A long, often emotional public comment period at the Arcadia City Council meeting focused on a proposed sister‑city relationship with Gaza City and related humanitarian and ethical questions.

No council vote: the council did not take action on a sister‑city relationship at the meeting. City Manager said a Cal Poly political‑science student intern is preparing draft guidelines and a recommended policy; staff expects to present the draft to the council in November for discussion.

What speakers said: dozens of residents took the podium or spoke via Zoom. Supporters framed a sister‑city relationship as a humanitarian and long‑term solidarity measure and cited the need to channel aid (water, medical supplies and food) to civilians. For example, one organizer said the group transferring funds to Gaza City had already routed several thousand dollars for water distribution and asked the council to consider the community‑backed resolution. Several speakers described ongoing civilian suffering and urged municipal symbolic and material support.

Opposition and concerns: other speakers strongly opposed a sister‑city relationship and the public display of support for Gaza City. Those speakers argued that some Gaza governing entities are designated as terrorist organizations and said the council should not legitimize groups or channels that might support violence; several raised concerns about antisemitic or anti‑American rhetoric they had witnessed in earlier public comment. Speakers from multiple viewpoints emphasized the emotional intensity of the discussion and warned the council that any action could have reputational consequences.

City staff and next steps: City Manager David (surname not given in the record) told the council that staff hired a Cal Poly student to develop a draft sister‑city policy and provide comparative research on how similar‑sized cities handle sister‑city relationships, ethical procurement, and humanitarian aid transfers. The city expects a presentation from the intern in November and will post an eventual draft policy for public review. The council did not schedule a vote on sister‑city recognition at this meeting.

Ending: the meeting underscored deep divisions in the community; council members said staff will brief the council in November on the draft guidelines and that the matter will return once staff has presented a recommended framework.