HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.KFAB.20210709Kids First Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Friday, July 9, 2021 – 11:30 AM
Attendees: Beth Cashdan, Stefan Reveal, Rebecca Paschal, Chad Schmit,
Shirley Ritter, Nancy Nichols, Diane Foster, Kadi Kuhlenberg
Approved Minutes from June 4, 2021 meeting: approved
Desired Outcomes:
Capital Planning information and review:
Shirley, City Manager Sara Ott and Assistant City Manager, Diane Foster have been meeting to work on ideas around
childcare capacity in our community.
• Burlingame Phase III is the current preference for a new childcare facility. The construction has begun on the
housing part of this project and adding a childcare building makes the most since at this location. There is an
allocated space to build a new two-level building that could include 7 new classrooms. The time frame and cost
are yet to be determined. This facility is the most attractive of the options on the table. The space has been
allocated, families are living in Burlingame and there will be more families moving in as the project is built, and 7
classrooms would increase capacity. The space needs land use approval and the infrastructure established with a
new building needing to be constructed. Shirley and Diane have had a meeting with Asset department staff to
look at the land use and to determine if the City has capacity to lead this project. Aspen City council has a
strategic planning retreat on July 19th and 20th and childcare is likely to be one of their goals for 2021-2023.
• Burlingame Commons is a space that has previously been discussed as an option that could be available sooner
with changes to the current building. These changes or additions include exterior stairs, a second-floor entrance,
interior stairs and an addition of a second floor, renovating the lower level, adding wall on the main floor,
additional bathrooms and fenced play areas. With these changes the building could have 3 classrooms. With a
smaller number of changes to the current first floor the building could be used for 2 classrooms. The Kids First
Advisory Board agreed that having the building accommodate just 2 rooms would be more cost effective and
offer childcare sooner rather than later. It was further discussed that a director or childcare program might be
interested in starting with the 2-room space and then have the options to grow into the new Burlingame Phase III
space when it was available.
• Lumberyard is still an option with space being considered. This project is further out but is something that is a
consideration for future childcare space.
• CMC Infant room can be completed and ready in a short amount of time once the CMC board completes the
MOU so that the few changes can be made to add some plumbing and a playground to the space.
Shirley asked the Kids First Board for their thoughts on supporting these projects. Diane proposed that the Kids First
Advisory Board revisit this topic and make their commitment later in August so that they will have more details and an
understanding of costs and timeline for Burlingame Commons and Burlingame phase III.
Stefan moved to recommend that The Kids First Advisory Board agrees with pursuing Burlingame Phase III
building and is interested in moving forward with Burlingame Commons. The Kids First Advisory Board would
like to review the budget for 2 and/or 3 classrooms in the Burlingame Commons and have a timeline. Beth
seconded, MPU.
Yellow Brick Lease Discussion:
On July 8th, 2021 Kids First staff, Kids First Board members, City of Aspen Attorney, Early Learning Center Director and
Assistant Director, Aspen Mountain Tots Director and parent/attorney, and Playgroup Director had a meeting to discuss
the draft lease changes.
Stefan and Chad each reviewed and shared some of the meeting content and the Yellow Brick tenants’ concerns.
These included: timing, quality of care, group size, the quality of the staff experience, CPP requirements, stress, Covid
recovery, 5 day a week schedule and length of day.
The Kids First Advisory Board had each member discuss and add input to the draft changes including agreements,
concerns, and thoughts. After reviewing the goals of Kids First as well as the community needs and the needs of the
childcare tenants the following items are the agreed upon changes:
Section 2. Terms: This will remain as written in the “draft”.
Article VI, Permitted Use
• Effective September 1st 2023 use of the space will be for a minimum of 8 hours a day, Monday thru Friday and
include the hours 9-4.
• Effective use of the space will be based on the monthly average number rather than a percentage, with the
1) Preschool classrooms: minimum of 12 children
2) Toddler classroom: minimum of 9 children that includes all children over age 2
3) Toddler classrooms: minimum of 6 children that includes children under age 2
4) Infant classrooms: minimum of 6 children.
Monthly classroom documentation of child capacity numbers will be provided to Kids First just as in the past.
The rest of the “draft” lease language about required capacity in any given 30 day period etc. and the rest of the time
frame information set forth in the “draft” lease will be rewritten, using the same numbers, but structured to flow correctly.
Stefan moved to make the changes to Article VI, Permitted use – changing the language and the measurement to
be minimum number per day per age group based on an average of a 5 day week, as discussed by the group.
Chad seconded, MPU
Stefan moved to the wording: Use of space will be 5 days a week Monday thru Friday and operating a minimum
of 8 hours a day with hours that include 9am to 4pm will be added to the lease beginning with Sept 2023 leases.
Beth seconded, MPU.
The City of Aspen Attorney will review and rewrite the lease terms for the Kids First final approval to be determined on
Friday July 18th via email review and vote of approval.
The final leases will be delivered to the Yellow Brick Tenants on/or before 5:00pm on Wednesday July 23rd, 2021.
Kids First Advisory Board Meeting Schedule
Friday August 6th
Friday September 3rd
(Labor Day is Monday Sept 7th)
Friday October 1st
Friday, November 5th
Friday, December 3rd