City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2025-01638 9/16/2025
Establishing a Sister City Relationship with the City of Morelia, Michoacán, México File ID: 2025-01638
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution of Intention to establish a Sister City relationship with Morelia, Michoacán, México.
Contact: Mindy Cuppy, City Clerk, (916) 808- 5442, [email protected], Office of the City Clerk; Philip Norton, Chief of Staff for Mayor Pro Tem Guerra, (916) 808-7006, [email protected]; Domingo Ramirez, Office of Mayor Pro Tem Guerra, (916) 808-7006, [email protected]
Presenter: None.
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution of Intention
3-Draft Memorandum of Understanding
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: Multiple conversations have been held to explore the establishment of a Sister City relationship between the Cities of Sacramento and Morelia. Sacramento and Morelia recognize the importance of cooperation and the exchange of expertise and experiences between the two cities, and will encourage visits, student exchanges, and joint initiatives by their respective citizens, institutions, and organizations.
In July 2025 new direct flights began between Sacramento International Airport and Aeropuerto Internacional de Morelia. This enables both capital cities to promote direct exchanges, tourism and other economic opportunities. Following discussions with officials from the City of Morelia, a desire was expressed to promote a Sister City relationship with the City of Sacramento. City officials in Morelia are concurrently bringing the formation of this relationship to Morelia’s city council.
Policy Considerations: Staff support has been historically limited to coordination of Mayor and Council participation in sister city activities. Sister city relationships must demonstrate community interest and participation in each city since the community is responsible for developing and
File ID: 2025-01638 9/16/2025
implementing activities.
Economic Impacts: Potential for an increase in travel between Sacramento and Morelia, which could lead to greater revenue through tourism, entertainment, and trade.
Environmental Considerations: Not applicable.
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
Rationale for Recommendation: Adopting a Resolution of Intention is an initial step to establishing a Sister City relationship. Sister City relationships encourage cross-cultural learning and promote opportunities for social, cultural, and professional exchanges through the guidance of the Sacramento Sister Cities Council. Adopting a resolution of intention to establish a Sister City relationship with the City of Morelia will further strengthen the existing ties between Sacramento and Morelia. This action will initiate the formal “registering requirements” necessary through Sister Cities International for both cities before formal implementation of a sister city relationship.
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
Background: The City of Sacramento has a Sister City program which currently includes twelve relationships with cities across the world. This program is managed by the Sacramento Sister City Council (SSCC). Sacramento’s sister cities and their respective establishment dates include:
· Manila, Philippines (1961)
· Matsuyama, Japan (1981)
· Jinan, China (1984)
· Hamilton, New Zealand (1988)
· Liestal, Switzerland (1989)
· Chisinau, Moldova (1989)
· Youngsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea (1997)
· San Juan de Oriente, Nicaragua (2006)
File ID: 2025-01638 9/16/2025
· Pasay City, Philippines (2006)
· Bethlehem, Palestine (2009)
· Ashkelon, Israel (2012)
· Mexicali, México (2013)
The SSCC is comprised of a president, or designee, from each of the sister cities. Guided by their mission statement, “Promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperations,” SSCC meets four times a year to develop mutually beneficial, cultural, educational, social and/or economic relationships between the citizens of Sacramento and its sister cities. Activities of the SSCC include engaging in joint Sister City activities, networking with internationally oriented organizations and event announcements. The City Clerk attends these meetings and provides staff support.
RESOLUTION NO.
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
Resolution of Intention by the Sacramento City Council
to Establish a Sister City Relationship
Between the City of Sacramento, California, United States and the City of Morelia, Michoacán, México
BACKGROUND
A. The mission of the Sister Cities Council of Sacramento is to develop mutually beneficial cultural, educational, social, and/or economic relationships between the citizens of Sacramento and its Sister Cities.
B. The City of Sacramento has benefitted from having 12 Sister Cities from countries around the world but has not yet established a Sister City relationship within the state of Michoacán, México, from where many Sacramentans share family ties.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The Sacramento City Council gives its endorsement of intent to formalize a sister city relationship with City of Morelia, Michoacán, México under the guidance of the Sacramento Sister Cities Council.
Section 2: The City Clerk shall send a copy of this resolution to the Sacramento Sister Cities Council.
Section 3: The City Clerk shall send a copy of this resolution to the City of Morelia, Michoacán, México.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Between the City of Sacramento, California, United States and the City of Morelia, Michoacán, México
WHEREAS, the City of Sacramento and the City of Morelia seek to promote international understanding and friendship through the establishment of Sister City relationships; and
WHEREAS, the City of Morelia is the capital of the state of Michoacán, the seat of the Municipality of Morelia, and is one of the largest and most historically significant cities in the state; and
WHEREAS, many families in Sacramento that have ties to México have connections to the state of Michoacan; and
WHEREAS, ongoing national politics have created an environment of fear and uncertainty regarding the treatment of citizens and non-citizens alike; and
WHEREAS, the City of Sacramento and local community partners, in 2017, established the Sacramento Family Unity, Education, and Legal Network for Immigrants to protect immigrants and their families.
WHEREAS, through a sister city relationship, the goal is to share are and culture, to deepen connections between communities, and to collaborate on public policy, academic exchange, trade, and tourism.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City of Sacramento and the City of Morelia agree as follows:
1. The City of Sacramento and the City of Morelia hereby establish a Sister City relationship.
2. The City of Sacramento and the City of Morelia recognize the importance of cooperation and the exchange of expertise and experiences between the two cities, and will encourage visits, exchanges, and joint initiatives by their respective citizens, institutions, and organizations.
3. The City of Sacramento and the City of Morelia commit to exploring ways in which each city can support the other, including through the exchange of art and culture and the sharing of expertise in areas such as public policy, public health, and academics.
4. The City of Sacramento and the City of Morelia agree to work together in promoting people-to-people exchanges and encouraging trade and tourism between the two cities.
5. The City of Sacramento and the City of Morelia agree that the establishment of a sister city relationship is a symbol of hope and friendship between the United States and México, and a commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective City Councils, have signed this memorandum of understanding on this [insert date] day of [insert month], [insert year].
For the City of Sacramento For the City of Morelia
____________________________ ____________________________ Kevin McCarty Alfonso Martínez Alcázar
Mayor Presidente Municipal