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Childcare Coordinator Kristen Anderson gave a summary of the history of the Redwood Shores Task Force composed in response to the concerns due to the severe shortage of childcare for all ages. She introduced members in the audience: Rosanne Foust, a parent and businessperson in the community and Chamber of Commerce member; Fran Durakis, President of Children's' Creative Learning Centers that operates before and after school child care in the Sandpiper Community Center on a lease basis. She explained that since the lack of child care is due to the lack of affordable facilities, the Child Care Task Force worked toward identifying potential City owned land for potential development and to outreach to the community to gain support for collaborative efforts to meet the child care need. Some of the accomplishments were increase in the enrollment capacity of the before and after school program at Sandpiper from 60 to 70 spaces. Community meetings were held for input on needs and feedback on the task force work, a child care needs survey was conducted, presentations were made to many community organizations gaining letters of support from the RSHOA and RSOA, business owners and the Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee. Informative articles were published articles in the community newsletters and contact and meetings occurred with many employers and developers. Potential sites identified were Mariner and Marlin park sites where some open space might be used for a small facility and the empty lot behind the Fire Station, but all sites were met with resistance from the residents around those sites concerned with parking and noise issues. The fourth potential site was the large lot at Marine and Bridge Parkways. Max Keech approached the Task Force approximately two months ago with an initial proposal. The Task Force felt that if the land were dedicated for childcare use it should remain that. Parks and Recreation Manager Hannon spoke of four options: land lease with a private developer, land sale with a private developer, City acting as a developer, or do nothing at this time. She went through the pros and cons of each option and stated that although four traditional alternatives had been presented it would be extremely difficult for any developer to qualify for traditional financing. In order to more fully explore childcare on this site, meeting the community's needs and the Council priority of youth, some creative financing options were presented. The alternative financing strategies proposed were to use funds from City reserves to finance the construction of the child care facility or for the City to secure exempt financing on those certificates of participation to construct the child care facility. The pros and cons of those options were explained. Parks and Recreation Manager Hannon stated staff is seeking direction on proceeding with childcare development on this site or do nothing at this time. If going forward, the question is whether to work with a private developer or for the City to act as the developer. A funding alternative would need to be decided upon in either scenario. The recommendation would be to enter into a lease rather than a sale and the property would go out to bid. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 26, 2000 PAGE 6 MINUTES Book No.58 Page NO. 145