ITEM 5. 4
CITY MANAGER' SREPORT
FEBRUARY 9, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
ITEM:
RECOMMENDATION:
REVIEW AND CONSIDER AN ANNUAL
CELEBRATORY EVENT TO HONOR THE CITY OF
BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE, PHILIPPINES AS
LATHROP' SSISTER CITY
Council to Discuss and Consider Adopting a
Resolution Authorizing an Annual Sister City
Celebratory Event Organized by Lathrop
Residents to be Held on the Last Saturday in
April and Waive Fees for Facility Usage, Waive
Staffing Costs for Facility Monitors, Authorize
Payment of Third -Party Security and Authorize
Reimbursement for One Day Event Insurance
SUMMARY:
The City of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines was approved as a Sister City of the City of Lathrop in April of 2003 ( Attachment B). The Sister City designation recognizes the strong cultural and historical ties between Lathrop residents and the Bacarra community. Lathrop' s
Sister City relationship with Bacarra promotes cultural exchange, strengthens international relationships, and fosters mutual understanding between the two communities.
BACKGROUND:
At the November 10, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting, a Mayor' sreferral requested that City staff meet with representatives of the Bacarra, Ilocos Norte community regarding an Annual Celebratory Event to recognize Lathrop' s Sisterhood with the
City of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines.
The City of Lathrop established a Sister City relationship with the City of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines in April of 2003. Members of the Lathrop community with ties to the City of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines have periodically organized celebratory events at the Community Center. Most recently, a request has been submitted to formalize this celebration as an annual event, to be held on the last Saturday in April. The proposed event for 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, April 25.
The event is planned to take place from 5: 00 p. m. to 9: 00 p. m., with the rental period scheduled from 1: 00 p. m. to 10: 00 p. m. to accommodate setup and cleanup.
City staff have met with representatives of the Bacarra, Ilocos Norte community regarding the proposed use of the Community Center. When the facility is utilized for an event organized by the Bacarra, Ilocos Norte community, the organization assumes responsibility for all scheduled activities, including entertainment, food, CITY MANAGER' SREPORT PAGE 2
FEBRUARY 9, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
ANNUAL CELEBRATORY EVENT HONORING THE CITY OF BACARRA, ILOCOS
NORTE, PHILIPPINES AS LATHROP' SSISTER CITY
speakers, and social engagement. The event is fully organized and managed by local residents. Admission tickets will be sold by the group in order to raise funds for scholarships and community service projects, and the event will be open to the public.
Total attendance is not expected to exceed 200 guests. The City would waive fees for facility usage, waive staffing costs for facility monitors, authorize payment of third - party security and authorize reimbursement for one day event insurance with all waivers and reimbursements cumulatively not to exceed $ 3, 000 in 2026 and an additional 5% compounding annually thereafter. Staff recommends waivers and reimbursements as de minimis not subsidized from other facility fees general benefit.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council authorize an annual Sister City celebratory event organized by Lathrop residents, to be held on the last Saturday in April each year.
The Bacarra, Ilocos Norte community organization will assume responsibility for all scheduled activities, including entertainment, food, speakers, and social engagement. Staff propose the City would waive fees for facility usage, waive staffing costs for facility monitors, authorize payment of third -party security and authorize reimbursement for one day event insurance with all waivers and reimbursements cumulatively not to exceed $ 3, 000 in 2026 and an additional 5% compounding annually thereafter. Staff recommend the Council find the waivers and reimbursements would provide public benefit to the community and that the amount of the request is de minimis in nature and not subsidized from other facility fees.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fees associated with an annual celebratory event recognizing Lathrop' s Sister
City relationship with the City of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines include costs for waiving fees for facility usage, waiving staff costs for facility monitors, payment for third -party security, and authorize reimbursement for one day event insurance with all waivers and reimbursements cumulatively not to exceed $ 3, 000 in 2026 and an additional 5% compounding annually thereafter.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Council to Discuss and Consider Adopting a Resolution Authorizing an Annual Sister City Celebratory Event Organized by Lathrop Residents to be Held on the Last Saturday in April and Waive Fees for Facility Usage, Waive Staffing Costs for Facility Monitors, Authorize Payment of Third - Party Security and Authorize Reimbursement for One Day Event Insurance
B. Copy of The City of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines Resolution with the City of Lathrop Established in April of 2003
CITY MANAGER' S REPORT PAGE 3
FEBRUARY 9, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
ANNUAL CELEBRATORY EVENT HONORING THE CITY OF BACARRA, ILOCOS
NORTE, PHILIPPINES AS LATHROP' SSISTER CITY
APPROVALS:
Todd Sebastian Date
Director of Parks and Recreation
Cari Jam
Director of F nance
Thomas Hedegard
Deputy City Manager
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Date
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Date
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Michael King Date
Assistant City Manager
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Salvador Navarrete Date
City Attorney
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Stephen J. Salvatore Date
City Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 26 -
ADOPT RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LATHROP
AUTHORIZING AN ANNUAL SISTER CITY CELEBRATORY EVENT ORGANIZED
BY LATHROP RESIDENTS TO BE HELD ON THE LAST SATURDAY IN APRIL AND
WAIVE FEES FOR FACILITY USAGE, WAIVE STAFFING COSTS FOR FACILITY
MONITORS, AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF THIRD -PARTY SECURITY AND
AUTHORIZE REIMBURSEMENT FOR ONE DAY EVENT INSURANCE
WHEREAS, the City of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines was approved as a Sister City of the City of Lathrop in April of 2003; and WHEREAS, Lathrop' ssister city relationship with Bacarra promotes cultural exchange, strengthens international relationships, and fosters mutual understanding between the two communities; and
WHEREAS, since the establishment of the Sister City relationship, members of the Lathrop community with ties to the City of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines have periodically organized celebratory events at the Community Center; and WHEREAS, a request has been submitted to formalize this celebration as an annual event, to be held on the last Saturday in April; and WHEREAS, the event is to be fully organized and managed by local residents who will assume responsibility for all scheduled activities, including entertainment, food, speakers, and social engagement; and
WHEREAS, admission tickets will be sold by the non- profit group in order to raise funds for scholarships and community service projects, and the event will be open to the public; and
WHEREAS, it is proposed that City would waive fees for facility usage, waive staffing costs for facility monitors, authorize payment of third -party security and authorize reimbursement for one day event insurance with all waivers and reimbursements cumulatively not to exceed $ 3, 000 annually with an increase of 5% annually to this number; and
WHEREAS, staff recommend the Council find the waivers and reimbursements would provide public benefit to the community and that the amount of the request is de minimis in nature and not subsidized from other facility fees.; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council authorize an annual Sister City celebratory event organized by Lathrop residents, to be held on the last Saturday in April each year. Council hereby waives fees for facility usage, waives staffing costs for facility monitors, authorizes payment of third -party security and authorizes reimbursement for one day event insurance with all waivers and reimbursements cumulatively not to exceed $ 3, 000 in 2026 and an additional 5% compounding annually thereafter.
The foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this 9th day of February, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Paul Akinjo, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Teresa Vargas, City Clerk Salvador Navarrete, City Attorney Attachment B
RESOLUTION NO. 03 - 1453
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LATHROP ACCEPTING THE OFFER OF
THE MUNICIPALITY OF BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE, PHILIPPINES TO
BECOME A SISTER CITY
WHEREAS, the Municipality of Bacarra, Iiocos Norte, Philippines has expressed its interest in establishing a sisterhood relationship with the City of Lathrop through their adoption of Municipal Resolution No. 2002- 130 and transmitted same to City; and
WHEREAS, Lathrop is proud of its population that originated in the Philippines and the fact that Lathrop was the first City in California to have a Mayor who was a native of the Philippines; and
WHEREAS, Lathrop is interested in fostering national and international relationships with other municipalities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Lathrop that the offer made by the Municipality of Bacarra is hereby accepted and that Lathrop would be honored to become a " Sister City" of Bacarra.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor shall furnish a copy of this resolution and a letter expressing the City' s deep appreciation for this recognition.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of April, 2003 by the following vote:
AYES: Beltran, Oliver, Griffith, Dresser, Rhodes
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
fitm, 4/ rVit; j
Susan Burns Cochran, City Attorney
ATTEST:
C/ 2
Nancy Ru Ian, CityCCiferk