Report to City Council
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TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Cruz Esparza, Economic Development Director
AGENDA DATE: August 20, 2024
TITLE: MORENO VALLEY COLLEGE MEMRANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING – MOVALLEARNS (REPORT OF:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING
TITLE SUMMARY: Moreno Valley College of Memorandum of Understanding – MoVaLEARNS (Report of: Economic Development &
Housing
Recommendation(s)
That the City Council:
1. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Moreno Valley (City) and Moreno Valley College (College) allowing for the allocation of $400,000 to support the program over the next four academic years.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the MOU as to form and all necessary documents with the College.
SUMMARY
MoVaLEARNS is funded through the Moreno Valley Community Foundation Fund and is a first-of-its-kind Universal Basic Student Income program, developed in partnership with Moreno Valley College (MVC). The program pay s students a monthly stipend while attending MVC creating positive impacts for students, schools, their families, and the local economy.
This report recommends approval of the MOU between the City of Moreno Valley and MVC for the continuation of the MoVaLEARNS program. The report outlines the duties of
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the parties and authorizes the expenditure from the City directly to stude nts enrolled in the program in the amount of $100,000 for fiscal years 2024 -2025, 2025-2026, 2026- 2027, 2027-2028 and for a total of $400,000.
DISCUSSION
In February 2018, Bloomberg Philanthropies awarded the City of Moreno Valley $100,000 and designated one of 35 Champion Cities in the Mayors Challenge, a national competition designed to encourage mayors across the United States to develop innovative approaches to solve major urban problems. As part of the Champion Cities phase, the City collaborated wit h Moreno Valley College (MVC) to test and fine -tune a bold new program: MoVaLEARNS.
Since that time, the City Council has supported the program with an annual $100,000 commitment, solidifying a strong partnership between the City and the College to support students as they pursue their educational goals within Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
The MoVaLEARNS program provides MVC students with a monthly stipend of $250 for up to eight months per academic year, offering much -needed financial support to assist with college expenses. The program specifically targets students who are:
Moreno Valley Residents
At least 18 years or older
Second-year or later student
Enrolled in a minimum of six units
Pursuing CTE pathways.
Preference is given to tho se who have previously completed the College Promise program, further building a bridge for students from high school to college and into their career paths.
The MoVaLEARNS program serves some of the most at-risk students on campus, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. In addition to financial support, the program includes academic and social support with monthly check -in meetings and a volunteer component that requires students to complete 20 hours of community service, fostering civic pride and engagement. This integration of financial aid and community involvement provides a holistic approach to student success, reinforcing the City's investment in its residents as a key economic engine driving the local economy.
City staff have worked closely with Moreno Valley College CTE staff to ensure the program is well-coordinated and effective. The obligations of the COLLEGE and the CITY include managing enrollment, verifying student eligibility, promoting the program, maintaining participant databases, and providing regular updates and reports on program outcomes. The CITY also develops marketing materials, coordinates events, and liaises between the program, the College, and the local business community.
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The program has b een recognized for its positive impact on individual students and the community at large. For instance, it was awarded the 2020 Local Government Excellence Award in the Community Diversity & Inclusion category by the International County/City Management Association (ICMA), highlighting the City's commitment to education as a driver of economic growth. Additionally, in 2023 and 2024, MoVaLEARNS received a Helen Putnam Award of Excellence from the League of California Cities and an Award of Excellence from the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) for its role within the Elevate MoVal program, which engages youth in city government and provides them a foundation for success in their educational pursuits.
As the economic landscape continues to evolve, programs like MoVaLEARNS are more critical than ever before. They provide essential support to students, enabling them to manage family, school, and work responsibilities, and help them stay connected to their educational goals. The ongoing success of MoVaLEARNS demonstrates the powerful benefits of partnership between key institutions in promoting student success and community development.
This MOU was presented to the Economic Development Subcommittee on August 13, 2024.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the attached MOU and authorize staff to execute all necessary documents with MVC for the operation of MoVaLEARNS. This alternative will allow for the continued partnership and support for eligible Moreno Valley residents enrolled at MVC, thereby supporting the City’s economic and workforce efforts to increase educational attainment and train the future workforce. Staff recommends this alternative.
2. Decline to approve the attached MOU and decline to authorize staff to execute the supporting documents. This alternative will result in the end of the City’s financial and operational support for the MoVaLEARNS program, leading to reduced funding and academic support for eligible Moreno Valley residents. This may result in a decline in academic completion rates. Staff does not recommend this alternative.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approving this alternative will commit the City to an annual expenditure of $ 100,000 for the MoVaLEARNS program over the next four fiscal years for a total amount of $400,000 which will be funded by the Moreno Valley Community Foundation account. No additional appropriations are required as the funding is already included in the current fiscal year budget. There are no additional ongoing liabilities beyond the annual commitment of $100,000 for the duration of the four-year program.
NOTIFICATION
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Publication of the Agenda.
PREPARATION OF STAFF REPORT
Prepared By: Department Head Approval:
Keith Gemmell Cruz Esparza
Business & Workforce Development Division Manager Economic Development & Housing Director
CITY COUNCIL GOALS
Community Image, Neighborhood Pride and Cleanliness: Promote a sense of community pride and foster an excellent image about our City by developing and executing programs which will result in quality development, enhanced neighborhood preservation efforts, including home rehabilitation and neighborhood restoration.
Positive Environment: Create a positive environment for the development of Moreno Valley's future.
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
1. Economic Development
2. Beautification, Community Engagement, and Quality of Life
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Report Approval Details
Document Title: STAFFREPORT_MOVALEARNS_MOU.docx
Attachments: - MoVaLearns_MOU_24-28_FINAL_MVC Signature.pdf Final Approval
Date:
Aug 14, 2024
This report and all of its attachments were approved and signed as outlined below:
Patty Rodriguez
Cruz Esparza
Natalia Lopez
Launa Jimenez
Brian Mohan
Mike Lee
Patty Rodriguez