City Council Staff Report Page 1 of 4 July 14, 2026
Staff Report
Agenda Item No. 5.2
DATE: July 14, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Joan Malloy, City Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Installation of a Peace Pole at the International Sister Cities Plaza in Old Alvarado Park
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the installation of a Peace Pole at the International Sister Cities Plaza in Old Alvarado Park (3871 Smith Street, Union City, CA 94587).
Union City Friends of Sister Cities, in partnership with the Human Relations Commission (HRC), has raised and donated $4,200 to purchase and install a Peace Pole at Sister Cities International Plaza in Old Alvarado Park. The proposed Peace Pole will serve as a symbol of peace, friendship, cultural understanding, and international goodwill, reflecting the values embodied by Union City's Sister Cities program.
Acceptance of the donation will allow the City to proceed with installing the Peace Pole adjacent to the gazebo in the plaza.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
This agenda item is in alignment with the following:
Goal E, Strategy 4: Communications and Outreach – Enhance the role boards and commissions play in communicating the City’s interests through training and routine engagement.
BACKGROUND
The City of Union City has maintained a longstanding commitment to fostering international friendship and cultural exchange through the Sister Cities program. In recognition of these efforts, the City dedicated the Sister Cities International Plaza at Old Alvarado Park as a gathering place that celebrates the community's international partnerships and cultural diversity.
Union City Friends of Sister Cities, a community-based organization born out of the Human Relations Commission, leads Sister Cities-related initiatives. Recently, Agenda Item No. 5.2
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fundraising efforts were conducted to purchase and install a Peace Pole at the Sister Cities International Plaza at Old Alvarado Park. Peace Poles are internationally recognized monuments that promote peace and unity among people of all nations, cultures, and backgrounds.
The proposed Peace Pole, manufactured by Peace Pole Makers USA in Wassaic, New York, is being recommended to be installed near the gazebo within Sister Cities International Plaza at Old Alvarado Park. Standing 8 feet tall, the eight-sided octagonal pole is constructed of cedar and serves as a symbol of peace, friendship, and international understanding. The pole will feature the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in 16 languages, representing both Union City's Sister Cities and the diverse cultures reflected within the local community. It will also include a Braille plate, language description plates, and eight dedication plates. The languages proposed for the Peace Pole are listed in Boxes 1 and 2, with Box 1 identifying the languages of Union City's Sister Cities and Box 2 highlighting additional languages spoken throughout the Union City community.
Box 1
1. Philippines - Tagalog
2. Mexico - Spanish
3. India- Punjabi
4. China - Mandarin
5. Thailand - Thai
6. Afghanistan - Pashto
7. Nigeria - Yoruba
8. Pakistan - Urdu
Box 2
9. English
10. Japanese
11. Korean
12. Samoan
13. Vietnamese
14. Burmese
15. Cambodian
16. Portuguese
The Peace Pole will include eight dedication plates recognizing the community members whose generosity and support were instrumental in raising the funds needed to purchase and maintain the monument. The names of these individuals will be displayed on dedication plates installed at the base of the Peace Pole and are listed below.
Agenda Item No. 5.2
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Peace Through Friendship
Union City Friends of Sister City
Established 2001
Every Step Matters
(Wms-Smith/Eady Family)
Rodney's Hope
Faith - Hope - Community
(Yap-Jequinto Family)
In Memory of
Kathy “Sweedy” Patiño
6/16/1956 - 3/8/1982
Knights of Columbus
St. Anne council 8627
Vivat Jesus!
FUN Sunset Rotary Club
Service Above Self
People of Action
ငြိမ်းချမ်းကြပါစေ
Bay Area Burmese Community
Sponsored by Alondra Home Care
Sikhs for Humanity
Exhibits A and B show the proposed location of the Peace Pole within the Sister Cities International Plaza at Old Alvarado Park and an illustration of the proposed monument's appearance.
DISCUSSION
With the support of the HRC, the Peace Pole Project underwent a formal review by both the Arts and Culture Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission. On November 18, 2025, the Arts and Culture Commission received a staff report presenting the proposed project and the HRC's request for feedback and support. Following its review, the Commission expressed its support for the project, allowing it to proceed to the next phase.
Additionally, on January 14, 2026, the Parks and Recreation Commission received an update on the project's progress from the HRC. During its review, the Commission recommended a location for the Peace Pole within the Sister Cities International Plaza. It provided additional feedback regarding the installation process, including coordination with Public Works staff. Union City Friends of Sister Cities will fund maintenance costs.
FISCAL IMPACT
The funds raised by the Union City Friends of Sister Cities over the past few years are sufficient to cover the purchase of the Peace Pole. The funds were provided to the City and are accounted for in a deposit account, Peace Pole (GL-11000000-47101). There is no impact on the General Fund; however, there is an indirect cost associated with supporting City staff in the installation of the Peace Pole.
Agenda Item No. 5.2
City Council Staff Report Page 4 of 4 July 14, 2026
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the installation of a Peace Pole at the International Sister Cities Plaza in Old Alvarado Park (3871 Smith Street, Union City, CA 94587).
Prepared by: Serenity Mlay, Management Analyst I
Submitted by: Jennifer Phan, Deputy City Manager
Attachments
1. Draft Resolution
2. Exhibit A - Proposed location of the peace pole installation in Sister City International Plaza
3. Exhibit B - Image of Peace Pole