CC SR 20241217 03 - Sakura City Visit
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 12/17/2024
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to authorize a delegation of City representatives to visit
sister city, Sakura City, Japan, to celebrate their 20th Anniversary as a municipality.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Authorize sending a delegation of City Council Members and up to two City Staff
to conduct an official sister city visit to Sakura City in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
between March 24 and 31, 2025 to celebrate their 20th Anniversary as a
municipality; and,
(2) Select up to five City Council Members plus the City Manager and possibly an
additional staff members to represent the City as its delegation.
FISCAL IMPACT: The total annual budget for meetings and conferences in FY 2024-
25 is $24,300 for the City Council and $69,400 for City
Administration. The estimated cost per representative is
approximately $2,500, with the total cost depending on the total
number of delegates. No additional appropriation is needed. Any
remaining balance will be covered by transferring unspent funds from
the Citywide Meetings and Conference budget and Non-Department
Budget. VR,
Amount Budgeted: $93,700
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): 101-400-1110-6001 $24,300
(General Fund - City Council – Meetings & Conf)
101-400-1410-6001 $69,400
(General Fund - City Administration – Meetings & Conf ) VR
ORIGINATED BY: Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager
REVIEWED BY: Same as below
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Staff Report from July 21, 2020
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BACKGROUND:
Since 2001, more than 300 students from two middle schools in Sakura City (in Tochigi
Prefecture, Japan) traveled to Rancho Palos Verdes to engage in a cultural exchange
program with Miraleste Intermediate School. Over the years, the program has
strengthened cultural bonds and fostered deep friendships between both cities.
Following a visit by a delegation of Sakura City officials on January 21, 2020, the Rancho
Palos Verdes City Council began to discuss the potential of forming a sister city
partnership with Sakura City, a community of 40,000 residents who are represented by
an elected mayor and city assembly of 18 members. The city is located 70 miles north of
Tokyo and is best known for its cherry blossoms and agriculture base in rice cultivation.
Sakura City was officially established in March 28, 2005 and is now preparing to celebrate
its 20th anniversary in March 2025.
Map of Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture in Japan:
Following extensive discussions, both cities agreed to establish a sister cities program.
On July 21, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-43 to establish the
Sakura City,
Tochigi Prefecture
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partnership (Attachment A), and on August 4, 2020, both cities signed an agreement to
formalize it during a virtual celebration.
Despite beginning the partnership during COVID-19, Staff from both cities developed
innovative ways for cross-cultural exchanges. On August 4, 2021, both cities marked their
one-year anniversary with a virtual event that included performances, the unveiling of a
sister city directional sign at City Hall, and the presentation of a Japanese commemorative
stamp collection. In 2022, Sakura City hosted its own virtual event at the House Takizawa
to celebrate the 2nd anniversary with special performances and welcoming remarks from
both cities via Zoom.
Lastly, in 2023, Rancho Palos Verdes invited Sakura City to conduct the first-ever in
person visit during the City’s 50th Anniversary celebrations and to recognize the 3rd
anniversary as Sister Cities. The event was well attended by two separate delegations
visiting in August and September 2023. Welcoming activities included a tour of all City
landmarks, an Angels’ baseball game, a tour of Los Angeles, and attending the City’s 50th
Anniversary Gala at Terranea. In a sign of appreciation, the Sakura City delegation
presented ceremonial gifts to Rancho Palos Verdes that represent the heritage and
craftsmanship of Japan, including a handcrafted vase, firepit, cherry blossom figurines,
and other symbols of their culture. These items are displayed in the City Hall lobby.
DISCUSSION:
In the same vein, Sakura City is now preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary as a
municipality in March 2025. Since July, Sakura City staff, during its regular monthly
meetings with Rancho Palos Verdes staff, have earnestly requested that Rancho Palos
Verdes officials visit during this milestone year and also commemorate the 5th year of the
sister cities partnership. As such, staff from both delegations have begun outlining a
potential visit from a Rancho Palos Verdes delegation that may include up to five
Councilmembers, the City Manager, and an additional staff member (if needed) from
March 24-30, 2025.
An itinerary proposed and hosted by Sakura City officials tentatively includes:
March 24 – Depart from LAX to Haneda International Airport (in Tokyo)
March 25 – Arrive at Haneda International; travel by chartered bus to Sakura City
March 26 – Welcome ceremony and tour of City Hall
March 27 – Tour Tochigi Prefecture, including a Bamboo Forest
March 28 –Tour Tokyo, including Asakusa Temple (Tokyo’s oldest temple) and the
National Sumo Arena
March 29 – Tour Sakura City; attend farewell event with Sakura City officials
March 30 – View cherry blossoms; return travel to Los Angeles
The itinerary is tentative and will be finalized with input from the delegation.
Sakura City has offered to cover the cost for all chartered bus transportation within Japan
as well as meals. The City Council is being asked to consider the City covering the cost
for the delegates’ airfare, hotel accommodations, minor incidentals, as well as ceremonial
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gifts for Sakura City Hall and officials that represent Rancho Palos Verdes and the sister
cities partnership. Non-stop, economy flights from LAX to Haneda Airport (12 hour
duration) currently average $1,500 per person and hotel accommodations for five nights
is $575 per person. With incidentals and ceremonial gifts, Staff estimates a total amount
of $2,500 per person. Any personal expenses would be borne by individual delegates.
The City Council is also being to select up to five Councilmembers to serve as the City’s
delegation plus the City Manager and, if needed, an additional staff member to travel to
Sakura City. Per the City Attorney, a delegate that includes three or more
Councilmembers at a ceremonial or social occasion such as this visit is exempt from the
Brown Act, so long as a majority of members do not discuss business of a specific nature
that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council.
Should City Council choose not to attend this year, Staff recommends planning ahead for
opportunities to visit Sakura City in the near future. It should be noted that several
communities including Torrance, Hermosa Beach, Lomita, Long Beach, and Redondo
Beach formed independent non-profit organizations to plan out regularly scheduled visits,
local events, and cross-cultural learning opportunities that are open to the wider
community, as well as fundraise and issue membership fees to fund them.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommend selecting a delegation of up to five Councilmembers, the City Manager
and possible an additional staff member, authorizing this expenditure, and directing staff
to begin making travel arrangements in coordination with the delegates and Sakura City
officials.
ALTERNATE ACTION:
In addition to the Staff recommendation s, the following alternative actions are available
for the City Council’s consideration:
1) Do not authorize a delegation of City officials to visit Sakura City in March 2025
2) Authorize alternate opportunities to coordinate a visit in future years
3) Take other action as determined by the City Council.
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