Council approves $500,000 matching grant and LED ribbon board purchase for Maverik Center

The West Valley City Council voted May 13 to accept a $500,000 matching Olympic and Paralympic venue grant for the Maverik Center and to approve the purchase of an external LED ribbon board and related equipment.

Councilmember Whetstone read the resolution text about the grant and emphasized the role of Utah installations in regional economic activity. "I certainly don't want to leave funds on the table by not matching it," Whetstone said, though the councilmember added a personal reservation about using taxpayer dollars for entertainment‑district spending.

Resolution 25-73 authorizes the city to enter a venue grant fund agreement with the Utah Division of Facilities, Construction and Management and includes a $500,000 local match. Resolution 25-74 authorizes purchase of an LED ribbon board from Freedom LED; the meeting transcript records the purchase amount in a garbled phrase as "302 hundred and $37,000." Staff and the council approved the purchase in the roll call and the measures passed by majority vote.

The council also approved two consent‑agenda items: purchase of replacement and new garbage cans from WasteEquip and an extension/amendment to the city's ACE Disposal contract that extends the contract to June 30, 2026, with a 2.5% price increase to cover rising costs. The consent motion passed unanimously.

One councilmember voted against at least one of the Maverik Center items, citing reluctance to use taxpayer funds for entertainment‑related capital items; otherwise the resolutions passed. Staff will proceed with procurement and matching‑fund paperwork required to secure the grant funds and complete the LED equipment purchase.

Next steps include formal execution of the grant agreement, purchase order issuance for the LED equipment and administrative follow‑up on the extended ACE Disposal contract.