REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Eric G. Parra, Interim City Manager
VIA: Travis K. Hopkins, Assistant City Manager
PREPARED BY: Jennifer Carey, Deputy City Manager
Subject:
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Adopt Resolution No. 2024-55 Authorizing a Twin City Partnership with the City of Ramat Gan, Israel
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Statement of Issue:
On September 17, 2024, the City Council approved a Council Member Item brought forward by Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark and Council Member Tony Strickland directing the City Manager’s Office to implement steps to establish a Memorandum of Understanding as Sister Cities with Ramat Gan, Israel.
Financial Impact:
No fiscal impact.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 2024-55, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach, California Authorizing a Twin City Partnership with the City of Ramat-Gan, Israel.”
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve, and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
At the City Council meeting on September 17, 2024, a Council Member Item was brought forward by Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark and Council Member Tony Strickland directing staff to implement steps for the City of Huntington Beach to participate in a cultural, economic, and collaborative program with Ramat Gan, Israel by establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as Sister Cities. The City Council approved of the establishment of a committee made up of three Council Members, to be appointed by the Mayor, and City staff, appointed by the City Manager, to work together to develop this partnership with Ramat Gan, Israel and return to City Council at a future date.
The committee, made up of Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark, Mayor Pro Tem Pat Burns, Council Member Tony Strickland, and Jennifer Carey, worked with the City of Ramat Gan to develop a “Twin City” partnership, with Israel Global Foundation (IGF) acting as the non-profit liaison between the two cities. Resolution No. 2024-55 was drafted to solidify the partnership between the three parties for a term of three years with the option to renew on an ongoing basis.
IGF will serve as the liaison between Huntington Beach and Ramat Gan, providing fundraising efforts to develop programming, education, and cultural experiences in both Huntington Beach and Ramat Gan to further foster better understanding of each City and engage the communities.
Environmental Status:
This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Resolution No. 2024-55