Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Community and Family Advisory Board 2021-11-04 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, November 4, 2021 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the COMMUNITY AND FAMILY ADVISORY BOARD of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held Virtually in said Town of Estes Park on the 4th day of November, 2021. Committee: Chair Dale Marshall, Vice Chair Almond, Members Brown, Bryant, DeLorme, Douglas and Strom Attending: Vice Chair Almond, Members Brown, DeLorme, Douglas and Strom, Town Board Liaison Younglund, Assistant Town Administrator Damweber and Deputy Town Clerk Beers Absent: Chair Dale Marshall and Member Bryant Vice Chair Almond called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT. Claire Bouchard/Larimer County Housing Stability Manager, discussed eviction assistance and the Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program administered through Larimer County’s housing resource Neighbor to Neighbor. The program began in April 2021 through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. Since the program began, assistance has been provided to 26 households in Estes Park with approximately $116,700 in funding. Manager Bouchard reviewed program eligibility, stating priority would be given to households with income at or below 50% of the area median, and individuals who have been unemployed for the 90 days before an application. Staff work with landlords and renters on assistance toward back- pay bills. Larimer County would continue to work with local organizations to promote the program and provide assistance to individuals in need. Questions included using local newspapers to inform the public about the program, whether the County coordinates with the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), and clarification on qualification requirements for funding. TRUSTEE AND STAFF LIAISON UPDATE. Town Board Study Session – November 9th. Liaison Younglund stated the Town Board would be discussing the Community and Family Advisory Board (CFAB) at the November 9, 2021 study session. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber stated members of the Town Board and the CFAB have brought up concerns about CFAB including the lack of actionable recommendations provided to the Town Board, as well as a lack of clear direction from the Town Board to CFAB. CFAB members requested participation in the study session discussion which was confirmed would be at the Boards discretion. Vice Chair Almond encouraged individual members provide the Chair written feedback related to Town Board concerns. CFAB members were encouraged to attend or watch the study session. Feedback and Recommendations. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber stated the Town Board would be discussing use options of the Town owned property, 179 Stanley Avenue at the December 14, 2021 Town Board Study Session meeting. Discussion ensued regarding childcare considerations as part of the draft recommendations to the Town Board. Vice Chair Almond stressed the importance of the community coming together to help solve the childcare issues in the community related to available space. Member Delorme requested clarification on the Town’s ability to invest in private property for childcare use. Discussion ensued on the process for investment opportunity recommendations to the Board for childcare; utilization of shuttles to transport children to areas which can provide childcare centers or transporting childcare employee providers up from the valley into Estes; rideshare opportunities for employers who live in the valley; CFAB conducting research to inventory childcare opportunities for the Board to invest in; and CFAB member interest in attending Board of Realtor meetings to identify investment opportunities for Town Board consideration. Community and Family Advisory Board – November 4, 2021 – Page 2 Childcare Funding – Reserve Fund. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber stated staff would request a discussion during a future Town Board study session in early 2022. MEETING MINUTES DATED OCTOBER 11, 2021. It was moved and seconded (Delorme/Brown) to approved the minutes dated October 11, 2021 and it passed unanimously. MEMBER ENGAGEMENT AND CFAB BYLAWS REVIEW. Vice Chair Almond reviewed the membership portion of the bylaws and stated Members DeLorme and Strom’s terms would be expiring April 15, 2022. She stated there are segments of the community which are missing representation on CFAB and encouraged recruitment. CFAB would need to establish officers and focus areas per the bylaws at the beginning of the 2022 and Chair Dale Marshall would be stepping down from the Chair position. ADVOCACY AT TOWN BOARD MEETINGS. Members were encouraged to attend regular Town Board meetings to provide representation for CFAB. DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE TOWN BOARD. Discussion ensued regarding a recommendation to incorporate childcare considerations within the Town’s development review process. Staff recommended members of CFAB contact Community Development Director Garner to discuss options and provide follow up at a future CFAB meeting. CFAB stated support of EVICS recommendation to the Board to establish the requirement/expectation for all applications for services of the Town or Town funded entities be provided in Spanish to ensure equitable access to all existing services. A member of CFAB attending a future Town Board meeting would provide public comment, supporting the EVICS recommendation. Chair Dale Marshall and Vice Chair Almond would gather information related to CFAB discussions defining “family” and provide an update to the Town Board as requested by Mayor Koenig. There being no further business Vice Chair Almond adjourned the meeting at 5:04 p.m. /s/Bunny Victoria Beers, Deputy Town Clerk