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Council supports exploring Sister Cities tie with Edinburgh; suggests 5‑member exploratory committee
Summary
Following a public suggestion, council members agreed to explore a Sister Cities International affiliation with Edinburgh, Scotland, citing shared Robert Louis Stevenson links and tourism ties; staff and community groups were asked to form an exploratory committee and report back on costs and logistics.
Council members on March 31 signaled support for staff and community‑led exploration of a potential Sister Cities International relationship between Calistoga and Edinburgh, Scotland.
Eric Hansen, a community member who previously raised the idea, told the council Edinburgh shares historical and literary ties with Calistoga via Robert Louis Stevenson and could offer cultural, educational and tourism benefits. Hansen asked the council to create a small exploratory committee (about five members) representing the Chamber, the school district and local cultural institutions to evaluate feasibility, cost and logistics.
"Tonight, I'm not asking for a commitment... I'm asking the council to support forming a small exploratory committee about 5 members to evaluate the feasibility of something like this," Hansen said.
Staff described the formal Sister Cities International process, noting it typically requires outreach to the proposed sister city, an application to the nonprofit program, and often a period of up to a year to establish a formal relationship. Staff also noted an annual subscription to Sister Cities International of roughly $340 for a city of Calistoga’s size.
Council comments were broadly supportive though several members asked staff to check requirements and costs, and one councilor raised the population disparity between Edinburgh and Calistoga as a point to research. Council members volunteered to assist with outreach; the council asked staff to pursue next steps with community partners and Sister Cities International and to return with a recommendation.
Provenance: Discussion introduced by the city manager (SEG 919) and concluded after public comment and council questions (SEG 1154).
