Treasure Valley Partnership
Meeting Minutes
September 25th, 2006

Hosted by the City of Nampa

Mayor Dale opened the meeting and welcomed everyone to the Nampa Civic Center. He described the opening of Mission Aviation Fellowship. They provide mission aviation service throughout the world. They are saving 1,000,000 per year by moving to Idaho.

He indicated that they opened the first roundabout at Amity and Happy Valley. He felt this intersection has showed that traffic flows though this intersection. He indicated that the roundabout has showed so well that the Nampa Highway District is looking to put another one in. Tom indicated that they have all of the roundabout intersection measurements in case other jurisdictions are interested.

Tom wanted to remind people about Proposition 2 and encouraged folks to get knowledgeable about the subject. Matt indicated that they had attended an association of Idaho Cities meeting that discussed the numbers associated with this campaign. They discussed the issue of whether local officials should be on point on the education of this issue. So folks have been recruiting real estate folks and others to lead the charge on this issue.

Tom introduced Lori Fischer from the Albertson’s Foundation and Bruce Schultz from Treasure Valley Community College. They are here to talk to the partnership about Community Colleges in the Treasure Valley.

The Albertson’s Foundation has been working for 2 years to influence the community college issue. Last year they offered $15million to the State Board of Education to establish a Community College in the Valley. They had two strings attached. One is that BSU as the entity, currently in control, let go of it after 2-3 years. Second, a long-term funding source be established. She added that many of the legislators did not hear of the Albertson’s Foundation offer last year.

They are kicking off a community awareness campaign for the valley describing the need and process to the community. The following: communitycollegenow.org is a website they will be hosting on the community college issue. This website will offer up information on the issue in general and some of the nuances in Idaho that facilitate the community college discussion.

They are attempting to look at all angles and are actively working on the establishment of a community college in the valley. They will work with any entity and are willing to step forward to aid in this effort. One option is for a petition to put on the ballot for voting for a community college district. There is currently underway just such a petition initiative out of the Nampa Chamber of Commerce.

TVCC is now providing a community college presence in Caldwell at no taxpayer support. Bruce indicated that 50% of the enrollment of TVCC students is from Idaho. He felt that the very notion of providing a Caldwell presence is purely from a business aspect of providing access. They operate without tax dollars. Their mission is 2 fold. Whatever is done in Caldwell has to mesh with the main campus. Provide access to Idaho students.

Bruce described two students that indicate the type of students that are representative of those attending community colleges. He felt their needs to be a K-16 continuum in the system. Remedial students are not making it in the State College system. There needs to be a bridge for at least 3-5 students from high school to college.

They, TVCC is accredited under the same umbrella as BSU and U of I. He feels that to be successful, there needs to be continued collaboration with private industry. At TVCC, they attempt to work with private industry to prepare workers that are cross-trained and ready to go to work at living wage positions. He feels that TVCC is only providing for approximately 15% of the need in the valley.

Dave Bieter asked about why 15% was a figure being served. Bruce indicated this was based on a figure based on the population of graduating seniors in the valley. And this figure does not include nontraditional students.

Tammy de Weerd indicated that in her experience in Washington, there were significant advantages to community colleges as an option to our young people.

Margie Watson asked if we can get an audience with the State Board of Education. Tom said we probably could get on their calendar. For your information: We have secured an audience with the State Board of Education on February 22nd.