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Home My WebLink AboutConsideration of Resolution No. 2019-92 to Extend an Invitat City of Huntington Beach f File #: 19-1182 MEETING DATE: 12/2/2019 REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members SUBMITTED BY: Oliver Chi, City Manager PREPARED BY: Travis K. Hopkins, Acting Assistant City Manager Subject: Consideration of Resolution No. 2019-92 to extend an invitation to the City of Biarritz, France, for the purpose of establishing a Sister City Relationship Statement of Issue: The Sister City Association of Huntington Beach is requesting that the City Council approve Resolution No. 2019-92. If the Resolution is approved, it would allow for the initiation of formal discussions between the City of Huntington Beach and Biarritz, France, for the establishment of a Sister City relationship between the two jurisdictions. Financial Impact: Not applicable. Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 2019-92, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Extending an Invitation to the City of Biarritz, France, to Become a Sister City and Inviting the People of Biarritz, France, to Participate in Said Program." Alternative Action(s): Do not adopt the resolution and direct staff accordingly. Analysis: The Sister City Association of Huntington Beach (SCA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that coordinates sister city activities for Huntington Beach, including, but not limited to, high school student exchanges and city official delegation tours. The City does not provide funding to the Sister City Association, however, we do provide a staff liaison to their organization. Beginning in late-2018, the SCA started researching the possibility of establishing a formal Sister City relationship with the City of Biarritz, France. After nearly a year of review, the SCA voted on October 9, 2019, to formally begin the process of creating a Sister City relationship with Biarritz, France. City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 3 Printed on 11/27/2019 powered py Leg.starr'., File #: 19-1182 , MEETING DATE: 12/2/2019 Located on the Southern Atlantic coast of France's Basque Country, Biarritz was identified by the SCA as a community that has many similarities with Huntington Beach. Of note, Biarritz is known as the Surf Capital of Europe, and like our community ("Surf City USA"), they attract visitors from all over the world who are looking for a high-quality surfing location. In addition, Biarritz hosts prestigious surf championship events, has world-class beaches, and is considered to be a thriving European resort town. Given the research and review that was coordinated by the SCA, in September 2019, the City of Biarritz invited representatives from Huntington Beach to visit their community. Alain Robert, Biarritz City Councilmember and head of Biarritz's Sister City program, hosted a delegation from Huntington Beach, which included Mayor Erik Peterson and Chris Cole from the City, along with representatives from Visit Huntington Beach and SCA. Of note, both Mayor Peterson and Chris Cole traveled at their own expense, and no City funds were expended to facilitate traveling to and from Biarritz. Also of note, once in Biarritz, the delegation toured the region, met with officials from Biarritz, and discussed the commonalities that could be found between Huntington Beach and Biarritz. Subsequent to the scouting trip to France, Biarritz Councilmember Alain Robert was invited to visit Huntington Beach by the SCA. To that end, in October 2019, Biarritz Council Member Robert was hosted by Mayor Peterson and the SCA during a visit to Surf City, and during the visit, additional discussions were engaged about the interest that both Huntington Beach and Biarritz have in serving as the Olympics venue for surfing during the Summer Games. Should a Sister City affiliation with Biarritz be established, the relationship would serve as a platform in which both cities could exchange ideas, share best practices for practical solutions on similar issues, and discuss priorities from a global perspective. The affiliation will begin with dialogue, but could expand in the future, with the possibility of lifeguard and student exchanges, and / or municipal festivities in each respective city with the purpose of strengthening the potential Sister City relationship. There are no projected expenses or budgetary impacts associated with adopting Resolution 2019-92. If approved by the City Council, Huntington Beach would formally begin the process of establishing a Sister City relationship with Biarritz, France, by issuing an invitation to establish the designation. Environmental Status: Non-Applicable -Administrative Item Strategic Plan Goal: Enhance Economic Development Attachment(s): 1. Sister City Association of Huntington Beach Letter of Request to Establish a Sister City Relationship with Biarritz, France 2. Resolution No. 2019-92: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Extending an Invitation to Biarritz, France to Become a Sister City and Inviting the People of Biarritz, France to Participate in said Program City of Huntington Beach Page 2 of 3 Printed on 11/27/2019 povvered by LLg SPaC 1,1 File #: 19-1182 MEETING DATE: 12/2/2019 City of Huntington Beach Page 3 of 3 Printed on 11/27/2019 po,vered by agstar",' Sister City Association of Huntington Beach P.O. Box 2321 Huntington Beach, CA 92647-2321 �M � c 2 11 017 HUNTINGTON BEACH November 20,2019 Dear Mr.Travis Hopkins On Wednesday,October 9,2019,the Sister City Association of Huntington Beach Board of Directors voted by majority to approve the intent to proceed with making Biarritz,France our new Sister.City and for a Resolution reflecting this approval be presented at City Council. The decision to proceed with Biarritz has been made after nearly a year of research and development on the project.Located on the southern.Atlantic coast of France's Basque Country,the town of Biarritz was chosen by Huntington Beach as its new Sister City for its many compatible characteristics,especially its historic surf culture. While Huntington Beach is America's Surf'City'USA, Biarritz is known as the Surf Capital of Europe,and like Huntington'Beach,attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world,is host to prestigious surf championships,has world-class beaches, waves and universally-known beach breaks and other,"hot spots"and is home to a. high-quality surf industry.And while Biarritz is a thriving resort town with world- class hotels, it is also home to industry(aviation),the City of Ocean&Surf Museum, and in future,a new technology park"Marine City",devoted to ocean resources.In August 2019,Biarritz was host to the G-7 summit.And in joint-venture with the nearby town of Hossegor,Biarritz is a likely contender as the surf venue for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In September 2019,on Biarritz's invitation,a small delegation from Huntington Beach made a"scouting trip"to Biarritz,led by Mayor Erik Peterson and including Chris Cole from the City of Huntington Beach,Kelly Miller of Visit Huntington Beach and Kate Miller from the Board of Huntington Beach Sister City Association.The delegation toured the region and met with the Mayor of Biarritz and several key city council members,including the Biarritz Minister of Surf(who also the coach of the youth program,Biarritz Association Surf Club) as well as the Biarritz Visitor Bureau. and marketing director,and other civic leaders,all organized by Alain Robert, Biarritz City Councilman and head of Biarritz's Sister Cities program. From this trip and the subsequent trip to Huntington Beach by Alain Robert in October,we are encouraged by the enthusiasm and intent from Biarritz to proceed with a future partnership as another Sister.City. Both cities.agree we have much to share and learn from one another and there are many opportunities for cultural exchanges,as well as sharing best practices in beach&environmental management, event management and more.The aim and intent by both cities is to develop a partnership with a fairly wide scope of programs,to include but not limited to youth and adult cultural exchanges and goodwill visits,as well as exploring possible business developments,exchanges,and more. Sincerel .Anio, Jap /j Manly;Australia r ab� as i sittent �, Y � In collaboration with: . City of Huntington Beach Community Services Department 714-536-5486 , The Sister City Association of Huntington Beach is a 501 c3 Tm Deductible Corporation 33-0149879 RESOLUTION NO. 2019-92 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH EXTENDING AN INVITATION TO BIARRITZ, FRANCE TO BECOME A SISTER CITY AND INVITING THE PEOPLE OF BIARRITZ, FRANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN SAID PROGRAM WHEREAS, the "People-to-People Program" was inaugurated by the President of the United States in 1956 to establish greater friendship and understanding between the peoples of the United States and other nations through the medium of direct personal contact; and All succeeding United States Presidents have endorsed said program, conducted for the broad purpose of exchanging ideas and people between the citizens of the United States of America and those of other nations; and To implement this program, the City of Huntington Beach and other communities in the United States have been requested by the Town Affiliation Association of the U.S., Inc. to unite with cities in other nations of similar characteristics and mutual interests; and The City of Huntington Beach, through its Council, does recognize and endorse this program with the hope that it will lead to a lasting friendship between the people of Huntington Beach and Biarritz, France. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach does hereby resolve as follows: SECTION 1. That this Council on behalf of the people of Huntington Beach does hereby extend an invitation to the government and the people of Biarritz, France to participate with the City of Huntington Beach as its sister city for the purpose of creating mutual understanding between the peoples of our two great cities and nations. SECTION 2. That the Mayor is hereby authorized to act as official representative of the City of Huntington Beach to carry out this program. SECTION 3. That copies of this resolution be sent to the Mayor and Council of Biarritz, France, the Town Affiliation Association of the U.S, Inc. and the Embassy of France. 19-8206/218447 1 Resolution No. 2019-92 PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach at a regular meeting thereof held on the 2nd day of December , 2019. Mayor VED ROVED: APPROVED T ORM: yvMa�nager City ttorney ITIATED AND APPROVE ssistant City Manager 19-8206/218447 2 Res. No. 2019-92 .STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss: CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH ) I, ROBIN ESTANISLAU, the duly elected, qualified City Clerk of the City of Huntington Beach, and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of said City, do hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach is seven; that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all the members of said City Council at a Regular meeting thereof held on December 2, 2019 by the following vote: AYES: Brenden, Carr, Semeta, Peterson, Posey, Delgleize , Hardy NOES: None ABSENT: None RECUSE: None City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach, California Mr.Amory Hanson 8102 Ellis Avenue Apartment 121 Huntington Beach CA 92646 November 4,2019 'Die Mayor of Huntington Beach 2000 Main Slrect Huntington Beach CA 92648 Dear Mister Mayor, I%could like to a<press m)support for the establishment of a sister city relolionship belueen Birraitz and Huntington Beach Sincerely Yowl, Mr.Amor)Hanson CC:The Honorable Lyn Rossi Semeta CC:The Honorable Patrick Brenden CC:The Honorable Kimberly Ballenger Carr CC:The Honorable Barbara Delgleize CC:The Honorable Jill Hardv CC The Honorable Michael Posey SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNICATION Meeting Date., / / .2 Agenda teem No.-