Report to City Council
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TO: Mayor and City Council
Mayor and City Council Acting in its Capacity as Board
of Directors of the Moreno Valley Community
Foundation
FROM: Keith Gemmell, Acting Economic Development &
Housing Director
AGENDA DATE: March 18, 2025
TITLE: COLLEGE PROMISE MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING (REPORT OF: ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING)
TITLE SUMMARY: Approve the Memorandum of Understanding for Funding the College Promise at Moreno Valley College
Recommendation(s)
1. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Moreno Valley (City) and the Riverside Community College District Foundation acting on behalf of Moreno Valley College (College) allowing for the allocation of $100,000 to support the College Promise Initiative for two academic years.
2. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the MOU , and any subsequent amendments, subject to the approval of the City Attorney and available budget as previously approved by Council.
SUMMARY
This report recommends an approval of the MOU between the City of Moreno Valley and the Riverside Community College Foundation for the continuation of the College Promise Initiative operated by Moreno Valley College. The report outlines the duties of the parties and authorizes the expenditure from the City to the College in the amount of $50,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 for a total of $100,000.
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DISCUSSION
On August 15, 2017, the Moreno Valley City Council approved an MOU with the Riverside Community College District making a $50,000 commitment to Moreno Valley students enrolled at Moreno Valley College through the College Promise Initiative. Since that time the City Council has supported the program with an annual $50,000 commitment solidifying a strong partnership between the City a nd the College to support students as they pursue their educational goals to receive an Associate’s degree, transfer to a four – year university and/or complete eligible Career and Technical Education programs.
The College Promise program, also known as the First Year Experience Program, provides a bridge allowing Moreno Valley high school students enrolled at Moreno Valley Unified and Val Verde Unified School Districts to successfully transfer into College life.
The program provides for gap funding to offset first year college expenses such as tuition, fees and textbooks. Serving some of the neediest students on campus, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college, the program also offers advanced services such as access to counselors and student support services.
The program serves as a prime example of the positive benefits to the individual and the community at large when key institutions partner for student success. As such, the program was awarded a 2018 Program Award of Excellence by the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) and most recently a 2023 Helen Putnam Award by the League of California Cities, reinforcing the City’s investment in students as a key economic engine driving the local economy.
As the rising cost of living continues to impact local students, the College Promise Initiative is more critical than ever — especially for Moreno Valley College students balancing family, school, and work responsibilities. These students are more vulnerable to dropping out and increasingly rely on support services like online tutoring, virtual mental health resources, academic counseling, and social services such as the MVC Food Pantry.
The College Promise program provides much needed support to Moreno Valley Co llege students allowing for students to stay connected to school, critical support services and a future made more secure with education.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the attached MOU and authorize staff to execute all necessary documents with the College for the operation of the College Promise Program and subsequent amendments . This alternative will allow for the continued partnership and support to eligible Moreno Valley residents enrolled at Moreno Valley College and support the City’s economic and workforc e efforts to increase educational attainment and train the future workforce. Staff recommends this alternative.
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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 support for the College Promise program and resulting in reduced funding for eligible Moreno Valley residents seeking to benefit from the program and may result in an ultimate reduction in completion rates at the College. Staff does not recommend this alternative.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding to operate the College Promise Initiative to be included in the City’s 202 5- 2026/2026-2027 budget (Community Foundation funds). No additional funds are required.
NOTIFICATION
Publication of the City Council Meeting Agenda
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1: College Promise MOU
PREPARATION OF STAFF REPORT
Prepared By: Department Head Approval:
Keith Gemmell Keith Gemmell
Acting Economic Development & Housing Director Acting Economic Development & Housing Director
(Optional field) Reports requiring inter-departmental coordination must include names of all affected department heads.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS
Advocacy: Develop cooperative intergovernmenta l relationships and be a forceful advocate of City policies, objectives and goals to appropriate external governments, agencies and corporations.
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
1. Economic Development
2. Beautification, Community Engagement, and Quality of Life
3. Youth Programs
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See the Discussion section above for details of how this action supports the City Council’s Strategic Priorities.
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Report Approval Details
Document Title: STAFFREPORT_EDH_COLLEGEPROMISEMOU.docx
Attachments: - Moreno Valley College Promise Initiative MOU_2025- 27_FINAL.2.pdf
Final Approval
Date:
Mar 13, 2025
This report and all of its attachments were approved and signed as outlined below:
Keith Gemmell
Natalia Lopez
Dena Heald
Launa Jimenez
Brian Mohan
Patty Rodriguez