Scottsdale City Council to consider membership contract
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
In the digital age, all things are local.
Scottsdale City Council is anticipated to confirm its long-standing relationship with the Scottsdale Sister Cities Association — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a laser focus on cultural and educational exchanges between government.
“The Scottsdale Sister Cities Association, Inc. was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in 1983 and is a member of Sister Cities International,” said Dale Wiebusch, Scottsdale government relations director, in his report to City Council.
“SSCA engages in promotion of the City of Scottsdale by strengthening municipal and economic development partnerships between Scottsdale and existing or newly designated Sister Cities, and advances cultural and educational exchanges.”
The annual membership contract, which comes at a cost of $15,000, is a part of the local governing board’s June 21 consent agenda during its regular meeting at City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
Today there are eight sister cities a part of the international network. They are:
- Alamos, Sonora, Mexico;
- Interlaken, Switzerland;
- Cairns, Queensland, Australia;
- Kingston, Ontario, Canada;
- Haikou, Hainan, China;
- Marrakech, Morocco;
- Killarney, Ireland; and
- Uasin Gishu, Kenya.
Mr. Wiebusch offers the purpose of the Sister Cities effort is to serve as an ambassador of sorts for the municipality to shepherd international goodwill and friendship.
“The mission is accomplished through student, educational, cultural and economic development exchanges, which create long-term international partnerships,” he explained. “The city has financially supported SSCA indirectly since 1994, and directly since 2001; and SSCA is the only local affiliate of Sister Cities International.”
