Item 7.5: Federal
Legislative
Advocacy Services
Prepared by
Adrianna Relph,
Special Projects & Legislative Manager
Prepared for
City Council
• The City Council reviews and approves a Legislative Platform that establishes guiding principles, priorities and position statements across several issue areas. • Current Legislative Program launched in August 2021 at the state level with the assistance of consultants at Nielsen Merksamer.
• City priorities are increasingly influenced by federal legislation, regulations, and funding opportunities.
• Expanding the Program to include dedicated federal representation will support a coordinated and proactive presence in Washington, D.C. to:
1. Advocate for local priorities,
2. Monitor and respond to federal policy developments, and
3. Pursue discretionary grants and other federal funding opportunities. 2 Legislative Program
The transboundary sewage
crisis affecting the Tijuana
River Valley is a regional
environmental and public
health issue that extends
beyond jurisdictional
boundaries.
3 • Decades of cross-border sewage, industrial waste, and trash have polluted the Tijuana River Valley and Pacific Ocean.
• The crisis has degraded air and water quality, resulting in significant public health impacts and prolonged beach closures. • In 2018, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, and the Port of San Diego sued the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), leading to a comprehensive settlement.
• Tonight's proposal would partner with Imperial Beach on federal advocacy to align priorities, strengthen coordination, and secure resources to accelerate long-term solutions.
Partnership with City of Imperial Beach
• Jointly undertake advocacy, including strategy
development and activities related to Tijuana River
Mitigation and Restoration, Trash Diversion,
Wastewater Reclamation Efforts, etc.
• Jointly attend meetings, organize advocacy
meetings or trips.
• Coordinate regular communications with cities on
legislative issues including to City Council.
• Imperial Beach will reimburse City for half of the
joint and shared advocacy services.
4 Memorandum of
Understanding
5 Thorn Run Partners LLC (TRP)
TRP will develop and implement a strategic advocacy program and related activities to represent City interests in Washington D.C. and with other jurisdictions, agencies or organizations as needed to meet the City’s legislative and policy goals.
City Representation
Advise, coordinate and execute the
City’s annual federal legislative
platform and program.
Advocacy
Represent the City in Washington, D.C.
and provide monthly reports outlining
progress toward the legislative
priorities and other emerging activities.
Imperial Beach Partnership
Shared advocacy as it relates to the
Tijuana River Valley public health and
water crisis.
6 MOU & TRP
Agreement Terms
• Initial agreement with TRP through June 30, 2027, for $89,167.
• Imperial Beach would reimburse City $10,000 ($1,000
monthly).
• TRP Agreement allows for up to four additional, (1) year extensions for a total not-to-exceed $539,140 through
June 30, 2031.
• Imperial Beach and City shall agree on term extensions for shared services.
• City and Imperial Beach to split cost of shared services. 8 1. Approving an agreement with Thorn Run
Partners, LCC for federal legislative advocacy
services for the City; and a Memorandum of
Understanding with the City of Imperial Beach
for shared legislative advocacy
2. Amending the fiscal year 2026-27 budget to
appropriate funds, accordingly (4/5 Vote
Required)
Recommended Action
City of Chula Vista