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RESOLUTION 2007-28 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MOSCOW, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE STATE OF IDAHO, CONFIRMING THE CITY'S POLICY FOR SISTER CITY RECOGNITION FOR THE CITY OF MOSCOW; PROVIDING THIS RESOLUTION TO BE EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE AND APPROVAL. WHEREAS, the City and its citizens recognize that they are part of the wider world; and WHEREAS, many in Moscow have strong ties to other countries; and WHEREAS, together, City government and residents of Moscow, recognize the value of citizen diplomacy, sharing of information, culture, and customs, the City of Moscow encourages the development of 'sister city' relationships through Sister Cities International, Inc., of Washington, D.C WHEREAS, it is anticipated that the Sister City designation will foster greater understanding, exchange of cultural information and resources, and appreciation of the similarities and contrasts between Moscow and its Sister City. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Moscow as follows: Recognizing that there is a limited amount of resources for such projects, the City adopts the following policy to guide the creation and development of such Sister city connections: I. The city has one sister city relationship with Villa El Carmen, Nicaragua, as of May 2007, which hegan in the 1980s. The City of Moscow has paid the annual dues to the Sister Cities International in Washington, D.C., which has allowed the Moscow Sister Cities Association to have this affiliation. 2. 'v1oscow's involvement in the Sister City movement is primarily based upon exchange of cultural infom1ation and resources, with opportunities for private educational and political exchanges. It is not au aid source for the sister city for economic or humanitarian assistance. 3. ln order to qualify to begin another sister city relationship, an application process is required. a. SCI has an internal rule that cities abroad should have one sister city relationship; they have no limit to the number of sister cities an American city might choose to adopt. Those interested in proposing a new sister city relationship for the City of Moscow shall first communicate with Sister Cities International (SCI) to detem1ine whether such a relationship exists with any other American city. The founding group should have at least ten ( 1 0) Moscow citizens as their Moscow membership. b. The founding group should gather infonnation about the proposed sister city, showing that the sister city is an appropriate match for this relationship with the City of Moscow (similarity of economy, interests, geography, background or other factors that would be the basis of a mutually positive relationship) and proposed activities should this proposal be approved. RESOLUTION 2007-28 POLICY FOR SISTER CITY RECOGNITION CiTY OF MOSCOW PAGE 1 OF 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- c. Once the information has been gathered, contacts with SCI have been made, the proposed sister city has been approached, their interest has been cont!tmed, then ( 1 0) or more citizens have pledged their interest and willingness to be involved with this process, and a justification for the selected city as a 'sister' for Moscow has been written, this information shall be presented in written form to the Chair of the Moscow Human Rights Commission and the City Supervisor of the City of Moscow. d. The Chair of the Moscow Human Rights Commission will then place this request on the agenda of the Human Rights Commission for consideration and recommendation to the Mayor and Council within forty five ( 45) days of receipt of the request. e. Following receipt of Moscow Human Rights Commission's recommendations, the Council will then consider the recommendation of the Human Rights Commission and accept or reject the proposal for sister city designation. [ The City of Moscow shall accept at most, one city in the continents of South America, Africa, Europe, North America, Australia and Asia. g. All expenses, other than Sister City annual dues, shall be born by the local sister city advocates except in the event of a particular project that the City of Moscow undertakes. Any travel expenses involved are solely the responsibility of the sister city advocates unless specitlc invitations have been agreed to in advance by the City. h. Sister City advocacy groups will report annually to the Moscow Human Rights Commission and to the Moscow Mayor and City Council. 1. In the event that the advocacy group discontinues its activities or the Sister City requests an end to the relationship, the Sister City relationship will lapse. J. Notwithstanding the above, the City of Moscow sister city relationships will conform to the rules and policies of Sister Cities International as allowed by Jaws applicable to the City of Moscow. PASSED AND APPROVED by the Mayor of the City of Moscow, Idaho, this 19'h day of November 2007. RESOLUTION 2007- 28 POL!CY FOR SiSTER CiTY RECOGNITION CiTY OF Moscow PAGE 2 OF 2