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2016-29413 Reso RESOLUTION NO. 2016-29413 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ENDORSING AND APPROVING A SISTER CITY AFFILIATION WITH THE CITY OF SALAMANCA, SPAIN. WHEREAS, Salamanca is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and is rich in•culture, education, and historic preservation; and WHEREAS, the City of Salamanca is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, the University of Salamanca, which was founded in 1218, and its historic city center has important Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance, and Baroque monuments, as well as many art galleries; and WHEREAS, like the City of Miami Beach, a major industry in the City of Salamanca is tourism; and WHEREAS, in 1988, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ("UNESCO") designated the City of Salamanca as a World Heritage Site; and WHEREAS, on September 24, 2015, the Miami Beach Sister Cities Coordinating Council unanimously endorsed and recommended a Sister Cities affiliation with the City of Salamanca, Spain; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach support and wish to establish a Sister City affiliation with the City of Salamanca, Spain as set forth in the attached Agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby endorse and approve a Sister City affiliation with the City of Salamanca, Spain, and further authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the attached Agreement establishing Salamanca, Spain as a Sister City. PASSED AND ADOPTED this I a day of N A y 2016. ATTEST: • f / Philip Levine A (' , %%wet% or 1 Raf. -1 E. Gr.nado �� �Ciy� City Clerk f . .; g� APPROVED AS TO• • �' ' 4 FORM & LANGUAGE F:WTTO\TURM RESOSwpprovingSMercrtySa " a+111CORP ORATED & FOR EXECUTION L� N-177' City Attorney Date �VL Sister Cities Agreement Establishing a Sister Cities Relationship Between the Cities of Salamanca, Spain and Miami Beach, Florida, USA Whereas, we, the representatives of the City governments of Salamanca, Spain and Miami Beach, Florida, USA (collectively, the "Cities"), are unanimous in our desire to promote mutual understanding between our Cities and to live in peace and friendship and we are firmly achieving these goals; and Whereas, with this Agreement, we solemnly proclaim Salamanca, Spain and Miami Beach, Florida, USA, as Sister Cities with the common goals of developing understanding and respect between our two communities, as well as between the people of the United States and Spain; and Whereas, in keeping with this Agreement, the Cities will encourage the development of cultural and economic ties; mutual exchanges between commercial, educational, athletic, and other civic and youth groups; and the strengthening of links between the institutions and public organizations of the two Cities: and Whereas, the people of both Cities will freely exchange ideas, opinions, and information; and all activities in connection with the development of friendly relations between our Cities will be carried out according to our mutual plans. NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed and proclaimed that the City of Salamanca, Spain and the City of Miami Beach, Florida, USA, are Sister Cities and this Agreement shall become effective upon the signing by the Mayors of the Cities of Salamanca, Spain and Miami Beach, Florida, USA, this day of , 2016. • Mayor Philip Levine Mayor Alfonso Fernandez Manueco City of Miami Beach, Florida, USA City of Salamanca, Spain ATTEST: ATTEST: Rafael E. Granado City Clerk, City of Miami Beach City Clerk, City of Salamanca APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAGE &FOR EXECUTION c 7 -6 4 5 "i3 /l7 City Attorney '17 Date Acuerdo Entre Ciudades Hermanas Estableciendo Relaciones de Ciudades Hermanas entre La Ciudad de Salamanca, Espana y Miami Beach, Florida, USA CONSIDERANDO QUE, nosostros, los representantes del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Salamanca, Espana y Miami Beach, Florida, USA (colectivamente, las "Ciudades") estamos en acuerdo unanime para promover entendiemiento mutuo entre las Ciudades y para vivir en paz y amistad y estamos firmemente alcanzando estas metas; y CONSIDERANDO QUE, con este acuerdo, nosotros solemnemente proclamamos Salamanca, Espana y Miami Beach, Florida, USA, Ciudades Hermanas con el proposito comun de desarrollar entendimiento y respeto entre ambas comunidades, como tambien entre las personas de los Estados Unidos de America y Espana; y CONSIDERANDO QUE, en el marco de este Acuerdo, las Ciudades promoveran el desarrollo cultural y lazos economicos; intercambios mutuos comerciales, educacionales, atleticos entre grupos civiles y juveniles; y fortaleceran los lazos entre las instituciones y organizaciones publicas de ambas Ciudades; y CONSIDERANDO QUE, las personas de ambas Ciudades intercambiaran ideas, opiniones e informacion libremente; y todas las actividades en coneccion con el desarrollo de relaciones amigables entre ambas Ciudades se llevaran a cabo de acuerdo con nuestros planes mutuos. POR TANTO, queda acordado y proclamado que la"Ciudad de Salamanca, Espana y la Ciudad de Miami Beach, Florida, USA, son Ciudades Hermanas, y este acuerdo entrara en vigor despues de la firma de los Alcaldes de la Ciudad de Salamanca, Espana y Miami Beach, Florida, USA, este dia de , 2016. Alcalde Philip Levine Alcalde Alfonso Fernandez Manueco Ciudad de Miami Beach, Florida, USA Ciudad de Salamanca, Espana Testigo: Testigo: Rafael E. Granado Secretario de la Ciudad de Miami Beach Secretario de la Ciudad de Salamanca APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAGE & FOR EXECUTION fe44 11, 53 /6 City Attorney 1;if Dote MIAMI BEACH OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY RAULJ. AGUILA, CITY ATTORNEY COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Members of the City Commission Jimmy Morales, City Manager FROM: Raul J. Aguila, City Attorney DATE: May 18, 2016 SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ENDORSING AND APPROVING A SISTER CITY AFFILIATION WITH THE CITY OF SALAMANCA, SPAIN. Pursuant to the request of Mayor Philip Levine, the above Resolution has been drafted following the Miami Beach Sister Cities Coordinating Counsel's recommendation for a Sister City affiliation with the City of Salamanca, Spain. Information regarding the City of Salamanca, and the proposed Agreement for a Sister City affiliation between the City of Salamanca and the City of Miami Beach (in English and Spanish), are attached for review and consideration by the City Commission. RJA/DT/Ir F:\ATTO\TURN\COMMMEMO\Affiliation of City of Salamanca Spain for Sister City.docx Agenda Item R7C Date s"--18-1G Request for a Sister City Affiliation Name of Your Community: City of Salamanca State/Province/Prefecture: Castilla y Leon Country: Spain Population: 146,438 (2015) Desired City/Country/Region for Sister City: Miami Beach, FL, USA Brief Geographical Description of Your Community: Salamanca is part of the Spanish region known as "Castilla y Leon" (Castile and Leon). The city lies on several hills by the Tormes River. It is situated approximately 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of the Spanish capital Madrid and 80 kilometers (50 mi) east of the Portuguese border. Population: 146,438 (2015) Rank: 3"d most populated urban area in Castilla y Leon Most ancient university in Spain and 4th ancient university in Europe (University of Salamanca) Principal Economic Activities (check one per category): Agriculture Industries Technology Tourism Services Not Important_ Not Important_ Not Important_ Not Important_ Not Important Less Important X Less Important X Less Important_ Less Important_ Less Important Important_ Important_ Important X_ Important_ Important_ Very Important_ Very Important_ Very Important_ Very Important X Very Important X Provide Details: The City of Salamanca's economy is driven by the university and tourism although other sectors including other sectors like livestock, construction and manufacturing are also important. • Community Information: Average Age: 47 years Ethnic Base: Caucasian Local Cultural and Educational Facilities: The University of Salamanca was founded in 1218, and is the oldest university in Spain. Along with Paris, Oxford and Bologna, it is one of the most ancient universities in Europe. It is also home to numerous long-established and highly respected academies and learning centers of Spanish. Salamanca is well known as the main city for learning Spanish. If Applicable, Special Historical Background: Salamanca started life as a small village atop the San Vicente hills looking over the river Tormes. That was 2,700 years ago, during the first Iron Age, and since then the city has been witness to the arrival and departure of Vacceans, Vettones, Romans, Visigoths and Moors. The medieval repopulation was overseen by Raymond of Bourgogne, son- in-law of king Alfonso IV, and set the foundations of a city that following eight centuries amassing both art and wisdom, and thanks in large part to its university, became one of the capitals with the richest cultural heritage in the whole of Europe as well as boasting some spectacular monuments. During the first Iron Age, a small group of farmers residing in a dozen houses protected by a simple wall controlled the ford across the river Tormes. Four hundred years later, the number of dwellings grew to include the rocky platform better known as Teso de las Catedrales or Cathedral Knoll. Humble beginnings In the middle of the 4th Century B.C. the ancient Celtic-Iberian town of Salmantica came into its own. Protected by a stone wall, remains of which can still be found along several streets in the historic centre, the settlement had a definite urban structure that was heavily influenced by the two major pre-Roman tribes: the Vacceans and Vettones. In fact it was the Vettones who have been attributed with the creation of the Bull on the Bridge, a zoomorphic sculpture that has become symbolic of Salamanca. Roman city In 220 B.C., the pre-Roman city of Salmantica and its almost 5,000 inhabitants were laid siege to by Carthaginian general Hannibal, assisted by an unexpected troop of some 40 - elephants. This episode, which put Salamanca on the map, was simply a precursor of things to come — namely a Roman conquest. In the middle of the 1st Century B.C., the Romans turned Salmantica into a civitas (a political community) and a strategic enclave on the Via de la Plata — Silver Way - trade route. To make things run smoother on this particular stretch (that linked Merida with Astorga), Roman engineers built a large bridge that still spans the waters of the river Tormes. The town, that at that time belonged to the Roman province of Lusitania, was upgraded to a municipality. The dark years From the 5th Century, the crisis in Rome and a succession of invasions by the Germanic tribes of the north marked the onset of more than 700 years of decay for Salamanca. Although some documentary evidence shows the existence of several Visigoth bishops based in Salamanca, archaeological remains would indicate the abandoning of almost all the former town centre and a drastic decline in the population who now took refuge in the outskirts of the city next to the river. With the arrival of the Moors, the crisis worsened and the city found itself in a kind of no man's land: subject to constant attacks by both warring factions. While the Christians from the north failed in their attempts to repopulate the city (including those of Asturian Alfonso I and Ramiro II of Leon), Moorish leader from Cordoba, Almanzor contented himself with launching the occasional attack. Medieval Revival Towards the end of the 11th Century, French Count Raymond de Bourgogne, repopulated Salamanca with a large group of people, mostly French and Galicians. One of his first tasks was to restore the Episcopal See with Cluniac monk Jeronimo Visque in 1102. While the different population groups spread out into about 40 parishes, each with their corresponding churches, work started on the construction of the Roman Cathedral, and the ancient Celtic-Iberian and Roman city wall was rebuilt. The 13th Century brought with it many changes, some of them essential for the future of Salamanca. In addition to the charters granted by King Alfonso IX of Leon that attracted new • immigrants - including a large Jewish community - the city had its outer walls extended, and in 1218, a turning point for Salamanca, the Estudios Generales (General School), precursor to the future University, was created. Renaissance Splendour After the crisis of the 14th Century, experienced to a large extent by the whole of the European continent, and a conflictive 15th Century, marked by feudal unrest and the Guerra de los Bandos (War of the Bands), Salamanca entered the 16th Century adamant that it was to become the largest renaissance city of the whole Iberian peninsula. Social and economic prosperity, thanks to trade and commerce, income from the latifundia (large estates) and the production of wool aided by the Mesta (powerful association of sheep holders), helped the population to grow to some 25,000 inhabitants. The University also enjoyed a period of great splendour, in its role as a powerful and influential centre of cultural brilliance that captured the imagination of thousands of students from all over, as well as numerous religious orders, searching for intellectual and humanist refuge in Salamanca's prestigious teaching institution. • Salamanca underwent a large phase of construction, including the building of the "New" Cathedral that completely transformed the look of the city. A number of palaces, large town houses, convents, colleges and university colleges were also built using a very characteristic and autochthonous architectural style: the plateresque. The Spanish Golden Age The Spanish Golden Age, culturally speaking at least, lasted well into the 17th Century and coincided with what came to be called the Golden Age of Spanish literature. At that time and in any of the city's streets, it was not uncommon to come across such world- renowned writers, musicians, philosophers and humanists as Francisco de Vitoria, Friar Luis de Leon, Francisco de Salinas, Miguel de Cervantes, San Juan de La Cruz, Santa Teresa de Jesus, Luis de Congora, Mateo Aleman, Vicente Espinel, Francisco de Quevedo, Calderon de la Barca or Lope de Vega. On the road to the third millennium This remarkable social, economic and cultural upsurge slowly turned into another general crisis that caused a sharp drop in the population and a visible social transformation from which only the ecclesiastical oligarchy came out on top. Despite the prolonged decline, certain Baroque buildings such as the wonderful Clerecia and Plaza Mayor have left their mark on the urban landscape of Salamanca. The negative impact of the war of Independence was followed by economic upturn brought about by the arrival of the railways and the launching of key urban planning projects. This gradual resurgence was also noted in the crestfallen University that now had outspoken Miguel de Unamuno as its Rector. The Spanish Civil War brought with it a new lull that saw Salamanca briefly become the headquarters of the Franquist troops fighting against the Republic. After the conflict and after a long drawn-out postwar period, the University returned to its role as catalyst of city life. The arrival of democracy brought Salamanca, as it did to the whole of Spain, a large period of social structuring and economic prosperity, transforming Salamanca into a highly respected destination for its university, its culture and its tourism. In 1988, this city that stands on the banks of the river Tormes received international acclaim when it became a Unesco designated World Heritage Site PLEASE: • ATTACH BROCHURES OR OTHER PERTINENT MATERIALS • ADVISE IF WEBSITE IS AVAILABLE Municipal website: http://www.aytosalamanca.es -: Tourist Office website: http://www.salamanca.es Spanish Schools Office website: http://www.espanolensalamanca.com • ATTACH CONTACT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANT: NAME: Xavier Dominguez Gabina ORGANIZATION: Ayuntamiento de Salamanca TITLE: Director del Gabinete de la Alcaldia ADDRESS: Ayuntamiento de Salamanca, Plaza Mayor s/n, 37001, Salamanca PHONE/CELL: 0034-923279105 EMAIL: xdominguez @aytosalamanca.es FAX: 0034-923279190 Desired Characteristics of a Sister City: Cities with iniciative and interest on working together to favor progress and development of both cities in many different areas of common interest like culture, education, environment, athletic, commerce and democracy. List of existing Sister Cities for your community: Salamanca, Mexico Buenos Aires, Argentina Coimbra, Portugal Nimes, France Wurzburg, Germany Bruges, Belgium Other cities community: Grupo Ciudades Patrimonio de la Humanidad de Espana (Spain's Group of UNESCO World Heritage Sites): Alcala de Henares, Avila, Baeza, Caceres, Cordoba, Cuenca, Ibiza, Merida, San Cristobal de La Laguna, Santiago de Compostela, Segovia, Tarragona, Toledo y Ubeda. What kind of Sister City activities do you envision? We envision mutual exchanges between commercial, educational, athletic, and other civic and youth groups and the strengthening of links between the institutions and public organizations of Salamanca and Miami Beach. Support for Sister City Affiliation: • In your community, is there an official Sister City group that is recognized by your local government? Yes (X) No 0 • Is this request supported by your local sister city organization? Yes (X) No ( ) • Does your local government support this request? Yes (X)* No ( ) *The local government supports this Sister City request, but the final agreement must be approved by the Salamanca's City Hall plenary session. If your community is in the United States, are you a current member of Sister Cities International? Yes ( ) No ( ) Not applicable (X)