City of Chula Vista Agreement No.: 2026-140
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
This Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") is made this _______ of day of _____________ 2026 , and entered into by and between the City of Imperial Beach ("Imperial Beach") and the City of Chula Vista ("Chula Vista") (collectively, "Parties") to outline their arrangement for sharing certain costs associated with advancing their joint interests in legislative advocacy. The Parties seek to coordinate engagement at the Federal level on legislative priorities and policies that advance their shared interests related to addressing the cross-border pollution and other environmental challenges in the Tijuana River Valley.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Imperial Beach and Chula Vista maintain an important regional partnership aimed at addressing ongoing cross-border pollution issues in the Tijuana River Valley, and seek to collaborate with federal legislative advocates to safeguard their communities and protect the environment; and
WHEREAS, the quality of life in Imperial Beach and Chula Vista and of the people residing, working, and recreating in and near the Tijuana River Valley is compromised by sewage-contaminated waters and beaches; and
WHEREAS, Imperial Beach depends on beach and ocean access as a main driver of its economy, and its residents and visitors rely on these coastal resources for recreation. However, the beachfront is regularly subject to regulatory advisories and closures caused by sewage and other waste discharges into the Tijuana River Valley and the Pacific Ocean; and
WHEREAS, Chula Vista likewise depends on its proximity to the coast to support its economic vitality. Chula Vista offers regional amenities, including hotels and parks, that benefit from clean and accessible beachfront areas that support tourism and local business activity. Improved beach access would positively impact Chula Vista’s economy and expand recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike; and
WHEREAS, the Parties require professional legislative advocacy services to engage at the Federal level on legislative priorities and policies that advance the ir shared interests; and
City of Chula Vista Agreement No.: 2026-140
WHEREAS, to procure these services, Chula Vista solicited proposals in accordance with Chula Vista Municipal Code Section 2.56.080, received five (5) proposals, and selected Thorn Run Partners LLC (TRP) as the most qualified among proposers to represent the City at the Federal level; and
WHEREAS, Thorn Run Partners LLC (TRP) warrants and represents that it possesses the experience and staff ing necessary to provide the services required by the Parties.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Objectives
The Parties maintain an important regional partnership aimed at addressing ongoing cross-border pollution in the Tijuana River Valley, and seek to collaborate with federal legislative advocates to safeguard their communities and protect the environment.
2. Effective Date
The term "Effective Date" as used in this MOU shall mean the date this MOU is fully executed by all Parties.
3. Payment
Imperial Beach shall make a payment to Chula Vista in the amount of $1,000 per month through Year 1 of the Agreement with TRP once it is effective, which will extend through June 30, 2027. If the Parties agree in writing to extend this partnership for legislative services with TRP, Imperial Beach shall continue to make monthly payments to Chula Vista for each exercised extension per the schedule below:
Agreement Term Payment Amount
Year 2 (July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028) $1,050
Year 3 (July 1, 2028 – June 30, 2029) $1,050
Year 4 (July 1, 2029 – June 30, 2030) $1,125
Year 5 (July 1, 2030 – June 30, 2031) $1,200
Chula Vista will issue a monthly invoice to Imperial Beach. Payment shall be remitted to the City of Chula Vista via check.
4. Termination
The Parties’ participation in this MOU is based on the existence of Chula Vista’s Agreement with TRP for legislative advocacy to advance the Parties’
City of Chula Vista Agreement No.: 2026-140
joint interests. If the TRP Agreement is terminated, or amended to remove “Required Services: Scope B,” which reflects legislative activities to promote the Parties’ shared interests, then this MOU shall be terminated upon either of those events.
5. Entire Agreement
This MOU constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the sharing of certain costs associated with advancing the Parties’ joint interests in legislative advocacy related to the TRP agreement ; all prior agreements, representations, statements, negotiations, and undertakings, if any, are superseded.
6. Amendment
This MOU may be amended only by unanimous consent of the Parties. No amendment shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by the duly authorized representatives of the Parties.
7. Governing Law
This MOU shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws o f the state of California. If any provision or provisions shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.
8. Use of Headings
The headings used throughout this MOU are for convenience only and do not in any way limit or amplify the terms or provisions of the MOU.
9. Execution of Agreement
This MOU may be executed in counterparts and the signed counterparts shall constitute a single instrument.
10. Notices and Correspondence
All notices and correspondence under this MOU shall be sent by U.S. mail or electronic mail as follows:
If to the Chula Vista:
Tiffany Allen
City Manager
City of Chula Vista
276 Fourth Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91910
City of Chula Vista Agreement No.: 2026-140
If to the City of Imperial Beach:
Tyler Foltz
City Manager
City of Imperial Beach
825 Imperial Beach Blvd.
Imperial Beach, CA 91977
11. Authority of Parties
The undersigned representatives of the Parties each certify that he/she is fully authorized to enter into this MOU on behalf of Imperial Beach and Chula Vista.
The City Manager, or designee, on behalf of Imperial Beach has the authority to agree to any extensions per section 3 above.
12. Severability
If any one or more of the provisions of this MOU shall for any reason be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, that invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision herein and this MOU shall be construed as if the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never be en included, provided, however, in no event shall any party be deprived of a material consideration by operation of this provision.
IN WITNESS HEREOF, the undersigned authorized representatives of the Parties have executed this MOU as of the date last set forth below.
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City of Chula Vista Agreement No.: 2026-140
CITY OF CHULA VISTA
Dated: ________________
By: ______________________________
Tiffany Allen
City Manager
CITY OF IMPERIAL BEACH
Dated: ______________
By: ______________________________
Tyler Foltz
City Manager
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY OF CHULA VISTA
Dated: ________________
By: ______________________________
Marco A. Verdugo
City Attorney
CITY OF IMPERIAL BEACH
Dated: ______________
By: ______________________________
Jennifer Lyon
Attorney for City of Imperial Beach