To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Kristin Zagurski, Assistant Town Manager
Title
Discussion/Direction: Potential Sister Cities Program Participation
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
Council last month discussed the possibility of the Town forming a recognized sister city relationship with another community and directed staff to provide additional information. Staff has reached out to other Colorado communities with sister city programs to determine, per Council direction, what the costs and benefits of such a program are likely to be. The purpose of this memo is to summarize information collected to date and request Council direction regarding any next steps.
Discussion
Staff reached out to comparable communities along the Front Range that have sister city programs - including Arvada, Brighton, Commerce City and Longmont - to inquire about costs and benefits of their programs. Staff further reached out to local high schools and the Sturm Collaboration Campus to explore possible educational connections, as well as to the Outlets at Castle Rock to explore tourism opportunities that a sister city program could bring.
Arvada’s staff said they stopped working with sister cities about three years ago, noting they did not see the value in continuing to participate in the program. Similarly, Commerce City said its program has not been very robust in the last several years.
Brighton budgeted $750 this year for its sister city program, as this was Brighton’s year to receive visitors, not to make a visit. The funds provided a group meal and gifts for attendees. The city further paid $610 this year in sister cities program dues. The only city staff support to the program is for public relations; the program has otherwise been managed for 25 years by a group of residents.
Brighton selected its sister city in Poland based upon a local connection there. As to benefits, Brighton’s staff said there have been wonderful friendships formed, but there haven’t been any broader impacts observed.
That also was the case in Longmont, where staff said: “I don’t think the program has driven any tourism per se, but I know in the early years there were business opportunities that were realized through the program. I would say that the greatest benefit is to our students, who get an amazing opportunity to safely explore a new culture and show off their own.”
Longmont budgets $32,520 annually for its program, which has a staff liaison and is otherwise volunteer run. Staff believes a local connection also helped determine one of their sister communities.
In contacting local education providers, Douglas County High School said it doesn’t support any particular program for studies abroad but encourages students to pursue the opportunity. Further, the school has seven students from abroad studying there this year - two each from Italy and Thailand and one each from Spain, Ukraine and Japan.
ACC offers a short-term study abroad program, which has upcoming trips to Europe and the Caribbean. The school also welcomes international students, and the Sturm campus even modeled itself off of some colleges in Germany and Switzerland.
The Outlets at Castle Rock also welcomes international visitors, with the bulk coming from China, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Canada and the United Kingdom, who are trailed by visitors from Denmark, Taiwan, Australia and Argentina to round out the Outlets’ top 10 visiting countries.
According to Sister Cities International, sister city relationships can form out of preexisting relationships, historical or demographic connections, shared challenges or other sources. Sister city programs are most often incorporated as nonprofits and governed by a board. Exchanges between sister cities can focus on art and culture, youth and education, business and trade, or community development.
Sister Cities International released a study (Attachment A) that says 42% of sister city programs operate with a budget less than $5,000, and 79% have a budget under $25,000. The study concluded that the economic impact of a sister cities program on an individual community is difficult to measure - additional information is available in the attachment.
Staff’s research has made clear is that initiating a sister cities program in Castle Rock would require assistance from a number of interested community members. Without soliciting the community for feedback, we’re unsure what level of interest exists.
Possible Motions
“I move to direct staff to produce a report to pursue a sister city relationship.”
OR
“I move to decline participating in a sister city program at this time.”
Council may also elect to propose a motion other than those listed above.
Attachments
Attachment A: Measures That Matter by Sister Cities International