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Cerritos council moves to involve Economic Development Commission on proposed sister‑city relationships
Summary
Council received a historical overview of past sister‑city ties and voted 5–0 to receive and file a report; mayor pro tem and others said staff will work with the Economic Development Commission and local nonprofits to pursue a possible sister city in the Philippines and consider outreach to India.
The Cerritos City Council on Aug. 14 received a staff report outlining the city’s sister‑city history and directed staff to seek Economic Development Commission (EDC) input on a potential sister‑city adoption in the Philippines.
City staff presented the history of past relationships with municipalities in Brazil, Taiwan (New Taipei), and Loreto, Mexico, and described the city policy governing sister‑city designations. "The city has a long history of involvement with sister cities," Director of Community and Cultural Services Annie Hilton said.
Mayor Pro Tem Linda Johnson told the council she will propose at the next ad hoc Sister City Committee meeting that the city consider adopting a sister city in India as well, and that the EDC should research candidates and nonprofit partners to lead exchanges. "We are not looking to fund this program," Johnson said, adding that the city’s role is largely ceremonial and administrative while nonprofits typically run programmatic exchanges. She also said the EDC will convene and advise before the council decides.
Public commenters urged care and accountability in any sister‑city work. Adrian Ayub, who described prior experience with a sister‑city program, said such relationships can produce little tangible benefit if not run with follow‑through and community partners: "Sister city relationships without accountability and or follow‑up … are just empty promises dressed up as diplomacy," he said.
The staff recommendation to receive and file the informational report passed 5–0. Staff said they would prepare a report for the EDC with research and proposed next steps for council review if the commission recommends moving forward.
