12-21-2004 - Sister City Kurobane, Japan Updatei
City of West Covina
Memorandum
AGENDA
TO: Andrew G. Pasnnant, City Manager
and City Council
FROM: Artie A. Fields, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: SISTER CITY KUROBANE, JAPAN UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
ITEM NO. B-2
DATE: December 21, 2004
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file this informational report.
DISCUSSION:
This item was carried over from the November 16 and December 7, 2004 City Council meetings.
Mayor Miller will be giving an oral report on this item.
On November 3, 2004 a delegation from West Covina, representing the City of West Covina and
the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center attended the signing ceremony of the
sister city relationship between the City of West Covina and the Town of Kurobane in Japan. These
delegates were the guests of the Town of Kurobane, which paid all travel related expenses for these
individuals to attend the ceremony, maintaining the City Council's requirement that the sister city
relationship not generate any costs to the City.
The West Covina delegation was very well received in Japan. The delegation included City staff
and representatives of the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center, which has a
student and teacher exchange program currently in place. During the trip, the delegation visited
with the leadership of the Tochigi Prefecture (state government) and representatives of the cities
and businesses of Kurobane and Otawara. In October 2005, the City of Kurobane will be merging
with the City of Otawara, which will continue the sister city relationship with West Covina.
Kurobane, Japan is located 210 miles north of Tokyo, in the Tochigi Prefecture (similar to a state in
the U.S.). The current population of Kurobane is 17,000, but is expected to exceed 100,000 when
Kurobane and Otawara merge in October 2005. Kurobane encompasses 73 square miles and is an
agricultural community with a large forestry industry. Kurobane is also the home of the Annual
Japanese Basho Festival, a haiku festival named after the most popular Japanese poet. The city has
an operating budget of $19.8 million, eight ' elementary schools, four middle schools, one high
school, and a Mayor/Council form of government with an executive administrator similar to our
City Manager.
As a sister -city, the City of West Covina will be responsible for assisting the East San Gabriel
Valley Japanese Community Center in promoting the student and teacher exchange programs and
with the exchange of cultural traditions and customs.
FISCAL IMAPCT:
None
Prepared by:
Chris Freeland
Special Assistant to the City Manager
Approved by:
CIr
ie A. Fie&
Assistant City Manager