REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK THORPE, Director of Aviation
Airports Department
BY: JOSHUA CASTELLANO-GONZALEZ, Assistant Director of Finance and Administration
Airports Department
CRISTAL DE LA TORRE, Projects Administrator
Airports Department
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the Consultant Services Agreement with WJ Advisors, LLC, to provide financial consulting and capital finance planning services for Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000, effective through June 30, 2031
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of a Consultant Services Agreement with WJ Advisors, LLC, in the amount of $1,000,000, effective through June 30, 2031, to provide financial consulting and capital finance planning services for Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) and to authorize the Director of Aviation or designee to execute the agreement on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno Airports Department engages financial consulting services to ensure effective implementation of its airline rates and charges, administration of the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Program, tenant lease negotiations, and the financial structuring of capital projects. These specialized services help the Department maintain regulatory compliance, support strategic decision-making, and sustain long-term financial stability.
This action authorizes approval of an on-call Consultant Services Agreement with WJ Advisors, providing support for PFC applications, airline rates and charges, concession program RFP development-including advertising-and broader financial strategy and capital program planning.
Approval of this agreement, in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 through June 30, 2031, ensures the Airports Department maintains consistent, expert financial support aligned with its operational and strategic needs.
BACKGROUND
The City of Fresno Airports Department requires these services to continue our capital programs, airline rates and charges, and the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Program which all require specialized financial modeling, federal compliance expertise, and ongoing coordination with airlines, tenants, and the FAA. Airport finances must remain fully self-sustaining, defensible to stakeholders, and aligned with long-term infrastructure needs.
Because these needs arise intermittently throughout the year, and often with short timelines, an on-call agreement ensures the Department can obtain expert support quickly, consistently, and cost-effectively without issuing a new procurement for each task. This structure also provides continuity across multi-year capital programs and regulatory cycles, reducing risk and improving financial stability.
Through a competitive Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process, the Airports Department invited financial consulting firms to provide services supporting airport needs. The Department published a public notice in The Business Journal, posted the RFQ on the Airport’s website for qualified firms, and directly emailed the RFQ to all interested parties. Five professional consulting firms submitted responses, and their qualifications were evaluated in accordance with the RFQ requirements and FAA regulations. The Department has determined that all five firms will be utilized, with WJ Advisors selected as the first consultant agreement to be presented to Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a “project” for the purpose of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable
FISCAL IMPACT
This agreement will be paid through existing appropriations.
Attachment:
Consultant Services Agreement