Appointed Committees

March 23, 2023 Committee on Childcare in Minot Committee on Childcare in Minot – March 23, 2023 AT 4:30 P.M. Members Present: Scott Burlingame, Kevin Cross, Heather Cymbaluk, Amy Jenkins, Lisa Olson, Becca Oswill, Keli Rosselli-Sullivan, Terry Schumalz, Harold Stewart, John Van Dyke Members Absent: Rianne Kuhn Also Present: Mikayla McWilliams (City Clerk) The meeting was called to order by Chairman Scott Burlingame at 4:30 pm. The committee did introduction:  Keli Rosselli-Sullivan – MACEDC Workforce Development/Military Liaison  Kevin Cross – Childcare Provider  Bekka Oswill – Childcare Provider/Parent/Social Work  Heather Cymbaluk – Companions for Children Executive Director/Parent  Harold Stewart – City Manager, Economic/Employer Impact/Parent  John Van Dyke – City Employee/ Code/Ordinance & Health/Safety  Terry Schumalz – Hess Corporation HR/ Parent  Lisa Olson – City Council member/Retired School Administrator  Amy Jenkins – Childcare Licensing Specialist with the State of ND/Parent/Business Owner  Scott Burlingame – Chairman/City Council member Scott Burlingame discussed the purpose of the committee. He wanted the committee members to know:  Meetings should last approximately 1 hour.  Roberts Rule of Order will be used for the meetings and if voting takes place it will be done by roll call.  Mayoral appointed committee so the meetings are open meetings and there will be audience participation.  All correspondence is considered open record. The overview and purpose of the committee includes making recommendations to the City Council on:  The current lack of childcare effects on the City’s ability to fill key positions.  The lack of childcares effects on local economic development.  The lack of childcares effect on military families at the Minot AFB.  How economic development funds can be leveraged to improve childcare options in Minot.  Review current city ordinances regarding childcare and make recommendations on any needed changes or additions.  Monitor and report on childcare related legislation in order to maximize the city’s ability to respond to statewide incentives for childcare.  Explore efforts in other regional communities to address the childcare shortage, and make recommendations on the feasibility to those solutions in Minot.  Make other recommendations on how the city can improve the availability and affordability of childcare. Discussion was open on the tentative schedule: Date Time Agenda 3/24/23 4:30 Introductions and Overview of the work of the Committee 4/5/23 4:30 Presentation from Early Childhood Licensing  Carmen and Nicole will be discussing the licensing process for North Dakota. Discussion on licensing challenges and support available for aspiring providers. 4/20/23 1:30 Challenges of Childcare on the MAFB Page 1 of 2   MAFB Licensing Representatives – Lt. Berry is part of the working group and will reach out with a list of people to invite to this meeting. 5/3/23 4:30 Childcare Legislation Update  Possibly using the new City Hall location for the meeting. This would be a meeting to invite Representatives from the State of ND. 5/18/23 1:30 City of Minot: Discussion on Various Codes  This was moved from 7/12/2023 up to give the committee some background and information on the various codes for the City of Minot. John Van Dyke will present on various codes/ordinances that affect providers and will also ask a Fire Inspector and Building Inspector to attend. 5/31/23 4:30 Problems of Childcare in Minot Part 1: Providers Perspective  Find the list of childcare providers and post on some of the Facebook groups for providers to invite them to the meeting. 6/15/23 1:30 Problems of Childcare in Minot Part 2: Employers Perspective  Reach out to large businesses such as Minot State University, Minot Public Schools, BNSF, Walmart, Trinity, and shift workers. John Coughlin, a board member on the Trinity Health Board of Directors, mentioned MACEDC was willing to do a survey with their members on childcare. He also mentioned to talk with Amy Jacobson with ND Childcare Action Alliance, the Community Action Partnership, and Kids Count ND. 6/20/23 4:30 Problems of Childcare in Minot Part 3: Parents Perspective  Discussion on the providers reaching out to parents and the possibility of doing a parent survey. 7/12/23 1:30 Innovative Practices from other Communities  Discussion on educational training, public and private partnerships, and various locations that have new ideas/practices. Women’s Business Center in Bismarck hosts and online educational program that runs 10 weeks. Committee could look into inviting someone from the banking industry that understands the financial process and what the barriers are for providers. 7/27/23 4:30 Leveraging Economic Development Funds for Childcare in Minot  Inviting someone or looking into the Williston Program (start-up funds), ND Development Fund (loan), and ND Aware (grants). Other issues for discussion might be Center Issues with education requirements and the quality supervisor necessary, along with the issues for foster parents on finding last minute daycare. The next meeting will be Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 4:30 pm. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:27 pm. Page 2 of 2