Seattle Mun. Code ch. 3.14, subch. II, § 3.14.400 Office created.
3.14.400 - Office created.
As of January 1, 1979, there is created, within the Executive Department, an Office of Intergovernmental Relations.
(Ord. 108098, § 1, 1979.)
Office of Intergovernmental Relations
SEA-MC tit. 3, subtit. II, ch. 3.14, subch. II
in effectSeattle Mun. Code ch. 3.14, subch. II, § 3.14.410 Director—Appointment.
3.14.410 - Director—Appointment.
The Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Relations shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by a majority vote of all members of the City Council. Pending permanent appointment of such Director under the authority of this section, the Mayor is authorized as of January 1, 1979, to appoint a person to temporarily act as the Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Relations for a period of sixty (60) days and thereafter for successive sixty (60) day periods with the approval of the City Council.
(Ord. 108098, § 2, 1979.)
Seattle Mun. Code ch. 3.14, subch. II, § 3.14.420 Director—Duties.
3.14.420 - Director—Duties.
Under the direction of the Mayor, and in consultation with the City Council, the duties of the Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Relations shall be as follows:
A. To provide support to the Mayor and City Council in their interactions with regional, state, federal and international officials and entities.
B. To facilitate the process of developing the City's State and Federal legislative priorities by working with the Mayor and City Council to identify joint priorities and helping to resolve differences.
C. To represent and support the interests of the City, as determined by the Mayor and the City Council, in interactions with Congress, federal agencies, national organizations, and appointed and elected national officials, and to influence lawfully the decisions and actions of such individuals, Congress and agencies in support of City activities and policies;
D. To represent and support the interests of the City, as determined by the Mayor and the City Council, and its policies in relationship with the State Legislature, Governor's Office, agencies and state boards and commissions, and to develop and represent the City's annual State Legislative Program;
E. To coordinate and provide staff support in the representation of the City and its interests and policies in interactions with special and multipurpose regional agencies and general purpose local government, and to influence the decisions and actions of these agencies in accordance with City policy;
F. To represent and support the interests of the City in interactions with foreign consular officials, international organizations, international delegations and dignitaries, and to manage Seattle's Sister City and other international programs.
G. To appoint, remove, supervise, and control all officers and employees of the Office of Intergovernmental Relations in accordance with civil service laws and rules;
H. To manage the preparation of the proposed annual budget of the Office of Intergovernmental Relations, authorize necessary expenditures, and supervise the maintenance of adequate accounting systems and procedures;
I. To ensure that the City's elected officials and departments are made aware of major federal funding programs, regulatory and legislative activity and to coordinate the City's response to these federal actions;
J. To ensure that the City's elected officials and departments are supported and staffed on all policy issues arising in the regional agencies such as King County Government, Puget Sound Council of Governments, Economic Development District and any other regional governmental agencies as needed;
K. To ensure that the City's elected officials and departments are made aware of major state funding programs, regulatory and legislative actions and assist them in participating in these state activities.
L. To ensure that the City's elected officials and departments are supported and staffed on all policy issues and activities arising from the City's international programs, relationships and activities.
M. To provide monitoring of public corporations established pursuant to Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 3.110, in consultation with the Director of Finance.
N. For the duration of regular and special sessions of the Washington State Legislature, provide written and in-person updates to the Mayor and City Council, at regular intervals.
(Ord. 123361, § 10, 2010; Ord. 108098, § 3, 1979.)
Seattle Mun. Code ch. 3.14, subch. II, § 3.14.425 International affairs.
3.14.425 - International affairs.
Under the direction of the Mayor, the Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Relations shall:
A. Represent and support the interest of the City in interactions with foreign heads of state, consular representatives, state officials, and federal representatives regarding foreign activities;
B. Establish and coordinate relations with other local and state jurisdictions and private businesses to promote foreign investment activities through international trade, tourism and exporting and marketing Seattle products and services;
C. Coordinate and provide staff support in representing the City and its interests and policies in interactions with private groups promoting the City, including, but not limited to, Sister City programs, Central American Commission, World Affairs Council, and other groups involved in international activities;
D. Provide all elected officials and department directors assistance with protocol activities by helping the City's representatives with background material and arrangements for international visitors and dignitaries;
E. Inform the City's elected officials and departments of the major activities occurring in the areas of foreign trade, tourism, exporting, marketing, and private initiatives that would have beneficial direct and indirect impact on the City;
F. Support the City's elected officials and departments on all policy issues relating to other local, state, and private jurisdictions' international relations.
(Ord. 115936, § 1, 1991.)
Seattle Mun. Code ch. 3.14, subch. II, § 3.14.430 Transfer of records and responsibilities.
3.14.430 - Transfer of records and responsibilities.
All of the records, books, papers, properties, equipment, rights, and responsibilities of the division heretofore created by Ordinance 104067 [5] are transferred to the office established by this subchapter.
(Ord. 108098, § 4, 1979.)
Seattle Mun. Code ch. 3.14, subch. II, § 3.14.440 Objectives of program and Office of Intergovernmental Relations responsibilities
3.14.440 - Objectives of program and Office of Intergovernmental Relations responsibilities
A. Objectives. Seattle will seek to develop sister city relationships that serve the following objectives:
1. The development of people-to-people relationships between Seattle residents and the residents of our sister-city affiliates;
2. The education of our residents and the residents of the affiliated cities;
3. Mutual enhancement of our residents' cultural awareness and sensitivity;
4. The development of international trade and tourism;
5. The development and sharing of best practices in government departments and industries engaged with and/or representing Seattle's contemporary international landscape.
B. Office of Intergovernmental Relations Responsibilities. The City of Seattle's Office of Intergovernmental Relations (OIR) shall:
1. Act as the City's liaison for the Seattle Sister Cities program, including the Seattle International Affairs Advisory Board (SIAAB);
2. Retain budget oversight for the Seattle Sister Cities program, including management of the annual process of reimbursement payments to individual sister city associations for eligible expenses;
3. In coordination with the SIAAB, execute a Memorandum of Understanding with a local 501(c)(3) organization designated to act as a treasurer for sister cities program revenues that originate from fundraising efforts rather than from the City's budget; act as the authorizing agent for expenditures by the 501(c)(3) drawn against these revenues.
(Ord. 125113, § 1, 2016; Ord. 124255, § 1, 2013.)
Seattle Mun. Code ch. 3.14, subch. II, § 3.14.449 Agreements authorized and sister cities designated
3.14.449 - Agreements authorized and sister cities designated
A. The Mayor is authorized to enter into agreements with sister cities and with sister cities affiliation committees as may be designated by resolution of the City Council.
B. The following are recognized as sister cities:
Kobe, Japan
Bergen, Norway
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Be'er Sheva, Israel
Other sister cities shall be designated by resolution of the City Council.
Legislation | Sister City
AFRICA
Res. 27089 | Limbe, Cameroon
Res. 26545 | Mombasa, Kenya
ASIA
Res. 25500/Ord. 108563 | Be'er Sheva, Israel
Res. 28409 | Cebu, Philippines
Res. 26736 | Chongqing, People's Republic of China
Res. 27922 | Daejeon, South Korea
Res. 29457 | Haiphong, Vietnam
Res. 28260 | Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Res. 17608/Ord. 108563 | Kobe, Japan
Res. 30098 | Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Res. 28531 | Surabaya, Indonesia
Res. 23992/Ord. 108563 | Tashkent, Uzbekistan
EUROPE
Res. 21065/Ord. 108563 | Bergen, Norway
Res. 27417 | Galway, Ireland
Res. 28664 | Gdynia, Poland
Res. 26369 | Nantes, France
Res. 28374 | Pécs, Hungary
Res. 28434 | Perugia, Italy
Res. 27418 | Reykjavik, Iceland
OCEANIA
Res. 26492 | Christchurch, New Zealand
([Renumbered from 1.24.010 and 1.24.020]; Ord. 108563, §§ 1, 2, 1979.)
Seattle Mun. Code ch. 3.14, subch. II, § 3.14.450 Establishment, duration, modification, and termination
3.14.450 - Establishment, duration, modification, and termination
A. In accordance with Section 3.14.449, the City Council may by resolution designate a sister city. In accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.14.450, the City Council may by resolution recognize a sister city association, change the status of a sister city association from active to emeritus, or terminate the relationship with the sister city association.
B. In order to ensure that sister city affiliations genuinely engage Seattle's values, represent Seattle's current international landscape, and can be managed by resident associations with resources adequate to the task, proposals to the City for establishing sister city affiliations shall be initiated by sister city associations in the following two-step process:
1. Step one.
a. The City of Seattle will consider a new sister city affiliation if the following steps are completed:
i. Submission of a letter of intent;
ii. Submission of documentation indicating why a prospective sister city is proposed and verifying that it is the center of significant educational, civic, cultural, and/or political resources that offer Seattle's residents and/or City agencies significant two-way exchange opportunities, which will serve to enrich the understanding of both parties;
iii. Submission of documentation indicating that a prospective sister city has the prospect of being a significant business partner, or has some other major economic aspect that is similar to or complementary to the economic character of Seattle;
iv. Confirmation that a prospective sister city does not have a sister city affiliation with another city in the United States, or confirmation that any U.S. city having prior affiliation with the foreign prospective city does not object to Seattle establishing a new affiliation with the prospective sister city;
v. Confirmation that there is no existing sister city relationship between The City of Seattle and any other city of the same foreign country;
vi. Submission of a description of the sponsoring group and/or sponsoring individuals.
b. The above documentation must be submitted to the Seattle International Affairs Advisory Board (SIAAB) for its review and consideration. The SIAAB may reject or accept the application by a majority vote of the full SIAAB, and so advise the Mayor, the City Council, and the applicant(s);
i. No further action will be taken on an application once it is rejected, unless otherwise directed by a majority of City Council members or by the Mayor;
ii. If the application is accepted, the prospective sister city applicant then must meet the criteria listed in Step two, subsection 3.14.050.B.2, below.
c. The City of Seattle will recognize only one sister city association per sister city affiliation.
2. Step two. In order to be recognized by The City of Seattle, a sister city association must verify that it has the following:
a. At least 30 paid members, reflecting a diverse representation of the Seattle community, committed to meet the objectives of the sister city program, as outlined in Section 3.14.440;
b. A formal incorporated structure in accordance with Washington State Law governing nonprofit corporations (see chapter 24.03 RCW) and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization status with the Internal Revenue Service;
c. Established bylaws outlining annual election of officers and board members, and any appropriate functional subcommittees;
d. A comprehensive work plan for the 12-month period following the request for formal affiliation, showing how the activities of this association will further the objectives of the Seattle sister city program;
e. A budget for the first year's activities, showing any funds available to meet the budget requirements and indicating how the association plans to fund its activities in the future; and
f. A preliminary indication from the government of the foreign city that a sister city relationship with The City of Seattle would be welcome.
3. Upon a favorable review by the SIAAB, the association's application will be sent to the Mayor and City Council with a recommendation for a final vote.
C. Duration of sister city affiliations. Each sister city affiliation will enjoy a five-year term of active status, subject to the following provisions:
1. Review. Beginning six months prior to the end of an affiliation's five-year term, the SIAAB will make a formal recommendation to City Council on the question of whether or not to renew the sister city affiliation for an additional five-year term. Renewal will be the default recommendation for each affiliation, unless the SIAAB, using the following independent indicators, determines that the affiliation should not be renewed:
a. The relationship with the affiliated city continues to embody qualities and/or values central to Seattle's core interests and international landscape;
b. The respective sister city association has maintained active status, as defined by the provisions of subsection 3.14.450.D;
c. The respective sister city association has avoided any punitive action(s) taken by the SIAAB for faults in ethical behavior of its members;
d. The respective sister city association is not currently under emeritus status and is not currently under SIAAB review for reactivation.
2. Timing of five-year terms—existing associations. Associations that hold active status on September 22, 2013, will be subject to review in staggered groups of five associations each year. The initial reviews for the first group of five associations will begin within three years of September 22, 2013. The next group will be reviewed within four years, and so on. Following the initial review, each group of associations will be subject to the five-year reviews described in subsection 3.14.450.C.1. The groupings for these staggered five-year reviews will be determined by the SIAAB.
3. Timing of five-year terms—new associations. The initial review for associations that do not hold active status on September 22, 2013, and that are later established, will occur at the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the resolution granting the association active status. Following the initial review, each association under this subsection 3.14.450.C.3 will be subject to the five-year reviews as described in subsection 3.14.450.C.1.
D. Minimum criteria for maintaining active status. All of the following minimum criteria are necessary for an association to maintain active status:
1. At least 30 paid members;
2. A comprehensive work plan for the calendar year showing how the activities of this association will further the objectives of the sister city program, made available to the Office of Intergovernmental Relations by February 1 of each year;
3. A calendar year budget for the association's activities indicating how the association plans to fund its activities and how it plans to spend the small sum of City funds available for eligible reimbursable expenses, made available to the Office of Intergovernmental Relations by February 1 of each year;
4. An annual report of the association's activities including explanations for how each activity furthered the objectives of the sister city program, made available to the Office of Intergovernmental Relations at the same time the association submits its formal request for annual reimbursement of eligible expenses;
5. Indication from the appropriate government officials or other organizations officially delegated by the foreign city that the sister city relationship remains official and active;
6. Nonprofit status (see chapter 24.03 RCW). Each sister city association must register with the State of Washington's Office of the Secretary of State as a nonprofit organization authorized to solicit gifts or contributions. Each association must renew such registration annually and maintain nonprofit status with the United States Internal Revenue Service;
7. Annual meeting. Each association must hold an annual meeting that includes election of officers and a board of directors. Such meetings must be open to the public, and a written announcement or invitation must be sent at least two weeks in advance to all members of the association and the Office of Intergovernmental Relations. Results of regular board elections must be reported in writing to the Office of Intergovernmental Relations;
8. Assistance facilitating visits to The City of Seattle by sister city dignitaries. It is the paramount duty of each association to help facilitate visits to The City of Seattle by government officials from their respective sister cities. Such assistance often will include: developing and supporting itineraries for the dignitaries of any meetings with The City of Seattle, addressing transportation needs for the dignitaries; offering advice on accommodations in Seattle; and, where appropriate, helping facilitate mutual exchange of diplomatic gifts for the dignitaries;
9. Program activity. Each association must sponsor at least two program activities annually (in addition to the annual meeting). Such activities might include a forum on best practices between City of Seattle experts and their counterparts in the foreign sister city; an event focused on education or culture; a public local exhibit or performance; or an exchange program or delegation with the counterpart city abroad. These programs must be open to the public, and written announcements or invitations must be sent to all members of the association, the City Councilmember acting as liaison, and the Office of Intergovernmental Relations;
10. SIAAB and Seattle Sister Cities Presidents' Committee meetings. Regular attendance by a representative who is a member of the Council and/or Committee will be considered in determining an association's status.
E. Review and determination of active status. Separate from subsection 3.14.450.C, and given the importance of maintaining open, active, and rewarding relationships with Seattle's sister cities, the SIAAB is tasked with monitoring the vibrancy and productivity of each Seattle sister city association. Should a sister city association or sister city affiliation cease to effectively function during its five-year term, the SIAAB will make recommendations about the course of action that Seattle should take with that sister city partner. Active status will serve as the default status for each association. The SIAAB may recommend withdrawal of an association's active status. The following review process will be used by the SIAAB when making these determinations:
1. If an association fails to meet the criteria for active status in a specific calendar year, the Office of Intergovernmental Relations shall notify that association, and also will inform the Mayor's Office, the City Council President, and the City Councilmember who is assigned to that association as the City Council's liaison;
2. The Office of Intergovernmental Relations shall notify and request a meeting with the association to discuss the association's non-compliance;
3. The SIAAB or designated representative shall review the situation and shall meet with the president or other officer(s) of the association to review the criteria for retaining active status;
4. The association shall be asked to submit a written plan for meeting the minimum criteria in the next calendar year;
5. After completing the process outlined above and reviewing any submissions by the association, the SIAAB may recommend to the Mayor and City Council that a sister city association be allowed six months to revitalize its efforts, subject to all of the criteria for an active sister city association, or that the sister city relationship be granted "emeritus status," the process for which is governed by subsection 3.14.450.F.
F. Determination of emeritus status. Emeritus status is intended to simultaneously honor the historical relationship between the two cities and signify that the sister city relationship is no longer active. Emeritus status further signifies that an association no longer has access to revenues for annual reimbursement of eligible expenses.
1. Prior to recommending emeritus status for any sister city association, the SIAAB shall fulfill the following steps:
a. Document that the local sister city association has been inactive for one year or, alternatively, conclude that the association cannot meet the requisite criteria for maintaining active status;
b. Attempt to make contact with last known board members of the sister city association and inquire about the association's posture;
c. Determine if the foreign city is actively engaged in additional sister city relationships with U.S. cities other than Seattle.
2. Upon receiving this recommendation from the SIAAB, the Office of Intergovernmental Relations shall conduct a review of the formal relationship between the two cities, and submit its recommendation to the Mayor and City Council regarding an appropriate course of action.
3. If a sister city association status is changed from active to emeritus status or the relationship is terminated, the city abroad will be notified.
G. Regaining active status after emeritus status or termination. A sister city affiliation that has been granted emeritus status, or had its relationship with the City terminated, may seek reactivation only when the City Council is formally considering adding one or more new sister city affiliations. In such a case, the association will be equally subject to any process required for new sister city associations. Associations with emeritus status will not enjoy special consideration during this review process.
H. Termination. The City may, after the City Council passes a supporting resolution, terminate a contract with a sister city association without cause, with 30 days' written notice. All contracts with sister city associations shall contain a termination clause stating this same provision. If the sister city abroad formally terminates its sister city relationship with The City of Seattle, the sister city association's relationship with the City shall also be deemed terminated.
(Ord. 125113, § 2, 2016; Ord. 124255, § 1, 2013.)
Seattle Mun. Code ch. 3.14, subch. II, § 3.14.460 Seattle International Affairs Advisory Board (SIAAB)—Appointments, membership, and terms
3.14.460 - Seattle International Affairs Advisory Board (SIAAB)—Appointments, membership, and terms
A. The Seattle International Affairs Advisory Board (SIAAB) shall consist of up to 30 members. Five members shall be chosen by sister city associations, rotating selection, according to alphabetical order of the name of the sister city, every two years in order to represent all associations; one member chosen by the City Council President; and The City of Seattle's International Affairs Director shall be a member.
B. The remaining members shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by a majority of the City Council and shall be comprised of the following: One member shall be a current representative from the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle (TDA). The remaining members shall be diverse representatives from community, corporate, cultural, media, educational, governmental, and nonprofit institutions that have ongoing interest in Seattle's international affairs.
C. The member chosen by the Council President and the TDA representative shall each serve until such time as they are replaced by each's respective appointing authority. All other members shall serve for a term of two years, not to exceed four consecutive terms. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as originally appointed. If a person is appointed to fill the duration of an unexpired term, then that term shall qualify as one of the four consecutive terms only if the portion of the unexpired term actually served is one year or more.
D. If the appointing authority fails to appoint or re-appoint a person to fill an SIAAB position before the incumbent's term has expired, then the incumbent may remain in his or her position for a period not to exceed 90 days until such appointment or re-appointment is made, otherwise the seat becomes vacant. The authority that appointed a member may remove that member at will. The SIAAB shall select a chair, and may adopt, promulgate, amend, and rescind administrative rules and regulations for its own conduct.
(Ord. 125113, § 3, 2016; Ord. 124255, § 1, 2013.)
Seattle Mun. Code ch. 3.14, subch. II, § 3.14.470 Seattle International Affairs Advisory Board (SIAAB)—Purposes and duties
3.14.470 - Seattle International Affairs Advisory Board (SIAAB)—Purposes and duties
The purpose of the SIAAB is to enhance the prominence of Seattle's international programs, ensure alignment with Seattle's strategic development goals, increase visibility of international activities, and improve access to fundraising. The SIAAB shall provide feedback on The City of Seattle's international engagement strategy and provide oversight of the City's sister cities program. The SIAAB shall act in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council, and shall have the following duties:
A. Advise the Mayor, City Council, and the Office of Intergovernmental Relations (OIR) about the strategic direction of Seattle's international engagement activities, including local outreach initiatives, official international travel, and partnerships with foreign cities and other entities;
B. Interact with representatives from relevant City of Seattle departments to provide feedback on their international engagement programs;
C. On a quadrennial basis, evaluate the appropriate level of City resources allocated to the sister cities and other related programs;
D. Review proposals from other external institutions for joint international programs and assist in effective coordination of such activities;
E. Review guidelines and policies for the sister cities and partner city programs;
F. Oversee efforts that incentivize, through supporting funds, programming for sister city associations, which aligns with the City's interests;
G. Support fundraising and outreach efforts for joint sister city programs; assist efforts to generate new membership for the separate sister city associations;
H. Provide strategic direction for the sister city association, a 501(c)(3) organization designated to act as a treasurer for sister cities program revenues that originate from fundraising efforts rather than from the City's budget; act as the authorizing agent for expenditures by the 501(c)(3) drawn against these revenues;
I. Review criteria for establishing new sister city affiliations, and advise on the selection of proposed affiliations;
J. Review criteria for retaining active sister status. Confer with associations that do not meet the criteria and discuss plans for remedying the situation. Make recommendations to the City Council, Mayor, and OIR about moving relevant associations to emeritus status, as defined in Section 3.14.450; and
K. Develop a "Code of Ethics" for the conduct of sister city activities and the responsibilities of association officers and members, and enforce compliance with this "Code of Ethics."
(Ord. 125113, § 4, 2016; Ord. 124255, § 1, 2013.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT3AD_SUBTITLE_IIDEOF_CH3.14EXDE_SUBCHAPTER_IIOFINREFetched: 11/1/2026