Proposed Ordinance - 1/10/2023
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