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Half Moon Bay council hears push to formalize sister‑city ties with Nazaré, Portugal
Summary
Presenters asked the council to back a formal sister‑city relationship with Nazaré, Portugal, proposing cultural exchanges, tourism links and a permanent stone compass rose downtown. Council and public speakers offered broad support; staff will draft a resolution and return to council for approval.
Half Moon Bay city leaders heard a formal proposal on June 16 to establish a sister‑city partnership with Nazaré, Portugal, a coastal town known for its big‑wave surfing and Portuguese heritage. Fernando Olivera and his son Jonathan presented the idea, described a five‑step plan starting with a council resolution, and proposed a permanent stone compass‑rose installation at Main and Korea streets as a cultural landmark.
The proposal’s proponents framed the partnership as a way to reconnect Half Moon Bay’s deep Portuguese roots with a town of similar size and economic profile. "This is more than a proposal. It's really a story about who Half Moon Bay is," Jonathan said, describing possible student exchanges, joint festivals and tourism promotion. Fernando Olivera said he had met Nazaré officials and that "they believe in this. They are ready. They are waiting for Half Moon Bay's answer."
City staff said no city funds were being requested at this stage and recommended the council provide direction to continue working with the Portuguese community. The city manager said staff would assist with drafting a resolution and that the initiative would initially be community‑led: "They're not asking the city for money or resources," he said.
Public comment was uniformly supportive. Naomi Patridge, who served on a prior sister‑city committee, recalled the value of cultural exchanges with Kadiawa, Japan, and urged approval. Nancy Fontana and other residents said formal recognition would honor Portuguese contributions to the town and spur cultural programming.
Council members signaled clear interest and asked staff to return with a formal resolution and next steps. No formal action was taken at the June 16 meeting; staff will draft the resolution and the council will consider it at a future meeting.
Why this matters: A sister‑city designation could produce grassroots cultural exchanges, coordinated tourism promotion and a visible public‑art installation that advocates say would celebrate the community’s Portuguese heritage and broaden Half Moon Bay’s international profile.
What’s next: Staff will prepare a resolution and proposed implementation steps, including a Half Moon Bay sister‑city committee, follow‑up outreach to Nazaré officials and a plan for a dedicated unveiling event. The council will review the resolution when it returns to the agenda.
