REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Review the Existing Friendly Exchange Relations Agreement with the City of Dubna, Moscow Region, Russian Federation for Potential Renewal
Report
BACKGROUND
In 2013, at the request of Mayor Anthony Spitaleri, the Council approved a Friendly Exchange Relations (FER) Agreement with the City of Dubna, Moscow Region, Russian Federation. Mayor Spitaleri and City staff had met with Dr. Sergey Kulikov, Head of Scientific Department of Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics, and Steve Adelman, Managing Director of Nexus Partners, to discuss a potential friendly exchange relationship between Sunnyvale and the City of Dubna.
Per the parameters as set by Council Policy, the current agreement, presented as Attachment 1, is set to expire on April 8, 2016. This report is presented at the request of Mayor Hendricks and Councilmember Meyering to summarize the value of this relationship to the City and to provide an opportunity for Council to renew the Agreement.
Council action on April 1, 2003, established an informal friendship program allowing agreements with foreign cities for exchanges of mutual benefit (RTC 03-097, Explore Establishment of an International Exchange Program Similar to a Sister Cities Program). Council further clarified its intention to keep the program limited by adopting Council Policy 7.3.24, International Friendly Exchange Relations, on July 17, 2007 (RTC 07-215).
2016 Study Issue
At the January Study/Budget Issues Workshop, the Council ranked OCM 16-01, Explore Expanding Friendship City Relationship with Iizuka, Japan to a Sister City Relationship, which will explore upgrading the current FER Agreement with Iizuka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan to a formal sister city relationship. That study is underway, tentatively set for presentation to Council in June 2016, and is currently limited in scope to the Iizuka FER Agreement.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.3.24, International Friendly Exchange Relation...
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