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Keizer approves sister-city agreement with Iyo (EO) and authorizes association to support exchanges
Summary
The council approved a draft sister-city agreement with Iyo (EO), Japan, formalizing an existing student exchange program and supporting a volunteer nonprofit (KISCA) to coordinate visits and fundraising.
The Keizer City Council on Sept. 2 approved a draft sister-city agreement with Iyo (EO), Japan, building on a middle-school exchange that began in 2010 and a local volunteer group organizing future visits.
City Manager Brown described the evolution of the exchange: East Salem Rotary initially sponsored visits; Keizer hosted students in 2023 and 2024; local volunteers formed the Keizer–Iyo Sister City Association (KISCA) to handle fundraising and to minimize cost to the city. The draft agreement frames cooperation around cultural exchange, education, economic ties and environmental stewardship.
Councilors praised past exchanges and the volunteer work; several council members said they hope more of the exchange activities and receptions will take place in Keizer going forward. Council President Starr moved to approve the sister-city agreement as presented; the motion passed unanimously with one absence (Councilor Cross).
Staff said Iyo officials would review the draft and the city would consider suggested edits from the other side before executing the agreement. Volunteers with KISCA plan to pursue nonprofit status and fundraising to support delegation travel in both directions.
