The Edmond Sun

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August 11, 2008

Edmond City Council mulls sister city idea

Mark Schlachtenhaufen

EDMOND — Edmond may soon publish an ad in the newspaper: “Wanted — a sister city. Must be interested in a long-lasting relationship promoting friendship, brotherhood, trade, educational opportunities and other interests.”

A formal signing ceremony that would lead to the search for a sister city is tentatively set for Sept. 23 at the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce.

The news came Monday during a workshop about the community’s desire to form an association that would forge the future relationship between Edmond and an as-of-yet unknown sister city.

Chief planners Carl Reherman and Ken Moore discussed the emerging details during the workshop, held before Monday night’s City Council meeting.

Sister cities form mutually beneficial partnerships that lead to cultural and economic exchanges.

Edmond Mayor Dan O’Neil said the process is still in the discussion mode, but having a sister city would emphasize for Edmondites the fact that the world is not as distant as it used to be.

Reherman said watching the Beijing Olympic Games reminded him of that reality.

“We don’t realize how small the world is,” Reherman said.

Other cities around the state have joined the sister city movement. Oklahoma City has relationships with cities in countries including China, Mexico and Russia. Tulsa, Claremore, Norman, Ponca City, Shawnee, Stillwater and Yukon also have sister cities.

Before Edmond gets “equally yoked” with a sister city several steps must take place.

City leaders want to establish a “community covenant” with Edmond Public Schools, the area’s two four-year universities, the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce, the Edmond Economic Development Authority, the Fine Arts Institute of Edmond and the Edmond Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Schools and universities would be able to control exchange programs.

The initial stakeholders would attend the signing ceremony at the EACC, which has a boardroom.

Reherman said plans call for former Gov. George Nigh, instrumental in state-level partnerships, to host the signing ceremony. Dignitaries likely will include O’Neil and state officials like Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and Secretary of State Susan Savage, and Dick Rush, president and CEO of the State Chamber.

Officials said they were impressed by the “Who’s Who” list of Edmond stakeholders who each pledged some amount of financial support. They also liked the concept of the association eventually being self-supportive and not one-dimensional.

Before the Edmond Sister City Association becomes official, the city must authorize O’Neil to sign the compact and then authorize the allocation of city funds, said Steve Commons, assistant city manager of administration.

Reherman said the city would allocate $5,000 per year over a three-year period for a $15,000 total, with the stakeholders contributing lesser amounts.

According to background provided by the city, annual budget estimates for the association include $7,800 for part-time staff, $4,000 for printed materials, $6,000 for travel expenses, $2,000 for hosting visitors, $800 for Sister Cities International dues and $1,000 for a related annual conference.

Plans call for equipment, including computers and desks, and office space to be donated. The estimated total annual budget would be $21,600. A future step would involve making the association a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Moore said the association would be managed by a suggested eight-member board, with another at-large member coming from the community.

Reherman said it could take several months to organize things.

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