Item No.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: RUBY PICON, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
DATE: SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING EL GRULLO, JALISCO, MEXICO AS THE CITY OF DOWNEY’S SISTER CITY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will adopt a resolution proclaiming El Grullo, Jalisco, Mexico as a City of Downey Sister City. 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:
Adopt Resolution No. 24-8268, proclaiming the City of El Grullo of the State of Jalisco of the United Mexican States as a Sister City to the City of Downey, California, United States of America
BACKGROUND
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 has six sister cities. The sister cities and date of establishment are listed below:
Guadalajara, Mexico in 1960;
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.
All of Downey’s sister cities have been formalized through the adoption of a resolution by the City Council.
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION OF PROCLAIMING EL GRULLO, JALISCO, MEXICO AS THE CITY OF DOWNEY’S SISTER CITY
SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
PAGE 2
2 At the August 13, 2024 City Council meeting, the Downey City Council requested staff to explore the process for establishing a Sister City partnership with El Grullo, Jalisco, Mexico. At the August 27, 2024 City Council meeting, City staff provided a presentation of a recommended process, the request from El Grullo, Jalisco, Mexico to become a City of Downey Sister City, and a brief background on the City of El Grullo. The City Council subsequently approved establishing a Sister City relationship with El Grullo.
ANALYSIS
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.
The Downey Sister Cities Association received requests from three cities, including El Grullo, to establish a new Sister City partnership. As per their standard procedures, the requests were thoroughly evaluated by a review committee and lines of communication were established to identify mutual benefits and potential success of said partnership.
Following the review by the committee, the Sister Cities Association recommended approval of El Grullo as Sister City to the City of Downey. El Grullo was selected over the other cities due to its resources and economic sectors that could serve as basis for mutually beneficial business exchanges between the City of Downey and El Grullo.
The Sister City partnership with El Grullo will be formalized through the adoption of a resolution (Attachment A) by the Downey City Council, which aligns with the City’s past practice. The resolution outlines the purpose of the partnership, which is to encourage friendship and goodwill, and promote educational, cultural and economic exchanges.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Public Engagement
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Resolution No. 24-8268
RESOLUTION NO. 24-8268
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
PROCLAIMING THE CITY OF EL GRULLO OF THE STATE OF JALISCO OF
THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES AS A SISTER CITY TO THE CITY OF
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
WHEREAS, the Sister City concept was established by the President of the United States in 1956 to promote greater friendship and understanding between people of the United States and other nations; and
WHEREAS, the City of Downey seeks to establish and encourage friendship and goodwill, and promote educational, cultural and economic exchanges between the citizens of Downey and the City of El Grullo of the State of Jalisco of the United Mexican States; and
WHEREAS, the exchange of interests and cultures by the establishment of a “Sister City” relationship with the City of El Grullo will enhance the quality of life for both cities and their residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Downey hereby approves and proclaims the establishment of a Sister City affiliation with the City of El Grullo of the State of Jalisco of the United Mexican States for the purpose of encouraging friendship and goodwill and promoting educational and cultural exchanges between both cities.
SECTION 2. The Mayor, or his or her designee, is hereby authorized to execute any required documents or agreements consistent with this Resolution in furtherance of the sister city affiliation with the City of El Grullo of the State of Jalisco of the United Mexican States.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 10th day of September, 2024.
_________________________________
MARIO TRUJILLO, Mayor
ATTEST:
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
JOHN M. FUNK
City Attorney
RESOLUTION NO. 24-8268
PAGE 2
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Downey at a Regular meeting held on the 10th day of September, 2024, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Members:
NOES: Council Member:
ABSENT: Council Member:
ABSTAIN: Council Member:
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC
City Clerk