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Approval to Fund an Additional FY2017 Community Service Organization Grant to Connecting Ties, Inc. in the Amount of $64,000 for the Purposes of Assisting Stepping Stones Learning Center with Establishment of a Non-Profit Daycare in Valdez
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SUBMITTED BY: Elke Doom, City Manager
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: $64,000
Unencumbered Balance: $175,861.54
Funding Source: 350-0202-55000; Council Contingency Reserve
RECOMMENDATION:
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N/A
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SUMMARY STATEMENT:
During the City Council work session on October 12th, Mayor Knight asked City Council to hear a presentation from Ms. Michelle Baker, current Stepping Stones Administrator, regarding daycare needs in Valdez. Ms. Baker explained the current for-profit Stepping Stones Daycare will be closing October 31st, which will leave many Valdez families without options for daycare.
Ms. Baker explained she and a group of other Valdez residents began exploring the option of opening a non-profit daycare facility in Valdez to fill the void. Ms. Baker will serve as the new daycare's executive director and the daycare's board of directors has also been established. The group is now incorporated. They have secured a State of Alaska business license. They have identified a potential location for the new daycare (Wilson Brothers Building on Richardson Highway) and are negotiating with the owner to secure the facility.
Ms. Baker explained they are also working with the State of Alaska Child Care Program Licensing department to complete the licensing process, although any inspection will be contingent on securing a facility for the daycare. Mayor Knight has been assisting with this process.
Ms. Baker explained her board of directors is currently seeking non-profit status. Until that time, they have arranged with Connecting Ties, Inc. to fall under that organization's 501(c)(3) status.
Following the City Council work session on October 12th, Council directed City Administration to meet with Ms....
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