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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Family Advisory Board 2020-09-03 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 3, 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 3rd day of September, 2020. Present: Rachel Balduzzi Jodi Roman Christy DeLorme Michael Moon Nancy Almond Sue Strom Also Present: Cindy Younglund, Town Board Liaison Jason Damweber, Assistant Town Administrator Absent: Laurie Dale Marshall John Bryant Guests: Chris Douglas, EVICS Vice Chair Balduzzi called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Assistant Town Administrator Damweber provided a brief update on the Childcare Connect program, which is currently still in development. The program will match providers with those who have childcare needs, but will rely heavily on providers to keep the information updated. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber also provided an update on the upcoming Elk Fest and that it will be reformatted to take place as a virtual festival over three weeks. The Town is currently working with Visit Estes Park to organize virtual events and promotion, which is expected to begin next week. TRUSTEE LIAISON REPORT Trustee Younglund provided an update on the strategic planning process that is underway and the upcoming budget process. Assistant Town Administrator provide an additional update on the variance, given the recent news that it is no longer in jeopardy. Additionally, he encouraged the board to view the dashboard on Larimer County’s website. Family Advisory Board – August 6, 2020 – Page 2 SAFE SPACE STICKER CAMPAIGN This item will be covered by Chair Dale Marshall either at the next meeting or in documentation distributed by Executive Assistant Simpson. APPROVAL OF AUGUST MEETING MINUTES: It was moved and seconded (DeLorme/Strom) to approve the August meeting minutes and the motion passed unanimously. SUMMARY OF CHILDCARE MEETING Vice Chair Balduzzi reported that following the announcement from the school district to begin the school year with remote learning, Chair Dale Marshall called a meeting with all applicable parties to discuss what options were available to parents who needed assistance. The key takeaways from the meeting were that the YMCA is providing space for up to 40 children in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club and the school district, which began this week. Though the financial details are not yet clear, no child has been turned away. Member DeLorme provided an update on how her operations have been conducted related to COVID-19 safety. Discussion continued on the role of the Boys & Girls Club in remote learning through partnership with the school district - specifically in terms of funding, contracting, and how school district employees figure into the model. Member Roman asked if there had been outreach for students who may be considered at risk or have challenges at home, and if anyone is helping to advocate for those children and assist with paperwork. Member Strom stated that she has helped many people fill out the paperwork online, and that the Boys & Girls Club is currently hiring people to help continue meeting the needs of the community. Member Roman also added that she has heard concern from some parents about the amount of screen time that the remote learning program requires. APPOINTMENT OF CHRIS DOUGLAS Chris Douglas, who is the current Executive Director for EVICS has applied to be a member of the Family Advisory Board. It was moved and seconded (Moon/Almond) to appoint Chris Douglas to the Family Advisory Board and the motion passed unanimously. NEXT STEPS Assistant Town Administrator Damweber asked the group if anything from the recommendations that were distributed needed to be changed or clarified before going to the Town Board. Regarding the expansion from “family” to “family and community” he provided some context on the part that would change in the mission is to add “and supporting the availability of all to live, work, and thrive in Estes Park.” The best Family Advisory Board – August 6, 2020 – Page 3 opportunity for the board to discuss this further is when determining the 2021 Focus Areas for Town Board approval. Member DeLorme asked about the addition of the word “support” in the document that was distributed as that was not part of the discussion at the last meeting. Vice Chair Balduzzi believes it was added so that the Family Advisory Board could serve as a clearinghouse for other groups working on similar issues. Trustee Younglund said that she sees the Family Advisory Board serving as a hub to gather suggestions and needs from related groups and the community and then bring those to the Town Board. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber agreed, restating the role of the Family Advisory Board to serve as the conduit to make needed recommendations to the Town Board. He does not see the Family Advisory Board providing direct support, but rather advising on how the Town Board can provide support. Member Almond asked for the context behind adding “community” to the title. Vice Chair Balduzzi stated that the board has struggled since its creation to define family and felt it was important to open the areas of focus up to the entire community and issues that impact the ability for all types of families to live in Estes Park, including housing and living wages as an example, as these issues impact people from all walks of life. Member Roman added that this move showed a greater focus on inclusivity, rather than just focusing on families with children, the board can address issues around young workers, elderly and all community members. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber added that the Family Advisory Board is focused on more than just childcare, and this expansion is one way to demonstrate that broader focus. It was moved and seconded (Moon/DeLorme) to approve the recommendation to change the name of the Family Advisory Board to the Family and Community Advisory Board and the motion passed unanimously. It was moved and seconded (Moon/Roman) to approve the addition of “develop recommended policies that support the availability of all to live, work, and thrive in Estes Park” to the mission of the Family Advisory Board and the motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS: The group discussed some of the challenges with the remote learning programs and school enrollment, specifically challenges that families are facing in the new environment and keeping up with the constantly changing information. Member Roman expressed her appreciation to the school district for going above and beyond with care for her daughter. Member Moon brought up concerns around the discussion of the Prospect Park Living Center closing due to financial shortfalls at the hospital, specifically as it relates to expanding the mission of the Family Advisory Board to include the community as a whole. Member Roman asked if anyone was able to summarize the facts from the last Estes Park Health Board Meeting to help clarify the rumors that are going around on social Family Advisory Board – August 6, 2020 – Page 4 media. Chris Douglas asked if someone could send her the approved focus area for 2020 as she was not clear how this topic fit into that discussion and it could help give the board a guideline. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber will send that to her, and reminded the group that the role of the Family Advisory Board is to make recommendations to the Town Board, so it is important to remember what the Family Advisory Board can take on and stay within that scope. Member Moon feels that this discussion could be relevant to the Comprehensive Plan. Seeing no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the Family Advisory Board will take place Thursday, October 1 at 3:30 p.m. The format will be virtual through the Town’s Zoom account. Suzanna Simpson, Recording Secretary