Number
251669
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
THE CHAIR
Title
An ordinance relating to friendship city relationships.
Section
335-1-2 am
335-3-0 am
335-3-1 am
335-3-3 am
335-3-6 am
335-3-7 am
335-3-8 am
335-4 am
335-5-1 am
335-5-2-0 am
335-5-2-a am
335-5-2-b am
335-5-2-d am
335-5-2-e am
335-5-2-f am
335-5-3 am
335-9 am
Analysis
This ordinance replaces the terms ‘friendly relations’ and ‘friendly exchange’ with ‘friendship city relationships’ in the code, to reflect the terminology used by Sister Cities International.
Body
The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:
Part 1. Section 335-1-2 of the code is amended to read:
335-1. Definitions.
2. SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP means a formal sister city relationship approved by the common council under this chapter, or the establishment of [[friendly relations]] >>a friendship city relationship<< by the common council leading to a formal sister city relationship.
Part 2. Section 335-3-0, 1, 3, 6, 7, and 8 of the code is amended to read:
335-3. Policy. The following policies shall be followed in selecting and maintaining sister city relationships or [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationships:
1. There should exist a logical area of mutual interest and involvement with the prospective sister city or [[friendly exchange city]] >>friendship city<< in the areas of culture and business.
3. There should be evidence of strong local community support for the prospective sister city or [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationship in order to assure a strong financial base and interest in exchange.
6. Sister city and [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationships shall expire after 5 years unless extended for another 5 years by council resolution.
7. The sponsoring entity shall submit annual reports to the committee. An annual report shall be submitted within 30 days following each anniversary of the date on which the mayor signed the resolution establishing a sister city or [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationship.
8. No city funds shall be used for travel expenses by city officials in connection with any sister city or [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationship.
Part 3. Section 335-4 of the code is amended to read:
335-4. [[Friendly Relations]]>>Friendship City Relationships<<. The establishment of [[friendly relations]] >>friendship city relationships<< shall follow the same policy and application process as provided in ss. 335-3 and 335-5. [[Friendly relations]] >>Friendship city relationships<< shall not require a formal signed agreement in accordance with Sister Cities International policy.
Part 4. Section 335-5-1, 2-0, a, b, d, e and f, and 3 of the code is amended to read:
335-5. Application Process. 1. A local organization that wishes to sponsor a sister city relationship or [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationship shall submit a letter of intent to the committee. The committee shall invite the organization to make a presentation to the committee regarding the proposed sister city relationship or [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationship. Following the presentation, the committee shall decide whether to invite the organization to submit a formal application to the common council.
2. An application for a sister city relationship or [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationship shall be submitted to the city clerk on a form created by the committee. The application shall require the following information:
a. Name of the organization seeking to establish the sister city relationship or [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationship.
b. Proof of an application for nonprofit status or proof of nonprofit status of the organization seeking to establish a sister city relationship or [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationship.
d. Information about the city with which the relationship is to be established, including information about the local organizational structure in the proposed sister city or [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship<< city which will support the relationship.
e. Description of the goals of the sister city relationship or [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationship.
f. Methods the organization will use to meet the goals of the sister city relationship or [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationship.
3. Upon receipt of an application, the city clerk shall submit a resolution to establish a sister city relationship or a [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationship to the common council and refer the application to the committee. The committee shall hold a public hearing on an application to determine whether the proposed sister city relationship or [[a friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationship complies with the requirements of this chapter and whether the applicant will manage a sister city relationship or a [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationship that has a reasonable prospect of meeting the goals identified in its application. The committee shall forward its recommendation to the common council. Neither the common council nor any standing committee of the council may consider the resolution to establish a sister city relationship or a [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationship until a recommendation has been received from the sister cities committee.
Part 5. Section 335-9 of the code is amended to read:
335-9. Termination. The common council may terminate a sister city or [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationship whenever it finds that the applicant has failed to make sufficient progress toward attaining the goals of the sister city or [[friendly exchange]] >>friendship city<< relationship or the applicant has failed to comply with standards established by Sister Cities International, the common council or the committee.
LRB
APPROVED AS TO FORM
____________________________
Legislative Reference Bureau
Date: 01.21.2026
______________________
Attorney
IT IS OUR OPINION THAT THE ORDINANCE
IS LEGAL AND ENFORCEABLE
____________________________
Office of the City Attorney
Date: ______________________
Requestor
Sister Cities Committee
Drafter
LRB181319-1
Gunnar Raasch
1/12/2026