Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-022 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE THAT WILL ENABLE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM UTILIZING THE UNIVERSITY CENTER CONCEPT ON THE UNIVERSITY AND INNOVATION DISTRICT PROPERTY
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
The City of Chula Vista has been planning for the development of a University and Innovation District (UID) since 1993. In December 2014, the City successfully completed the acquisition of 375 acres for the development of a UID that would accommodate up to 20,000 students and contain an innovation district capable of building four million square feet of commercial space for private industry partners. In 2016, the City Council supported a vision of creating a multi-institutional bi-national university campus. The vision included a campus that would have multiple institutions of higher education co-locating on the 375 acres sharing facilities and a pedagogy that takes advantage of the property’s unique location; attributes that support industry located in the Calibaja megaregion.
In June 2017, the Chula Vista City Council and the Board of Trustees of Southwestern Community College (SWCC) held a joint board meeting to discuss the future of higher education in the City of Chula Vista and how the two organizations might partner to expand higher education opportunities in the City and more specifically on the UID property. The meeting concluded with the formation of a joint subcommittee who would further explore and evaluate the development of a partnership between SWCC and the City to explore the potential for the development of a University Center on the UID property. On November 28, 2017, the joint subcommittee met and consensus was reached to pursue a formal partnership agreement. The proposed resolution is the first step towards the development of a formal agreement between SWCC and the City of Chula Vista.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
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.
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Environmental Determination
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity 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 because it involves only supporting the development of a partnership agreement with Southwestern Community College; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Although environmental review is not necessary at this time, once projects have been defined, environmental review will be required and a CEQA determination completed prior to commencing to start of any of the projects identified.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City of Chula Vista has been planning for the development of a University and Innovation District since 1993. In December 2014, the City successfully completed the acquisition of 375 acres for the development of a UID that would accommodate up to 20,000 students and contain an innovation district capable of building four million square feet of commercial space for private industry partners. In 2016, the City Council supported a vision of creating a multi-institutional bi-national university campus. The vision included a campus that would have multiple institutions of higher education co-locating on the 375 acres sharing facilities and a pedagogy that takes advantage of the property’s unique location, attributes that supports industries that are in the Cali Baja megaregion.
Prior to the City completing its acquisition of the UID property, the Southwestern Community College District supported the City’s vision of expanding higher education opportunities to San Diego County residents through its passage of Proposition R in 2008. The SWCC is located south of San Diego and is one of 72 community college districts in the California Community College system. It serves as the primary source of college education for approximately 400,000 residents of the South San Diego County area including the communities of Bonita, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City, Nestor, Otay Mesa, Palm City, San Ysidro, Sunnyside, and Coronado. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has continuously accredited Southwestern College. The college offers a comprehensive curriculum, preparing students for transfer to four-year colleges or universities as well as preparing students for jobs and career advancement. Of the more than 1,100 community colleges nationwide, Southwestern College consistently places in the top 100 in the number of associate degrees conferred.
Proposition R
Proposition R provided SWCC an opportunity to issue $389 million in general obligation bonds. Proceeds from the bonds are to be used for construction, reconstruction and/or rehabilitation of SWCC facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of SWCC facilities, acquisition, or lease of real property for SWCC facilities. A portion of the $389 million was identified for the development of additional SWCC facilities in Chula Vista. Approximately $41 million dollars were allocated to support the expansion of SWCC in the City of Chula Vista.
Partnership Agreement
In June 2017, the Chula Vista City Council and the Board of Trustees of SWCC held a joint board meeting to discuss the future of higher education in the City of Chula Vista and how the two organizations might partner to expand higher education opportunities in the City and more specifically on the UID property. The meeting concluded with the formation of a joint subcommittee (subcommittee). The subcommittee would meet and discuss what opportunity might exist to develop partnership between SWCC and the City on the development of a University Center on the UID property. On November 28, 2017, the joint subcommittee met and consensus was reached to pursue a formal partnership agreement that would, at a minimum, contain the following provisions:
1. Defined goals for utilization of the University Center building; and,
2. A defined process for updating the SWCC facilities master plan and education master plan; and
3. A process to identify the land and improvements necessary to develop the proposed University Center; and
4. An agreement to transfer a portion of the UID land to SWCC at no cost for the development of the University Center; and,
5. A defined process and timeline to engage the faculty at SWCC that will result in programs for the University Center; and
6. Outline a process to gather additional partner input that will support the development of educational programs that are specifically tailored to providing an educated workforce for industries located on both sides of the border otherwise known as the Cali Baja mega region.
Assuming the proposed resolution is approved by the City Council and Board of Trustees, staff will begin working on a more formalized agreement that would codify the provisions above and define a timeline and set of deliverables to move the partnership forward on the development of a University Center.
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 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)(11), for purposes of 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.
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. The proposed partnership with supports the Economic Vitality goal as it would expand educational opportunities in the City of Chula Vista and create jobs.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no current year fiscal impact as a result of this action.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no on-going fiscal impact as a result of this action.
ATTACHMENTS
None
Staff Contact: Eric Crockett, Director of Economic Development