HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAP 2013-05-13 Item 2B - Report - Sister Cities Committee and RecommendationTO:
City of Tukwila
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
Community Affairs and Parks Committee
FROM: Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director
Tracy Gallaway, Volunteer & Events Superintendent
DATE: May 8, 2013
SUBJECT: Tukwila Sister Cities Committee Recommendation
ISSUE
Formally change the Sister City relationship status between Tukwila and Miyoshi to Emeritus
status — remain sister cities, inactive until such a time as both cities are able to sustain an active
relationship.
BACKGROUND
The interest in developing a Sister City program with Japan was first introduced in 1978. The
Tukwila Sister Cities committee was officially established in 1979 and in November that same
year, a formal relationship was established between Ikawa -Cho and Tukwila. This relationship
has consisted of regular correspondence between the Tukwila Mayor's office and the Ikawa -
Cho Mayor's office, as well as somewhat regular delegation visits between the two
municipalities (often every other year). Delegation size has varied, but was strongest in the
1990's with typically between 45 -65 participants. Between 2000 and 2005 the number of
delegates participating in the exchange trips dropped to between 20 and 50.
In 2006 there was a change in governance in Japan and our Sister City, Ikawa -Cho, was
merged with five other Cities. As a result, a new Sister City relationship was established
between Miyoshi and Tukwila (because of this merger Miyoshi also has a Sister City
relationship with The Dalles, Oregon). Smaller, less frequent, delegation exchanges with
Miyoshi have been the trend, with 10 -20 delegates travelling every two years (no longer on an
annual basis). Both Miyoshi and Tukwila have noted that the costs for hosting delegations, and
for individual travel, have been prohibitive factors in the Sister City Program.
In the spring of 2012, a small delegation from Tukwila visited Japan. The delegation included 7
students and 3 adult chaperones. The cost for the trip was $2,580 per person. The Sister City
Committee contributed $4,656 to the cost of the trip for students and one adult chaperone that
acted as an interpreter and tour guide.
Also in 2012, two active members of the Sister City Committee resigned. Andrew Kim left to
pursue other interests and Wayne Smith retired from his position at Showalter Middle School.
While at Showalter, Wayne started, and was the advisor of the Japanese Culture Club.
Unfortunately, with Wayne's retirement, the Japanese Culture Club was disbanded.
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO 3/25/13
Tukwila Sister Cities Committee Recommendation
Page 2
DISCUSSION
The Sister Cities program offers an opportunity to establish friendships with people of a different
culture. The Tukwila Sister City program, like many other area Sister City programs, has
experienced a decline in interest as longtime members move on to other community activities
and personal pursuits. Also a major concern to the committee is the rising cost of travel to
Japan — and the ability of our community members to participate as delegates in the program.
The Tukwila Sister Cities Committee has been discussing this issue for several months and is
interested in exploring ways that the program could be redeveloped so that it is not only more
connected to our diverse community, but more affordable as well. The current Sister Cities
Committee members intend to continue to meet and fundraise for the Sister Cities program at
various events this year with hopes of utilizing the funds raised for future cultural programs,
events and projects.
RECOMMENDATION
On Wednesday, March 15, 2013 the Tukwila Sister Cities Committee held their regular meeting.
At this meeting the committee voted unanimously to place our relationship with our Japanese
Sister City Miyoshi on Emeritus status. This designation would acknowledge that while the two
Cities would like to remain Sister Cities, at this time we do not have the capacity to maintain an
active Sister City relationship (our current system of delegation visits between the two
municipalities will be discontinued).
The Sister City Committee recommends that the Mayor's Office write a letter to our friends in
Miyoshi, Japan to communicate our desire to change our Sister City relationship status.
W:12013 Info Memos- CouncillSister Cities Committee - Emeritus status with Miyoshi.docx