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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Family Advisory Board 2017-07-06RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, July 6, 2017 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 6th day of July, 2017. Present: Laurie Dale Marshall Karen Randinitis Nancy Almond Courtney Hill Bin Greer Rachel Balduzzi Jodi Roman Marion Stallworth Also Ron Norris, Town Board Liaison Present: Travis Machalek, Assistant Town Administrator Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Administrative Assistant Absent: Shannon Faith John Bryant Floyd Collins Chair Greer called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved and seconded (Roman/Almond) to approve the May and June, 2017 meeting minutes and the motion passed unanimously. UPDATE ON FOCUS AREA AND VACANCY RECRUITMENT The Town Board approved the FAB focus area and vacancy recruitment submission. One application was received. ATA Machalek suggested the Town could potentially aid in providing contact names. Liaison Norris suggested extending the timeline to allow for busy schedules and summer activities. Member Almond was approached today by an individual that is interested in applying for the role. Liaison Norris stated the Town Board would like the ability to select from a pool of individuals. Machalek will check with the Human Resources Department to confirm the ability to hold applications if received during the period where volunteer position is not posted. Per Liaison Norris, the application process extension will be discussed at the July 11 Town Board meeting. Vice Chair Stallworth will reach out to the Estes Park Housing Authority to confirm whether or not there would be a replacement for the opening left by the departure of Jessica McGee. Vice Chair Stallworth will also reach out to other individuals that may be interested in joining the FAB. 2017 FOCUS AREA NEXT STEPS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Family Advisory Board — July 6, 2017 — Page 2 The draft proposal for focus area next steps was provided to the FAB as a springboard to allow group to develop and fine-tune. Member Randinitis suggested the FAB establish focus groups to involve the community and community organizations in decisions being made by FAB and to check for duplication/redundancy in efforts. Stallworth stated that it would be more efficient to have folks come to us but it may not catch everyone. Member Almond stated that much community input has already been received by a previously established group of volunteers in the community (Associates Supporting Kids — ASK). That group performed excellent outreach efforts provided within the past year. The survey results provided need ownership. Norris suggested incorporating all data into one spreadsheet (current information is a website). The suggestion was made to link the existing information to the Town website. Machalek stated that there could be no linking to Town website without authorization from the Town's Public Information Officer. The data needs broken down to determine any 'holes' in established focus areas along with associated recommendations. Stallworth suggested a select few FAB members break down all pertinent resource informational available (/ow income families, etc.). Examples of resources available are Restorative Justice and the YMCA. The member group defined to sift through the resources consist of Stallworth, Marshall, Randinitis and Roman. If analysis is done before the next meeting, it can send out to the FAB for review and comment. At this point there is not a lot of local data provided, but is more regional/statewide. Almond is looking to the Childcare Needs Assessment to answer many questions. The FAB needs to focus on qualitative aspects within questioning/outreach (i.e., What are the barriers with working/living in the Estes Valley?) Maybe combine questions with multiple choice and optional comments. The FAB will flush out how to best approach the outreach efforts. DISCUSSION OF RECENT CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENTS Member Almond reported that the owners of Mountaintop Preschool and Childcare are moving out of the community and selling or simply closing their business. The business serves up to 45 — 2.5 - 5 year olds. It is the only childcare center other than the YMCA that is not a home child care service. This is a huge concern for the community. The property (1 acre with facility) the business resides on is owned by another party and the lease term expires in August. The Estes Park Elementary School provides half -slots funding as part of a contract service to Mountaintop to provide services they're unequipped to provide. Norris stated Town Administrator Frank Lancaster said the use the Senior Center building for childcare would be a possibility. Due mechanical issues, this would be unable to happen until February. There are currently 8 or 9 parties interested in utilizing this facility. Almond reported that the Mountain Top property is very moderately priced so there is urgency in making a move on the property. For the Town, there is not much possibility of making an offer this budget year. The FAB would like to make their case to the Town Board with options/suggestions of what to do. Norris stated that the FAB would need clear explanation of why this is a crisis to help the Trustees understand. A letter would RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Family Advisory Board — July 6, 2017 — Page 3 be drafted for the August 8 Town Board meeting unless prepared and approved sooner and would then go to the July 25 Town Board meeting. A motion was made to have up to three FAB members to draft a letter describing the childcare crisis and requesting they work with local business owners and stakeholders to help sustain current childcare capacity and the motion was seconded (Stallworth/Marshall). These members are Stallworth, Greer and Almond and a draft letter will be complete by Monday. All were in favor. The Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success (EVICS) is reaching out to established childcare companies that provide high quality programs accepting infants and toddlers and can help absorb the loss of Mountaintop. Previously when checking into these companies, EVICS is typically told that Estes Park doesn't have the volume for the companies to move to Estes Park. The YMCA would be interested in making space available and joining the potential agreement with the childcare company. A crisis may provide an opportunity for the community to address this issue head-on understanding that Estes Park is in dire need of quality childcare. It would be extremely beneficial to provide incentives for childcare companies (space, additional age group, etc.). Currently Estes Park has 6 home providers with only 2 allowing children under 2 years old and there are 2 that will not take children under one). OTHER BUSINESS The question was posed as to whether or not a social media presence would be allowed by the FAB. Machalek will check conditions with PIO and bring back necessary steps and rules for social media. It was discussed that any press releases or information distribution could occur through the Town's existing channels. With no other business to discuss, Chair Greer adjoumed the meeting at 5:20 p.m.