RDA Special Meeting

MINUTES OF RDA SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING – JULY 17, 2018 -1- THE WEST VALLEY CITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MET IN SPECIAL REGULAR SESSION ON TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2018, AT 7:27 P.M. IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, WEST VALLEY CITY HALL, 3600 CONSTITUTION BOULEVARD, WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH. THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY VICE-CHAIRMAN FITISEMANU. THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT: Jake Fitisemanu, Vice Chair Ron Bigelow Tom Huynh Steve Buhler Don Christensen ABSENT: Lars Nordfelt, Chair Karen Lang STAFF PRESENT: Wayne Pyle, Chief Executive Officer Nichole Camac, Secretary Paul Isaac, Assistant City Manager/HR Director Nicole Cottle, Assistant City Manager/General Counsel/ CED Director Eric Bunderson, City Attorney Russ Willardson, Public Works Director Layne Morris, CPD Director Nancy Day, Parks and Recreation Director Colleen Nolan, Police Chief John Evans, Fire Chief Jim Welch, Finance Director Jake Arslanian, Public Works Department RESOLUTION 18-04: AUTHORIZE THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF WEST VALLEY CITY TO RENEW AN AGREEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH TO SUPPORT AND PARTNER WITH THE OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARS PROGRAM FOR THE BENEFIT OF WEST VALLEY CITY STUDENTS IN A PILOT PROGRAM TO PROMOTE SECONDARY EDUCATION Wayne Pyle, Chief Executive Officer, presented proposed Resolution 18-04 that would  MINUTES OF RDA SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING – JULY 17, 2018 -2- authorize the Redevelopment Agency of West Valley City to renew an Agreement with the University of Utah to support and partner with the Opportunity Scholars Program for the benefit of West Valley City students in a pilot program to promote secondary education. Written documentation previously provided to the City Council included information as follows: It is recommended that the RDA provide for an additional pilot year so that we are able to assess the viability of permanently providing housing units for student use. Further, we want to search out corporate partners that may want to permanently join the program to provide funding, internships and post graduate employment. You will recall that we presented the first cohort and the results of the first year to the City Council. As part of the City Council’s goal of creating and maintaining a sustainable city, the RDA has been tasked with improving educational opportunities for secondary education for West Valley City students. The City Council and the Board recognized that having an educated workforce present in the city provides for many economic development opportunities not otherwise available. As the City moves to the future it is important to maintain the workforce already in place and to increase the educational attainment levels of our residents. As we have studied some of the hurdles that students face, we have learned that many want to attend college and live in the City but that affordable housing for students is limited. We also learned that many are first generation college students who would benefit from experienced mentors that can assist them in addressing the common issues faced by college students. These mentors can also help them navigate the college system in a successful way. With that information in mind, the City seeks to assist in a pilot program in partnership with the University of Utah. This is the second year of the pilot program and will provide us with valuable hands on data and information in order to help us shape a long term partnership and tailored program. The pilot program includes only students from West Valley City and the housing provided will be located at Fairbourne Station. All services and data will be provided by Opportunity Scholars and the University. The RDA has reported to the City Council about the initial pilot year. In that initial phase there were 16 students housed in 4 units at Fairbourne Station and an additional 15 students that were also assisted through the Opportunity Scholars Program. We saw 4 graduates of the program, each of which still reside in the City and intend to remain in the City. ‘  MINUTES OF RDA SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING – JULY 17, 2018 -3- The RDA will use its state law mandated housing set aside money to provide affordable housing and other tools to at least 16 students from West Valley City that will attend the University of Utah in the Fall of 2018. These students will be in the pilot program, will live at Fairbourne Station, will attend classes via the Trax line, and will be provided other mentor and scholarship opportunities through the university to ensure their success. Opportunity scholars has a 93% graduation rate for those in its program. Opportunity scholars serves first generation college students. The Opportunity Scholars program provides retention resources such as tutors, mentors, internships, advising, career-services, service-learning projects, community outreach, networking opportunities, counseling, financial assistance and anytime access to the program director. The program also contributes to the educational experience of all students at the Eccles School by introducing students with diverse backgrounds and experiences into the academic setting. Upon inquiry by Vice-Chairman Fitisemanu there were no further questions from members of the Board, and he called for a motion. Mr. Buhler stated that he is very impressed with the program. Mr. Buhler moved to approve Resolution No. 18-04. Mr. Huynh seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Mr. Bigelow Yes Mr. Buhler Yes Mr. Christensen Yes Mr. Huynh Yes Vice-Chairman Fitisemanu Yes Unanimous. MOTION TO ADJOURN Upon motion by Mr. Bigelow all voted in favor to adjourn. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS OF THE WEST VALLEY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY THE SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY,  MINUTES OF RDA SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING – JULY 17, 2018 -4- JULY 17, 2018, WAS ADJOURNED AT 7:29 P.M. BY VICE-CHAIRMAN FITISEMANU. I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true, accurate and complete record of the proceedings of the Special Regular Meeting of the West Valley City Redevelopment Agency held Tuesday, July 17, 2018. ______________________________ Nichole Camac, CMC Secretary