Transmittal - 1/10/2023DEPARTMENT of ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ERIN MENDENHALL
MAYOR
LORENA RIFFO JENSON
DIRECTOR
CITY COUNCIL TRANSMITTAL
_______________________ Date Received: ___________
Lisa Shaffer, Chief Administrative Officer Date sent to Council: ___________
__________________________________________________________________
TO: Salt Lake City Council DATE: January 10, 2023
Darin Mano, Chair
FROM: Lorena Riffo -Jenson, Director of Economic Development
SUBJECT: Sister Cities Ordinance Change
STAFF CONTACTS: Katie Matheson, DED Marketing and Research Manager,
katherine.matheson@slcgov.com
DOCUMENT TYPE: Ordinance
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approves Sister Cities Ordinance Updates
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: Salt Lake City’s engagement with the Salt Lake Sister Cities
Program, which was first established in 1958 via proclamation with Matsumoto, Japan, has ebbed
and flowed for a number of years. In order to strengthen the program, be more responsive to our
existing relationships and potential new relationships, and bring the ordinance in line with other
City ordinances, the Department of Economic Development is in the process of updating the Sister
Cities Program and strategy via an updated Ordinance.
The purpose of the Sister Cities program is to promote peace and unite local global communities
through friendship, economic opportunities, and cultural and educational exchange.
The Ordinance was last modified in the early 2000’s and could benefit from updates in three basic
categories: 1) Location, 2) Board of Directors, and 3) new Sister City Request requirements.
Lisa Shaffer (Jan 10, 2023 15:57 MST)
01/10/2023
01/10/2023
1.LOCATION
•Residence of Board Members: the current ordinance does not require Board
Members to reside within Salt Lake City boundaries. In order to address Salt Lake
City’s equity and inclusion efforts, to bring the ordinance more in line with other
City ordinances, and maintain responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, Salt
Lake City legal counsel and Economic Development propose the new ordinance be
modified to support at least seven (7) of the new voting Board Members represent
each of the seven (7) districts within Salt Lake City boundaries. Economic
Development also recommends a requirement that all board members must be
residents of Salt Lake City with an option for Council and the Mayor to appoint
someone who lives outside the boundaries.
•Boundaries for Board Meetings: the current ordinance does not require
Board Members to meet within Salt Lake City boundaries. In order to be in
compliance with Utah Open and Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and to keep the
program more accessible to Salt Lake City residents, the ordinance will be updated
to recommend all Board meetings be held in a public location and within city
boundaries. The updated ordinance would also require quarterly (vs. annual)
meetings by the Board.
2.BOARD OF DIRECTORS
•Term Limits: Previously the Sister Cities ordinance did not limit the number of
terms a member could serve. Economic Development proposes an update to the
ordinance limiting voting members to two (2) four (4) year terms. Upon
expiration of the second term a voting member may continue to serve as a non-
voting member.
•Voting and Non-Voting: Economic Development recommends establishing a seven to nine (7-9) member voting board, and up to a six (6) member non-voting
board. This new board makeup strikes the balance of allowing new members to
participate while also maintaining the essential diplomatic relationships with
individual board members.
•Youth: Economic Development recommends allowing up to two (2) non-voting
board members be youth members, ages 15-18.
3.NEW SISTER CITY REQUEST
•Previously the ordinance did not specify that new requests needed to come from
within Salt Lake City boundaries. We would like to propose that individuals or
organizations proposing new relationships must reside or be headquartered
within Salt Lake City boundaries.
Attachments: (Redlined Ordinance, Draft Ordinance)
LEGISLATIVE DRAFT
SALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE 1
No. _____ of 2023 2
3
(Ordinance amending Chapter 2.82 of the Salt Lake City Code 4
pertaining to the Salt Lake Sister Cities Board) 5
6
WHEREAS, Chapter 2.82 of the Salt Lake City Code (Salt Lake Sister Cities Board) creates 7
and governs the Salt Lake City Sister Cities Board, which is intended to oversee the Salt Lake City’s 8
sister city and friendship city relationships with partner cities around the world (“Sister Cities 9
Program”); and 10
WHEREAS, the Sister Cities Program was first established in 1958, when the City’s first sister 11
cities relationship with Matsumoto, Japan was cemented, and was subsequently expanded to include 12
six siter cities; and 13
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2.82.040 of the Salt Lake City Code, the purpose of the Sister 14
Cities Program is to promote peace and unite local and global communities through friendship, 15
economic opportunities, and cultural and educational exchange; and 16
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City Corporation (“City”) is committed to ensuring a robust and 17
meaningful Sister Cities Program to promote the purposes set forth in Section 2.82.040; and 18
WHEREAS, the City wishes to re-connect with its current sister cities, explore inquiries 19
for new sister city relationships, and engage members of the community to establish a mutually 20
beneficial program for every sister city that promotes the exchange of economic and cultural 21
benefits for both cities; and 22
WHEREAS, the Salt Lake City Council finds that updates to Chapter 2.82 of the Salt Lake 23
City Code are necessary to ensure the Sister Cities Program is more responsive to our existing 24
relationships and potential new relationships, enhancing the City’s connection to global cities. 25
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah: 26
LEGISLATIVE DRAFT
SECTION 1. Amending Chapter 2.82. Chapter 2.82 of the Salt Lake City Code shall be, 27
and hereby is, amended to read as follows: 28
2.82.010: GENERAL PROVISIONS: 29
The provisions of chapter 2.07 of this title shall apply to the Salt Lake City sister cities board except 30
as otherwise set forth in this chapter. 31
2.82.020: DEFINITIONS: 32
For the purpose of this chapter the following words shall have the meanings as given herein: 33
ADVISORY COMMITTEE: An advisory committee of the board. 34
BOARD: The Salt Lake City sister cities board created under this chapter. 35
CITY: Means and refers to Salt Lake City Corporation, a municipal corporation of the state of Utah. 36
COUNCIL: The Salt Lake City council. 37
FRIENDSHIP CITY: A city, from another country, being considered as a potential sister city with 38
Salt Lake City. 39
MAYOR: The duly elected or appointed and qualified mayor of the city. 40
MEMBER: Any voting and non-voting member of the Salt Lake City sister cities board that has 41
been duly appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council. 42
NON-VOTING MEMBER: A member of the Salt Lake City sister cities board that may contribute 43
to board discussions but shall have no voting power and may not cast a vote in connection with any 44
matter that comes before the board for decision. 45
PROGRAM: The Salt Lake City sister cities program which includes all of Salt Lake City's sister 46
city and friendship city relationships. 47
LEGISLATIVE DRAFT
SISTER CITY: A partnership between Salt Lake City and another city, from another country, that 48
has been officially established by the appropriate government officials of the other city and by a joint 49
resolution of the mayor and the council. 50
VOTING MEMBER: A member of the Salt Lake City sister cities board that shall have voting 51
power in connection with any matter that comes before the board for decision. 52
YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE: A non-voting member between the ages of fifteen (15) and eighteen 53
(18) years of age. 54
2.82.030: BOARD CREATED: 55
There is created the Salt Lake City sister cities board, which shall consist of persons and entities up 56
to nine (9) voting members and up to six (6) non-voting members who are willing to promote the 57
purposes of the program and to comply with its rules and regulations. 58
2.82.040: PURPOSE: 59
The purpose of the Salt Lake City sister cities board is to promote peace and unite local and global 60
communities through friendship, economic opportunities and cultural and educational exchange, 61
particularly as between Salt Lake City and selected cities in other countries. 62
2.82.050: ELIGIBILITY: 63
To be eligible to be appointed as a voting member of the board a person must be at least eighteen 64
(18) years of age and reside in Salt Lake County or adjoining counties. At least seven (7) of the 65
voting members should each represent one council district in the city. To be eligible to be appointed 66
as a non-voting member of the board a person must be at least fifteen (15) years of age. No more 67
than two (2) non-voting members of the board may be youth representatives. All appointed members 68
should reside in Salt Lake City, unless the Mayor and Council make a determination that a candidate 69
LEGISLATIVE DRAFT
who otherwise resides within Salt Lake County demonstrates a compelling interest in promoting the 70
purpose of the Board. 71
2.82.060: TERM: 72
A. Each member's term of office shall be for a period of three (3) four (4) years and shall expire on 73
the applicable first Monday in July. MVoting members may be allowed to serve an unlimited 74
number of up to two (2) consecutive terms in order to ensure continuity of service and to protect the 75
vitality and stability of the sister city relationships upon agreement by the mayor with the advice and 76
consent of the council as each term expires. Upon expiration of the second term, the voting member 77
may continue to serve as a non-voting member. 78
B. Where fifty percent (50%) or more of the board members are appointed within a period of twelve 79
(12) months, then the first term of such board members appointed in that period shall be adjusted to 80
a six-year term of office for as many board members as necessary to ensure that approximately half 81
of the board members’ terms expire every two years. 82
2.82.070: MEETINGS: 83
The board shall hold an annual meeting during the first quarter of each calendar year and shall then 84
convene additional meetings as needed quarterly throughout the year. Meetings should be held 85
within Salt Lake City at a public location. 86
2.82.080: QUORUM: 87
A quorum is a majority of voting members who have been appointed to the board. 88
2.82.0890: OFFICERS: 89
The board chair and vice chair shall each serve up to two (2) consecutive two-year terms as officers, 90
with the potential to serve for one additional consecutive two-year term if approved by the board. 91
2.82.09100: RESPONSIBILITIES: 92
LEGISLATIVE DRAFT
The board shall have the following responsibilities: 93
A. To serve in an advisory role to the mayor on the sister cities program; 94
B. To coordinate with the mayor and the city council to implement the goals and objectives of the 95
sister cities program; 96
C. To review all requests for sister city and friendship city partnerships and make recommendations 97
to the mayor; 98
D. To provide an annual report to the mayor outlining activities and budgetary issues, to be 99
delivered on or before January 30 of each year; and 100
E. To review all requests for sister city partnerships and make recommendations to the mayor; and 101
F. To conduct meetings, in compliance with the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act, at least 102
quarterly each year. 103
2.82.1010: RELATIONSHIP CRITERIA: 104
A. Individuals or organizations proposing new relationships must be local residents or 105
organizations in the Salt Lake Valley City with sufficient community-based support to accomplish 106
the objectives of the relationship; 107
B. Individuals or organizations proposing new relationships must demonstrate that there is a 108
significant amount of community interest in and support for the relationship; 109
C. Individuals or organizations proposing new relationships must demonstrate a track record of 110
involvement in the community; 111
DC. Individuals or organizations proposing new relationships must identify assets and resources 112
within the community that will foster community building between Salt Lake City and the proposed 113
sister city; and 114
LEGISLATIVE DRAFT
ED. Individuals or organizations proposing new relationships must be prepared to provide the 115
financial and staff support necessary to establish and maintain the relationship. 116
SECTION 2. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective on the date of its first 117
publication. 118
119
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah this __ day of ____________, 2023. 120
121
LEGISLATIVE DRAFT
122
CHAIRPERSON 123
ATTEST: 124
125
______________________________ 126
CITY RECORDER 127
128
129
Transmitted to Mayor on . 130
Mayor’s Action: _______Approved. _______Vetoed. 131
132
133
134
MAYOR 135
136
___________________________ 137
CITY RECORDER APPROVED AS TO FORM 138
(SEAL) Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office 139
140
Date: 141
Bill No. ________ of 2023 142
Published: ______________. _______________________________ 143
Sara Montoya, Senior City Attorney 144
145
SALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE
No. _____ of 2023
(Ordinance amending Chapter 2.82 of the Salt Lake City Code
pertaining to the Salt Lake Sister Cities Board)
WHEREAS, Chapter 2.82 of the Salt Lake City Code (Salt Lake Sister Cities Board) creates
and governs the Salt Lake City Sister Cities Board, which is intended to oversee the Salt Lake City’s
sister city and friendship city relationships with partner cities around the world (“Sister Cities
Program”); and
WHEREAS, the Sister Cities Program was first established in 1958, when the City’s first sister
cities relationship with Matsumoto, Japan was cemented, and was subsequently expanded to include
six siter cities; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2.82.040 of the Salt Lake City Code, the purpose of the Sister
Cities Program is to promote peace and unite local and global communities through friendship,
economic opportunities, and cultural and educational exchange; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City Corporation (“City”) is committed to ensuring a robust and
meaningful Sister Cities Program to promote the purposes set forth in Section 2.82.040; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to re-connect with its current sister cities, explore inquiries
for new sister city relationships, and engage members of the community to establish a mutually
beneficial program for every sister city that promotes the exchange of economic and cultural
benefits for both cities; and
WHEREAS, the Salt Lake City Council finds that updates to Chapter 2.82 of the Salt Lake
City Code are necessary to ensure the Sister Cities Program is more responsive to our existing
relationships and potential new relationships, enhancing the City’s connection to global cities.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah:
SECTION 1. Amending Chapter 2.82. Chapter 2.82 of the Salt Lake City Code shall be,
and hereby is, amended to read as follows:
2.82.010: GENERAL PROVISIONS:
The provisions of chapter 2.07 of this title shall apply to the Salt Lake City sister cities board except
as otherwise set forth in this chapter.
2.82.020: DEFINITIONS:
For the purpose of this chapter the following words shall have the meanings as given herein:
BOARD: The Salt Lake City sister cities board created under this chapter.
CITY: Means and refers to Salt Lake City Corporation, a municipal corporation of the state of Utah.
COUNCIL: The Salt Lake City council.
FRIENDSHIP CITY: A city, from another country, being considered as a potential sister city with
Salt Lake City.
MAYOR: The duly elected or appointed and qualified mayor of the city.
MEMBER: Any voting and non-voting member of the Salt Lake City sister cities board that has
been duly appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council.
NON-VOTING MEMBER: A member of the Salt Lake City sister cities board that may contribute
to board discussions but shall have no voting power and may not cast a vote in connection with any
matter that comes before the board for decision.
PROGRAM: The Salt Lake City sister cities program which includes all of Salt Lake City's sister
city and friendship city relationships.
SISTER CITY: A partnership between Salt Lake City and another city, from another country, that
has been officially established by the appropriate government officials of the other city and by a joint
resolution of the mayor and the council.
VOTING MEMBER: A member of the Salt Lake City sister cities board that shall have voting
power in connection with any matter that comes before the board for decision.
YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE: A non-voting member between the ages of fifteen (15) and eighteen
(18) years of age.
2.82.030: BOARD CREATED:
There is created the Salt Lake City sister cities board, which shall consist of up to nine (9) voting
members and up to six (6) non-voting members who are willing to promote the purposes of the
program and to comply with its rules and regulations.
2.82.040: PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Salt Lake City sister cities board is to promote peace and unite local and global
communities through friendship, economic opportunities and cultural and educational exchange,
particularly as between Salt Lake City and selected cities in other countries.
2.82.050: ELIGIBILITY:
To be eligible to be appointed as a voting member of the board a person must be at least eighteen
(18) years of age. At least seven (7) of the voting members should each represent one council district
in the city. To be eligible to be appointed as a non-voting member of the board a person must be at
least fifteen (15) years of age. No more than two (2) non-voting members of the board may be youth
representatives. All appointed members should reside in Salt Lake City, unless the Mayor and
Council make a determination that a candidate who otherwise resides within Salt Lake County
demonstrates a compelling interest in promoting the purpose of the Board.
2.82.060: TERM:
A. Each member's term of office shall be for a period of four (4) years and shall expire on the
applicable first Monday in July. Voting members may be allowed to serve up to two (2) consecutive
terms upon agreement by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council as each term expires.
Upon expiration of the second term, the voting member may continue to serve as a non-voting
member.
B. Where fifty percent (50%) or more of the board members are appointed within a period of twelve
(12) months, then the first term of such board members appointed in that period shall be adjusted to
a six-year term of office for as many board members as necessary to ensure that approximately half
of the board members’ terms expire every two years.
2.82.070: MEETINGS:
The board shall hold a meeting during the first quarter of each calendar year and shall convene
additional meetings quarterly throughout the year. Meetings should be held within Salt Lake City at
a public location.
2.82.080: QUORUM:
A quorum is a majority of voting members who have been appointed to the board.
2.82.090: OFFICERS:
The board chair and vice chair shall each serve up to two (2) consecutive two-year terms as officers,
if approved by the board.
2.82.100: RESPONSIBILITIES:
The board shall have the following responsibilities:
A. To serve in an advisory role to the mayor on the sister cities program;
B. To coordinate with the mayor and the city council to implement the goals and objectives of the
sister cities program;
C. To review all requests for sister city and friendship city partnerships and make recommendations
to the mayor;
D. To provide an annual report to the mayor outlining activities and budgetary issues, to be
delivered on or before January 30 of each year;
E. To review all requests for sister city partnerships and make recommendations to the mayor; and
F. To conduct meetings, in compliance with the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act, at least
quarterly each year.
2.82.110: RELATIONSHIP CRITERIA:
A. Individuals or organizations proposing new relationships must be local residents or
organizations in Salt Lake City;
B. Individuals or organizations proposing new relationships must demonstrate that there is a
significant amount of community interest in and support for the relationship;
C. Individuals or organizations proposing new relationships must identify assets and resources
within the community that will foster community building between Salt Lake City and the proposed
sister city; and
D. Individuals or organizations proposing new relationships must be prepared to provide the
support necessary to establish and maintain the relationship.
SECTION 2. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective on the date of its first
publication.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah this __ day of ____________, 2023.
ATTEST:
______________________________ ___________________________________
CITY RECORDER CHAIRPERSON
Transmitted to Mayor on .
Mayor’s Action: _______Approved. _______Vetoed.
MAYOR
___________________________
CITY RECORDER APPROVED AS TO FORM
(SEAL) Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office
Date:
Bill No. ________ of 2023
Published: ______________. _______________________________
Sara Montoya, Senior City Attorney
January 3, 2023