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CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING THE PROPOSED CONTRACTS FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES RELATED TO CONTINUED PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AND INNOVATION DISTRICT
A. RESOLUTION NO. 2015-080 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA WAIVING THE FORMAL SELECTION PROCESS, APPROVING A TWO-PARTY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AND U3 ADVISORS FOR CONSULTING SERVICES RELATED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHULA VISTA UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP AND ASSISTANCE IN THE UNIVERSITY RECRUITMENT PROCESS, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE SAID AGREEMENT
B. RESOLUTION NO. 2015-081 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA WAIVING THE FORMAL SELECTION PROCESS, APPROVING A TWO-PARTY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AND AYERS SAINT GROSS FOR CONSULTING SERVICES RELATED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SECTIONAL PLANNING AREA PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT OF VISION DOCUMENTS FOR THE UNIVERSITY AND INNOVATION DISTRICT, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE SAID AGREEMENT
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolutions.
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SUMMARY
In December 2014 the City completed its acquisition of approximately 375 acres of land for the University and Innovation District (UID). City staff is currently working on several activities that are foundational to the planning and development of the UID, including a Sectional Planning Area (SPA) Plan and an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). This item requests City Council approval of a two-party contract between the City and U3 Advisors to provide consulting services for the establishment of the Chula Vista University Partnership, a non-profit entity facilitating the development of the UID, and assistance in the University recruitment process. Additionally, this item also requests City Council approval of a two-party agreement between the City and Ayers Saint Gross (ASG) to assist in the preparation of the UIP SPA Plan and the development of vision documents to aid in recruitment efforts.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed contract approvals for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review of contract approval is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
N/A
DISCUSSION
Background
Chula Vista University Partnership Establishment and Recruitment Process (U3 Advisors)
While the City holds the land for the UID, establishment of a body to oversee recruitment and development of the UID has become timely. U3 Advisors will assist the City in establishing the Chula Vista University Partnership (CVUP), a new non-profit entity that will be responsible for:
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Facilitating the development of the University Campus and ensuring implementation of the University Development Goals; |
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Preparing a comprehensive plan for founding or attracting institutions of higher education; |
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Seeking and attracting potential projects for the University Campus; |
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Recommending revisions to the University Recruitment Guiding Principles and the University Development Goals; |
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Evaluating proposed projects to determine whether such project meet the University Development Goals; and |
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Seeking philanthropic capital to help fund university development. |
In addition to the establishment of CVUP, U3 Advisors will prepare a 3-year budget for CVUP, participate in the ongoing planning and review of the draft SPA Plan, provide pre-recruitment research and support, research and explore UID funding opportunities and work with the City to develop the CVUP board.
Assistance with Section Planning Area Plan and Vision Documents (ASG)
In 2014, the City initiated work on the UID SPA Plan by entering into a contract with William Hezmalhalch Architects (WHA) to prepare the SPA Plan. While WHA has served as the primary author and completed a first draft document, it became clear that additional consulting services were necessary to supplement their work. Additional work with regards to programming assumptions, regulating plans that detail street hierarchies and frameworks for a variety of types of universities (i.e. single entity, multi-institutional, mixed-use district, etc.) and exploration of additional residential opportunities for the UID is necessary. In conjunction with the SPA work that is ongoing, City staff also wanted to have vision documents created that would position the City’s UID as a new unique opportunity for prospective academic and industry partners. These documents would all combine to tell “the story” of the UID and would include 2D and 3D diagrams, illustrative drawings and graphics for use in brochures and on the internet. These documents would supplement the recruitment work being proposed for U3 Advisors.
Waiver of Consultant Services Selection Process
With acquisition of land for the UID being recently completed, completion of work on the SPA Plan, the establishment of CVUP and beginning the recruitment process is timely. However, the City does not employ staff with all of the level of expertise to complete these documents and processes. As such, staff is proposing that the City enter into agreements with consultants to complete these work efforts. While considering consultants who might be most qualified to serve in this capacity, City staff has come to the conclusion that U3 Advisors and Ayers Saint Gross are uniquely qualified to fill these roles due to the following facts:
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• U3 Advisors is an established university recruitment firm with a national reputation for matching potential higher education providers with higher education destinations and locations, especially with regards to universities partnered with innovation districts. |
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U3 has participated in the Master Development Agreement negotiations and the SPA Planning efforts for the adjacent Village 9 which has given them unique in-depth knowledge of the UID and surrounding projects. |
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ASG are recognized experts in the highly specialized and technical field of university design and development with university projects worldwide. |
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ASG has been working on the UID project since 2012 and as such has acquired in-depth knowledge of the UID and surrounding projects through past work on the site. |
U3 and ASGs comprehensive familiarity with the UID project, coupled with their knowledge of the surrounding developments, makes them uniquely qualified to serve as the consultants for these projects. Pursuant to Chula Vista Municipal Code Section 2.56.070, staff is recommending that the Council waive the formal bidding process and hire U3 and ASG as a sole source.
Scope of Work
Chula Vista University Partnership Establishment and Recruitment Process (U3 Advisors)
U3 will provide guidance and direction in the recruitment process and establishment of the CVUP through the proposed two-party agreement. The responsibilities of U3 Advisors include the following:
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• Hire a full-time Project Manager for the development of the CVUP. |
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Develop a 3-year budget for the CVUP. |
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Develop the Recruitment Strategies for the UID for City Council approval. |
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Provide a Pre-Recruitment Research Report including a Short-List of University “Targets.” |
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Develop Marketing Package for Institutional Visits and Provide Institutional Exploration Report with Recommendations. |
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Develop Funding Opportunity Report and Funder Exploration Final Report and Recommendations. |
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Provide CVUP Board Exploration and Candidate Recommendations Report. |
Assistance with Section Planning Area Plan and Vision Documents (ASG)
ASG will function as a Consultant to the City of Chula Vista under the proposed two-party agreement. The responsibilities of the Consultant will include the following:
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• Lead and provide materials for up to 5 workshops with the City and its stakeholders to provide solutions to key issues. |
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Prepare a refined program analysis. |
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Review and comment on up to three draft SPA Plans. |
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Create a refined set of regulating plans that define key building relationships, build-to lines, building heights, etc. |
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Quantify and characterize the amount of residential development in the UID. |
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Create 2D and 3D analytical info-graphic diagrams and design guideline graphics for the UID SPA. |
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Create illustrative drawings and diagrams depicting various aspects of Phase 1 and buildout of the UID. |
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Collaborate with the City and its stakeholders to identify goals and create a marketing narrative outlining the UID vision and demonstrating that the site is a great location for a next-generation university. |
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Create graphics collateral (brochures, web content, etc.). |
Contract Costs and Payment
Chula Vista University Partnership Establishment and Recruitment Process (U3 Advisors)
The total cost of the contract for consulting services with U3 Advisors is $488,000.
Assistance with Section Planning Area Plan and Vision Documents (ASG)
The total cost of the contract for consulting services with ASG is $225,900, with an additional 25% contingency ($56,475) for additional services to cover unforeseen issues that may arise during the preparation of the SPA Plan, and if determined to be necessary solely by the Development Services Director. The contract also includes up to $17,000 in reimbursable costs for travel and printing if necessary, for a total compensation maximum of $299,375.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council members and has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property, which is subject to this action. Staff is not independently aware, nor has staff 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.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. Planning and implementation of the UID is a key initiative under the City’s goals for Economic Vitality.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of these agreements will not result in current year fiscal impacts to the General Fund. The consultants will be compensated from an established deposit account containing funds from Otay Land Company’s Land Offer Agreement.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of these agreements will not result in on-going fiscal impacts to the General Fund. The consultants will be compensated from an established deposit account containing funds from the Otay Land Company’s Land Offer Agreement.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Two-Party Agreement between the City of Chula Vista and U3 Advisors
2. Two-Party Agreement between the City of Chula Vista and Ayers Saint Gross