Title
Authorization to Enter into Agreement with Phoenix Sister Cities (Ordinance S-43897)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a one-year agreement with Phoenix Sister Cities, Inc. (PSC) beginning upon execution through June 30, 2018, with an expenditure of $33,513 and reimbursement of insurance-related expenses not to exceed $7,500 per year. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
PSC is an established 501(c)(3) and has been in existence since 1975. It is responsible for coordinating exchange programs in youth and education, municipal and technical cooperation, business, arts and culture with ten Sister Cities. In fiscal year (FY) 2016-17, staff coordinated protocol visits of 70 international delegations, representing approximately 20 countries, with the Mayor, City Council, and/or City departments and conducted 80 events, exchanges and activities. This was accomplished by outsourcing the coordination of the events/exchanges/activities through a large number of PSC volunteers, totaling 154,767 hours and valued at $3,533,330 and leveraging a total of $48,500 of in-kind contributions.
The City of Phoenix has contracted with PSC since the mid-1980s. The organization is administered by a Board of Directors composed of PSC Commission members, appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council, and the chairpersons of the Sister Cities and program committees.
The PSC program has been recognized by Sister Cities International for its excellence having received the award for Best Overall Program in the United States, with a population over 500,001, nine times in the last 21 years. Most recently, PSC received the Best Overall Program and Innovation in Youth and Education awards for 2015.
Financial Impact
Funds are available in the Community and Economic Development Department's 2017-18 operating budget. The operating budget includes City of Phoenix funding for staff salaries and benefits. All PSC programs, exchanges, events, and travel are privately funded.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Deanna Jonovich and the Community and Economic Development Department.