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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Family Advisory Board 2020-07-02Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, July 2, 2020 Minutes of a regular meeting of the Family Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held virtually on Google Meet, on the 2nd day of July, 2020. Present: Rachel Balduzzi Laurie Dale Marshall Sue Strom John Bryant Jodi Roman Christy DeLorme Also Present: Cindy Younglund, Town Board Liaison Jason Damweber, Assistant Town Administrator Suzanna Simpson, Recording Secretary Carlie Bangs, Trustee Absent: Nancy Almond Michael Moon Guests: Chris Douglas, EVICS Chair Dale Marshall called the meeting to order at 3:45 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None TRUSTEE LIAISON REPORT In lieu of a report, the board was introduced to Trustee Cindy Younglund, who is now serving as the Trustee liaison. APPROVAL OF MARCH MINUTES: It was moved and seconded (DeLorme/Strom) to approve the March meeting minutes and the motion passed unanimously. FUTURE OF THE FAMILY ADVISORY BOARD Chair Dale Marshall led the discussion about the future of the Family Advisory Board. She stated that members have been feeling as though they are spinning their wheels and there is a sense of frustration about the lack of action from the board. She mentioned that a significant lesson learned from the community COVID-19 response is that collaboration is essential. There has been hesitation from the board collectively to narrowly define a Family Advisory Board – July 2, 2020 – Page 2 family, and while she believes in that decision, it has also led to an inability to make solid recommendations to the Town Board. Further, there is a sense that some board members do not have clarity on the advisory role of the board and are frustrated at the inability to be more action-oriented. She feels that the board might be more efficient, action-oriented and productive if it was framed as a community services advisory board. This reframing would broaden the scope of the board and allow subcommittees to work on specific areas such as childcare, housing, or mental health. Further, there are multiple groups and committees in town tackling many of these issues, and it would make more sense to have them work on the subcommittees as well. As an example, the Estes Valley Childcare Collaborative would be a logical subgroup as they have the expertise to support recommendations around childcare. Member Strom added that she has had a hard time understanding the role of the Family Advisory Board and would need more direction as to how subgroups might work. Trustee Bangs added her perspective as the Trustee liaison to the Transportation Advisory Board and how that group has been able to come together to make recommendations to the Town Board. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber stated that narrowly defining a family is a challenge and he feels that reframing the work of the board will be more productive and allow for more specific recommendations to be brought to the Town Board. Member DeLorme inquired about the work of the Childcare and Housing Task Force and asked if the Family Advisory Board could review the recommendations from the task force. Vice-Chair Balduzzi asked how the Family Advisory Board could receive better guidance on the Town’s budget and strategic plan in order to have good information to base recommendations on moving forward. Member Bryant added that a previous discussion about the budget was really helpful to build a base of knowledge for the board. He recommends building agenda items around the Town’s strategic plan and budget timelines. Following this timeline allows the board to give informed and direct feedback to the Town Board. The board discussed the Town’s Outside Entity Funding process as one way to make recommendations. The board was encouraged to educate themselves on this process. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber will provide the board with information on funding. Member Roman added that she had concerns about a complete reframing and wondered if subgroups would be structured the same as the board. Chair Dale Marshall explained that she viewed this as a way to be more connected to the work of the other groups and provide a means to collaborate with the groups that are working on the same issues in the community. Family Advisory Board – July 2, 2020 – Page 3 OTHER BUSINESS: Seeing no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:02 p.m. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the Family Advisory Board will take place Thursday, August 6 at 3:30 p.m. The format will be virtual through the Town’s Zoom account. Suzanna Simpson, Recording Secretary