Resolution No. 74-08
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING
THE RICHMOND-ZHOUSHAN SISTER CITY COMMISSION
WHEREAS, hundreds of sister-city relationships, including those in Richmond, California, have demonstrated the ability to increase international understanding; and
WHEREAS, it is to the mutual advantage of the cities of Zhoushan, China and Richmond, California and the citizens thereof to cultivate economic cooperation and cultural interchange between each other; and
WHEREAS, exchanges between Zhoushan and Richmond have produced friendships and increased understanding of our cultures; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond is desirous of furthering the economic and cultural understanding and development between the citizens of Zhoushan, China and Richmond, California, by establishing a commission known as the Richmond-Zhoushan Sister-City Commission;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Richmond, as follows:
SECTION 1: PURPOSE
There is hereby created the Richmond-Zhoushan Sister City Commission for the purpose of initiating and conducting exchanges of activities with appropriate organizations, groups and citizens of Zhoushan, with the approval of the City of Richmond.
SECTION 2: MEMBERSHIP
The Commission shall be comprised of eleven (11) members appointed by the Mayor.
A majority of the total City Council members shall confirm the members appointed by the Mayor. The Commission shall also maintain a general “Friends of Zhoushan” membership which will consist of citizens who express an interest in the Zhoushan Sister City program, and who may be called upon to contribute time, money, and expertise to further the program. There will be no limit to the membership of the “Friends of Zhoushan.” There will be no compensation for any Commission or Friends of Zhoushan members. A majority of all Commissioners must reside in the City of Richmond.
SECTION 3: THE COMMISSION
a. The terms of five (5) Commissioners shall expire at the end of the odd numbered calendar year next following that in which their appointments become effective, and the terms of the other six (6) Commissioners shall expire at the end of the even numbered calendar year next following that in which their appointments become effective. Thereafter, Commissioners shall be appointed to serve a term of two (2) years.
b. The office of a Commissioner shall become vacant upon the resignation of a member, or upon the adoption by the City Council of a resolution declaring such vacancy.
c. The by-laws provided for in Section 4(f) of this resolution shall provide for such officers as the Commission deems necessary, and shall provide for their duties, responsibilities, terms of office, and methods of election.
d. Three consecutive unexcused absences by a Commissioner from regular meetings of the Commission shall be cause for dismissal. The Commission may determine what constitutes a valid excuse.
e. The Commission shall hold such meetings as stipulated in the by-laws, however, the presiding officer may cancel a meeting and continue the business to the next meeting with the approval of the membership.
f. The City Manager shall designate a City employee to serve as Secretary to the Commission, and to perform such other duties as may be assigned by the City Manager to coordinate and expedite the work of the Commission. The Secretary shall not be entitled to vote.
SECTION 4: POWERS AND DUTIES
The powers and duties of the Richmond-Zhoushan Sister City Commission shall be as follows:
a. To further economic cooperation and cultural interchange between the cities and citizens of Zhoushan, China and Richmond, California.
b. To develop, compile, coordinate and exchange information with officials and citizens of Zhoushan.
c. To plan, develop, and carry out mutual cultural activities with officials and citizens of Zhoushan.
d. To encourage and cultivate mutual understanding of the cultures of the two cities.
e. To appoint committees and subcommittees and their respective officers, as necessary, to implement the purpose of the Commission.
f. To establish by-laws incorporating the aforementioned powers, duties, conditions, and stipulations, plus other conditions and stipulations as deemed desirable. No conditions or stipulations contained in the by-laws shall contradict or abridge the responsibilities or rights contained in this resolution.
No program formulated, promulgated or conducted by the Commission shall in any way financially obligate the City of Richmond without specific approval of the Richmond City Council. The costs of all programs shall be the responsibility of the members unless otherwise consented to by the Commission.
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I certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting held July 1, 2008, by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Bates, Butt, Lopez, Marquez, Rogers, Sandhu, Thurmond, Viramontes, and Mayor McLaughlin
Noes: None
Abstentions: None
Absent: None
DIANE HOLMES
Clerk of the City of Richmond
( S E A L )
Approved:
GAYLE McLAUGHLIN
Mayor
Approved as to form:
LOUISE RENNE, Interim
City Attorney
State of California }
County of Contra Costa : ss.
City of Richmond }
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of Resolution No. 74-08, finally passed and adopted by the Council of the City of Richmond at a meeting held on July 1, 2008.