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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 CON CDC Cities of SD, C.V - MOU SD Regional Enterprise ZoneFIRST MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING RELATING TO THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL ENTERPRISE ZONE This first memorandum of understanding ["FIRST MOU"] is effective upon execution by all parties ["Effective Date"] and is entered into by and between the City of San Diego ["San Diego"], the City of Chula Vista ["Chula Vista"], and National City, [collectively "the Partners" or "the Partnership"]. The purpose of this FIRST MOU is to identify the Partnership and its intended goals, and to allocate financial responsibility for only those consulting services necessary for the submittal of the application ["Application") to the California Housing and Community Development Department ["HCD"] for designation of a San Diego Regional Enterprise Zone ["EZ"]. Upon notification by HCD that the EZ received conditional approval, the Partners will negotiate a second memorandum of understanding [SECOND MOU] setting forth each Partner's specific areas of responsibility and specific financial obligations from that point forward for the duration of the EZ. RECITALS WHEREAS, the Partners desire to encourage economic development and growth by supporting businesses and industries to expand or locate in the EZ, as well as to provide jobs, goods, and services to the inhabitants of the subject areas. WHEREAS, the Partners desire to have commercial and industrial areas of their respective jurisdictions designated as part of the EZ due to the potential for businesses within the EZ to be eligible -for state incentives and programs including: tax credits for sales and use taxes paid on qualified machinery purchases; tax credits for hiring difficult - to -hire residents; interest deductions for lenders on loans to firms within the areas; fifteen -year net operating loss carry -forward; accelerated expense deduction; and priority for various state programs, such as state contracts. WHEREAS, the Partners enter into this FIRST MOU to memorialize the commitments and responsibilities of each Partner only to the extent necessary for the submittal of the EZ Application to HCD, which includes: (1) designating San Diego as the lead agency in the administration of the EZ; (2) setting the EZ boundaries; (3) allocating financial responsibility limited to the consulting services necessary in this first stage; (4) setting forth the intention of the Partnership with respect to the administration of the EZ; (5) providing a general understanding of the overall level of responsibility for each Partner; and (6) providing a guideline that is consistent with the legislative intent and requirements of the Enterprise Tax Incentives Program of the HCD. WHEREAS, if the Partnership is awarded a conditional EZ designation by HCD, the Partners intend to negotiate a SECOND MOU to memorialize their specific individual commitments and responsibilities in accordance with the conditions imposed by HCD and any further specific obligations that become necessary at that time. 1 NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals and the mutual covenants and conditions set forth herein, and for good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Partners hereby set forth their mutual covenants and understandings and agree as follows: 1. Regional Enterprise Zone Collaboration. The Partners agree to work together in good faith to obtain a conditional designation from HCD for a multi jurisdiction or regional enterprise zone, which they acknowledge will require continued collaboration among the Partners. Each Partner agrees to take all action reasonably necessary to effectuate the timely submittal of the Application to HCD for said EZ. Each Partner shall deliver such further documents and take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to obtain a conditional designation from HCD for said EZ. 2. Compliance with Laws and Regulations. Each Partner expressly represents and warrants it has trained and experienced personnel capable, qualified, and authorized to undertake the activities described in the Application, and agrees to comply with all laws and regulations related to the Application preparation and submittal. 3. Partnership Responsibilities. The Partners agree the following are general actions agreed to be undertaken with regard to the implementation and administration of the EZ: (a) San Diego shall be lead agency in the administration of the EZ, and will coordinate all aspects of the EZ with regular input from the Partners. (b) San Diego will coordinate business attraction and local business outreach programs with all Partners to include objectives, deliverables, and expected outcomes with quarterly progress reports concerning EZ activities. (c) The Partnership will conduct economic development activities for the EZ in mutual cooperation and coordination with all Partners in order to encourage the development of new businesses, including attracting and assisting businesses with location decisions. (d) San Diego will coordinate and provide current reports relative to the progress of implementing the EZ, and will monitor various levels of benefits as generated by the businesses located in the EZ. (e) San Diego will act as the Vouchering Agency for the EZ and will provide direct staff assistance in the vouchering of all eligible new 2 hires as submitted by businesses located within the EZ, including full documentation for verification of eligibility. (f) San Diego will assist EZ businesses with screening, job placement, and hiring credit eligibility screening, so that individuals can be certified as "qualified employees" for vouchering purposes. (g) Within their respective jurisdictions, each Partner will provide timely staff support to serve existing and new businesses to the EZ. (h) Each Partner will assist in the Partnership's overall marketing strategy to attract and retain businesses and jobs in the EZ. (i) Within their respective jurisdictions, each Partner will market the benefits of the EZ to existing and prospective businesses in order to attract and retain investment, job creation, and businesses in the EZ. (j) Each Partner will provide current and relevant data as it relates to their respective jurisdictions of any changes in the following: its land use laws, regulations or policies; infrastructure upgrades and planning; zoning within the EZ; fee structure; and any other jurisdictional actions that would impact the ability to assist existing businesses or new businesses locating in the EZ. (k) Within their respective jurisdictions, each Partner will encourage its elected officials to engage in active support of business development and job creation within the EZ. (1) Within their respective jurisdictions, each Partner will facilitate access and provide assistance to EZ businesses with permit, infrastructure, expansion, and general business issues as they relate to the operation and benefits of the EZ. 4. Allocation of Costs and Fees. The Partners agree that costs and fees associated with the EZ Application preparation and submittal be allocated as follows: (a) Tassa Consulting Group, LLC [TASSA]. The Partners agree San Diego will contract with TASSA to provide consulting services to assist with the Application preparation and submittal. The Partners acknowledge the total cost of TASSA's services is estimated at $52,500 [Total Fee], plus travel expenses not to exceed $1,500. The Partners agree to allocate TASSA's costs and fees as set forth below. The Partners agree to provide their share 3 of this fee to San Diego within twenty (20) days of receipt of invoice(s) from San Diego. (i) San Diego's Share of TASSA Fee. San Diego shall be responsible for $25,000 of TASSA's Total Fee. San Diego agrees to provide its portion of this fee to TASSA as it becomes due. (ii) Chula Vista's Share of TASSA Fee. Chula Vista shall be responsible for $17,500 of TASSA's Total Fee. Chula Vista shall provide its share of this fee to San Diego within twenty (20) days of receipt of invoice(s) from San Diego. (iii) National City's Share of TASSA Fee. National City shall be responsible for $10,000 of TASSA's Total Fee. National City shall provide its share of this fee to San Diego within twenty (20) days of receipt of invoice(s) from San Diego. (iv) TASSA's Travel Expenses. TASSA's travel expenses, not to exceed $1,500, shall be split equally among the Partners, and each Partner is responsible for up to $500. Each Partner shall provide its share of these costs to San Diego within twenty (20) days of receipt of invoice(s) from San Diego. (b) Pacific Municipal Consulting [PACIFIC]. The Partners agree National City will contract with PACIFIC to provide environmental consulting services relating to the EZ as necessary for the submittal of the Application in compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act [CEQA], including preparing the Notice of Preparation, Initial Study, and any other environmental documents necessary for Application submittal in compliance with CEQA guidelines. The Partners acknowledge the cost of these services is currently estimated not to exceed $25,000. The Partner's agree National City shall be solely responsible and will pay for these services up to $25,000. National City shall provide documentation to the Partners reflecting actual payment(s) made for these services. (c) All Other Application Related Costs and Fees. The Partners agree that any costs and fees associated with the EZ Application preparation and submittal which are not expressly allocated above in paragraphs 2(a) and 2(b), shall be allocated among the Partners in accordance with the following ratio ["the Ratio"]: San Diego shall be responsible for 50%, National City shall be responsible for 25%, and Chula Vista shall be responsible for 25%. The Partners agree this is a fair allocation based on each Partner's projected administrative responsibilities and the size of each Partner's industrial and commercially zoned geographical area within the EZ. Each Partner shall be responsible for the timely payment of its share of said costs and fees; however, the Partners acknowledge such payment may be subject to approval by their respective City Councils. (d) Fees Unrelated to EZ Application Preparation and Submittal. It is expressly understood and agreed that any and all costs and fees not directly related to or necessary for the preparation and submittal of the EZ Application, including those associated with any further environmental obligations under CEQA which may consist of consultation, scoping, public involvement and response, public workshops, hearings, and preparation of the Environmental Impact Report, are not the subject of this FIRST MOU shall be negotiated and allocated in accordance with the Partners' agreement in the SECOND MOU upon notification by HCD of conditional EZ designation. The Partners acknowledge and agree that all costs to administer the EZ will ultimately have to be provided exclusively by the Partners; however, the allocation of those costs among the Partners will be negotiated in the SECOND MOU. 5. EZ Boundaries. The Partners agree the boundaries for the EZ are properly set forth in Exhibit "A" hereto and fully incorporated herein. 6. Term. This FIRST MOU shall remain in full force and effect from the Effective Date until notification by the HCD that the EZ has or has not been awarded conditional designation as set forth below. (a) Denial of EZ Application. In the event the HCD does not award conditional designation, this FIRST MOU shall immediately terminate upon such notification by HCD, and each Partner shall be exclusively responsible for its portion of any and all costs and fees allocated by it toward the EZ up to that point with no reimbursement from the other Partners. (b) Award of Conditional Designation. If the HCD awards conditional designation, and within sixty (60) days of said notification by HCD the Partners cannot agree on the terms of a SECOND MOU implementing the conditions imposed by HCD and specifically allocating all further responsibilities, commitments, and financial obligations, this FIRST MOU shall automatically terminate and each Partner shall be exclusively responsible for its 5 portion of any and all costs and fees allocated by it toward the EZ up to that point with no reimbursement from the other Partners. 7. Integration. This MOU fully expresses the final and complete understanding of the Partners concerning the matters covered therein. No change, alteration, or modification of the terms or conditions of this MOU, and no verbal understanding of the Partners, their officers, agents, or employees shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by the each Partners' duly authorized representatives. All prior negotiations and agreements are merged into this MOU. 8. Headings. Headings and captions in this MOU are solely for convenience of reference and shall not affect its interpretation. 9. No Single Drafting Party. All Partners were involved in drafting this MOU and all Partners were advised by their respective counsel. In the event any term or provision of this MOU is found vague or ambiguous by a court of law of competent jurisdiction, such term or provision shall not, under any rule of statutory interpretation, be construed against any Partner on grounds that such Partner was the drafting party. 6 IN. WITNESS WHEREOF, each Partner agrees to abide by the terms of this MOU and hereby executes the same by and through its duly authorized representative. THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO Date: Date: By William Anderson Director City Planning and Community Investment Approved as to form and legality: By Jana L. Garmo, Deputy City Attorney THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA Date: g Date: g Jam!_ ve By NATIONAL CITY Date: Date: C5 Jim Thomson, Interim City Manager Approved as to form: Ann Moore, City Attorney By hris apata, City Manager By Approved as to form and legality: George Eiser, City Attorney 7 C�—