Title
Establishing a Sister City Relationship with the City of Morelia, Michoacán, México
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FileID
File ID: 2026-01191
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Location
Location: Citywide
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Recommendation
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution establishing a Sister City relationship with Morelia, Michoacán, México.
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Contact
Contact: Mindy Cuppy, City Clerk, (916) 808-5442, mcuppy@cityofsacramento.org, Office of the City Clerk; Emilio Camacho, Senior Deputy City Attorney, (916) 808-5346, ecamacho@cityofsacramento.org, Office of the City Attorney
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Presenter
Presenter: Mayor Pro Tem Eric Guerra, City Councilmember District 6
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Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution
3-Exhibit A - Memorandum of Understanding
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Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: Multiple conversations have been held to explore the establishment of a Sister City relationship between the cities of Sacramento and Morelia. Sacramento and Morelia recognize the importance of cooperation and the exchange of expertise and experiences between the two cities, and will encourage visits, student exchanges, and joint initiatives by their respective citizens, institutions, and organizations. Both cities wish to enter a formal Sister City relationship.
In July 2025, the airline Volaris began direct flights between the Sacramento International Airport and Morelia International Airport. This enables both capital cities to promote direct exchanges, tourism and economic opportunities. Following informal discussions, the Mayor of Morelia, Alfonso Martínez Alcázar, expressed his desire to promote a Sister City relationship with the City of Sacramento and is concurrently bringing the formation of this relationship to Morelia’s city council.
On September 16, 2025 the city council adopted a Resolution of Intention to establish a Sister City relationship with Morelia.
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PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations: While the sister city agreement is formally maintained by the two city governments, its success depends on active community participation. Local organizations, businesses, schools, and residents create meaningful connections through events, exchanges, and volunteer activities.
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EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: Increased travel between Sacramento and Morelia is anticipated to raise revenue through tourism, entertainment, and trade.
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EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations: California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): The proposed action is not a project under CEQA because it is an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. (CEQA Guidelines §15378(b)(5).)
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Sustainability
Sustainability: Not applicable.
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Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
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RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: Sister City relationships encourage cross-cultural learning and promote opportunities for social, cultural, and professional exchanges.
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FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
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LocalBusinessEnterprise
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
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Background
Background: The City of Sacramento has a Sister City program which currently includes twelve relationships with cities across the world. Sacramento’s sister cities and their respective establishment dates are as follows:
• Manila, Philippines (1961)
• Matsuyama, Japan (1981)
• Jinan, China (1984)
• Hamilton, New Zealand (1988)
• Liestal, Switzerland (1989)
• Chisinau, Moldova (1989)
• Youngsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea (1997)
• San Juan de Oriente, Nicaragua (2006)
• Pasay City, Philippines (2006)
• Bethlehem, Palestine (2009)
• Ashkelon, Israel (2012)
• Mexicali, México (2013)
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