CITY OF HOMER

CITY HALL

MEMORANDUM 09-32

To: Mayor and Council

Through Walt Wrede, City Manager

From: Dru Corbin, Administrative Assistant to City Manager

Date: March 16, 2009

Subject: Adding Lampang Thailand as a Sister City

In March of 2008 a delegation of 12 people from Lampang visited Homer through the Rotary Club. While here they were given a tour of the city and city facilities. The two cities do not have much in common in the way of climate, locale, and natural environment but the interest is more of a connection with education, culture and youth exchanges.

The Mayor of Lampang was interested in becoming a Sister City with Homer. After his re-election last month, he was able to officially invite a delegation from Homer to visit in April or May of this year. We received the invitation from Mayor Dr. Nimit Jivasantikarn March 13^th inviting Mayor Hornaday to lead a delegation to Lampang. Steve Yoshida has offered to travel to Lampang as a representative of the city, at his own expense, to meet with the mayor for the purpose of strengthening friendships and discussing future collaborations.

They would like to have a delegation visit Homer again in July of 2009 at which time the city will be giving a gift and extending Homer hospitality. This may not require much in the way of financial obligation this year; however, once a Sister City relationship is officially formed there will be future obligations requiring funding through the budget process.