September 12, 2023
Mayor's Office
DATE: September 12, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Mayor Eduardo Martinez and Councilmember Cesar
Zepeda
Subject:
International Travel Approval to Zhoushan, China to ratify the 2024-2026 Mutual Agreement and celebrate the 30th
anniversary of the Sister City relationship.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Approximately $15,000 (Mayor’s Office: 01101011- 400243; City Council: 01115011-400243)
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
The City Council has approved travel of city officials in the past for anniversaries and to renew the Mutual
Agreement. The last delegation to Zhoushan, China was
in October of 2017.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Mayor He Zhongwei and the Director of Zhoushan's
Department of Culture and Tourism have invited
Richmond officials to the 5th International Island Tourism Conference in Zhoushan, China, from October 12-14,
2023, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Richmond- Zhoushan sister city relationship. Discussions on
education, tourism, and economic development with
Zhoushan officials are also planned. City Council
approval is required for international travel by
Councilmembers and staff, as per policy.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
AUTHORIZE travel for Mayor Eduardo Martinez,
Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, and the Mayor’s Chief of
Staff Shiva Mishek to Zhoushan, Republic of China, to
celebrate the Sister Cities 30th Friendship Anniversary; attend the fifth annual International Island Tourism
Conference; and update the Mutual Agreement between
Sister Cities Richmond and Zhoushan— Mayor's Office
(Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6502) and
Councilmember Cesar Zepeda (510-620-6593).
AGENDA
REPORT
September 12, 2023
DISCUSSION:
This agenda item seeks the City Council's approval for international travel to Richmond’s Sister City of Zhoushan, China, from October 12-14, 2023. On invitation from Zhoushan officials Mayor He Zhongwei and the Director of the Zhoushan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, a delegation consisting of Richmond elected officials and Richmond Zhoushan commissioners would:
1. Commemorate the 30th anniversary of our sister city relationship with Zhoushan and to further strengthen the bonds of friendship and cultural exchange that have been nurtured over the years.
2. Update the Mutual Agreement between Richmond and Zhoushan (see Attachment 1).
3. Participate in the fifth annual International Island Tourism Conference, which will take place in Zhoushan, China, from October 12th to 14th, 2023 (see Attachment 2).
4. Visit Zhoushan’s renowned Maritime Academy, in anticipation of similar workforce development initiatives being created in Richmond.
5. Attend meetings with Zhoushan officials to develop education, tourism, and economic development initiatives.
This trip will not only allow us to celebrate our shared accomplishments over the past 30 years, but also provide us with the opportunity to lay the groundwork for economic development efforts benefiting both cities.
While in Zhoushan, there will also be a meeting between the cities’ officials to discuss and sign the new mutual agreement. The most recent mutual agreement covers 2017- 2020, as our cities have been unable to update the document due to the COVID-19 pandemic (note: both municipalities honor the most current agreement, even if the dates have expired).
The tentative attendees list is currently:
1. Mayor Eduardo Martinez
2. Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
3. Zhoushan Commission Chair Stanley Li
4. Zhoushan Commission Vice-Chair Margaret Lee
5. Zhoushan Commissioner Alex Golovets
6. Zhoushan Commissioner Bobby Winston
7. Zhoushan Commissioner Joseph Kong
8. Chief of Staff Shiva Mishek, Mayor’s Office
9. Former Councilmember Nathaniel Bates
The City of Zhoushan will cover the hotel accommodations and land costs for invited city officials. Funding for the Mayor and Chief of Staff is budgeted in the Mayor’s Office budget. Funding for the attending Councilmember will be taken from their Conferences,
September 12, 2023
Meetings, and Travel account. Members of the Richmond-Zhoushan Friendship Commission and former Councilmember Bates will cover their own travel expenses.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – 2017-2020 Mutual Agreement between Richmond and Zhoushan Attachment 2 – Island Tourism Conference Invitation Letter