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 Relations (Attachment 2).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378 (b) (5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
DISCUSSION
Relationships with foreign cities can broaden awareness of the global community, foster opportunities for economic development and cultural exchange, and increase understanding of how best to compete and thrive in a world community and marketplace. However, since the enactment of the current agreement, the City has not had any exchange, interaction, or contact with the City of Dubna. Also, no community members have engaged either city on the Agreement.
Should the Council direct staff to pursue a renewal of the current Agreement and authorize the Mayor to enter into a similar Agreement, staff would engage officials with the City of Dubna. Should there be mutual interest in renewing the Agreement, staff would prepare an updated Agreement for signature by the Mayor.
City of Dubna, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
Dubna is a town in Moscow Oblast, Russia. It was granted town status in 1956 and has a population of 70,663 (2010 Census), with a 2015 population estimate of approximately 75,200. It is home to the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, an international nuclear physics research center and one of the largest scientific foundations in the country. It is also home to MKB Raduga, a defense aerospace company specializing in design and production of missile systems.
FISCAL IMPACT
Council has been clear that the City’s friendly exchange relation agreements should use minimal City resources as reflected in Council Policy 7.3.24. Specifically, the Policy states that funding budgeted for friendly exchange relations are limited to the cost of visitors’ gifts and staff time for the purpose of coordinating meetings for visiting dignitaries with Council and staff, and to securing appropriate City facilities for such meetings. As there have been no exchanges or engagement during the life of the Agreement, there is no fiscal impact related to terminating the Agreement. Should Council move Alternative 1 to pursue renewal of the agreement, the fiscal impact would remain minimal - in line with the existing City policy.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Direct staff to engage the City of Dubna, Russia to query interest in renewing the current Friendly Exchange Relationship Agreement, in substantially the same form as Attachment 1 of this report, for another three year term and authorize the Mayor to execute the Agreement.
2. Allow the current Friendly Exchange Relationship Agreement to expire on April 8, 2016
3. Other direction as provided by Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff makes no recommendation.
Staff
Prepared by: Yvette Blackford, Senior Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Walter C. Rossmann, Assistant City Manager
Reviewed by: Kent Steffens, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Friendly Exchange Relations Agreement with Dubna, Russia
2. Council Policy 7.3.24, International Friendly Exchange Relations