HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.council.worksession.20230424 amendedAGENDA
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
April 24, 2023
4:00 PM, City Council Chambers
427 Rio Grande Place, Aspen
I.Work Session
I.A Interviews for Boards and Commissions
I.B Council Goal Update: Kids First
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Board & Commission Interviews - 4.24.23.pdf
4.24.23 Childcare Capacity Goal Update Memo.docx
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Aspen City Council
FROM: Megan Monaghan and Nancy Nichols Co-Managers, Kids First
THRU: Sara Ott, City Manager
Diane Foster, Assistant City Manager
Scott Miller,Assistant City Manager
MEETING DATE:April 24, 2023
RE:Council Goal
Childcare Capacity Goal Update
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this memo is to provide a progress update on City Council’s Critical 2-year
childcare capacity goal and provide a brief overview of Kids First programming.
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
August 10, 2021, City Council adopted Resolution #76_Series 2021, directing staff to
increase the number of available childcare spaces.
This is a two-year goal aligned with Kids First mission part of which is to increase
childcare capacity.
At the September 19, 2022,Goal Update Work Session, City Council agreed staff should
focus on workforce recruitment and retention while continuing to monitor building
space needs and possible funding opportunities.City Council agreed to allocate 75% of
the dedicated sales tax to childcare to support childcare staff, wages, and housing
needs.
These are the items we will cover in the April 24th work session including 2023 budget,
programs, grants, work to increase capacity and recruitment and retention of the early
childhood workforce.
DISCUSSION:
1. Increasing Capacity
Burlingame-A new childcare center at Burlingame and teacher housing could serve 70-90
children with approximately 25 educators including affordable housing.
CMC Little Steps College-A new infant program opened Dec. 5th is fully enrolled with 7-
8 babies a day.
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Page 2 of 4
Ajax Cubs in the Yellow Brick Building- A new childcare program operating in previously
vacant Yellow Brick classrooms. This new provider has opened 2 classrooms and has a
solid plan for opening the remainder of the classroom over the next 4 months as they
get fully staffed.
The Preschool of the Arts at the Jewish Community Center- A new childcare center
opened in September serving 8 families.
City of Aspen Kids First Capacity Expansion Funds-Financial supports provided to new
programs, includes start-up grants, funds to furnish and outfit classrooms and fund
directors while they get licensed.
Regional efforts towards increasing capacity- Kids First staff participates in regional
organizations including the Basalt Early Childhood Coalition, the Rocky Mountain Early
Childhood Council, and the Confluence Early Childhood Coalition.
2. Recruitment and Retention of early childhood workforce
A. Wage Enhancement Grant Funding-Quarter 1 and 2 reporting:
o Q1 payout $46,250.00
o Q2 payout $56,368.00
o Total payout to date of $102,618.00 for thirty-three full time and
one part time teacher, who work at childcare programs within the
Aspen City limits.
o Programs provided plans demonstrating how they will increase
revenue to meet the wage increase. All childcare program plans
included tuition increases, over time, providing operational
money to cover the new wage, narratives about program
highlights and anecdotal evidence for how the wage supplement
is supporting recruitment and retention. Stories will be shared at
the April 24th Council Work session.
B. Yellow Brick Building Rent Waiver-
o Year to date reporting: $68,808.00
o Programs provided narratives and anecdotal evidence for how
the Rent Relief Waiver is supporting recruitment and retention
which will be shared at the April 24th Council Work session.
C. Financial aid-
o Adjustments to increase support to families.
o Next application deadline May 1st, 2023.
D. Director supports -
o Trainings being offered, free of charge, in budgeting, accounting
and leadership.
o One-on-one coaching in childcare accounting.
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Page 3 of 4
E. Hiring Bonus for Childcare staff –
o Q1 reporting $10,000.00 for 9 new staff from Jan-March and 2
receiving 6 month bonus.
3. Grants
A. 2023 Infant/Toddler Grant Funding-This funding is provided to all childcare
programs in Pitkin County that serve Infants and/or toddlers and is based on
enrollment. Quarter 1 and 2 reporting:
o Q1 payout: $68,342.22
o Q2 payout $68,908.20
o Total to date $137,250.42
B. Quality Improvement/Professional Development Grants
o 2023 Total requested and approved: $50,338.99.
4. Other Kids First Programs
o VIP program-Incentives for teachers based on professional
development.
o Coaching- Quality improvement support for teachers using research
based assessment tools and relationship based coaching.
o Resource Teacher-Full time early childhood qualified substitute
teacher.
o Internship program-Full time termed position to create an early
childhood teacher pipeline.
o Nurse consultant-Contracted RN funded by Kids First providing
health consulting to childcare programs.
o Mental health-Plans to contract with qualified mental health
provider funded by Kids First to support childcare programs, teachers,
children and families.
o Professional Development-Continuing education and training for
teachers and directors.
o Web site-Aspen Kids Guide- to address what families have told us – one
place for information, services, events, childcare, and more. Collaborating
on a state grant to help fund this project.
RELATED UPDATES:
Waitlist online platform – Staff partnered with The Rocky Mountain Early Childhood
Council (RMECC) to collect and compile waitlist and enrollment data from the programs
in Pitkin County. Staff is currently waiting for this information and will share as it
becomes available.
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Page 4 of 4
YELLOW BRICK BUILDING Capital improvements approved and scheduled for 2023
o Yellow Brick entrance steps – RFP is posted.
o Flooring – RFPs received, evaluated, and notice to winning bid is in
the process.
o Plumbing – RFP to be written.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS: Any expansion of childcare capacity and programming will impact the Kids
First fund.
The Wage Enhancement, VIP, Hiring Bonus, Infant/Toddler grant and Capacity Expansion
funds will come directly out of the Kids First Operating budget, supplemental
appropriation, approved by City Council.
The YB rent subsidy will be a reduction in revenues in the Kids First operating budget.
The capital improvement funding will come from the Kids First Fund. The installation of
and cost to run the additional snow melt system will impact the Kids First operational
budget.
The increased tax split will help to fund all of these programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: We recognize that any future increase in capacity at the Yellow
Brick carries an impact, and this has been a part of the conversation with the larger community
group as they have considered locations that are in Aspen, Burlingame, or out of town (within
in the urban growth boundary). Factors under consideration include access to public
transportation, minimizing environmental impacts. These will continue to be an integral part of
the discussion.
While the snowmelt system will have a negative carbon impact, each version of snow melt
systems will be powered by electricity. Since the City of Aspen electricity is carbon natural there
will be a minimal impact. The Kids First Board thought that the use of snowmelt in a very
limited capacity at the Yellow Brick was an appropriate tradeoff for the significant increase in
safety for the parents, children, teachers, and staff.
POLICY QUESTIONS FOR CITY COUNCIL:
N/A
RECOMMENDATIONS: N/A
Alternatives:N/A
EXHIBITS:N/A
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