CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Item Added to Agenda
Meeting Date: March 1, 2022
To: City Councilmembers
From: Mayor Slayter
Subject: Resolution of Support for Sister City Ukraine and Whole of Ukraine Recommendation: That the City Council Approve a Resolution of Support Funding: Currently Budgeted: _______ Yes ______ No ___X__ N/A Account Code/Costs authorized in City Approved Budget (if applicable) _AK____ (verified by Administrative Services Department)
INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE:
The item isfor Council Approval of Resolution of Support for Sister City Ukraine and Whole of Ukraine. A Resolution will be provided before or at the March 1 2022 City Council Meeting.
BACKGROUND:
Sebastopol World Friends is a City of Sebastopol commissioned non-profit service group with a mission to link Sebastopol with its sister cities through a variety of educational and cultural programs and to coordinate exchanges which will promote lasting friendships. Chyhyryn is Sister City to the City of Sebastopol.
Chyhyryn City is located more or less in the center of Ukraine, in Cherkasy Oblast. Its current population is around 11,000. It is similar in many ways to Sebastopol – it has its own police and fire department, several restaurants, parks, a medical clinic, a small university, two museums, and three K-12 schools. Chyhyryn is small and agricultural, and it, like Sebastopol, also had a history of preventing the building of a nuclear power plant.
In 1993 Mayor Lesych and three others from Chyhyryn, Ukraine, traveled to Sebastopol for the signing of a Sister City Agreement between the two cities. Since 1993, Sebastopol, California and Chyhyryn, Ukraine have maintained a deep relationship through individual and group travel, cultural exchanges, good wishes and good projects.
DISCUSSION:
As the world is well aware, Russia launched a large-scale attack targeting numerous cities in Ukraine. As of the writing of this report, this attack as resulted in deaths and injuries. This is unacceptable.
It’s hard to imagine the recent horrific events that are happening to Ukrainians as a whole, which includes Sebastopol’s Sister City Ukraine. These are our friends and colleagues who have visited us and we have visited them continuing our long lasting friendship and exchanges of cultural programs.
This item is to show support for our friends and colleagues from Ukraine as well as the whole of Ukraine.
Sebastopol condemns the actions of Russia and it is important that the City take a stand supporting our Sister City Ukraine and all Ukrainians.
GOALS:
This action supports the following City Council Goals and General Plan Actions:
Goal CSF 6, Policy CSF 6-1: Continue to maximize public participation in local government actions and maintain excellent levels of City government service.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
As of the writing of this staff report, the City has not received any public comment. However, if staff receives public comment from interested parties following the publication and distribution of this staff report, such comments will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials before or at the meeting. In addition, public comments may be offered during the public comment portion of the agenda item.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
This item was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to schedule meeting date.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact with this action tonight.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Sebastopol City Council Approve a Resolution of Support.
Attachments:
None. Resolution to be provided before or at the March 1, 2022 Council Meeting.