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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 07/16/2013 - RESOLUTION 2013-068 SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT ODATE: July 16, 2013 STAFF: Diane Jones Ginny Sawyer AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL 32 SUBJECT Resolution 2013-068 Supporting the Establishment of a Friendship City Partnership Between the City of Fort Collins and San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The municipality of San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico is highly interested in pursuing a more formal partnership with the City of Fort Collins and has put forth a Friendship City application highlighting the benefits to both communities. The City of Fort Collins requires a Council resolution of support prior to the communities moving forward with development of goals, project implementation, or visitations. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION Process In 2012, Fort Collins established a Friendship City Partnership process (Attachment 2) to assist in the response and development of more formalized partnerships with international communities. A Friendship City Partnership is an established partnership between the City of Fort Collins and a foreign city that is mutually beneficial. The first step towards establishing a Friendship City Partnership is completing an Application. The Application helps to identify the proposed goals of the partnership, the supporting activities that would be included, and it highlights the areas of interest and strengths or needs for each party. This information is provided to the Fort Collins City Council for its consideration. If City Council determines that the Application outlines a strong fit, a Resolution to formalize the partnership will be considered by City Council. Once a Resolution is in place, the designated representatives for each of the participating organizations will complete an Agreement outlining specific goals and outcomes. The criteria for considering a Friendship City Partnership is based on, but not solely limited to, one or more of the following: Attribute Match: Does the community have similarities to our size, population, demographics, vision, mission, or goals? Goal Match: Does the community have relevant sustainability, cultural and/or economic goals? Connection Match: Does the community have existing local connections with significant community or business interests such as Colorado State University, Front Range Community College, University of Colorado Health Systems, Poudre School District, a targeted cluster industry, etc.? Exchange Match: Does the community currently participate in an on-going exchange program with an organization in the city such as the Poudre School District, service organization, health care organization, etc.? Ethical Match: Does the community strive to be a stable and ethical government? San Cristobal Application San Cristobal has completed an Application outlining our mutual history and areas of interest, including: • Previous exchanges through CSU programs such as the Protected Area Management and Training Courses and a shared graduate program (CSU and El Colegio de la Frontera Sur) in Conservation Leadership. • A mutual interest in the environment, sustainability, and ecology driven by each community’s natural resources, geography, and commitment to stewardship. July 16, 2013 -2- ITEM 32 • Opportunities and interest in sharing best practices around watershed management, recreation management, tourism promotion, and academic partnerships. FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS This Resolution has no immediate financial or economic impacts. Should the City move forward, any costs will be mutually agreed upon and approved by the City Manager. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS This Resolution has no environmental impacts, although a Partnership could be heavily focused on environmental processes, programs, and practices. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution. ATTACHMENTS 1. San Cristobal Application 2. Friendship City Partnership Process Chart 3. Powerpoint presentation 1 | P A G E APRIL 2013 City Manager’s Office City Hall 300 LaPorte Ave. PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6505 970.224.6107 - fax fcgov.com Friendship City Application Information & Instructions This application is to be completed by the person or organization putting forth the proposal and the City of Fort Collins employee contact. BACKGROUND A Friendship City Partnership is an established relationship between the City of Fort Collins and a foreign partnering organization that is mutually beneficial. The first step towards establishing a Friendship City Partnership is completing the attached Application. The Application helps to identify the proposed goals of the partnership, the supporting activities that would be included, and it highlights the areas of interest and strengths or needs for each party. This information is provided to the Fort Collins City Councilmembers for their consideration. If City Council determines that the Application outlines a strong fit, a Resolution to formalize the partnership will be considered by City Council. Once a Resolution is in place, the designated representatives for each of the participating organizations will complete an Agreement. The Agreement will outline specific goals and outcomes, ensure implementation and documentation, and clarify any monetary expenditure. A Friendship City Partnership Agreement will require review by the City Manager. CRITERIA The criteria for considering a Friendship City Partnership is based on, but not solely limited to, one or more of the following: 1. Attribute Match: Does the community have similarities to our size, population, demographics, vision, mission, or goals? 2. Goal Match: Does the community have relevant sustainability, cultural and/or economic goals? 3. Connection Match: Does the community have existing local connections with significant community or business interests such as Colorado State University, Front Range Community College, University of Colorado Health Systems, Poudre School District, a targeted cluster industry, etc.? 4. Exchange Match: Does the community currently participate in an on-going exchange program with an organization in the city such as the Poudre School District, service organization, health care organization, etc.? 5. Ethical Match: Does the community strive to be a stable and ethical government? WHO MAY REQUEST A FRIENDSHIP CITY PARTNERSHIP Any person or organization may submit an application. The most successful applications will have more than one sponsor and will represent multiple agencies or organizations. Those interested should work with an appropriate City of Fort Collins staff 2 | P A G E APRIL 2013 City Manager’s Office City Hall 300 LaPorte Ave. PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6505 970.224.6107 - fax fcgov.com RESPONSIBILITIES When a Friendship City Partnership Application is determined to meet the criteria and City Council passes a Resolution to that effect, the involved parties will draft proposed operating guidelines. The guidelines will be in the form of an Agreement and they will detail the scope of activities, responsibilities, financial arrangements, and reporting requirements of each organization. The Agreement will be reviewed by the City and must be signed by the City Manager or the official who has been designated by the City to sign on behalf of the City of Fort Collins. The City employee named by the City of Fort Collins as the designated representative for a particular Friendship City Partnership is responsible for facilitating preparation and forwarding of the documents to the foreign entity for signature. Responsibility for tracking the implementation of the Agreement and all activities rests with the designated contact person at each organization. That person will be the contact when the City of Fort Collins requests information about the Agreement or if further collaboration is desired by other departments. The City of Fort Collins’ designated representative is required to maintain a record of the activities of the Agreement. These records will be reviewed at the end of the term of the Agreement for evaluation and possible renewal. The intent is to have annual reports provided to the City Manager, the City Council and other interested parties. Planning and sponsorship (payment of expenses) for visits by individuals or teams to or from the partner organization/entity for the purpose of negotiating or signing the contract or any subsequent visits are the responsibility of the traveling party unless otherwise stated. Customarily, the hosting department would provide funding for lunches or other allowable hospitality expenses and the traveling party would cover their travel, lodging and other expenses not provided by the hosting organization. PROCESSING THE APPLICATION The Application will clearly state the rationale and goals of the Partnership and the benefits to the City of Fort Collins and the partner organization. Once an Agreement is in place all information in the Application and Agreement will be shared with the community and stakeholders upon request. 3 | P A G E APRIL 2013 City Manager’s Office City Hall 300 LaPorte Ave. PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6505 970.224.6107 - fax fcgov.com Friendship City Application To be completed in English by the Requesting Organization 1. Name and Country of the Proposed Partner City or Agency Municipality of San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico 2. Today’s Date June 3rd, 2013. 3. Name of Person Requesting Partnership Title: Francisco José Martínez Pedrero Affiliation: Mayor of San Cristóbal de las Casas Address: Palacio Municipal, S/N, C.P. 29240, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas Email: presidencia@sancristobal.gob.mx Phone: +52 96767 8 0730 4. Rationale The rationale that motivates the present application is to develop collaborative activities and projects in the areas of mutual interest for the benefit of the general population in both communities. Both cities have had different kinds of exchanges, such as the development since 2006 of annual Protected Area Management and Training courses coordinated by Colorado State University in collaboration with El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), Pronatura Sur AC and other local stakeholders,. Furthermore, several citizens of San Cristobal de las Casas visited the city of Fort Collins in 2009, including the current President of the Municipal Center for Integral Family Development (DIF) Mrs. Maria Dolores Pedrero Corzo. Likewise, two generation of American and non-American students have pursued their graduate studies in the International Master of Science in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources named Conservation Leadership Through Learning. This program is jointly coordinated by Colorado State University and El Colegio de la Frontera Sur where students spend nine months in Fort Collins and 9 months in San Cristobal de las Casas. We believe that this agreement will be beneficial for the city of Fort Collins because the goals are founded in a series of cultural, tourism, academic and sustainable practices potential exchanges. In this sense, the areas of interest that we have agreed among promoters of both cities are: 4 | P A G E APRIL 2013 City Manager’s Office City Hall 300 LaPorte Ave. PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6505 970.224.6107 - fax fcgov.com To be completed by City of Fort Collins Staff a) Culture and tourism: The aim will be to disseminate the historical, natural and cultural richness that both communities possess. That is, the promotion of the native and current culture of each community, the natural areas, the surrounding national parks and main tourist attractions of both communities. b) Environment, sustainability and ecology: Generate an exchange of experiences in conservation and sustainable development of the watershed, natural areas management and biodiversity protection. Collaboration in the management of waste (solid and liquid), wastewater program, recycling programs, and use of clean energy, river control and flood drains. c) Education: Generate academic incentives for researchers, teachers and students such as seminars, courses, workshops, academic exchange programs, and international experiences for English and Spanish speakers, as well as scholarships that can diversify the participation of both parties. 5. Resources No funding required. 6. Profile of the Requesting Partner Organization Please find attached a document describing the profile of the city. 7. Please add any additional information about this Partnership you wish to share and submit this form to: Friendship City Designees 8. City of Fort Collins Designated Representative (Main Contact): 9. Names, title and department of any others from the City of Fort Collins or the Community of Fort Collins who may be involved in any Partnership activities: 10. Partner Organization Designated Representative: MSc. Daniel Camilo Thompson Poo, Operating Manager of Valle de Jovel Watershed Committee 5 | P A G E APRIL 2013 City Manager’s Office City Hall 300 LaPorte Ave. PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6505 970.224.6107 - fax fcgov.com To be completed by City of Fort Collins Staff 11. Names, title and department of any others from the Partnership City or Community who will be partners of the Agreement. MSc. Daniel Camilo Thompson Poo, Operating Manager of Valle de Jovel Watershed Committee Biol. Romeo Domínguez Barradas, Chief Execitive Officer of Pronatura Sur A.C. Ing. Rodrigo Hess Poo, Coordinator of the San Cristobal de las Casas Citizen Council PHd. Antonio Saldivar Moreno, Graduate Coordinator of El Colegio de la Frontera Sur - SCLC Unit 12. Primary Signing Authority for City of Fort Collins (Mayor, City Council Member, etc.): 13. Primary Signing Authority for Partner Abroad (Mayor, City Council Member, etc.): Francisco José Martínez Pedrero, Mayor of San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, México Friendship City Approval Process Idea Request Anyone can have an idea for a Friendship City proposal. Staff Contact It is important to identify a City of Fort Collins staff person to be your main contact. Application You and your City contact should complete the attached Application outlining the rationale and goals for a Friendship City relationship. City Council Consideration Your completed Application will be routed to City Council through the City manager. If Council approves the idea they will pass a Resolution. Develop Agreement If City Council passes a resolution then a formal Agreement will be drafted stating the Friendship City goals, project implementation, and reporting responsibilities. Annual Check-in and Reporting ATTACHMENT 2 1 1 Resolution Supporting a Friendship City Partnership with San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico City Council Meeting July 16, 2013 Diane Jones, Deputy City manager Ginny Sawyer, Project and Policy Manager 2 Friendship City Partnership • In 2012, a Friendship City Partnership process was developed. • A Friendship City Partnership focuses on mutual attributes, goals, and interests between communities. ATTACHMENT 3 2 3 Friendship City Partnership San Cristobal and Fort Collins: – Previous exchanges through CSU programs. – A mutual interest in the environment, sustainability, and ecology driven. – Opportunities to share best practices in watershed management, recreation management, tourism promotion, and academic partnerships. 4 Friendship City Partnership Process: – Idea Request • First request and inquiry made in 2011 – Staff Contact • San Cristobal reps have worked with Natural Areas staff and Diane Jones. – Application • Received June 3, 2013 3 5 Friendship City Partnership – City Council Consideration • We are here. – Agreement Development • Drafting of a formal agreement that outlines goals, project implementation, and reporting. – Annual Check-in and Reporting 6 Friendship City Partnership Consideration of the Resolution. RESOLUTION 2013-068 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FRIENDSHIP CITIES PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AND SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, CHIAPAS, MEXICO WHEREAS, the City Council believes in the benefit and richness of sharing and learning from others; and WHEREAS, the City has established a Friendship City Partnership process to assist in the development of more formalized partnerships with international communities; and WHEREAS, the Municipality of San Cristobal de Las Casas, in the State of Chiapas, Mexico (“San Cristobal”) has submitted a Friendship City Partnership Application to the City, highlighting the benefit from past interactions, including visits by citizens and officials from San Cristobal to Fort Collins whereby City staff shared information about City operations and the City Council recognized the delegation by proclamation; and WHEREAS, the City and San Cristobal have an interest in strengthening the friendship ties and cooperation that have already been initiated by both parties; and WHEREAS, the parties wish to support activities and projects that contribute to the social, environmental and commercial development of both parties, including, but not limited to, the following areas: • tourism promotion and enhancement; • natural area, biodiversity and watershed protection programs; • management of solid and liquid wastes and recycling; • clean energy; • storm drainage and flood control; • cultural and educational exchange; • development and participation of civil society; • any area of cooperation that the parties may agree upon; and WHEREAS, the parties plan to develop an agreement outlining common goals and outcomes; and, WHEREAS, the parties will support the collaborations already initiated with Colorado State University, Larimer County and the Poudre R-1 School District; and WHEREAS, any commitment of financial or human resources will be voluntary; and WHEREAS, this is a partnership that unites the governments, schools, businesses and citizens of the City and San Cristobal via voluntary effort to promote cultural understanding the quality of life and sustainability in our respective communities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, that the City Council hereby declares its support for the establishment of a Friendship City Partnership between San Cristobal and the City. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 16th day of July A.D. 2013. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk Complete information for contact people and authorizing individuals (those who sign) must be provided before the Agreement can be finalized. Incomplete information will delay the process. Agreements will be written for a specified period of time with an option to renew. Please return your completed Application electronically to the City Manager’s Office through Ginny Sawyer at gsawyer@fcgov.com. Submission of an Application does not imply approval. Final approval of a Friendship Cities Partnership will come through City Council Resolution and a signed Agreement. APPROVAL PROCESS Applications for Friendship City Partnerships must be submitted to the City Manager’s Office. If it is determined that the request is reasonable and beneficial to the City of Fort Collins it will be forwarded to City Council for formal consideration. person to determine viability of a Friendship City Partnership. ATTACHMENT 1