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July 21, 2026
ITEM TITLE
Approve Agreement: Approve an Agreement with PFM Financial Advisors LLC to Advise the South County Higher Education Planning Task Force
Report Number: 26-0219
Location: University-Innovation District
Department: City Manager
G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: No
Environmental Notice: The Project is adequately covered in a previously certified Final Environmental Impact Report (“FEIR”) for the Chula Vista University & Innovation District (FEIR-14-01; SCH #2014121097; certified by City Council Resolution No. 2018-221 on November 13, 2018).
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution approving a Consultant Services Agreement with PFM Financial Advisors, LLC (“PFM”) to provide financial analysis, fiscal evaluation, and strategic advisory services in direct support of the South County Higher Education Planning Task Force.
SUMMARY
Assembly Bill 662, authored by Assemblymember David Alvarez, established the South County Higher Education Planning Task Force, a collaborative body comprised of the City of Chula Vista (“City”), University of California, California State University, California Community Colleges, Sweetwater Union High School District and other stakeholders to evaluate the governance models, funding mechanisms, and statutory changes required for creating a four-year public university in South San Diego County.
On March 6, 2026, the City issued a Request for Proposal ( “RFP”) seeking competitive proposals from qualified firms to serve as a technical financial resource to the Task Force, assisting in evaluating fina ncial feasibility, funding structures, and fiscal impacts associated with the University District. As a result of the RFP process, staff recommend approving a consultant services agreement with PFM for a not -to-exceed amount of $140,000.
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Project has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, and has been determined that the Project is adequately covered in a previously certified Final Environmental Impact Report for the Chula Vista University & Innovation District (FEIR-14- 01; SCH #2014121097; certified by City Council Resolution No. 2018 -221 on November 13, 2018). Therefore, no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
Since 1993, the City has pursued a strategic, long-term vision to develop a University District on City-owned land to serve Chula Vista and South San Diego County and has taken actionable steps to turn this vision into a reality. From 2001 through 2014, th rough a combination of land offer agreements, land exchanges, and other agreements with developers, the City acquired 383 acres of land for the University District at Chula Vista (“UDCV”). In 2018, the City certified Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR -14-001/SCH 2014121097) and adopted the University -Innovation District (“UID”) Sectional Planning Area Plan approving the entitlements for a UID.
Under the adopted planning documents that govern the development of the site, the entitlements provide the ability to accommodate up to 20,000 students with an innovation district that will include approximately 10 million square feet of mixed-use development, 4.4 million square feet of academic space, 2 million square feet of commercial space for business innovation uses and 3.6 million square feet available for development of market rate and student/faculty housing.
Over the years, the City has engaged in several studies to determine the type of university(ies) that would best fit the UDCV 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 binational region, and serves as a catalyst for growth and economic development.
In November of 2024, the City Council received the University Now Initiative White Paper developed by Southwestern Community College (“SWC”) District and the University Now Initiative Committee through an agreement with the City of Chula Vista. The White Paper identifies academic and instructional programs that provide SWC with new or enhanced academic op portunities to support the region’s current and funding actions.
In late 2025, Carrier Johnson conducted a feasibility study for the initial phase of UDCV development on approximately 35 acres . Their work included building square footage, floor plates, parking strategies, building heights, hard/landscape, parks & open space, active residential open space, other public use (including public trails), education, public mass transit elements, vehic ular and pedestrian circulation and any other pertinent characteristics. The report’s phasing plan ensures seamless integration of future phases with the initial development and included construction cost estimates for the development.
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South County Higher Education Planning Task Force
Authored by Assemblymember David Alvarez, Assembly Bill (AB) 662 established the South County Higher Education Planning Task Force, a collaborative body to advance university planning efforts. The Task Force is composed of 14 members including representatives from: the City of Chula Vista , San Diego State University, Southwestern College, Sweetwater Union High School District, University of California San Diego, and other stakeholders. The Task Force is responsible for : i dentifying and recommending potential governance structures for the UDCV, identifying and analyzing potential site locations and infrastructure requirements, identifying and recommending potential funding mechanisms, resources, and partnerships for UDCV, a nd r ecommending legislative solutions to remove barriers to the project . The Task Force is required to submit a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations to the California Legislature by July 1, 2027.
The Task Force has begun its work and held its inaugural meeting on May 1, 2026. Initial discussions focused on the project's history and land use considerations. The Task Force's work is facilitated by Marlene Garcia, with support from outside counsel, City staff, and other subject matter experts.
To complete the financial analysis required by AB 662, the City issued RFP P20 -2026 on March 6, 2026, seeking competitive proposals from qualified firms to serve as the Task Force's technical financial consultant.
The selected consultant will assist t he Task Force in evaluating the financial feasibility of the University District, including funding structures and the fiscal impacts associated with the proposed development. The City received three (5) sealed bids on March 31, 2026.
An evaluation team, consisting of Deputy City Manager , Director of Finance, Finance Manager , and City Consultant and Task Force Facilitator Marlene Garcia , completed a comprehensive evaluation of the proposals based on criteria that included the consultants’ experience, past performance, personnel, approach to work and proposed costs. Following the evaluation, the team conducted interviews with the top two (2) ranked firms. After a comprehensive assessment, staff recommended awarding the agreement to PFM on a time and materials basis with a not-to-exceed amount of $140,000.
The City Council has previously appropriated a total of $500,000 (including $250,000 from the State of California) to support the work of the Task Force and its required consultants . The proposed agreement is within the approved budget, therefore no additional appropriation is necessary.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
City staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council members and has found no property holdings within 1,000 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this action. Consequently, this item does not present a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(7) or (8), for purposes of the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §87100, et seq.).
City staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
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CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
This agreement has a not-to-exceed amount of $140,000. Funds for this purpose are already included in the fiscal year 2026-27 budget, therefore no additional appropriation is necessary.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact associated with this agreement.
ATTACHMENTS
1. PFM Financial Advisors, LLC Agreement
Staff Contact: Tiffany Allen, City Manager
Adrianna Relph, Special Projects and Legislative Manager