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Kennesaw council endorses sister‑city memorandum with Montepulciano, Italy
Summary
Council staff recommended and the council placed on consent a memorandum of understanding to formalize a sister‑city relationship with Montepulciano focused on cultural exchange, educational partnerships with Kennesaw State University and economic cooperation, including student-created commemorative projects.
Kennesaw city staff presented a memorandum of understanding to formalize a sister‑city relationship with Montepulciano, Italy, and the council placed the item on the consent agenda during its Oct. 13 work session.
City staff told the council the Kennesaw Sister Cities Commission, city staff and Kennesaw State University have worked for two years to develop the agreement. The commission was established in August 2021 and identified Montepulciano as a potential partner in October 2023, staff said. Staff also reported a March 2025 Zoom meeting between Mayor Easterling and Montepulciano’s mayor, Michele Onjemlin, after which Montepulciano agreed to work toward a mutually acceptable MOU.
“This friendship agreement is the product of years of hard work, relationship building, and dedication by the Kennesaw Sister Cities Commission, city staff, and Kennesaw State University,” the staff presenter said, describing the MOU’s purpose as promoting cultural exchange, economic cooperation and educational partnerships.
As an early example of collaboration, staff described a project with Kennesaw State University marketing and graphic‑design students to create a commemorative wine label for a wine produced at Croceani winery in Montepulciano. The presenter said the commission would continue developing exchange ideas such as pen‑pal programs, virtual classrooms, art swaps and community partnerships once both cities approve the MOU.
Staff recommended approval; council members asked whether future delegations might visit Montepulciano and received confirmation that the commission would continue to develop exchange plans. The item was placed on the consent agenda and recommended for approval by staff.
