Representing WVC

Last week I was able to represent West Valley City at the National League of Cities Congress of Cities which was held this year in Denver Colorado. I was pleased at the progress and the input that I was able to provide with my first tier suburbs steering committee. We successfully focused on Economic Development and provided many important solutions and programs. I reported on the Congress in this weeks City Council in both an oral and written report. Below is a copy of the written report given to my colleagues on he City Council:

Councilmember Rushton
Council Report

December 7, 2010

Congress of Cities NLC Conference

Summary

From December 1-4 I attended and represented West Valley City at the National League of Cities Congress of Cities in Denver, Colorado. The conference offered sessions and workshops to learn and share innovative ideas and solutions for their city’s economic development, infrastructure, sustainability and public safety needs. The conference major speakers and presenters included a Senator Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and a Business executive focused on sustainable development. I attended the conference at the Convention Center beginning Wednesday and concluded Saturday. During that time I not only attended general sessions and workshops, but also participated in mobile tours of the Denver regions transit oriented developments. Additionally, the steering committee I was appointed to was able to meet twice to discuss issues and set priorities for next year. Finally it was a good opportunity to attend briefing lunches and associate with many companies and colleagues with West Valley City connections. I gathered materials on numerous best practice solutions and innovations in order to share them with executive staff for informational purposes.

some of the highlights with local interest:

1. Former Florida governor Jeb Bush and Harvard University political scientist Robert D. Putnam discussed steps that governments can take to form successful relationships between immigrants and their new communities.

2. Spoke with representatives from the Justice Department about participation in the COPS program. Met with Utah regional representative from Health & Human Services about the Get Moving program and WVC trail system.

3. Other delegates from Utah cities gathered for a caucus dinner with representatives from the Utah League of Cities and Towns.

Action Items:

A. Form a staff committee to explore the costs/benefits of launching a WVC app for smartphones. Should also address if solely informational or interactive.

B. Council to formally charge Councilmember Christensen to be liaison with NLC Municipal Action for Immigrant Integration

C. Coordinate formal introduction of WVC staff with Englewood Colorado staff to collaborate on City Center TOD.

Additionally the City released the followed communication to media outlets concerning the Congress:

West Valley City Council Members Attend National Conference

Focusing on New Ideas and Solutions for Cities
West Valley City – West Valley City Council Members Don Christensen and Corey Rushton
recently joined thousands of fellow leaders from across the country for the 2010 National
League of Cities’ (NLC) annual Congress of Cities and Exposition in Denver, Colorado. The conference offered sessions and workshops to learn and share innovative ideas and solutions
for their city’s economic development, infrastructure, sustainability and public safety needs.
More than 2,000 municipal officials heard from nationally-known experts such as L. Hunter Lovins, president and founder of Natural Capitalism. Lovins spoke with delegates about tools and strategies to create more sustainable local governments. Former Florida governor Jeb Bush and Harvard University political scientist Robert D. Putnam discussed steps that governments can take to form successful relationships between immigrants and their new communities.
Additionally, former US Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) offered his perspective on the current
political climate in Washington, DC, in the wake of the mid-term elections. Department of
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack discussed health and wellness and brought video greetings
from First Lady Michelle Obama.
"The Congress was a great opportunity to represent West Valley City on a national scale and observe innovations that will enhance our local community," says Council Member Corey
Rushton.
Each year at the Congress of Cities, local officials make connections and learn about
resources to help move their communities forward. Delegates meet with thousands of peers and colleagues from around the country to discover cost-saving programs, products and
services; replicate effective programs and create innovative solutions to their community’s
most pressing challenges.