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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Family Advisory Board 2018-03-01RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, March 1, 2018 Minutes of a regular meeting of the Family Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in Room 203 of the Estes Park Town Hall on the 1st day of March, 2018. Present: Laurie Dale Marshall Karen Randinitis Nancy Almond Courtney Hill Bin Greer Jodi Roman Marion Stallworth Susan Strom Also Ron Norris, Town Board Liaison Present: Travis Machalek, Assistant Town Administrator Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Administrative Assistant Absent: Maria Jimenez John Bryant Rachel Balduzzi Chair Greer called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT Member Jodi Roman, as a public citizen, commented that the new Estes Valley Community Center fees are too high for some families. She feels it necessary to get something in place that allows for reduced fees for families that need them. Member Marshall stated this is in process, with the development of a Foundation offering scholarships. She also clarified that some aspects of the center are free (walking tracks, lower area, etc.). The fees in place are needed for cost recovery. Assistant Town Administrator Machalek will contact the Recreation District and bring information on available resources to the next regular meeting. Member Marshall reported that three members of the FAB are participating in the League of Women Voters Child Care forum. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved and seconded (Almond/Marshall) to approve the February 1, 2018 meeting minutes with the amendment recognizing the attendance of Member Stallworth and the motion passed unanimously. TRUSTEE LIAISON REPORT Trustee Norris reported that the Town Board decision regarding use of 220 4th Street (previously the Senior Center) was made after an extensive review of the proposals and a deep dive into potential legal ramifications, etc. It was determined the risk was too high to award use of this property as a childcare center. He further stated that there are a number of other things that the Town can consider moving forward to catalyze childcare in the Estes Valley (utilize town property, reduce code restrictions, etc.). RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Family Advisory Board — March 1, 2018 — Page 2 Norris briefly discussed the Workforce Housing project stating that the project is moving forward. This location will be a mix of multi -family and residential homes. An Exclusive Right to Negotiate contract has been executed with AmericaWest. Further actions are a few months out and an update will likely not be publicized until Q3 or Q4. For this project, the consultant has taken childcare into consideration. Developers are taking note to capture childcare needs as best they can. Although there is no requirement, a childcare facility will be very much encouraged. The Dry Gulch Workforce Housing project will likely be pursued prior to Fish Hatchery due to the smaller size. Member Almond asked if workforce housing is the same as affordable housing mixed with attainable. Norris stated that is not how workforce housing is being established. Almond requested a definition of workforce housing, attainable housing and affordable housing. Machalek will gather land use code information for distribution to the board. Member Randinitis asked if the FAB has the ability to recommend childcare be required for large development projects. Norris stated that, as a recommending board, it would be an appropriate request. He suggested the board explore modifications to existing procurement methods & policies to list this requirement. Norris will help in the development of this proposal. Member Almond questioned why the Town would even consider additional housing with no childcare and asked about mandating that childcare be part of all future workforce housing projects as additional housing without childcare would only exacerbate the childcare problem. Member Hill clarified that the addition of childcare with this type of housing would undoubtedly increase the cost of the housing. Machalek explained that under current regulations, the Town would only be able to mandate childcare for projects built on Town -owned property. Member Almond stated that if it's Town property, the Town should open the childcare center and pay for it. It was stated that Breckenridge has made significant headway in this area. Chair Greer stated that Breckenridge is not comparable to Estes Park. Local opportunities to hear presentations from other communities who have been working to address this problem would be beneficial for the community. Machalek has seen the Town of Breckenridge's presentation on how they have begun to address the childcare problem and feels it should be viewed with other childcare groups (EDC, EVICS, FAB, Housing Authority, School, Town Board, Families for Estes, etc.). This would likely not take place until Q3 and would require 25 to 50 attendees. If other agencies are interested and the FAB wants to bring the presentation to Town, Machalek will reach out to Breckenridge. With ten Trustee candidates on the ballot, Norris encouraged members to individually advocate for the individual they feel is best for the position. There are several candidate forums with question and answer sessions. Norris also stated that members are welcome to come to the upcoming Town Board meetings to state opinion of what you want to see in the new candidates. OVERVIEW OF CHILDCARE NEEDS ASSESSMENT RESULTS Member Almond distributed copies of the Executive Summary for the Childcare Needs Assessment to members, with Machalek offering to print copies of the full assessment for any member who might want one. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Family Advisory Board — March 1, 2018 — Page 3 Almond wanted to discuss a few highlights that stood out for her. Additional information can be found on EDC website. Almond stated that of the 363 parents of children under 13, 50 responded in Spanish. She feels this was an excellent response rate, but that the Hispanic community was under -represented. Related to the section on parent preferences, Almond stated that the factor shown most important when selecting a childcare provider is trust. Almond found it interesting that this factor came in as a higher priority than availability or cost and was expecting something different. The assessment also showed that 70% of parents indicated that if they could change something about their childcare option, they would. A variety of reasons were listed with hours of childcare operations and weekend care being two major issues. With some obvious overlap in reporting, the assessment also indicated that 60% were satisfied. Chair Greer stated that this does not highlight the fact that many parents are required to work long hours due to cost of housing and childcare. This is systemic issue and is significantly contributing to the childcare issue. Later hours and weekend availability would not be such a large problem if the root of the problem was corrected. Almond described the existing state of childcare in Estes Park, indicating that the data reflects there are 104 slots for children in licensed full -day care consisting of two childcare centers and six home providers. At this time it shows there are 12 children on a wait list, all of which are infants and toddlers under age 2 %. Almond stated that although this was the data captured in the study, she believes that there are more children that are not represented. Member Marshall impressed upon the group the importance of brain development in the early years. Schools are seeing the impacts of high stress lives. Kids do not just develop themselves. It is imperative that they receive quality care and an incredible amount of research supports this statement. Marshall also indicated that on April 18 at 6:00 pm, there will be a Brain Architecture Game at the Library. Norris suggested the Trustees be invited for fun and additional insight. The assessment also indicates that absenteeism due to childcare issues has some impact on 85% of employers and, for 60% of employers causes a loss of employee. Future hiring is dependent on childcare. Based on the hospitals projections, 90 babies will be born in Estes Park in 2018 and another 90 in 2019. There are several recommendations stemming from the assessment that the FAB should review and consider. Norris reminded members that not all the recommendations are actionable. There will be a Childcare Services Steering Committee created with a variety of individuals. Town Board Trustee Patrick Martchink has already volunteered to be a member of the steering committee. When making recommendations, Member Roman highlighted three major childcare concerns the committee needs to keep in mind — infant/toddler care, better hours, and affordability. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Family Advisory Board — March 1, 2018 — Page 4 Member Stallworth stressed the importance of the committee to determine what the high priority action items are so that appropriate leaders can be appointed. SUMMARY OF FEB. 13, 2018 TOWN BOARD MEETING Machalek summarized the Town Board's decision to select Museum Storage as the use for 220 4th Street (former Senior Center). He also indicated that the Town will be looking at potential code changes to catalyze childcare. Chair Greer asked if all data was considered and mulled over prior to a decision when in the Executive Session. Norris indicated there was considerable review of all the information. Greer commented that it is difficult to know how decisions are reached when the Executive Session is not open to the public. Although unable to discuss the specifics coming out of the Executive Sessions, Norris reiterated that the Trustees thoroughly reviewed and researched information on behalf of all parties. Member Almond stated she never got an answer why one Trustee 'respectfully disagreed' with the determination yet the same decision was made. Norris stated that, with regard to mitigating risks, all Trustees came to the same conclusion. Almond stated the Town should send a positive message for childcare and provide better communication about the Museum storage use and how it was deemed to fit the deed restriction DISCUSSION OF APPLICABLE POLICIES & DOCUMENTS Assistant Town Administrator Machalek reviewed highlights of Town of Estes Park Policy 102 — Town Committees. The primary focus was on page 4 of this policy wherein it provides definition of the role of an advisory board. He also answered a question that came up at the February FAB meeting by clarifying that the FAB, as a Town Advisory Board, cannot endorse candidates. This does not impact what each member does as an individual, as long as opinions or statements are not represented as those of the Town or the FAB. OTHER BUSINESS Member Stallworth notified the FAB that when her term expires in April, she will not reapply due to her work schedule. Member Roman expressed her intent to reapply and it was reported that Member Balduzzi has expressed that intent as well. With no other business to discuss, Chair Greer adjourned the meeting at 5:23 p.m.