Special RDA Meeting

MINUTES OF RDA SPECIAL MEETING – AUGUST 11, 2020 -1- THE WEST VALLEY CITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MET IN SPECIAL SESSION ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020, AT 7:26 P.M. THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY CHAIRMAN CHRISTENSEN. THIS MEETING WAS HELD ELECTRONICALLY. THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY: Don Christensen, Chair Karen Lang, Vice-Chair Lars Nordfelt Ron Bigelow Tom Huynh Steve Buhler Jake Fitisemanu STAFF PRESENT: Wayne Pyle, Chief Executive Officer Nichole Camac, Secretary Paul Isaac, Assistant City Manager Nicole Cottle, CED Director/General Counsel/ Assistant City Manager Eric Bunderson, City Attorney Layne Morris, CPD Director Kent Stokes, Acting Police Chief John Evans, Fire Chief Jim Welch, Finance Director Nancy Day, Parks and Recreation Director Russ Willardson, Public Works Director Sam Johnson, Strategic Communications Director APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING HELD JUNE 16, 2020 The Agency considered the Minutes of the Special Meeting held June 16, 2020. There were no changes, corrections or deletions. Mr. Fitisemanu moved to approve the Minutes of the Special Meeting held June 16, 2020. Mr. Bigelow seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken and all members voted in favor of the motion. RESOLUTION 20-10: AUTHORIZE THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF  MINUTES OF RDA SPECIAL MEETING – AUGUST 11, 2020 -2- 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 20-10 that would 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 Redevelopment Agency included information as follows: As part of the City Council’s goal of creating and maintaining a sustainable city, the RDA has been tasked with improving 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. This is the fourth year of the Opportunity Scholars-RDA partnership. This year the My Hometown Scholarship program assisted 51 West Valley City University Students. There have been 7 students graduate from the program with an additional 12 scheduled to graduate this year. This scholarship program is widely advertised and promoted at all of the City’s High Schools as well as to WVC seniors that live in the City but may attend schools out of our boundary. If these students take the My Hometown scholarship monies they agree to represent West Valley City and will either remain living in the City or come back to the city and seek employment long term in the City as well. To this end, since its inception, 25 students have been involved in internships with various businesses in the City as well. 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 2020. These students will be in the 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,  MINUTES OF RDA SPECIAL MEETING – AUGUST 11, 2020 -3- community outreach, networking opportunities, counseling, financial assistance, and access to the program director. Councilmember Huynh stated that he feels insurance should be provided with the apartment and the students should be required to maintain a certain GPA level. Councilmember Buhler stated this is a great program. Upon inquiry by Chairman Christensen there were no further questions from members of the Agency, and he called for a motion. Mr. Buhler moved to approve Resolution 20-10. Mr. Nordfelt seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Mr. Fitisemanu Yes Ms. Lang Yes Mr. Buhler Yes Mr. Huynh Yes Mr. Bigelow Yes Mr. Nordfelt Yes Chairman Christensen Yes Unanimous. MOTION TO ADJOURN Upon motion by Ms. Lang, all voted in favor to adjourn. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS OF THE WEST VALLEY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY THE SPECIAL MEETING OF TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020, WAS ADJOURNED AT 7:31 P.M. BY CHAIRMAN CHRISTENSEN. I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true, accurate and complete record of the proceedings of the Special Meeting of the West Valley City Redevelopment Agency held Tuesday, August 11, 2020. MINUTES OF RDA SPECIAL MEETING – AUGUST 11, 2020 -4- ______________________________ Nichole Camac Secretary