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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Family Advisory Board 2017-12-07RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, December 7, 2017 Minutes of a regular meeting of the Family Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Room 203 of Town Hall, in said Town of Estes Park on the 7th day of December, 2017. Present: Jodi Roman John Bryant Karen Randinitis Laurie Dale -Marshall Maria Jimenez Nancy Almond Rachel Balduzzi Sue Strom Also Present: Travis Machalek, Assistant Town Administrator Suzanna Simpson, Administration Executive Assistant Ron Norris Absent: Marion Stallworth Bin Greer Courtney Hill Acting Chair Roman started the meeting at 3:34 p.m. Public Comment Acting Chair Roman relayed public concern regarding the group maintaining a neutral and positive tone amidst the discussions around the senior center building. The group was encouraged to remember that discussions are public and an adversarial tone would not be beneficial to the work of the Family Advisory Board. Approval of November minutes It was moved and seconded (Dale Marshall/Randinitis) to approve the November, 2017 meeting minutes with corrections to the date and location in the header and the motion passed unanimously. Gap Focus Selection There is consideration of choosing "childcare needs in the community" as a potential gap identified by the Family Advisory Board. This would be the group's new focus area, replacing "To identify gaps in support services available to families in the Estes Valley". Trustee Norris further encouraged the group to try to narrow down what exactly is meant by childcare — ages, healthcare, etc., and what is not covered under that topic. Member Roman inquired about the role the Childcare Needs Assessment would play in determining that information. Member Bryant confirmed that results should be ready by early January. Member Almond provided an update on the proposal for childcare at the senior center. A task force has been formed and is working on the proposal which will focus on infant/toddler care. There was discussion regarding the other proposals that may be submitted. Assistant Town Administrator Machalek explained the details behind the museum proposal, the feedback that he recently received from Estes Park Senior Citizens, Inc. board, and provided some correction to rumors around the new facility and the transfer of Senior Services to the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District from the Town. The discussion continued regarding extending an invite to the other two groups to speak to the Family Advisory Board on their proposals. In order to determine which option the Family Advisory Board would formally support, members felt it was important to hear from all sides. Assistant Town Administrator Machalek will reach out to the Museum and RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Family Advisory Board — December 7, 2017 — Page 2 Chair Greer will reach out to Estes Park Senior Citizens Center, Inc. to invite both groups to present their proposals at the January Family Advisory Board meeting. The group felt it was important to have clear questions to ask which will help determine where the proposals fit with the work of the Family Advisory Board. The two questions will be: 1. How does your proposal impact families in the Estes Valley? 1. What would be the impact on families in the Estes Valley if your proposal is not chosen? There was further discussion on what group/organization would own the proposal for childcare, with it being stressed that the Family Advisory Board would simply make a recommendation, not own any proposal going to the Town Board. Assistant Town Administrator Machalek pointed out that having this organizational gap brings attention to the larger issue of coordinating efforts related to childcare needs in the community and it could be a potential item for the Family Advisory Board to work on. It was moved and seconded to focus on childcare as an identified service gap in the community, with more details to be provided once the Childcare Needs Assessment is complete (Strom/Balduzzi), and the motion passed unanimously. Review of 2018 Town Board Strategic Plan & Consideration of Recommendations There is currently a 5 year goal on the 2018 Strategic Plan for Town to be a catalyst for childcare, with a one year objective of reviewing building and development codes that could help. There was a discussion of large -employer collaborative childcare. Trustee Norris relayed that it would not be something the Town would undertake, only things dealing specifically with building and development codes. Member Bryant asked for clarification on what is being asked of the Family Advisory Board with this discussion. Assistant Town Administrator Machalek clarified that it was requested by a few members that the Family Advisory Board have an opportunity for to weigh in on what they would like to recommend the Town focus on in this area of the strategic plan — identify other ways in which the Town could be a catalyst for childcare in the community. Member Bryant then continued the discussion of the gap in ownership of this topic — that there are many groups working on childcare — but no organization that owns the resource in the community. The discussion will continue at future meetings. Acting Chair Roman asked Member Bryant about the previous childcare services offered by the school. Member Bryant confirmed that they used to have free childcare at the school for both school and Town employees, and that the school district is exploring options to reinstate this again. The school has suffered many complications as a result of lack of childcare, including retention and recruitment issues. Next Meeting The next meeting of the Family Advisory Board will take place Thursday, Jan. 4, at 3:30 p.m. in Room 203 at Town Hall. Seeing no further business, Chair Roman adjourned the meeting at 5:26 p.m.