Did you ever think contracting with a foreign community to create a Sister City arrangement could be so complicated?

It only feels as if it has been years that Capo d’Orlando, Sicily, and Culver City have been feeling out each other, governmentally speaking, of course.

The most overt action yet is expected at the July 24 City Council meeting.

If, as anticipated, a memorandum of understanding is produced, it will be the longest step yet in birthing a true relationship between Capo d’Orlando and Culver City.

Over the weekend, Culver City Sister City leaders spoke with City Councilman Jim Clarke, one of the main actors in this drama.

“They wanted to get a sense of the way forward,” he said.

“The City Councils in both cities need to pass a resolution. I believe there is a format from Sister City International that says ‘we are interested in entering into a relationship,’ a statement of intent.”

Mr. Clarke suggested that outgoing Sister City President Sonia Karroum and new President Nancy Perdomo-Browning secure Sister City board approval and then ask the City Council to agendize a discussion of the resolution.

Once formalities are completed, the first exchange will involve sending Culver City students to Capo d’Orlando, and here is why:

“In Capo,” said Mr. Clarke, “they told us they feel more comfortable if they know the people they are going to.

“Any kind of exchange probably would start with our folks, whether students or whomever we would determine, would go to Capo. In return, they would send people who would stay in Culver City homes.”

In the interim, said the Councilman, “we are looking at exchanges of artwork, English language books we can send to their library and chat rooms.”