Item B: Sister Cities Committee Reports

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Sister Cities Committee Reports Meeting Date: November 8, 2010 Agenda Item Number: B Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Keli Osborn www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5406 ISSUE STATEMENT This work session provides an opportunity for representatives from Eugene’s four sister city committees to provide an overview of the cultural, economic, civic and humanitarian relations with friends and civic leaders in Chinju, South Korea; Kathmandu, Nepal; Kakegawa, Japan; and Irkutsk, Russia. BACKGROUND The sister cities program has been part of City of Eugene government since 1961, when Chinju became Eugene’s first sister city. Eugene also has formalized sister city relationships with Kathmandu (1975); Kakegawa (1979); and Irkutsk (1988). The sister cities movement supports cooperative agreements between towns and cities (and, sometimes, counties) in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties. There are nearly 600 sister city programs in 49 states throughout the United States, and an estimated 136 countries and regions spanning six continents have active sister city connections. The City of Eugene has provided varying levels of support to sister city efforts over the decades, in more recent years contracting with the four sister city committees for services and activities including coordination for volunteer efforts, oversight for inbound and outbound delegation visits, and informal translation services. As part of FY10 budget changes, a number of contracts across the organization were cut. The contract amount for each sister city committee was reduced from $7,500 to $5,000. The FY11 budget provided for the same amount to each committee, for a total City commitment of $20,000. Chinju, also spelled Jinju City, is in southern South Korea, along the Nam River. Chinju is a transportation junction connecting the surrounding provinces and is the economic and cultural center of the western counties of South Kyŏngsang province. Chinju Agricultural College is located there. A national park encompassing Mount Chiri (6,283 feet) and the surrounding area is northwest of the city. An old city, Chinju has many historical remains. Its 2008 population was estimated at 334,237. Kathmandu, also spelled Katmandu, or Kantipur, is the capital of Nepal. Its population numbers about 670,000. The city lies near the confluence of the Baghmati and Vishnumati rivers, at an elevation of 4,344 feet above sea level. The present name refers to a wooden temple (kath, “wood”; mandir, th “temple” or “edifice”) said to have been built in the 16 century from the wood of a single tree, and it is believed to remain in the central square. The city has become an important business and commercial Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M101108\S101108B.doc