INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & FRIENDSHIP CITIES COMMITTEE

MINUTES

An Open meeting of the International Relations and Friendship Cities Committee was held in the Council Committee Room, City Hall, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. on Wednesday, 2019 April 24 at 4:00 p.m.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

2.

MINUTES

A)

Minutes of the International Relations and Friendship Cities Committee Open meeting held on 2019 March 21                     

MOVED BY councillor mcdonell

SECONDED By councillor calendino 

THAT the minutes of the International Relations and Friendship Cities Committee Open meeting held on 2019 March 21 be adopted.

3.

CORRESPONDENCE

MOVED BY councillor mcdonell

SECONDED By councillor calendino 

THAT the correspondence be received.

A)

Correspondence from the Mayor of Dura Municipality, State of Palestine

Re: Proposal for a Sister/Friendship City Relationship                           

Correspondence was received from the Mayor of Dura Municipality, State of Palestine proposing a Sister/Friendship City relationship with the City of Burnaby.

Arising from discussion, the following motion was introduced:

MOVED BY councillor mcdonell

SECONDED By councillor calendino 

THAT staff send a letter in response to the Mayor of Dura Municipality declining an offer of a Sister/Friendship City relationship with Dura Municipality.

B)

Correspondence from the Burnaby Board of Trade (BBOT)

Re: Letter of support for a Sister/Friendship City Relationship with Padua, Italy                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Correspondence was received from the BBOT providing support for fostering and strengthening international relationships, and encouraging Burnaby enter into a Sister City relationship with the City of Padua, Italy.

Staff advised that the BBOT letter appeared on the Council Correspondence package received up to 2019 April 04.

4.

NEW BUSINESS

Councillor Wang - MOU and Sister/Friendship City Relationships’ Records

Councillor Wang provided information regarding Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) and Sister/Friendship City Agreements with cities in China.

The Committee reviewed the list of records held at the City Archives and expressed concern that the information on the City’s web site is not complete.

Arising from discussion, the following motion was introduced:

MOVED BY councillor mcdonell

SECONDED By councillor calendino

THAT staff research records, review the information provided, and update the MOU and Sister/Friendship City records, as well as the listing on the City website.

   CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Councillor Calendino – Kushiro 55^th Anniversary in 2020

Councillor Calendino advised that 2020 will mark the 55^th anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Kushiro (Japan) and the City of Burnaby.

Arising from discussion, the following motion was introduced:

MOVED BY councillor mcdonell

SECONDED By councillor calendino

THAT staff prepare a letter for the Mayor to send to the Mayor of the City of Kushiro inquiring as to any interest in an exchange of visits in 2020, in honour of the 55^th anniversary of the Kushiro/Burnaby Sister City relationship.

 CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

INQUIRIES

There were no inquiries brought before the Committee at this time.

6.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY councillor calendino

SECONDED By councillor mcdonell

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.

          CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open Committee meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m.

________________________

________________________

Monica Macdonald

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER                  

Councillor James Wang

CHAIR