Special Redevelopment Agency Meeting

MINUTES OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SPECIAL MEETING – AUGUST 20, 2024 -1- THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF WEST VALLEY CITY MET IN SPECIAL SESSION ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2024, AT 6:44 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, WEST VALLEY CITY HALL, 3600 CONSTITUTION BOULEVARD, WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH. THE MEETING WAS ALSO HELD ELECTRONICALLY VIA ZOOM. THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY CHAIRMAN NORDFELT. THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT: Lars Nordfelt, Chair Tom Huynh William Whetstone Scott Harmon Don Christensen ABSENT: Karen Lang Jake Fitisemanu STAFF PRESENT: Ifo Pili, City Manager Nichole Camac, City Recorder Eric Bunderson, City Attorney Colleen Jacobs, Police Chief John Evans, Fire Chief Jim Welch, Finance Director Steve Pastorik, CD Director Peggy Daniels, Acting CPD Director Dan Johnson, Public Works Director Jamie Young, Parks and Recreation Director Jonathan Springmeyer, RDA Director Sam Johnson, Strategic Communications Director Ken Cushing, IT (electronically) Travis Crosby, IT APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING HELD JUNE 4, 2024 The Agency considered Minutes of the Regular Meeting held June 4, 2024. There were no changes, corrections or deletions. Mr. Whetstone moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held June 4, 2024. Mr. Harmon seconded the motion. MINUTES OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SPECIAL MEETING – AUGUST 20, 2024 -2- A voice vote was taken and all members voted in favor of the motion. RESOLUTION 24-09: AUTHORIZE THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF WEST VALLEY CITY TO RENEW THE HOMETOWN SCHOLARS CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH Chairman Nordfelt presented proposed Resolution 24-09 that would authorize the Redevelopment Agency of West Valley City to Renew the Hometown Scholars Contribution Agreement with the University of Utah. Written documentation previously provided to the City Council 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 seventh year of the Opportunity Scholars - RDA partnership. This year the My Hometown Scholarship program assisted 24 West Valley City University Students. There were 16 students who graduated from the program 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. 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 2024. 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 THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SPECIAL MEETING – AUGUST 20, 2024 -3- community outreach, networking opportunities, counseling, financial assistance, and access to the program director. A student recipient of the scholarship expressed deep gratitude for being part of the scholarship program. She mentioned being involved with the program since sophomore year and highlighted how it has made a significant impact on her life. She emphasized the practical benefits of living at Fairbourne, such as convenient access to transportation and a supportive community, which have allowed her to focus on her studies. The student noted that she is a first-generation student and shared how this scholarship has been a source of pride for both herself and her family. She indicated that it has helped pave the way for her siblings and shown that higher education is attainable, even in communities where it might seem out of reach. She discussed challenges she would face if she were living at home, such as managing family responsibilities, and how having a safe space to focus on her studies has made a world of difference. The student expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity provided by the scholarship. A student introduced themselves as a recent recipient of the Opportunity Scholars scholarship. She mentioned being a transfer student who just started attending the University and expressed gratitude for the scholarship she received. She highlighted the convenience of having easy access to public transportation, which has already been a significant help in her new academic journey. As a first-generation student, she shared how pursuing higher education has always been a goal, though it sometimes felt discouraging. However, thanks to the scholarship, she now feels closer to achieving her dream. A student expressed gratitude for receiving the Opportunity Scholars scholarship and shared his recent experience as a transfer student who just began attending the University of Utah. He mentioned the convenience of living close to the TRAX, which makes commuting to campus easy and stress-free. He noted that, as a first-generation college student, pursuing higher education has always been a goal and the scholarship has provided much-needed support, bringing him closer to achieving his dreams. The student explained that before receiving the scholarship, he lived in his parents' basement and garage due to their large family size. The scholarship has alleviated this burden by providing him with a place to live, allowing him to focus on his studies without the worry of inadequate housing. He also shared his excitement about participating in a study abroad program in Korea during the spring semester, for which the scholarship will also provide financial support. He concluded with a heartfelt thanks, emphasizing how much the scholarship has positively impacted his life. Upon inquiry by Chairman Nordfelt there were no further questions from members of the Agency, and he called for a motion. MINUTES OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SPECIAL MEETING – AUGUST 20, 2024 -4- Mr. Huynh moved to approve Resolution 24-09. Mr. Christensen seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Mr. Fitisemanu Absent Mr. Whetstone Yes Mr. Harmon Yes Mr. Huynh Yes Ms. Lang Absent Mr. Christensen Yes Chair Nordfelt Yes Unanimous. MOTION TO ADJOURN Upon motion by Mr. Christensen, all voted in favor to adjourn. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF WEST VALLEY CITY, THE SPECIAL MEETING OF TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2024, WAS ADJOURNED AT 6:51 PM. BY CHAIRMAN NORDFELT. I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true, accurate and complete record of the proceedings of the Special Meeting of the Redevelopment Agency of West Valley City held Tuesday, August 20, 2024. ______________________________ Nichole Camac Secretary