TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Justin Clifton, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Kristen Crane, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT:
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Authorization of Funding for Higher Education Legislative Advocacy Trip to Washington, DC
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ABSTRACT
As part of her role as Chair of the Southwest Riverside Higher Education Coalition and the City Council Higher Education Subcommittee, Council Member DeForest is requesting use of funding for a higher education legislative advocacy trip to Washington, DC.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Authorize use of City Council Education & Training funds to cover the cost of a higher education legislative advocacy trip to Washington, DC.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
None.
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
This request aligns with the City Council's goal to aggressively pursue economic development.
DISCUSSION
At the April 7, 2026, City Council meeting, the City Council established a Higher Education Ad-Hoc Committee and appointed Council Member Lisa DeForest to the committee, with Council Member Cindy Warren as an alternate. In this capacity, Council Member DeForest leads the Southwest Riverside Higher Education Coalition, which includes dozens of stakeholders representing other cities, the County of Riverside, local State legislative representatives, water districts, health care providers, Chambers of Commerce, industry groups, K-12 public school districts, and more. Using a diverse array of voices, the Coalition’s role is to advocate for the expansion of higher education in Southwest Riverside County, both to benefit local students seeking to pursue advanced degrees and to support regional economic development.
Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) is planning an advocacy trip to Washington, DC, September 14-17, 2026, to advocate to Congressional representatives and federal agencies for funding toward the planned University Center at the MSJC Temecula Valley Campus. The vision for the University Center is to build out the already-constructed, vacant second tower of the former Abbott Laboratories at the MSJC Temecula Valley Campus to host a portfolio of higher education institutions that locally offer four-year degree programs in that space. Funds are needed to cover tenant improvement costs to move the project forward.
Council Member DeForest is requesting to use funds to cover the full trip cost (e.g., airfare, hotel, transportation and per diem). Sufficient funds are available in the City Council Training & Development budget to cover these costs. The total estimated cost for the trip is approximately $3,000.
PUBLIC NOTICING
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds are available in account 1101000-64360 to cover the costs associated with this trip.
ATTACHMENTS
None.