Municipal Advisory Services

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Municipal Advisory Services
City of Seaside
RFP ISSUED DATE July 6, 2026
Title: Finance Director
Contact: Jessica Riley
Email: jriley@ci.seaside.ca.us
Phone Number: 831-899-6716
PROPOSAL DEADLINE
Date: Friday, July 31 2026, 5:00PM
Mail Address and Proposal Opening Location:
Finance Director
City of Seaside
440 Harcourt Avenue
Seaside, CA 93955
Sealed written responses must be received by the Finance Director no later than the date, time, and
location indicated above for the Bid Opening. Late submission of responses shall not be considered.
Submittal of response by email or fax are not acceptable.
RFP CONTENTS
Section I - Invitation
Section II - Background of the City
Section III - Scope of Services
Section IV - Proposal Requirements
Section V - Evaluation Criteria & Selection Process
Section VI - Terms of Agreement
Section VII - Other Proposal Information
Exhibit A - Consultant Agreement Sample
Note: This bid does not constitute an order for the goods or services specified.
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City of Seaside
RFP Municipal Advisory Services

I. INVITATION
The City of Seaside (the "City") is seeking proposals ("Proposals") from qualified firms
("Firms") to provide objective, independent municipal advisory services to the City.
Qualified firms will be registered as municipal advisors with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB).
Through this RFP, the City is seeking a municipal advisory partner that can assist with both
transaction-specific financings and broader fiscal strategy, including revenue stabilization,
capital financing, debt affordability, development-related infrastructure funding, and
communication with policymakers and the public.
Sealed proposals, including one (1) original bound Proposal and a portable
document format (PDF) file of the Proposal saved on a USB flash drive, must be
received by the Director of Finance not later than 5:00 pm on July 31, 2026, unless this
time is extended by written addendum issued by the City before that date. Late
proposals will not be accepted, and postmarks will not be accepted as the submitted date.
Proposals should be addressed as follows:
Finance Director
City of Seaside
440 Harcourt Avenue
Seaside, CA 93955
Submitted envelopes should be marked "Request for Proposal for Municipal Advisory
Services -" (Firm Name).
II. BACKGROUND OF THE CITY
Seaside is a city in Monterey County, California, United States, with a population of
33,537 according to 2020 California Department of Finance data. The City of Seaside
is a general-law City incorporated on October 13, 1954. Seaside is located on
Monterey Bay at an elevation of 33 feet. The elevation in Seaside increases to the
east, affording views of the Monterey Bay from multiple areas within the City. Seaside
is known for its views of the bay from streets, private property and the golf courses.
The City operates under the council/manager form of government. Members of the
Seaside City Council are elected by the voters every two years in a general election
in November of even-numbered years. The Mayor serves 4-year terms and the four
members of the City Council have rotating 4-year terms; every two years, two
members of the City Council are also selected by the voters through a general
election. Seaside elected officials do not have term limits. The Council sets policy
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City of Seaside
RFP Municipal Advisory Services

and exercises the legislative authority of the City. The Council holds meetings on the
first and third Thursdays of each month and at such other times as necessary.
A. Financial Condition & Outlook
The City of Seaside manages a diverse portfolio of governmental and enterprise
funds supporting municipal operations, capital improvements, and community
investment. The City has historically maintained balanced budgets and prudent
reserve practices; however, its FY 2026-27 budget recognizes emerging fiscal
pressures from moderating revenue growth, rising personnel, pension, and benefit
costs, and an identified structural imbalance between recurring revenues and
expenditures. In response, the City is implementing a long-term fiscal stabilization
strategy focused on expenditure management, reserve preservation, revenue
diversification, economic development, and clear prioritization of capital
investment. These conditions create the need for municipal advisory services that
support strategic financial planning, debt capacity analysis, capital financing
revenue measure evaluation, and long-term fiscal resilience.
B. Capital & Financing Plan
The City prepares a five-year capital plan identifying capital improvement projects.
The current primary focus is on maintaining and enhancing City's infrastructure,
including streets, parks, municipal facilities, the Fire Station No. 2 project, and
infrastructure associated with former Fort Ord lands, Campus Town/Main Gate,
and other economic development initiatives.
III. SCOPE OF SERVICES
A. General Municipal Advisory Services
The Municipal Advisor ("Advisor") will provide independent, objective financial
advisory services to the City of Seaside ("City") on an as-needed basis, with
primary emphasis on revenue strategy, long-term fiscal sustainability, debt
capacity, credit strategy, and implementation of the City's capital priorities. This
includes, but is not limited to, major capital projects such as the City's Fire Station
No. 2 project, the Campus Town development on former Fort Ord lands, and other
significant capital improvement program (CIP) needs, as well as debt
management, development-related financing mechanisms, and broader financial
advisory support.
B. Revenue Strategy, Fiscal Capacity, and Long-Term Planning
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City of Seaside
RFP Municipal Advisory Services

The Advisor will support the City in strengthening its financial capacity through
comprehensive revenue and fiscal strategy services, including:
Evaluating the City's existing revenue structure, including taxes, fees, charges
for services, and other ongoing revenues
Identifying and analyzing revenue enhancement opportunities, including taxes,
assessments, special taxes, fees, and other voter-approved or policy-driven
revenue tools
Supporting the City in the feasibility, structuring, timing, and fiscal impact
analysis of potential revenue measures, including ballot initiatives
Developing financial models and multi-year scenarios to assess revenue
stability, volatility, and long-term fiscal sustainability
Integrating revenue strategies into long-range financial planning, including
identification of structural imbalances and corrective options
Monitoring and interpreting state and federal legislative changes affecting local
revenue authority and funding opportunities
Identifying alternative funding sources, including grants, intergovernmental
programs, and public-private partnerships
Supporting clear financial communication and presentation of revenue
strategies for policymakers and stakeholders
Preparing a Revenue Options Matrix that compares available revenue tools,
estimated revenue potential, legal and policy considerations, implementation
timeline, voter approval requirements, equity considerations, administrative
complexity, and practical feasibility.
Evaluating cost recovery, development-related revenues, and other recurring
revenue strategies aligned with the City's fiscal stabilization objectives.
C. Debt Management and Financing Services
The Advisor will assist the City with the planning, structuring, issuance, and
ongoing management of debt and capital financing, including:
Reviewing and analyzing capital financing proposals and refunding
opportunities
Advising on debt structure, financing options, and method of sale
Conducting market analysis to determine optimal financing approaches
Assisting with RFP development for financing professionals (underwriters,
disclosure counsel, etc.)
Supporting preparation of offering documents and coordinating rating agency
and credit review processes
Assisting with bond sale execution (competitive or negotiated)
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RFP Municipal Advisory Services

Providing post-issuance support, including proceeds management and related
advisory services
Developing and maintaining a debt capacity and affordability analyses that
evaluate existing obligations, available revenue streams, reserve policies,
General Fund impacts, enterprise fund capacity, and potential future debt
issuance scenarios.
Providing credit strategy support, including rating agency preparation, credit
profile analysis, reserve policy review, debt policy review, and communication
of the City's fiscal stabilization efforts.
Evaluating pension/OPEB, lease obligations, and other long-term liabilities as
part of affordability and credit analysis.
D. Financial Agreements and Alternative Funding
The Advisor may assist the City in evaluating and negotiating financial
arrangements and alternative funding mechanisms, including:
Review and negotiation support for agreements with financial institutions,
vendors, and service providers
Analysis of alternative financing structures such as leases, public-private
partnerships, and structured funding arrangements
Assessment of fiscal risk, affordability, and long-term obligation impacts of
contractual commitments
Advising on development-related financing tools, including community facilities
districts, assessment districts, enhanced infrastructure financing districts, tax-
increment related strategies, reimbursement agreements, impact fee
structures, and other mechanisms that may support infrastructure delivery.
Supporting evaluation of public-private partnerships and developer-funded
infrastructure obligations associated with major development and
redevelopment opportunities.
E. Benefits and Healthcare Financial Analysis (As-Needed)
The Advisor may be requested to provide financial modeling support related to
employee benefits and healthcare options. The Advisor is not expected to serve as
a benefits broker, actuarial consultant, or labor negotiator unless separately
qualified and authorized by the City. Services may include:
Analysis of current medical insurance costs and long-term trends
Evaluation of alternative healthcare structures, including participation in pooled
systems such as CalPERS health insurance
Comparative cost, coverage, and budget impact modeling to support decision-
making
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City of Seaside
RFP Municipal Advisory Services

Coordination with the City's benefits, labor, legal, and actuarial advisors as
needed.
F. Continuing Disclosure and Compliance
The Advisor will support ongoing disclosure and regulatory compliance
requirements, including:
Preparation and submission of annual continuing disclosure reports in
accordance with bond covenants and SEC requirements
Filing disclosures through the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board's EMMA
system
Advising on evolving disclosure requirements and best practices
G. General Financial Advisory Support
The Advisor will provide additional financial advisory services as needed,
including:
Analysis of financial models, forecasts, and policy proposals
Participation in meetings with City staff and elected officials
Preparation of reports, presentations, and recommendations to support
decision-making
Responsive advisory support on emerging fiscal issues
Preparation of Council-facing and public-facing materials that explain complex
financial options in plain language.
Facilitation of policy-level discussions regarding fiscal stabilization, capital
prioritization, revenue strategy, and financing tradeoffs.
H. Assignment of Work
The Director of Finance will assign the work to be performed by the Firm. The Firm
will be expected to coordinate the performance of services for the City.
I. Term of Engagement
The City anticipates executing an agreement for the period from September 3,
2026 through June 30, 2028 with an option to renew the agreements for two (2)
additional one-year terms. The agreements shall continue until the end of the term,
unless the Firm is notified, in writing by the Director of Finance sixty (60) days prior,
of the City's intention to terminate the agreement. Termination of the agreement
by the City can occur at any time during the agreement period at the City's
discretion.
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City of Seaside
RFP Municipal Advisory Services

IV. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
The purpose of the Proposal is to demonstrate the qualifications, competence, and
capacity of the Firm to provide the services described in, and in conformity with the
requirements of, this request for proposals ("RFP"). The Proposal should demonstrate
the qualifications of the Firm and of the particular staff to be assigned to perform the
work.
The Firm's Proposal shall be clear, accurate, and comprehensive. Excessive or
irrelevant materials will not be favorably received. The Proposal shall be signed by an
individual or individuals authorized to execute legal documents on behalf of the Firm.
The Firm shall submit one (1) original bound Proposal and a portable document format
(PDF) file of the Proposal saved on a USB flash drive. The Proposal shall be organized
and numbered, and the bound Proposal tabbed, in the order presented below:
1. Cover Page. The cover page should reflect the Firm's name, the date, and the
subject: "REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR MUNICIPAL ADVISORY
SERVICES - " (FIRM NAME).
2. Transmittal Letter with Executive Summary. A letter of transmittal summarizing
the key points of the Firm's Proposal in a clear and concise manner shall be
signed by an individual in the Firm authorized to negotiate terms, render binding
decisions, and commit the Firm's resources. The letter shall state the Firm has
read and will comply with all terms and conditions of the RFP and summarize
the Firm's understanding of the work to be done and ability to perform it. Please
limit to one or two pages.
3. Identification of Firm. The Proposal must reflect the Firm's full legal name, state
of incorporation, location of office(s), and background and other general
information, including the size of the organization, years in business, and an
organizational chart. The Proposal also must include the name, address, phone
number, fax number, and e-mail of the Firm's contact person.
4. Personnel. Names, qualifications, proposed roles, office location(s), and
availability of the principal personnel who would be assigned to perform the
services described in the RFP must be provided. The primary person(s) who
would be responsible for managing the relationship with the City.
Services to be provided in this engagement shall not be performed by or
delegated to any person or entity other than as specified in the Proposal without
written authorization from the Director of Finance. Such a change may be
considered a significant deviation from the Proposal and may be cause for the
City to terminate the agreement with the Firm.
5. Proposer Qualifications & References. The Firm shall state its qualifications,
including providing a list of contracts with a scope similar to that of this RFP in
which the Firm has engaged and a description of its proposed personnel's
relevant experience over the past three (3) years. Discussion of the Firm's
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City of Seaside
RFP Municipal Advisory Services

familiarity with the Government Finance Officers Association's (GFOA's) "Best
Practices" relating to the selling of bonds and the selection of finance
professionals also should be included. The Firm shall provide at least two
sanitized examples of relevant work products, such as a debt capacity model,
revenue measure feasibility analysis, CIP funding strategy, rating agency
presentation, continuing disclosure report, or long-range financial forecast. Also
provide the names and contact information for individuals from a minimum of
three (3) municipal entities for which the Firm has provided services, as relevant
to this RFP, who would be willing to serve as references for the Firm and the
individuals who would provide services to the City. The City reserves the right
to contact any organizations or individuals listed.
6. Conflict of Interest Disclosure. The Firm must disclose any finder's fees, fee
splitting, payments to consultants, or other contractual arrangements of the
Firm which constitute a real or perceived conflict of interest. The Firm's
affiliation or relationship with any broker-dealer and whether any personnel of
the Firm who would provide advice to the City were associated with a broker-
dealer firm within the two (2) years preceding the RFP also must be disclosed.
The Firm shall disclose whether it, any affiliate, or any proposed team member
has provided underwriting, placement agent, broker-dealer, investment
banking, developer advisory, or other financial services to the City, City-related
entities, developers, or financing counterparties within the past three (3) years.
The Firm shall also disclose whether it anticipates seeking any role other than
municipal advisor in connection with any City financing.
7. Investigation & Disciplinary Action Disclosure. The Firm must disclose any
pending investigation of the Firm or enforcement or disciplinary actions taken
within the past three years by the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC),
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Municipal Securities
Rulemaking Board (MSRB), or other regulatory bodies.
8. Fee Proposal. The "Fee Proposal" shall include the basis/bases of
compensation for services rendered. If hourly, provide a schedule of rates for
the personnel proposed to be involved in the engagement. If fixed, indicate the
amount for the service. If transaction based, indicate the rate structure. If other
types of compensation are proposed, provide enough information to enable
evaluation of the cost for the specified services. Specify what costs, if any, are
to be reimbursed.
V. EVALUATION CRITERIA & SELECTION PROCESS
A. Evaluation Criteria
Firms will be evaluated on a combination of responsiveness, organization, clarity
and demonstrated understanding of the scope of work. The City anticpates using
the following criteria:
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City of Seaside
RFP Municipal Advisory Services

Municipal advisory experience with California cities and comparable
revenue strategy, capital financing, development finance, disclosure, and
compliance engagements;
Qualifications, availability, and continuity of the proposed assigned
personnel;
Understanding of Seaside's fiscal condition, revenue challenges, capital
needs, and proposed approach;
Quality, clarity, and practicality of the proposed work plan, deliverables, and
communication approach;
Fee proposal and overall value; and,
References and interview performance.
B. Selection Process
At the conclusion of the proposal solicitation period, staff will evaluate the
responses received and select not more than three (3) firms' proposals for further
review and consideration. Interviews and/or presentations may be scheduled with
firms selected to advance in the selection process. Based upon the outcome(s) of
the evaluation(s) of proposals and/or interviews/presentations, a recommendation
will be submitted to the City Manager for consideration of award.
Depending upon the agreed-upon terms, the agreement between the City and the
selected firm may require approval by the City Council.
C. Tentative Schedule
Issue Date July 6, 2026
Deadline for return of proposals July 31, 2026
Staff review Week of August 7, 2026
Interviews/Presentations (tentative) Week of August 10, 2026
Recommendations submitted to City Council (if necessary) September 3,
2026
VI. TERMS OF AGREEMENT
A. Contract for Professional Services
The firm selected shall be required to enter into the City's Standard Professional
Services Agreement (Exhibit "A," attached), in substantially similar form, and to
provide all other required certifications and documentation within fifteen (15)
calendar days of notification of selection. Any City agreement resulting from this
RFP shall not be effective, unless and until approved by the City, which may require
the City Council approval.
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City of Seaside
RFP Municipal Advisory Services

B. Insurance Requirements
The firm selected shall maintain insurance in full force and effect during the entire
period of performance under the agreements. Failure to do so shall be cause for
termination of the agreements.
All policies must have a thirty (30) day non-cancellation clause giving the City thirty
(30) days prior written notice in the event a policy is cancelled.
At the end of each agreement year, the City reserves the right to review insurance
requirements and to require more or less coverage, depending on the assessment
of risk, the firm's past experience, and the availability and affordability of increased
liability insurance coverage.
Any aggregate insurance limits must apply solely to this agreement. If required
insurance coverage is provided on a "claims made" rather than "occurrence" form,
the firm shall maintain such insurance coverage for three (3) years after the
expiration of the term (and any extensions) of the agreement.
C. Compensation
The respondent agrees, if selected, that compensation shall remain firm and fixed
throughout the original term (and any extensions) of the contract.
D. Independent Contractor Status
The respondent agrees, if selected, that the respondent shall perform the services
as an independent contractor and not as employee(s) of the City. The City shall
not be considered the employer of the respondent. The respondent understands,
if selected, that the respondent shall have the sole responsibility for deciding the
manner and means of providing the services, except as outlined in the final
contract and its attachments or exhibits.
E. Indemnification
The respondent agrees, if selected, to indemnify and hold harmless the City and
all its respective officers and employees from any and all liability, claims, costs,
including reasonable attorney's fees, demands, damages, expenses, and causes
of action as outlined in the contract.
F. Other Considerations
The respondent understands that the information provided herein is intended
solely to assist the respondent in submittal preparation. To the best of the City's
knowledge, the information provided is accurate. However, the City does not
warrant such accuracy, and any errors or omissions subsequently determined will
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City of Seaside
RFP Municipal Advisory Services