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R-85-755 - 8/22/1985RESOLUTION NO. WHEREAS, the goals of Sister City Affiliation are to learn more about each other and to develop lasting and meaningful exchanges of ideas, cultures, and people, and WHEREAS, the idea of Sister City Affiliation for Round Rock appeals to people outside of our city, i.e.;'Lake Macquarie, Australia, and WHEREAS, Lake Macquarie is located around a lake area with hills similar to our Hill Country in the state of New South Wales, on the eastern coast of Australia. Industries providing major employment with the area include manu- facturing, retailing, wholesaling, construction, community services, coal mining and electricity generation. Vineyards located in the area export wines under the labels of Wyndham Estate, Tyrrells or Saxonvale, and WHEREAS, Lake Macquarie would like to become a Sister City for Round Rock, Now Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS That the Mayor be and is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents, and take all steps necessary to establish a Sister City Program and Affiliation with Lake Macquarie, Australia. RESOLVED this9, day of August, 1985. ATTEST: L ,AI /LJ!_' . I.i JO LAND, City Secretary MIKE ROBINSON, Mayor City of Round Rock, Texas Several months ago the concept of a Sister City program for the city of Round Rock was introduced to the•Round Rock community and to the city council. The goal of a Sister City affiliation ...to learn -more about each other and to develop lasting and meaningful exchanges of ideas, cultures, and people..has appealed to many • people. - The idea of a Sister City affiliation for Round Rock appeals to people outside of city: it appeals to the city of Lake Macquarie, Australia. Lake Macquarie would like to become .a Sister City for Round Rock. This city is located in the state of New South Wales, an the eastern coast of Australia. Geographically, the city is located around a lake area with hills similiar to our Hill Country. Industries providing major employment with the area include manufacturing, retailing, wholesaling, construction, community services, coal mining and electricity generation.. Vineyards located in the area export wines under the labels of Wyndham Estate, Tyrrells or Saxonvale. Because of the interest both from within and without for a Sister City program, I would like to request that the city council consider a proposal that a commission be formed to guide such a program. Since a Sister City affiliation should represent the whole city, it is fitting that the governing committe be a commission of the city. As stated in the Sister City International guidelines, "service on the commision is a recognition by the Mayor of international interest and contributions on the part of the appointed citizens. - - After several months of correspondence with Sister Cities International, and with the suggestions and guidance from the SCI state representative, I feel very comfortable that this program belongs to the city: I also feel confident that appointments to the commission wouldebe reflective of the whole of the community. I would suggest a commission of no more than nine persons would be appropriate. It would be beneficial to the over —all program if the city and the RRISD were represented on the commision. There are several people who have been very helpful and supportive of the program. They are Sharon Prete, Ray Conizales, Levan Mills, Bob Griffith, Bob Lively,- Becky Sloan, and Lee Lewis. Based on budget information from other cities of the same population of Round Rock with one Sister City affiliation, an annual operating budget varies from $500 to 51000, depending on the activity level and types of exchanges. Annual dues to the SCI for Round Rock would be 5200 a year. Part of the first years dues have already been paid by a serice organization. I believe that an estimated annual budget of less than 5500 would be sufficient. Operating expenses would include the normal operating expenses of such a program: annual dues, printing, publicity, postage /telephone, appropriate gift to the Sister City, etc. Monies from future exchanges that might occur, such a youth exchanges, would be raised by that particular exchange committee. PROPOSAL FOR S3$TER CITY COMMISSION • MIKE ROBINSON Mayor MIKE HEIUGENSTEIN Mayor Pro-lam COUNCIL MEMBERS GRAHAM HOWELL PETE CORREA RONNIE JEAN CHARLES CULPEPPER TRUDY L LEE JACK A. HARZKE City Manager DON WOLF City Anomay DAN R McNery Municipal Judge THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK 214 E. Main St. • AC 512.255.3612 • Round Rock, Texas 78664 The Shire of Lake Macquarie c/o H.K. Cumming, Town Clerk P.O. Box 21 Boolaroo, N.S.W. 2284 Australia Dear Shire: "GOOD LIVING WITH A PROUD HERITAGE" July 29, 1985 It is with a great deal of pleasure that I write to invite the City of Lake Macquarie to enter into an affiliation with the City of Round Rock. As we envision such an affiliation, we see a growing awareness and appreciation of each others culture and people. Perhaps it will begin in a small way but surely our relationship will grow so that in the future there may be the possibility of exhibits, educational, professional, municipal and other forms of exchanges, and eventually festivals in each others honor for the purposes of cementing our relationship and creating a feeling of neighborliness between our communities. These programs I have mentioned are only suggestions to point the way that the affiliation may develop. Our City welcomes similar suggestions from you so that together we can develop sufficient and mutually successful programs and exchanges. The affiliation would not be an official one between our two governments but rather one between the citizens of our respective cities on a person to person, community to community basis. To this end, our Council is naming a City Commission to enlist voluntary support and suggestion from our community. July 29, 1985 Shire of Lake Macquarie Page 2' We sincerely hope you and your City will seriously consider this invitation for affiliation and we eagerly await your decision. cc: Jim Brighthope Australian Sister City Association P.O. Box 12 Hampton, Victoria Australia 3188 New Affiliations Sister City Association Suite 424 -26, Eye Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006 Sincerely, Mike Robinson Mayor