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HomeMy Public PortalAbout14) 9A Sister Cities RequestCity Council August 7, 2012 Page 2 titled "Magdalena Plaza", is dedicated to the friendship and fellowship of the citizens of Magdalena and Temple City and is dated November 1966. 4. On November 15, 1983, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 83-2210 extending an invitation to Hawkesbury Shire, New South Wales, Australia to become a Sister City and inviting the people of Hawkesbury Shire to participate in said program. 5. On July 10, 2012, Steve Terry, President of Temple City Sister City, Inc. met with staff to discuss the organization's interest in purchasing and installing a bronze plaque in Temple City Park honoring the City's Sister City of Hawkesbury, Australia similar to the one dedicated to Magdalena. Mr Terry submitted a letter to staff outlining the organization's request (Attachment "8"). 6. On July 11, 2012, Mr. Terry met with City Manager Pulido and Councilmember Chavez (Council liaison to the Temple City Sister City Association) to discuss possible locations for a plaque in Temple City Park. 7. On July 17, 2012, during Council Items Separate from the City Manager's Regular Agenda, Councilmember Chavez presented the request from Temple City Sister City, Inc. and requested staff to bring the item back on a future agenda for Council consideration. ANALYSIS: The City of Temple City has been involved in a Sister City program since 1964. In 1965 the City Council, by adoption of Resolution No. 65-440 created the Temple City Sister City Organization as the first step towards a successful Sister City Program. The City's first Sister City was Magdalena, Mexico. In 1983, the City formally established relationships with a second Sister City, Hawkesbury Shire, Australia. Involvement with both Sister Cities has varied over the past years. Steve Terry, President of Temple City Sister City, Inc. originally approached staff with a request to allow the Organization to purchase and install a bronze plaque, dedicated to the citizens of Hawkesbury, in Temple City Park, similar to the bronze plaque dedicated to the citizens of Magdalena at the north end of Temple City Park. The Temple City Sister City Organization, after discussing the request with Councilmember Chavez and City Manager Pulido, modified their request to include the installation of two plaques on the concrete base of the Performing Arts Pavilion, one dedicated to each of the City's two Sister Cities. The wording for the plaques would be similar to that in Attachment "C" provided by Temple City Sister City, Inc. If approved by the City Council, Temple City Sister City, Inc. would pay for the cost of one bronze plaque and the City would pay for the cost of the 2nd plaque, estimated to be less than $1,500, as well as for the installation of both plaques, estimated at $500. City Council August7,2012 Page 3 Two options have been developed for the location of the plaques. Both provide for the installation of the plaques in the concrete base on the south side of the Performing Arts Pavilion. Option A (Attachment "D") allows both plaques to be installed next to each other on the southeast corner of the Pavilion. The benefit to this location is that park patrons can view and read both plaques at the same time. They would be placed in the same area which would eliminate any impression of "favoritism". Option B (Attachment "E") provides for one plaque to be installed on the southwest corner of the Pavilion and the other on the southeast corner. Aesthetically this option may be more pleasing by providing a balanced view with one plaque on either side of the stairs. However, these locations are often obscured by equipment during events, especially during the summer concerts. Staff recommends Option A. This allows both plaques to be viewed at the same time and could provide a slight savings in the installation cost. Staff is proposing that the plaques be installed as part of the Pavilion concrete project (expanded dance area) which is scheduled to begin upon completion of the summer concerts. This will allow one concrete contractor to complete both projects. Temple City Sister City, Inc. requests that the plaques be installed by mid-September to allow for a dedication ceremony during the time delegates from Hawkesbury, Australia are scheduled to be in Temple City. FISCAL IMPACT: Sufficient funds are available in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012-13 Parks/Maintenance budget to cover the cost of the purchase of one plaque and installation of both plaques estimated at $2,000. ATTACHMENTS: A. Photograph of existing plaque -Magdalena Plaza B. Letter from Temple City Sister City, Inc. C. Proposed wording for plaques D. Photograph showing proposed location -Option A E. Photograph showing proposed location -Option B Attachment A '"'l'~f· : ' . . . --·-t ' \ ~ Altachment 8 '~~:~/~Temple City, Sister City, Inc. 9701 Las Tunas Drive,Temple City, CA 91780-[626] 285-2171 Temp~e City, u.s.A. Magdalena, Me~ico Hawkeabury, Australia Dear Cathy, July 10, 2012 I am writing this proposal on behalf of the Temple City Sister City Association. Over the past year we have been discussing the possibility of dedicating a plaque, honoring our Sister City in Australia, Hawkesbury City. We would like to propose that the plaque be placed in Temple City Park around the area of the bandstand. The plaque would be similar in size to the one honoring Magdalena, Mexico. Sister City would pay for the cost of the plaque, and ask the city to have it installed. We have a delegation of Australian students and representatives from the Australian Sister City Organization, who will be in Temple City this September, 2012. We thought it would be a perfect opportunity to plan a dedication at that time. Thank you for your attending to this matter. Sincerely, -~~ President Attachment C ***** ***** Dedicated to furthering the friendship and understanding between the cultures of Hawkesbury City, New South WaJ.es, Australia and Temple City, California, United States of America . • This is an affirmation of one people's goodwill toward another people, recognizing that we are brothers and sisters in one human race. September 22nd, 2012 The City of Temple City & Temple City Sister City Association Attachment D OPTION A Attachment E OPTION 8