Report to City Council
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TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Brian Mohan, City Manager
AGENDA DATE: April 7, 2026
TITLE: SISTER CITY PROGRAM SURVEY RESULTS AND
COMMITTEE RELAUNCH UPDATE (REPORT OF: CITY
MANAGER) (DISTRICT: NOT APPLICABLE)
TITLE SUMMARY: Update On The Results Of The Sister City Program Community Survey And Relaunch Of The Sister City
Program Committee
DISTRICT: Not Applicable
Recommendation(s)
That the City Council:
1. Receive and file the Sister City Program Survey Results update;
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to restore the Sister City Program based on the criteria set forth in the establishment Resolution 93-57 on July 13, 1993.
3. Provide further direction as needed.
SUMMARY
On November 4, 2025, the City Council directed staff to establish a Sister City Committee and conduct community outreach to ensure that the Sister City Program is inclusive and reflective of community feedback. In response, staff conducted a community-wide survey between January 5, 2026, and February 5, 2026, to gather input on the future of the City’s Sister City Program.
Survey results demonstrate strong community support for re -establishing the Sister City
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Program, including renewed interest in the City’s historical Sister City relationship with San Juan de Los Lagos, Jalisco, Mexico. Based on these results, staf f is preparing to relaunch the Sister City Program Committee and will provide further updates as needed.
DISCUSSION
On November 4, 2025, the City Council directed staff verbatim to:
“Establish a Sister City Committee made up of different organizations including city, school districts, and doing community outreach to make sure that we get the necessary feedback from the community so that we can make sure that the Sister City program is inclusive of all comments and feedback.”
In alignment with this direction, staff designed and administered a community survey and began preparations to relaunch the Sister City Program Committee.
The Sister City Program survey was open from January 5, 2026, through February 5, 2026, and received 194 total responses, repre senting a significant increase in participation compared to prior outreach efforts.
Key survey findings include:
88% of respondents identified as residents of Moreno Valley, with additional participation from educators, students, business owners, and civi c and cultural organizations.
78% of respondents support re -establishing a Sister City Program in Moreno Valley.
74% support re-establishing the relationship with San Juan de Los Lagos, Jalisco, Mexico.
Among respondents who did not support re -establishing the prior relationship, most expressed interest in exploring a new city or country. 88% believe the City should partner with community leaders and organizations in implementing the program. The most frequently identified partners included Moreno Valley College, Moreno Valley Unified School District, and the County of Riverside.
The most supported program focus areas were cultural exchanges and educational programs.
For historical context, in 2015, the City Council direction similarly included surveying the community. That survey, conducted between June and September 2015, yielded 73 responses, indicating substantially higher community engagement in the current effort.
Based on survey results and prior Council direction, staff is preparing to relaunch the Sister City Program Committee. The following committee composition is recommended to ensure broad representation and inclusive participation:
Representative from the City Manager’s Office
Representative from the Consul-General’s Office
Representative from Moreno Valley College
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Representative from Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce Representative from Moreno Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Representative from Moreno Valley Unified School District Representative from Val Verde Unified School District Representative from a faith-based organization
Representative from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Representative from the Riverside County Fire Department
Staff will schedule meetings with committee members to review survey data and discuss the Sister City program goals.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Receive and file the presentation and provide further direction as needed. Staff recommend this alternative.
2. No other alternatives are suggested.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this staff report.
NOTIFICATION
The Sister City Program survey was promoted across all City social media platforms to all members of the community, included in the City’s newsletter, and distributed via email to the listed prospective community partners. Outreach o ccurred multiple times throughout the 30 -day survey period to encourage broad community participation and stakeholder engagement.
PREPARATION OF STAFF REPORT
Prepared By: Department Head Approval:
Johncito “John” Peraza Brian Mohan
Assistant to the City Manager City Manager
CITY COUNCIL GOALS
Positive Environment. Create a positive environment for the development of Moreno Valley's future.
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
1. Economic Development
2. Public Safety
3. Library
4. Infrastructure
5. Beautification, Community Engagement, and Quality of Life
6. Youth Programs
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Report Approval Details
Document
Title:
STAFFREPORT_CM_SISTER_CITY_PROGRAM_SURVEY_UPDATE.
docx
Attachment
s:
Final
Approval
Date:
Apr 1, 2026
This report and all of its attachments were approved and signed as outlined below:
Brian Mohan
Natalia Medina
Felicia London, MPA
Launa Jimenez
Patty Rodriguez