Monday, December 10, 2012

NLC Congress of Cities Report

Below is a copy of the report I submitted to the West Valley City Council regarding recent participation in the National League of Cities:


Councilmember Rushton
Council Report

December 4, 2012

Congress of cities nlc Conference

Summary


November 28-December I was able to attended and represented West Valley City at the National League of Cities Congress of Cities in Boston Massachusetts.  This year’s conference was actually offered four concurrent conferences to provide more in-depth exploration of the most pressing challenges facing cities. This general conference focus appeared to be more centered around tracking and influencing federal policy and reliance on technology. The conference at the Boston Convention Center began Wednesday and ended at the World Trade Center Seaport Saturday evening. It featured a large number workshops and roundtable discussions.  The seminars I attended this week included “Coping with Community Transformations and Population shifts” and “Making your City more Business Friendly” among others.  I also participated in the First Tier Suburbs Committee where I was re-appointed to serve as Vice Chair for the coming year. I also was invited to participate in the CED policy committee where recommendations were made to influence legislative agenda on a wide variety of related items including CDBG.  Additionally, I gathered materials on numerous best practice solutions, grant information, and vendor products in order to share them with executive staff for informational purposes.

 

conference highlights


some of the highlights with local interest:

1.     Participated in Leadership Training Institute Award Luncheon.

2.     Participated in the Developing Downtown Density workshop where I was able to compare Fairbourne project with similar projects and how to best turn downtown districts into a denser economic engine.

3.     Learned insights into League restructuring and new Executive Leadership positions and Presidency.

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

5.     Able to meet with representative from Boston Mayor’s office regarding their Employee Residency requirements.

6.     Attached Federal Policy Slides

Progress as Promised--Animal Services


I have been very interested and and closely watched the progress coming from within the new partnerships and hard work of our West valley City Animal shelter.  It has not quite been a year since the goals were stated as part of a proclaimation:

http://coreyrushton.blogspot.com/2012_02_01_archive.html

Last week the City Council was presented with an update and reviewed the operating statistics of the animal shelter.  Below is a portion of a city issued press release describing some of the details and successes:


West Valley City – During a presentation to the West Valley City Council on Tuesday, December 4, Best Friends Animal Society – Utah Executive Director Anna Gonce made an announcement that drew applause from the Mayor and City Council – since partnering with Best Friends in June, the animal shelter is on track to meet its goal of becoming a no-kill shelter much faster than anyone had anticipated. The shelter’s original goal of an 80 percent save rate by 2014 has already been surpassed with the shelter currently at 82 percent. A 90 percent save rate would merit the shelter a no-kill status (shelters typically euthanize 10 percent of animals who are extremely aggressive, sick or badly injured.)
 
“I am delighted that West Valley City has worked so closely with the Best Friends team in Northern Utah to help save more lives,” says Best Friends Animal Society CEO and Co-Founder Gregory Castle. “Our partnership is one of a very few progressive programs, leading the way in public/private collaboration and creating benefits for both citizens and animals in the community.”

West Valley City’s continued partnership with Best Friends Animal Society involves a variety of programs intended to increase save rates. Adoption promotions, spay/neuter assistance, feral cat TNR (trap, neuter, release) programs and continued community engagement initiatives focusing on spaying and neutering, microchipping and licensing, adoption and responsible ownership are expected to further increase save rates.