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August 25, 2026
ITEM TITLE
Federal Advocacy Services: Approve an Agreement with Thorn Run Partners, LLC for Federal Legislative Services, a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Imperial Beach for Shared Legislative Advocacy, and Appropriate Funds
Report Number: 26-0279
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: City Manager
G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: No
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.
Recommended Action
Adopt the following resolutions:
A. Approving: 1) an agreement with Thorn Run Partners, LCC for federal legislative advocacy services for the City ; and 2) a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Imperial Beach for shared legislative advocacy
B. Amending the fiscal year 2026-27 budget to appropriate funds, accordingly (4/5 Vote Required)
SUMMARY
The City of Chula Vista coordinates and implements its Legislative Program with the assistance of a professional legislative advocacy firm to engage a t the state level on legislative priorities and policies that advance City interests. The City Manager implements the program that is reviewed and approved by City Council.
To expand these efforts to federal advocacy, the City issued a Request for Proposals for state and federal legislative advocacy services and received five (5) proposals. Following review by a selection committee and interviews with respondents, staff recom mends selection of Thorn Run Partners LLC for federal advocacy services. Services will also include a separate task order as it relates to the Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis P a g e | 2
in partnership with the City of Imperial Beach , therefore this item also appro ves a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Imperial Beach to share cost and coordination of those services.
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.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
The City of Chula Vista coordinates and implements its Legislative Program with the assistance of a professional advocacy firm to engage at the state level on legislative priorities and policies that advance City interests. The City Manager implements the program and the Legislative Platform that is reviewed and approved by City Council.
On June 16, 2026, the City Council approved an agreement to continue services with Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni, LLP (“Nielsen Merksamer”) to represent the City in Sacramento.
As the City continues to advance major infrastructure, housing, transportation, economic development, environmental resilience, and public safety initiatives, many of its priorities are increasin gly influenced by federal legislation, regulations, and funding opportunities. Expanding the Legislative Program to include dedicated federal representation will provide the City with a coordinated and proactive presence in Washington, D.C., enabling it to advocate for local priorities, monitor and respond to federal policy developments, and pursue discretionary grants and other federal funding opportunities.
A coordinated state and federal advocacy strategy will better position the City to leverage external resources, protect municipal interests, and advance projects and initiatives that benefit the Chula Vista community.
Partnership and Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Imperial Beach on the Tijuana River Valley Sewage Crisis
The transboundary sewage crisis affecting the Tijuana River Valley is a regional environmental and public health issue that extends beyond jurisdictional boundaries and requires a coordinated, multi -jurisdictional response. While the impacts have been most evident in the City of Imperial Beach, the ongoing discharge of untreated wastewater, sediment, and pollutants into the Tijuana River and coastal waters also affects the City of Chula Vista through degraded water quality, air quality concerns, environmental impacts, economi c losses, and adverse effects on recreation, tourism, and quality of life.
Partnering with the City of Imperial Beach on federal legislative advocacy efforts will strengthen the collective voice of South Bay communities and increase the region's ability to secure federal attention, policy action, and funding to address the crisis. A collaborative approach demonstrates regional consensus, aligns advocacy priorities, and allows participating agencies to present unified requests for infrastructure P a g e | 3
investments, environmental remediation, public health protections, and long -term solutions to prevent future sewage discharges.
By leveraging shared resources and coordinated advocacy, the partnership will enhance the effectiveness of engagement with Congress, federal agencies, and the Administration while maximizing opportunities to obtain funding for projects that benefit the entire South Bay region. The partnership also recognizes that the environmental, economic, and public health impacts of the Tijuana River Valle y sewage crisis are interconnected, making regional collaboration the most effective strategy for achieving meaningful and lasting federal action.
This partnership is further memorialized in the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) where the City of Imperial Beach and Chula Vista agree to evenly split costs associated with the joint and shared advocacy services.
Bidding Process
On February 20, 2026, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) No. P21 -2026 for state and federal legislative advocacy services. The City received five (5) bids on March 27, 2026. Of those submitting, five (5) were for federal advocacy services.
Ranking Bidder Annual Total
1 Thorn Run Partners LLC (TRP) $ 104,000
2 Carpi Clay $ 102,000
3 Nielsen Merksamer- Paragon $ 102,000
4 Cris Com $ 69,000
5 Acorn $ 156,000
A selection committee composed of representatives from the City Manager’s Office, Economic Development, Housing and Homeless Services and the City of Imperial Beach evaluated each proposal based on the criteria outlined in the RFP. The City of Imperial Bea ch participated in the capacity of evaluating federal advocacy services.
Following a comprehensive evaluation process, the selection committee recommends awarding a contract to provide federal legislative advocacy services to Thorn Run Partners LLC (TRP).
This item approves an initial 10-month agreement with TRP for $89,167 and authorizes four (4) additional one-year extension options for a total not-to-exceed of $539,140, if all options are exercised.
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 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
The current-year fiscal impact is $ 89,167 and funding of $ 79,167 is available based on current year expenditure budget appropriations . Of this amount, the City of Imperial Beach will reimburse the City $10,000 for joint advocacy related to the Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis.
Approval of this item amends the fiscal year 2026 -27 budget as reflected in the table below for the reimbursement from the City of Imperial Beach:
GENERAL FUND
Department Supplies &
Services Revenue Net Impact
Administration $ 10,000 $ (10,000) $ - TOTAL EST. GENERAL FUND COST $ 10,000 $ (10,000) $ -
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
The ongoing fiscal impact for the General Fund upon approval of this agreement is detailed below.
All costs associated with this agreement will be incorporated into future budget development processes.
FY 2026-27 FY 2027-28 FY 2028-29 FY 2029-30 FY 2030-31 Total
Not-to
Exceed
City of Chula
Vista $ 69,167* $ 83,575 $ 83,652 $ 86,732 $ 89,814 $ 412,940 City of Chula
Vista & City of
Imperial Beach
$ 20,000 $ 25,200 $ 25,200 $ 27,000 $ 28,800 $ 126,200 City of Imperial
Beach
Reimbursement
($10,000) ($12,600) ($12,600) ($13,500) ($14,400) ($63,100) Total $ 79,167 $ 96,175 $ 96,252 $ 100,232 $ 104,214 $ 476,040 * An additional $2,500 has been allocated to the bid amount for pre-approved, reimbursable travel expenses.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Thorn Run Partners Agreement
2. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with City of Imperial Beach Staff Contact: Tiffany Allen, City Manager
Adrianna Relph, Special Projects and Legislative Manager