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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Family Advisory Board 2020-03-05Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, March 5, 2020 Minutes of a regular meeting of the Family Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Room 202 of the Estes Park Town Hall, on the 5th day of March, 2020. Present: Rachel Balduzzi Laurie Dale Marshall Karen Randinitis Sue Strom Nancy Almond Jodi Roman Michael Moon Also Present: Ron Norris, Town Board Liaison Jason Damweber, Assistant Town Administrator Suzanna Simpson, Recording Secretary Carlie Bangs, Trustee Absent: Christy DeLorme John Bryant Guests: Claire Bouchard, United Way of Larimer County Katherine Chu, Communities That Care/Partners Mentoring Youth Brian Schaeffer, Crossroads Ministries Kimberly Baker, Larimer County/Communities That Care Chair Dale Marshall called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Katherine Chu announced that she is resigning from her position at Larimer County/Communities That Care and joining Partners Mentoring Youth as the Prevention Education Program Manager based in Fort Collins. Kimberly Baker is taking over Communities That Care work in Estes Park on an interim basis. They are currently working on an arrangement to have a nonprofit take over the work of Communities That Care. Member Randinitis announced that the caregiver program at the library is full with a waitlist. One issue that she encountered is the lack of ASL interpreters in the area, both the issue of availability and affordability. The board discussed different resources for this accessibility barrier. Chair Dale Marshall recommends University of Colorado Boulder as Family Advisory Board – March 5, 2020 – Page 2 a resource and Member Balduzzi recommended reaching out to the National Park Service. TRUSTEE LIAISON REPORT Trustee Norris reminded the board of the upcoming election and encouraged the members to determine which candidates will best represent the needs of the Family Advisory Board. He also wants to be sure that the Family Advisory Board has current links and resources on COVID-19 developments. The Town is working with the Larimer County Department of Health & Environment and Estes Park Health for education and resources. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber added that staff completed a tabletop exercise where different scenarios were presented. The Town has a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and department directors understand their roles and how to communicate to staff. The COOP identifies which services are absolutely essential and how they would be able to provide those services with reduced staff. Public safety will continue to operate even if Town Hall is shut down, but non-essential to the event services such as visitor services will not continue. Another potential impact to the town is sales tax revenue. The discussion on fund balance allocation is postponed to see if there are any impacts to revenue. APPROVAL OF FEB MINUTES: It was moved and seconded (Moon/Randinitis) to approve the February meeting minutes and the motion passed unanimously. CONNECTION OPPORTUNITIES Chair Dale Marshall announced a candidate forum hosted by the Estes Chamber of Commerce and the Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center to be held March 18. Vice Chair Balduzzi announced that the EP Education foundation is holding a Polar Plunge on March 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at Trout Haven. Member Almond announced that April 15 is Speak Up For Kids at the Larimer County offices in Fort Collins. April 4 is the Be Ready Fair. In the past the Town has had a presence there, as well as read a proclamation for the Month of the Young Child. She would like to know if the Family Advisory Board has any recommendations for how the Town could be represented if the proclamation is to be part of that event, also that this is a good opportunity to get feedback from families. Chair Dale Marshall will be present to represent the Family Advisory Board. Trustee Norris offered to read the proclamation. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber will follow up with the Town Clerk’s office and get back with Member Almond. Family Advisory Board – March 5, 2020 – Page 3 An update was provided on the Boys & Girls Club that commitments for the $50,000 needed to continue operations was secured. There is a potential challenge in communicating that the summer program is still happening. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber commented that there is a need to look at the future of the program and find a way to ensure its sustainability. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber announced that the League of Women Voters is holding a forum for mayoral candidates tonight, with a forum for trustee candidates next week. Trustee Bangs shared that the Trail Gazette has published a Q&A with the candidates. Member Strom announced that the Kindergarden Round Up is May 2. Member Almond added that EVICS does backpacks for kids enrolled in preschool/childcare program and they are currently at 75 CONTINUUM OF CARE UPDATE: Claire Bouchard and Brian Schaeffer presented an update on the Continuum of Care (COC). This program was previously part of a large conglomeration of counties that received all of the federal grant funds to help those who needed assistance with food, shelter, or other resources. As of January, 2020, northern Colorado now has their own COC, serving as a coordinated effort between agencies. There was discussion around how data is collected for disbursements in Estes Park. The current count of indivudals receiving assistance is approximately 12-15 on a year-round basis, but that number goes up in the summer. Crossroads is best place to start if an individual needs assistance. Brian explained that this model helps to reduce the amount of paperwork and increases data collected on individuals who need assistance. Chair Dale Marshall asked if anonymity is possible? Brian responded that it does limit the options for services if the individual is not participating in a coordinated effort. Another benefit of the program is that the family of a participating individual is also entered into the system. The monthly meeting takes place the first Wednesday of every month from 11 a.m. to noon at Crossroads. CHILDCARE FUNDING: Assistant Town Administrator Damweber shared with board that he is trying to get up to speed on their goals and the work done to date. He is working on a childcare funding policy and will bring draft to the board for review. The policy will contain two sections– First, the Town has indicated interest in contributing to capital items such as facilities, equipment, and grants. He then wants to create a second part of the policy accounting for non-capital items that do not fall into Community Initiative Funding pool. The Boys & Girls Club is an example. Family Advisory Board – March 5, 2020 – Page 4 Assistant Town Administrator then shared with the board that he was interested in accelerating the conversation around goals and focus areas since the strategic planning process for the Town will begin soon. It is important for the Family Advisory Board to quickly decide on the top barriers to family success as stated in the focus area for 2019 and 2020 and make solid recommendations to the Town Board. He believes a good place to start is recommending funding. He has looked at real property assets, but will need advocacy for the Town Board to consider using these facilities to increase the capacity for childcare. Trustee Bangs shared that the Transportation Advisory Board completes a priority exercise in a matrix. She will share with Executive Assistant Simpson to distribute to the Family Advisory Board. Member Moon expressed concern about the lack of community awareness for the difficulties certain populations face to live and work here. Member Roman added that while this is an issue, it might make more sense to start with solid recommendations to the Town Board for action items that can be completed soon. Trustee Bangs shared that the Transportation Advisory Board makes recommendations such as new sidewalks or roundabouts, which are implemented and have a positive impact on the community. Member Moon added that he believes awareness is more important than funding at this time. Member Bryant stated that he believes the Town Board acting on recommendations from the Family Advisory Board is a good way to raise awareness. Chair Dale Marshall thanked Assistant Town Administrator Damweber for moving the discussion forward and expressed the concern she has had about the focus on awareness and data, and the difficulty of acting until awareness has been achieved. She appreciates the direct approach from Assistant Town Administrator Damweber. Discussion continued on the need for awareness versus making a funding recommendation to the Town Board. The Family Advisory Board will call a special meeting to complete the exercise on identifying barriers to family success and be ready to firm up the recommendations at the April meeting. Executive Assistant Simpson will schedule the meeting for Thursday, March 12 and confirm with the board. Trustee Norris added that even though the April meeting will be his last, he is happy to continue assisting the Family Advisory Board with advocacy. OTHER BUSINESS: Seeing no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:23 p.m. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the Family Advisory Board will take place Thursday, April 2 at 3:30 p.m. in room 203 at Town Hall. There is a tentative special meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 12 at 3:30 p.m. in room 203 at Town Hall. Suzanna Simpson, Recording Secretary