HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.KFAB.20210507Kids First Mission: Promote the availability of quality, affordable early childhood care &
education, and provide access to early childhood information and resources.
Kids First Advisory Board Meeting
Friday, May 7, 2021 – 11:30 AM
Zoom meeting
Attendees: Sue Way, Beth Cashdan, Stefan Reveal, Michaela Idhammar-Ketpura, Shirley Ritter, Nancy
Nichols, & Diane Foster
• Approved Minutes from April 9th, 2021 - Beth moved, Sue seconded, MPU
DESIRED OUTCOMES:
• Yellow Brick leases and childcare capacity:
Shirley opened the discussion by reviewing the current childcare capacity numbers which she collects
from all the programs monthly. The childcare programs average 80% capacity overall. These numbers
reflect many on the change’s programs made during the last year including reduces class size, decreased
days, and decreased hour of operation.
Lease waiver background:
The Yellow Brick lease holders were given a waiver of the 75% capacity requirement in their leases
through January 2021 and then granted an extension of the waiver until May 31, 2021.
The waiver lease language:
Due to the nature of the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, the provision found in the forgoing
lease at Article VI, Sec. 1 entitled "Effective Use of Space," shall be waived until January 31, 2021.
Notwithstanding this waiver, during the term of the waiver, the tenant must take all appropriate
steps to remain open as long as possible with as many children as reasonably possible. Tenant shall
provide monthly enrollment reports accompanied by a written plan for continued operations and
increased enrollment. On or before January 31, 2021 the parties shall confer and determine, based
upon the monthly enrollment reports, operation plans, and all other relevant information, if such a
waiver should be extended for an additional period of time. If no conference occurs or no extension
is agreed upon, the waiver is no longer in effect as of January 31, 2021.
Kids First Board motion from January 9th, 2021:
Yellow Brick leases – Shirley presented current enrollment information from the programs in the
Yellow Brick and shared the lease language. The board discussed the current COVID situation and
agreed to extend the lease clause (which does not require 75% enrollment) until May 31st, 2021. The
Yellow Brick tenants will be notified of the extension on/or before January 31st, 2021 which meets the
requirements in the lease.
➢ Chad moved to extend the current lease capacity clause in the Yellow Brick lease thru May 31st,
2021. No other changes to the written clause. Beth seconded, MPU.
The Kids First Advisory Board discussed the options for the childcare programs at the Yellow Brick.
The discussion included the current need for childcare in the Aspen community as well as the Yellow
Brick programs current enrollment and desired enrollment reports.
It was agreed that the Yellow Brick childcare programs would be notified via email that the lease waiver
would not be extended and the leasing requirement would be returned to the original language on June
1st, 2021. The timing of the change is designed to give the programs the 90 days between June 1st and
September 1st to meet the enrollment requirements prior to signing new leases on Sept 1st, 2021. New
leases for the 2021-2022 leasing year will be sent to the Yellow Brick childcare programs on or before
August 15th, 2021.
➢ Stefan moved to return the Yellow Brick lease to the original lease terms on June 1st,
2021 and to increase or meet capacity of 75% before new lease signing on Sept 1, 2021.
Sue seconded, MPU.
• Update Kids First projects and capacity plan for 2021
Quality Improvement Grants:
Kids First Quality Improvement Grants update: Shirley reminded the group that we had asked for the
Aspen School District to review their grant. The Kids First Advisory Board was interested in having
additional information on how the materials requested meet the grant guidelines and requirements.
Shirley was asked to meet with Simone to discuss the materials and also have Simone meet with Adley,
Kids First coach, to determine the needs.
Shirley met with Simone, however, Adley has not been able to schedule a meeting with Simone.
The Kids First Advisory Board discussed the situation and agreed to ask Simone to consider her ask and
to give us a timeline of when she would meet with Adley and resubmit the grant request. The Kids First
Advisory Board suggested this timeline be completed before the closing of the Aspen School District
preschool for the summer. Shirley and Adley will follow up with Simone. A revised grant will be
submitted to the Kids First Advisory Board at the June 4th meeting.
Projects/capacity planning:
There are currently many projects moving forward toward increasing childcare capacity in our valley.
CMC: We are currently waiting on the IGA, design is complete, and a permit meeting has been
requested. This project is for 1 Infant classroom for up 8 infants in the current CMC building in Aspen.
Aspen School District: The Aspen School District passed a bond last year that included building a new
childcare building at the Aspen Campus. Currently planning and design have begun on the facilities
master plan. The Aspen School District has been in contact with The City of Aspen and consideration
includes designing a building that would have additional classrooms for increased community capacity
needs. There is also discussion about a potential partnership with CMC to include a teaching/education
lab school component.
Burlingame: Conversations will be renewed with the HOA to continue to explore the possibility of
childcare in the current community building.
Kids First has budget to continue design/planning work with all options and to collaborate for future
childcare programs in the area. These efforts are being moved forward with business participation, other
government interest, and City of Aspen agendas.
On June 7th Shirley will be presenting a childcare update to a City Council work session for further
support and direction.
Next meetings: - Kids First Advisory Board
Friday June 4 City Council work session June 7 Friday July 9