No.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: RUBY PICON, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
DATE: AUGUST 27, 2024
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION OF SISTER CITY PARTNERSHIP WITH EL GRULLO,
JALISCO, MEXICO
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will discuss a request to establish a Sister City partnership with El Grullo, Jalisco, Mexico. The purpose of the Sister Cities program is to foster the exchange of information and ideas, develop friendships, and deepen cultural understanding of the agencies involved.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
Provide direction on a request for a Sister City partnership with El Grullo, Jalisco, Mexico
BACKGROUND
At the August 13, 2024 City Council meeting, the City Council requested staff explore the process for establishing a Sister City partnership with El Grullo, Jalisco, Mexico.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the Sister City concept in 1956 as a way for cities in the United States to create formal partnerships with foreign cities, leading to the exchange of information and ideas, developing friendships, and deepening cultural understanding. The City of Downey established the first Sister City partnership with Guadalajara, Mexico in 1960.
The City of Downey has six sister cities. In addition to Guadalajara, Mexico, the sister cities and date of establishment are Valle of San Quintin, Mexico in 1980; Alajuela, Costa Rica in 1991; Ensenada, Mexico in 2001; Fresnillo, Mexico in 2009; and Roscommon, Ireland in 2013. Roscommon, the birthplace of Downey’s founder, John Gately Downey, reached out to the City of Downey to initiate discussion of a Sister City partnership to establish and strengthen historical ties between the two agencies. All of Downey’s sister cities have been formalized through the adoption of a resolution by the City Council.
DISCUSSION OF SISTER CITY PARTNERSHIP WITH EL GRULLO, JALISCO, MEXICO AUGUST 27, 2024
PAGE 2
2 ANALYSIS
The City of El Grullo has invited the City of Downey to become a Sister City (Attachment A) by email introduction and draft resolution from the City of El Grullo. The proposed collaborative relationship between the two agencies would include the promotion of business and government meetings, dissemination of cultural expressions and traditions, activities and strategies to foster tourism, and the development of projects of common interest.
El Grullo is located in the Mexican state of Jalisco and was established on December 14, 1912. According to the 2010 Population and Housing Count, the municipality has 23,587 residents. El Grullo’s economy is based on the provision of services and sales of goods and products followed by agriculture. The City has a great diversity of natural, historical and cultural attractions, including a wide variety of festivals and fairs. Currently, El Grullo has six sister cities, including an established relationship with Kent, Washington, which is the only one of the six cities in the United States.
Process for Establishing Sister Cities
The process for establishing a new Sister City relationship as recommended by the International Sister Cities Association is as follows:
1. Research Phase: Sister City relationships are strategic long-term partnerships that should be mutually beneficial. Consider data points, such as population, geography, industries and historical connections, when identifying potential partners.
2. Develop Line of Communication: Establish a line of communication by sending/receiving a letter of introduction from one mayor to the other. This letter should introduce the community, identify why there is interest in developing a sister city relationship, identify potential program/exchange opportunities, and identify a point of contact.
3. Correspondence Phase: Focus on learning more about each other’s communities, discussing local involvement, and developing a possible work plan if possible.
4. Development Partnership Agreement: The agreement can range from ceremonial, with language focusing on commitment to fostering understanding, cooperation and mutual benefits or more specific programs/activities and goals.
5. Signing Ceremony: Once the agreement has been developed and both communities have approved, the city representatives will sign the document, which
DISCUSSION OF SISTER CITY PARTNERSHIP WITH EL GRULLO, JALISCO, MEXICO AUGUST 27, 2024
PAGE 2
3 can be done during a formal signing ceremony. This is typically done as a City Resolution.
6. Implementation and Evaluation: Establish a time frame to evaluate the partnership and adjust if needed.
Pending Council direction, staff will present a full analysis of the above mentioned items and a resolution between the City and El Grullo establishing El Grullo as the City of Downey’s 7th Sister City at the September 10th City Council meeting.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Public Engagement
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Email and Draft Agreement submitted by El Grullo
Rebecca Sanchez
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Attachments:
filiberto gonzalez guerrero
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 1 1:55 AM
Mario Trujillo
[email protected]; [email protected]
Convenio de Ciudades Hermanas
Convenio de Hermanamiento.pdf
Mario Trujillo
Alcalde de Downey, CA.
Presente:
El que suscribe C. Filiberto Gonzalez Guerrero, Regidor de Ciudades Hermanas del Ayuntamiento de El Grullo, Jalisco. Administraci6n 2021 - 2024.
Por medio del presente le envi6 un cordial saludo, al mismo tiempo doy seguimiento a la solicitud de Hermanamiento entre nuestras Ciudades.
Adjunto Convenio de Hermanamiento.
Sin mis por el momento me despido de usted, quedando a sus ordenes para cualquier duda o aclaraci6n.
Atentamente:
C. Filiberto Gonzalez Guerrero
Regidor de Ciudades Hermanas.
ATTACHMENT A
atnHI
SISTER CITIES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MUNICIPALITY
OF EL GRULLO IN THE STATE OF JALISCO AND THE CITY OF
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA.
EL GRULLO
Goberne Huwip•t zeal - 2824 The Municipality of El Grullo, Jalisco, represented by Mr. Milton Carlos cardenas Osorio, Municipal President and the City of Downey, California, represented by Mr, Mario Trujillo, Mayor of that city, hereinafter called ' Ihe Parties-, which make the following statements:
Ia CrUDAD D1 LA G£WT£
WHEREAS El Grullo is a jewel located in the heart of the State of Jalisoo, making it a key connection point within the entity. A place full of history, traditions and an ideal destination for lovers of nature and ecotourism. A municipality that has solid infrastructure that includes educational centers of all levels, health services and a diverse cultural and sports offer. The warmth and hospitality of the inhabitants are distinctive features of the municipality, as well as its exquisite gastronomy.
WHEREAS The City of Downey is home to more than 113,000 residents in 12.41 square miles, is a diverse and dynamic community in the heart of Los Angeles County, approximately 15 miles from Downtown Los Angeles, and 5 miles from Orange County.
The City prides itself in being a full-service municipal organization with over 800 employees providing an array of services including poli@, fire protection, emergency medical services, water distribution, library services, and parks andrecreational facilities.
Residents in Downey are able to enjoy nationally-recognized schools, numerous well-kept parks, and various amenities, including a regional maII, major shopping and business centers, the Downey Theatre, Downey Library and the Columbia Memorial Space Center.
WHEREAS El Grullo and Downey have an interest in deepening the ties of friendship and cooperation that unite both Parties;
WHEREAS that cooperation between cities and in this case, States is one of the factors that favorably affects the solution of problems that affect their respective entities;
WHEREAS its decision to deepen its collaborative relationships is through an appropriate legal framework;
WHEREAS the importance of establishing mechanisms that mntribute to the development and strengthening of the multilateral cooperation framework, as well as the need to execute projects and actions that have an effective impact on the economic and social progress of the Parties;
THEREFORE: By virtue of the above. and since "the Parties- have the approval of their respective City Councils in amrdance with the provisions of article 115 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, article 73 of the Political Constitution of the State of Jalisco and article 38 section VI of the Law of the Municipal Government and Public Administration of the state of Jalisco: in addition to those established in sovereign entities in both countries, they have agreed on the following:
ARTICLE I
Aim
The objective of this Agreement is to formalize the Sisterhood between:
Gobierno Municipal de9Obreg6n No. 48, Cot. Centro 3213874444 El Grullo, Jal C.R 48740 Et GIuUo, Jal 321 387 20 67 2021 - 2024
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Municipalities of El Grullo, and the City of Downey; one from the United States and another from the United States of America. as well as the and establishment of support and cooperation mechanisms on issues of – strategic development, Sports, Education, Tourism, Culture and any other issue I:=+that is related to the purposes of the parties.B
LA CIUDAD DI LA G£NTE ARTICLE II
Cooperation areas
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Ud
To achieve the objective of this Agreement, the Parties undertake to develop specially directed cooperation actions, but not limited to the following areas:
a) Trade, investments and business, Promotion of business and government meetings to encourage economic exchange and business development; b) Culture, Promotion and dissemination of cultural expressions and regional traditions; exchange of typical products from their area, materials and internships with artisans, in order to acquire new work techniques, c) Tourism. Exchange of experiences, and mordinaHon of tools and guidelines, aimed at promoting tourism development in both cities, even being able to collaborate in mutual promotion activities and develop strategies to increase the tourist flow to these cities.
d) Development. Maintain fluid communication and cooperation, and if necessary, establish a calendar of technical, work and training meetings, with the purpose of sharing experiences or formulating projects of common interest in order to promote and promote mutual development.
e) Any other area of cooperation that the Parties agree upon.
ARTICLE III
Cooperation models
The Parties agree that the moperation actions referred to in this Agreement will be carried out through the following modalities:
a) Promotion and dissemination;
b) Exchange of information, freely accessible public documentation materials:
c) Organization of fairs, seminars and conferences;
d) Cultural, sports, education, tourism and artistic exchange; e) Any other model that the Parties agree upon.
and
ARTICLE IV
Competence
The Parties undertake to carTy out the cooperation models referred to in Article III of this Agreement, with absolute respect for their respective powers, regulations and politicaleconomic directives of their respective Government.
ARTICLE V
Additional collaboration proposals
The signatory Parties may establish projects in all forms of cooperation, but will not be obliged to collaborate in those activities with respect to which there is an internal prohibition or one derived from a law, institutional regulation or custom.
Obreg6n NO, 48, Col. Centro
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order to evaluate the aspects derived from the
propose new guidelines for the development of
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ARTICLE VI
Supervision and coordination mechanism
For the establishment of a mechanism that allows adequate coordination, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of the cooperation activities carried out under this Sister Cities Agreement, a Working Group made up of representatives of the Parties will be established, with the following areas serving as executingareas - Commissioners from the Municipality of El Grullo, of the State of Jalisco, of the United Mexican States are: C, Filiberto Gonz61ez Guerrero. Councilor Commissioner in Sister Cities; Master. Edgar Cobian Bautista, Coordinator of Social Development, Humanities and Tourism and Uc. Cesar G6mez Ayala, Director of Sister Cities.
- On behalf of the City of Downey, California, of the United States of America, Ms.
Carmen Amarillas is designated, President of Sister Cities; Lie. Yanett Navarro RobIn, President of AJUA California.
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a) Adopt the necessary decisions in order to comply with the objectives of this Agreement;
b) Identify areas of common interest to develop and formulate specific cooperation projects;
c) Guide, organize and formulate pertinent recommendations for the execution of the activities of this Agreement;
d) Receive, review and approve, where appropriate, reports on progress in the areas of cooperation of this Agreement; and
e) Any other function that the Parties agree upon.
ARTICLE VII
Financing
The Parties will finance the activities referred to in this Agreement with the resources allamted in their respective budgets, in accordance with their availability and the provisions of their legislation.
Each Party shall bear the costs related to its participation, except that alternative financing mechanisms may be used for specific activities, as deemed appropriate.
ARTICLE VIII
Protected information, material and equipment
The Parties agree that the information, material and equipment protected and classified for security reasons of either Party, in accordance with the relevant legISlation, WIll not be transferred within the framework of ME Obreg6n No. 48, Col. Centro
C.P. 48740 El Grutlo, JaI.
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If in the course of the cooperation activities undertaken based on this Agreement, material and equipment is identified that requires or may require and classification, the Parties will inform the competent authorities and : –- - establish, in writing, the appropriate measures. !T""’---'r!=?-r-=–'rhe &ansfer of information, material and equipment not protected or classi Oed, but L" CI'’D"D =" LAG--TWhose export is controlled by one of the Parties, will be done in accordan@ with the applicable legislation and must be duly identified, as well as its subsequent use or transfer. If any of the Parties consider it necessary, the neoessary measures wHI be implemented to prevent unauthorized transfer or retransfer of the same.
ARTICLE IX
Designated staff
The personnel commissioned by each of the Parties for the execution of cooperation activities under this Agreement will continue under the direction and dependence of the institution to which they belong, so no employment relationships wiN be created with the other Party, which in no case will be considered a substitute employer.
The Parties will carTy out the necessary procedures before the competent authorities so that all the necessary facilities are granted for the entry and exit of the participants who officially intervene in the cooperation projects derived from this Agreement.
ARTICLE X
Dispute resolution
Any difference or dIvergence arising from the interpretation or application of this Instrument will be resolved by the Parties by mutual agreement.
ARTICLE XI
Final provisions
This Agreement will come into force from the date of its signature and will be valid until the day that both parties decide to disintegrate said sisterhood, after evaluation by the Parties, through written communication.
Ttris Agreement may be modified by mutual consent of the Parties, formalized through written communications, specifying the date of its entry into ft>rce.
Either Party may, at any time, terminate this Agreement by giving 90 days written notice to the other,
The eady termination of this Agreement will not affect the ooncJusion of the cooperation activities that have been formalized during its validity.
Signed in the city of El Grullo, Jalism, Mexico, on the 8th of July 2024 (two thousand and twenty-four), in three original copies in the Spanish language, all texts being equally authentic.
Gobierno Municip•I de9Obreg6n No. 48, Col. Centre L 3213874444 El GruUo, JaI.
C.P. 48748 El Grullo, Jal 321 387 20 67 2021 . 2024
CiKienas OsotibMr. Mil In
icipal President of El GrulloW
EL GRULLO
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Mayor Mario Trujillo
Mayor of the City of Downey,
California
LA CIUDAD DE LA G£5T£
WITNESSES OF HONOR
Commissioner Commissioner Sister
Cities
Carmen Amarillas
Sister Cities President Downey, CA
I
Director of Sister Cities
M Manab30
Coordinator of Social Development,
Humanities and Tourism
Uc. Yanett Navarro Robles
President of AJUA California
L 3213874444Obreg6n No. 48, Col. Centro
C.P. 48740 Et GruUo, Jal 321 387 20 GZ
Gabierna Municipal de
El GIuIIo, Jal
2021 - 2024