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May 23, 2023
ITEM TITLE
Academic Program Planning Agreement: Approve an Academic Program Planning Agreement with Southwestern Community College District
Report Number: 23-0131
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: City Manager
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the activity qualifies for an Exemption pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution approving an agreement with Southwestern Community College District for academic program planning for the University Innovation District.
SUMMARY
Since 1993, t he City of Chula Vista has pursued a strategic, long -term vision to develop a University - Innovation District on city -owned land to serve Chula Vista and the entire South Bay region and has taken actionable steps to turn this vision into a reality. The City has engaged in a number of studies to determine the type of university(ies) that would be best fit for the university site from a land use and economic development perspective. These studies resulted in the vision of the City Council to develop a binational, multi-institutional university that leverages the border as a laboratory to attract students from both the United States and Mexico, offers baccalaureate and graduate level degrees and academic studies for the bi - national region, and serves as a catalyst for growth and economic development.
To continue the City’s university planning efforts, in October 2022, the City of Chula Vista and Southwestern College Joint Task Force for University Center ( the “ Joint Task Force ”) considered and approved a joint partnership proposal seeking state f unding for academic program planning, aligned with workforce and industry needs, with recommendations to aid in University(ies) recruitment.
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In September 2022, t he City was successful in securing $30 million in state funding at the request of Assemblymember David Alvarez and President pro Tem Toni G. Atkins toward the construction of the Cinematic Arts Library. While the intention of the $25 million allocation secured by Assemblymember Alvarez was to include $1.5 million in funding for the academic program planning, the entirety of the state funding was allocated to the Cinematic Arts Library.
In accordance with the action and direction of the Joint Task Force, the proposed agreement with Southwestern Community College District will allow them to conduct academic program planning, emphasizing workforce and academic program mapping. The goal of this study will be to identify instructional programs that support the region’s current and future workforce needs by way of an intentional engagement/inclusion with regional educational systems serving South County students and ensuring that instructional programming and university partnerships meet the needs of students and families. An additional outcome of this study is a white paper that uses the project’s findings to inform specific legislative and funding actions needed for successful university recruitment.
This work will be a partnership between the City of Chula Vista and Southwestern Community College District, the only public institution of higher ed ucation in South Count y and a higher education planning committee will be convened to inform the work.
Staff recommends approval of this agreement with Southwestern Community College District for academic program planning that will inform and advance the City’s university recruitment efforts.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed activity has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and it has been determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the state CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it has als o been determined that the activity qualifies for an Exemption pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines. Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
Since 1993, through the adoption of the Otay Ranch General Development Plan, the City of Chula Vista has maintained a vision of locating a university within eastern Chula Vista. The City has taken actionable steps to make this vision a reali ty. From 2001 through 2014, through a combination of Land Offer Agreements, land exchanges and agreements with developers, the City acquired 383 acres of land subject to restrictive covenants for U niversity-Innovation District (UID) purposes. In 2018, the City adopted the University - Innovation District Sectional Planning Area Plan (SPA) approving the entitlements for a UID.
Additionally, the City has engaged in a number of studies to determine the type of university(ies) that would be best fit for the un iversity site from a land use and economic development perspective. These studies resulted in the vision of the City Council to develop a binational, multi-institutional university that leverages P a g e | 3
the border as a laboratory to attract students from both the United States and Mexico, offers baccalaureate and graduate level degrees and academic studies for the bi -national region, and serves as a catalyst for growth and economic development.
In 201 7, the City and Southwestern Community College District, formed the Joint Task Force to work collaboratively in the development of a university in Chula Vista. To continue the City’s university planning efforts, in October 2022, the Joint Task Force considered and approved a joint partnership proposal seeking state funding for academic program planning, aligned with workforce and industry needs, with recommendations to aid in University(ies) recruitment.
In September 2022, the City was successful in securing $30 million in state funding at the request of Assemblymember David Alvarez and President pro Tem Toni G. Atkins toward the construction of the Cinematic Arts Library. While the intention of the $25 mi llion allocation secured by Assemblymember Alvarez was to include $1.5 million in funding for the academic program planning, the entirety of the state funding was allocated to the Cinematic Arts Library.
In accordance with the action and direction of the Joint Task Force, the proposed agreement with Southwestern Community College District will allow them to conduct academic program planning, emphasizing workforce and academic program mapping. The goal of this study will be to identify instructional programs that support the region’s current and future workforce needs by way of an intentional engagement/inclusion with regional educational systems serving South County students and ensuring that instructional programming and university partnerships mee t the needs of students and families. An additional outcome of this study is a white paper that uses the project’s findings to inform specific legislative and funding actions needed for successful university recruitment.
This work will be a partnership bet ween the City of Chula Vista and Southwestern Community College District, the only public institution of higher education in South County. A higher education planning committee will be convened to inform the work.
Staff recommends approval of this agreemen t with Southwestern Community College District for academic program planning that will inform and advance the City’s university recruitment efforts.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no current year fiscal impact as a result of accepting the agreement with Southwestern Community College. Funds for this purpose have been included in the Fiscal Year 2022/23 appropriations.
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ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Ongoing co sts associated with proposed agreement will be included as part of the Fiscal Year 2023/24 budget.
The maximum amount to be paid to Southwestern Community College through the term of the agreement (August 30, 2024) shall not exceed $1,379,600.
ATTACHMENTS
1. City of Chula Vista and Southwestern Community College Joint Task F orce for University Center - October 19, 2022 Meeting Minutes (Draft)
2. Academic Program Planning Agreement with Southwestern Community College District
3. Academic Program Planning Project
Staff Contact: Adrianna Hernandez, Special Projects & Legislative Manager, City Manager’s Office