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RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A SISTER CITY AFFILIATION BETWEEN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF GUATEMALA, A PROVINCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF GUATEMALA

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WHEREAS, representatives of the Jay Malina International Trade Consortium (ITC) of Miami-Dade County, Florida and representatives of the Guatemalan Trade Office in this community have met and expressed a desire to establish a Sister City affiliation between the two governments and their people; and
WHEREAS, the Republic of Guatemala is Miami-Dade County�s eighth-largest trading partner; and
WHEREAS, the officials of the Department of Guatemala, a province of the Republic of Guatemala, have expressed a desire for affiliation; and
WHEREAS, both communities are similar in population, base their economy on trade and tourism, and meet the guidelines established by Miami-Dade County, and Sister Cities International; and
WHEREAS, both Miami Dade County and the Department of Guatemala want to cooperate to further expand trade, commerce, tourism, and educational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the Sister Cities Coordinating Council has recommended this affiliation after a thorough evaluation; and
WHEREAS, this Board wishes to establish an official Sister City affiliation between Miami-Dade County and the Department of Guatemala,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. This Board, on behalf of the citizens of Miami-Dade County, Florida wishes to establish a Sister City affiliation with the government and the people of the Department of Guatemala.
Section 2. A private citizen shall, upon the execution of an agreement between the Mayor of Miami-Dade County and the Governor of the Department of Guatemala shall be appointed by the Mayor to assist the Sister Cities Coordinating Council in coordinating projects to increase and promote trade, culture, tourism, and educational opportunities between these two communities.

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Date:

To: Honorable Chairman Bruno Barreiro
And Members, Board of County Commissioners

From: George Burgess
County Manager �����

Subject: Resolution Establishing a Sister Cities Affiliation Agreement Between Miami-Dade County and the Department of Guatemala

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners authorizes a Sister Cities affiliation between Miami-Dade County and the Department of Guatemala, Republic of Guatemala.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
The purpose of Sister Cities agreements is to promote relations between Miami-Dade County and other communities around the world through cultural and educational exchanges, tourism, trade, and commerce.

..FISCAL IMPACT/FUNDING SOURCE
The program is responsible for raising the necessary funds through donations or in-kind services to carry out the projects the Council decides to undertake.

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This agreement does not require that the County enter into contract with any other entity or person.

MANAGER'S BACKGROUND
The Miami-Dade County Coordinating Council, at its regular meeting of January 11, 2007, unanimously voted to recommend to the Board the affiliation agreement between Miami-Dade County and the Department of Guatemala, Republic of Guatemala. The Committee to Explore Sister Cities Relationships reviewed a comprehensive presentation by the Guatemalan Trade Office in Miami, and representatives of the government of the Department of Guatemala, then recommended to the Coordinating Council the approval of a Sister Cities affiliation between the two communities. The Republic of Guatemala is Miami-Dade County�s eighth trading partner. Both communities are similar in population, and base their economy in trade and tourism. The Council made their recommendation after a thorough evaluation, and concluding that the Department of Guatemala meets the requirements of Resolution R-416-95 for creating a Sister Cities affiliation with Miami-Dade County.





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Alina Tejeda-Hudack
Assistant County Manager