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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Family Advisory Board 2020-12-03 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, December 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 December, 2020. Present: Laurie Dale Marshall Jodi Roman Michael Moon Nancy Almond Sue Strom Chris Douglas Rachel Balduzzi Christy DeLorme John Bryant Also Present: Cindy Younglund, Town Board Liaison Jason Damweber, Assistant Town Administrator Suzanna Simpson, Executive Assistant Guests: Claire Bouchard, United Way of Larimer County Chair Dale Marshall called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT: Claire Bouchard shared that United Way is working with Larimer County to distribute funds through the CARES Act funding. They will distribute $300,000 for the childcare fund in the next few weeks. More information on fire recovery efforts will be available soon – there is $1 million in this fund. Fundraising for the COVID fund began in March. So far they have distributed $1.2 million and have $50,000 left. Additionally, they are seeking community members for a community view committee. Interested individuals will receive a $25 per hour stipend for their time. Chair Dale Marshall added that the fire recovery fund will be available to individuals who were evacuated and have unmet needs as a result, not just those who suffered losses or structural damage from the fire. TRUSTEE LIAISON UPDATE: Trustee Younglund shared that the 2021 budget was approved and the Town Board approved the advisory board’s requested name change to the Community and Family Advisory Board. The Town Board has also made a request for the Community and Family Advisory Board to provide them with an update on childcare in the community. Member DeLorme asked what kind of data was needed. Trustee Younglund feels it should be Family Advisory Board – December 3, 2020 – Page 2 focused on the of current challenges with COVID, such as how remote school is impacting childcare, how needs for school aged children as well as those under school-age are being met, and how the current environment is affecting parents. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber mentioned the question posed by Trustee Bangs about what the assumptions around the needs are, how they are being met, and how childcare operations have been impacted by the pandemic. There was also discussion about the follow up to the childcare assessment conducted in 2018. Chair Dale Marshall added that as the board makes this expansion to include community, there needs to be consideration of how to include groups such as the childcare collaborative. She suggests pulling together all of the childcare professionals in the area that have previously met to help pull data. Member Almond recommends connecting with Member Moon to review what was quoted from the consultant who conducted the assessment for a data refresh. She does not feel it is necessary, that data can be collected in the community. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber stated that he believed it would be important for the CFAB to respond to this request as, in part to demonstrate a continued emphasis on childcare. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER MEETING MINUTES: It was moved and seconded (Almond/Moon) to approve the October meeting minutes and the motion passed unanimously. REVIEW IMPLICATIONS OF CHANGE TO COMMUNITY AND FAMILY ADVISORY BOARD: Assistant Town Adminstrator Damweber opened the discussion stating that the Town Board accepted all of the recommendations that the advisory board worked on a few months ago, including the name change, the clause to be more inclusive of community and term expiration to line up with other boards. To demonstrate the impact of the work of the advisory board, this year’s Town budget included a higher level of funding for the community initiative line item than in 2019, another recommendation by the advisory board. He also shared that the board voted in support of the changes with the exception of the Mayor. She had expressed concern about the advisory board serving as a conduit for the community to the Town Board, which may discourage community members from going directly to the Trustees. He provided further context in a follow up conversation. Another positive item from the discussion was the recognition of the need for two-way communication between the Town Board and the Community and Family Advisory. The development of the focus areas for 2021 will be pivotal for the group and its new identity. The Town Board is interested in childcare and it is important for the advisory board to demonstrate that childcare is still at the top of the list of priorities. There was discussion on subgroups being a way that the advisory board members can Family Advisory Board – December 3, 2020 – Page 3 work with other groups to consolidate efforts. Many members expressed concern about adding additional meetings, but balancing the need to have more robust discussions than what can occur at the once monthly board meeting. Chair Dale Marshall suggested that once the focus areas are identified, the subgroups are formed based on that need. Member Douglas added that they are almost through the hiring process for a new Assistant Director and that individual will be covering childcare in their duties, so they can help compile the data that the Town Board is requesting. Chair Dale Marshall asked her to bring a draft of what the report might look like to the January meeting. Member Douglas will work with Trustee Younglund on what would be worthwhile to report on and confirm the requested data points. FOCUS AREA DISCUSSION: Chair Dale Marshall led the discussion by stating that she feels the community listening session needs to happen prior to the January meeting and focus area discussion as it is important to hear from the community in order to represent the needs of the community. Member Strom stated that she feels the most important thing is not just representing the Community and Family Advisory Board in discussions with the broader community and other representative organizations, but clearly outlining the questions and being specific about what information you are trying to get to gauge the pulse of the community. Member Almond feels that board members can use these opportunities to explain the work of the advisory board and tie it to the community needs and identify things that the Town might be able to impact. Chair Dale Marshall added that this role is helpful to identify the themes in the community and take advantage of the charge to be a conduit. There was concern expressed over a lack of understanding of what the Town can or cannot do in terms of how to frame requests. Chair Dale Marshall added that recommendations are supposed to align with the Town’s strategic plan, which is one area that the board has struggled with in the past. Trustee Younglund added that the advisory board should feel comfortable making an ask or presenting an issue, and by not doing so, they make the decision for the Town Board on whether they can help or not. COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION PLANNING: Chair Dale Marshall shared parameters of conducting a special meeting, depending on how many members are in attendance, and reiterated that she would like to have as many members attend as possible. She suggested using the same questions that were previously agreed upon that were used at events such as Pumpkins & Pilsners. Member Almond suggested that there be two sessions, one in English and one in Spanish. Member Roman suggested that for those who can’t attend, a survey could be sent. The advisory board discussed what might be the best format to collect data from the Family Advisory Board – December 3, 2020 – Page 4 community considering the short turn around and the holidays. Some board members feel there is “Zoom fatigue” and participation in that medium might be minimal. Executive Assistant Simpson offered to create a survey, which can also be sent to Member Strom and Jose Almeida for translation. The board can analyze and discuss the data at the January meeting. Assistant Town Administrator Damweber confirmed that the focus areas have to be discussed at first meeting of the year and recommended the end of February as the latest to have them identified. Chair Dale Marshall asked Vice Chair Balduzzi and Member Roman to work with Executive Assistant Simpson to adapt the previously used questions to the new expanded charge. Executive Assistant Simpson will include the survey link in a press release also announcing the name change. SCHEDULING OF SECTOR PRESENTATIONS AT MEETINGS: Chair Dale Marshall suggests that February will be a good time to extend the first invitation to someone from another sector to speak to the advisory board. Member Roman will work with Quinn Brett, who will speak on accessibility issues in the community. She is no longer in contact with the individual who had concerns about starting an elder care facility, but will work on reconnecting with them. The advisory board can determine what sector to invite next at the February meeting. REVIEW OF MEMBERSHIP STATUS, ROLES, MEETING FORMAT: Chair Dale Marshall asked the group to be cognizant of when their terms end and consider their plans to continue on the board. Member Almond pointed out that the terms on the agenda need to be updated to reflect the recent change approved by the Town Board. Member Bryant inquired about recruitment status and Chair Dale Marshall feels this should be part of the focus area discussion. Member Moon stressed the importance of this with the expansion of the board’s mission. Seeing no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:13 p.m. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the Family Advisory Board will take place Thursday, January 7, 2021. The format will be virtual through the Town’s Zoom account. Suzanna Simpson, Recording Secretary