RESOLUTION NO. RS2017-960

A resolution requesting that the Metropolitan Department of Parks and Recreation develop a plan, working in conjunction with the Metro Nashville Arts Commission and other relevant agencies, to foster recognition of Nashville and Davidson County’s relationship with its Sister Cities.

WHEREAS, as Nashville continues to expand its role as a major economic center in this country, it must also continue to evolve its role in foreign trade; and

WHEREAS, in expanding its role, Nashville can build on its relationship with its current eight (8) Sister Cities in an effort to develop even stronger cultural, educational, and economic ties; and

WHEREAS, Nashville currently has sister city relationships with Belfast, Northern Ireland; Caen, France; Edmonton, Canada; Kamakura, Japan; Magdeburg, German; Mendoza, Argentina; Taiyuan, China; and Tamworth, Australia; and

WHEREAS, Nashville benefits from the ongoing visits from officials of those Sister Cities, which provide not only opportunities to showcase our City, but also allow even more opportunities for citizens of Nashville to learn from other countries; and

WHEREAS, Nashville and Davidson County should look for new and interesting opportunities to recognize our Sister City relationships and find ways to outwardly showcase our connections to the world; and

WHEREAS, such plans could include flag poles flying our Sister Cities’ flags around the Public Square, informational signs at Metro Parks recognizing interesting connections between our cities, new art work symbolically recognizing our global relationships, and searching out connections in different parts of Nashville that highlight our connections to the world (such as the magnificent cherry blossoms that line different parts of our city);

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE METROPOLITAN COUNTY COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as requesting that the Department of Parks and Recreation, working in conjunction with the Metro Nashville Arts Commission and other relevant agencies, provide to the Council by no later than December 31, 2017 a plan for highlighting and recognizing Nashville’s relationships with its Sister Cities.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to submit a copy of this Resolution to the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Metro Nashville Arts Commission.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Jim Shulman, Burkley Allen, Robert Swope, Jeff Syracuse