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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/07/1992, 4 - ADOPTION OF A CHILD CARE POLICY I,Iu^`�Illn'lllllll�l II MEETING GATE: VIII lu In ll�l city of San .__ JS OBISpo Aril 7 1992 COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER: FROM: Ann McPike, Director of Personnel SUBJECT: Adoption of a Child Care Policy CAO RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a Resolution Establishing a Child Care Policy for the City of San Luis Obispo DISCUSSION: BACKGROUND The City Council of San Luis Obispo has understood for many years that good child care is an asset to the community, a stimulus to the local economy, a source of strength and support for families, and a positive experience for children. They have recognized that the community's children are its future. If San Luis Obispo is to continue to be a vital and viable City, young families must be encouraged to live and work in San Luis Obispo and the City's success in this effort will depend greatly on insuring the safety and well-being of the children in our community. Responding to the urgency of the community's child care needs, many California cities have in recent years adopted new child care policies and programs. These agencies have discovered that child care policies are a benefit not only to employees but also to employers who can expect to see reduced turnover, less absenteeism and tardiness, improved recruitment, increased productivity, and less stress for working parents. These kinds of bottom line results serve as economic incentives for employers. Although San Luis Obispo has been aggressive in addressing the child care needs of its own City employees as well as the child care needs of the community, the City has no formal child care policy. On April 29, 1991, the City Council directed staff to develop formal policies related to child care. The intent of the policy is to acknowledge what the City is currently doing to support child care, to provide direction for future activities the City can undertake as an employer and as a community leader, and to stimulate action on the part of employers throughout the community to get involved in child care assistance for their employees. By adopting a formal policy, the City will demonstrate its commitment to the families of the community by clearly articulating its support of child care. A committee comprised of key staff from the Administration, Recreation and Personnel Departments met to discuss what the City is currently doing in the area of child care and what options are available for future opportunities. The questions they sought to answer were: • What is the City of San Luis Obispo doing as an employer? • What is the City of San Luis Obispo doing for the community? 0 What can the City of San Luis Obispo do in the future? In seeking the answers to those questions, it has become clear that the City's role as an ��I ���������u►IUlllllllllp► ��Ulll city of San OBISpo COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT employer can be a model for other employers to follow. The current level of involvement demonstrates City commitment to the provision and support of child care services as essential to the well-being of a community. What is the City of San Luis Obispo doing as an employer? The City of San Luis Obispo strives to be a model employer in terms of responding to employee child care needs. Although employer assisted child care support systems are an employee benefit and as such subject to state law governing the City's duty to negotiate with employee associations, the City currently has a number of programs in place that are in direct response to child care needs. The list includes: a Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Employees are able to set aside a specified amount of salary held in an account to be used to reimburse child care expenses with pre-tax dollars. This benefit provides employees who have child care expenses with a tax advantage. • Flexible Scheduling In many departments, employees are allowed flexible schedules not only in starting and quitting times but also in some cases, compressed work weeks to accommodate special family schedules. • Family Care Leave Currently, City employees can use a portion of their sick leave if they are required to be away from the job to personally care for a member of their immediate family. The California Family Rights Act of 1991 became effective January 1, 1992. Under the Act, all employers with 50 or more employees will be required to allow employees to take family leave for up to a total of four months within a twenty- four month period. Although the City has an informal policy of allowing mothers to take unpaid leave for typically four months after the birth of a child, this legislation will enable the City to formalize its practice. The Fair Employment and Housing Commission charged with enforcing the Act is in the process of developing. regulations that should be enacted after a public comment period. Once the regulations are finalized, the City will enter into negotiations with our employees to implement the mandated benefits. • Child Care Assistance The Employee Assistance Program provides child care assistance to help employees assess their child care needs, identify and evaluate appropriate child care options. Employees access this benefit through a twenty-four hour 'hotline' telephone number and can receive immediate assistance if faced with a crisis situation and/or a timely response to non-crisis inquiries about child care services. Assessing the employees' needs is a critical task that has been undertaken by the Association as well as City management. The Recreation Department conducted a survey last Fall. That survey indicated that of the 54 employees with children who responded there are 23 children of employees from infant to three years old, 20 children within the ages of 2 JD u.n vL aid C`O u.r z e.� (y)-e-wL Ge r sj LO-O-) w A o ar e, s Iq?n i,n 7 -fti ' 4 Co VKM u-N )'e-a,y O LA., r"v\ *� e �ree, 1� .`CIs SeG, oa1 Dl( are, de-P-A!y eon CErvx¢.d h4'A kbors wl'i-C 0sfronc� o%eeS "ra y`� kee�, ©u �jl n kber'- k o o p o� a (no."r j f LA.)l 0� a t I�1t, Q'�c2 MAa -S r Fav a- . (Y>p -su�olerteELctere. �rQveirc� 's �e � w (i�'2u. r�� a, lQ9a-, ro��s�d �r� �l�' �.r� �/S /YI-�.�,Ee. A-•re, . 1/�.. le7Y.�/ wcz,.c re z o[�ft�-s h 7�, ,'� a ►��. V �.P'ilk �I�e. 500 TfT9�Tr`c .s� f21`i"V1� 6n"ta C4 G .cam fJ�. I I rq rear See S .�2a R f y y u9'�7 }j es�,E. 7�r'w,e s cue c.s r`n 7 ct" � wix i rn� D s blc z �?�cc�l��"ou ?�71 n� �`o �e� i K ar.� ��c�' o� (U� c1es � �e See � c�r' vv�Q-Z0 ¢J 00 Of rept[- -71� -f4-Q- owal e s Q ct veu, v�` was_ (fir - c°ire N. vette rP�- y ' v'�er iS OG) r`OL�2uCe. O� /tel t'S flfi I�st -11/e,�, �Q v-0-, l.F��Sat c�`2p 1Gida F-' ,�[ 2 vVlarVli � { jc- 1 4u.1 �JC.s-G� t9 LwvS l L`- V"GC`2� c2 YLOt� k. � w2Qr.✓ o� a 3 : 3 �� w L'O-L a-dds -f`o on Lt-(—. & t ra ip9c'C, 's -51 2 ,6 ys� 54. 1 1'hov4-Ls _ . . 1��.1�-1,0-.. god C��,�,e..�-- p•-Q�-�- to 9D 4rT sle ? 30 Ck6 rv-6 p4 e 2 LP rho v r-o.4cd/t--L/ �'Ee v S► `� p&4+m . ►' OLPP �•���:a��%;moi ►�a ri�r isl��r 1 �r � 1 � � I i �e. t I► MEETING AGENDA DATE 77-9a ITEM 0 COPIESTO: 0•De:ot�—Action / FYI V'Council 9 CDDD R. CAO ❑ FIN.DIR. IJ�.t^1 fl El FLRE 0-1112F 11Q f:;towEY ❑ F-WI DIR. CLEPK/GR:G. ❑ FOUCEan-, ❑ MG_ATTIEty, C P.EC-DIR ❑o,C.FJAD Fila 11 IFTILD.r. a a KENNETH L. BALDWIN, M.D., INC. TELEPHONE: ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY ° 862 MEINECKE AVE.. SUITE 100 (805)S41-4600 ° SAN LU15 OBISPO, CA 93405 DIPLOMATS AMERICAN BOARD OF ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY SPECIALIZING IN PEDIATRIC ORTHOPEDICS AND SPORTS RELATED INJURIES March 30, 1992 m City Council 6%Ba San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 APR 199Q RE: Greenhills School of San Luis Obispo CITY011.9Rk SAN CU10 OBI,SPO,CA Dear Council Members: This letter is in support for the concept of the Greenhills School that is presently being planned for 814 and 850 Meinecke Avenue. Our office presently occupies thb first floor of the medical facility located at 862 Meinecke Avenue. I personally presented a favorable response to the Greenhills School at the last council • meeting convened to discuss this matter. The support ,came about after having discussed at length our concerns with the applicant. The proposed plans regarding the parking sitgation and traffic management appear to be well thought out and have allayed any fears on our part that they may impact our patient parking. Therefore, we want to stand in support for the concept Of the Greenhills School. WE have no objections. based on any issues regarding parking. • We hope that this letter will be viewed favorable for the applicant. If I can be of further assistance in this matter I will be more than happy to discuss this at your convenience. Sincerel yours, Ren th L. Baldwin, M.D. Richard Kriet, RPT E , tMiony C. T ppi, Charles St. Vincent, RPT IX lit Kenneth Fr�r��/h y , M.D. D el W od M.D. K c � March 30. 1992 rzCr', IVU 5:00 ern Mr. Greg Smith. Planning Dept. APR 6 1992 Mayor Ron Dunin and Members of the City Council CITY CLERK 990 Palm Street SANS LUIS OBISPO, CA P.G. Box 8100 San Luis Obispo. CA 93401-8100 Dear Mr. Smith. Mayor Dunin and Members of the San Luis Obispo City Council : We. the undersigned. support the approval of The Greenhills School of San Luis Obispo at 814 and 850 Melnecke in the City of San Luis Obispo. We feel there is an need for alternative educational options for the children of the San Luis Obispo area. Name Address �p n City. �State, Zia froYrlc Sto eA T3 os �5 Kirsch"3fiei4 $o¢ Aye, Stio %3MK- o ! v . 540 CA 22'GO S ;n i s r-01 Q4k ` � 4 -� %L-k 4a Pb sa C l "(`eAc Gl 1 ra rr')c w OA11010'3 y C Q b '152, Axw -Mt cq3va 5 Com !/ 7�� -C 7 %3 Yb-S- rhli� �✓ 1 t� 01340 March 30. 1992 Mr. Greg Smith, Planning Dept. Mayor Ron Dunin and Members of the City Council 990 Palm Street P.O. Box 8100 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-8100 Dear Mr. Smith, Mayor Dunin and Members of the San Luis Obispo City Council : We. the undersigned, support the approval of The Greenhills School of San Luis Obispo at 814 and 850 Meinecke in the City of San Luis Obispo. We feel there, is an need for alternative educational options for the children of the San Luis Obispo area and urge the granting of the use permit at the April 7, 1992 City Council hearing. Thank you very much. Name Address City. State. io -,SLC) CA q3Ltol g SL SL O C 3 . C_4R .o D 3 � Ck All -77 Ch q,3465 7�3 (`horro :5t0 g3g0L March 30. 1992 Mr. Greg Smith, Planning Dept. Mayor Ron Dunin and Members of the City Council 990 Palm Street P.O. Box 8100 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-8100 Dear Mr. Smith, Mayor Dunin and Members of the San Luis Obispo City Council : We, the undersigned, support the approval of The Greenhills School of San Luis Obispo at 814 and 850 Meinecke in the City of San Luis Obispo. We feel there is an need for alternative educational options for the children of the San Luis Obispo area and urge the granting of the use permit at the April 7, 1992 City Council hearing. Thank you very much. Rump Address City. State. Zip Je buU, S2 kA LW-1 - (, Sol nt�al� 5(J� C �3 a Vl � /IdLFv/J Gc�l ?/J IZ �b Ayr, It 7 S.L.CeA I 3O1 C�w1 f� Idol ` , i , tiC CA 9340 1476 Ctiof-r0 St- S LD 31 L Y 1Pea r1,c roar sawsZ(--r r,�- y3Zle SLO Ci<4 C01 0 8o�+?4/ o AZ-AVZ 1 r"o C-A- 9 3 yro J� 11 H Serr " 1 _icbl �zl /14i t3 �'r,v rYU.l�r I,� o /4' 9.?Ylcam March 30. 1992 Mr. Greg Smith, Planning Dept. Mayor Ron Dunin and Members of the City Council 990 Palm Street P.O. Box 8100 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-8100 Dear Mr. Smith, Mayor Dunin and Members of the San Luis Obispo City Council : i We, the undersigned, support the approval of The Greenhills School of San Luis Obispo at 814 and 850 Meinecke in the City of San Luis Obispo. We feel there is an need for alternative educational options for the children of the San Luis Obispo area and urge the granting of the use permit at the April 7, 1992 City Council hearing. Thank you very much. Nape Address City, State. Zip � tJz a lt, Ati� � CSG t5ll Cy44/a OF March 30. 1992 Mr. Greg Smith, Planning Dept. Mayor Ron Dunin and Members of the City Council 990 Palm Street P.O. Box 8100 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-8100 Dear Mr. Smith, Mayor Dunin and Members of the San Luis Obispo City Council : We, the undersigned, support the approval of The Greenhills School of San Luis Obispo at 814 and 850 Meinecke in the City of San Luis Obispo. We feel there. is an need for alternatiye educational options for the children of the San Luis Obispo area and urge the granting of the use permit at the April 7. 1992 City Council hearing. Thank you very much. NAme =re=ress State. 7113 AE r it G4 ,9 3 f N /y1 aG� Cb Ifo i N10 PA q3q0S C07 14a. Aa72'A0 t Kok c Cco vt� Z� .51Z36( 4 9-7 r3 zllfl- +- s a cam. b8. hl .os Sri c 9>uo i f 683 F L� A�jA) ZI-Q (A /-1304 , q �j r cf 3 1U o w� d 7 Q G March 30. 1992 Mr. Greg Smith, Planning Dept. Mayor Ron Dunin and Members of the City Council 990 Palm Street P.O. Box 8100 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-8100 Dear Mr. Smith, Mayor Dunin and Members of the San Luis Obispo City Council : We. the undersigned, support the approval of The Greenhills School of San Luis Obispo at 814 and 850 Meinecke in the City of San Luis Obispo. We feel there is an need for alternative educat.ional options for the children of the San Luis Obispo area and urge the granting of the use permit at the April 7, 1992 City Council hearing. Thank you very much. Name Address City, State. Zia �f�(n�v► r� 6zras a-2�-z � G.�-�v�a �► ►.mss .cam 93�� got orilw QV 7 Uti v HIfiV I ,t J u March 30. 1992 Mr. Greg Smith, Planning Dept. Mayor Ron Dunin and Members of the City Council 990 Palm Street P.O. Box 8100 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-8100 Dear Mr. Smith, Mayor Dunin and Members of the San Luis Obispo City Council : We, the undersigned, support the approval of The Greenhills School of San Luis Obispo at 814 and 850 Meinecke in the City of San Luis Obispo. We feel there. is an need for alternative educational options for the children of the San Luis Obispo area and urge the granting of the use permit at the April 7, 1992 City Council hearing. Thank you very much. Name Address Cj�v. State. Zip March 30. 1992- Mr. 992Mr. Greg Smith, Planning Dept. Mayor Ron Dunin and Memoers of the City Council 990 Palm Street P.O. Box 8100 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-8100 Dear Mr. Smith. Mayor Dunin and Members of the San Luis Obispo City Council : We, the undersigned, support the approval of The Greenhills School of San Luis Obispo at 814 and 850 Meinecke in the City of San Luis Obispo. We feel there. is an need for alternative educational options for the children of the San Luis Obispo area and urge the granting of the use permit at the April 7, 1992 City Council hearing. Thank you very much. ^, v 2. Name —Address p Luer Pad 3�'�/ y 3No 5 Eg7�F u 93 405 ' (� &h aero S-F _ S 3/D5� MEETI DTE NG - t - APR 6 1�y� /1/l c� r ch CITY COUNCIL SAN LUIS OBISPO' CA rvV,Y o ,- tZ 6 v\ cti ,\ 'i /til, e l�erS c; -E tie c�-�y C c o ; X C IM U erg, 14,c �l o Ir LZ e. o h e in Al o -F �t 6 reenklIts 5cti �a� v -F D L C a�l /Ut e i vi ec k_e S� r P e-t'. -T e t 5 Y eG A vk2eof 4,0 t-- :5 CLL -:5CLLCha lc —1— Lt p 2 —�— 6 14-lY 'z8 fit , D (4 5 � ev -Q_ t/i jzx--+ Y2arr , Pr �� �/� 1 ❑ PIES TO: Dmotes Acton ❑ FYI f� a� R l � gACAO ❑ -rmEGiu `1 S CL=J J �TEY ❑ FW DIR �1 ci�vopjc. ❑ iloT-kcE c-,. ❑ MGMT.TE—A.M C.I P,EC D''%. �+❑'c li�nn��►►►�IIIIIIIIIII° ��U�II city Of San '. S OBISpo NiN COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT three to five years and 47 children six to twelve years old. Of those parents who have the younger preschool children (infant to five years of age) almost 75% reported an interest in a city employee child care program. The Recreation Department reports that the community currently has adequate child care programs for toddlers but has inadequate infant care programs. The department through its involvement with Community Partners in Child Care is exploring ways of meeting that need. What is the City of San Luis Obisoo doing for the community? The City of San Luis Obispo responds to the community's child care needs in three major areas: child care permitting and land-use regulations, child care programming in the Recreation Department, and child care as a Human Relations Commission concern. Child Care Permitting and Land-Use Issues Beyond the role of employer, the City Council as policy makers has taken further steps to support child care assistance throughout the community. The Draft Land Use Element of the General Plan takes a policy position to promote child care by stating: "New, major employers should contribute to provision of child care and elder care for their employees." Within the last year, the Council revised the zoning ordinance to broaden regulations to include on site child care as an acceptable use in service commercial and manufacturing zones (C-S and M). This step allows employers to locate child care facilities near concentrations of employment. Blake Printery was the first private sector employer in San Luis Obispo to develop such a facility and other major employers in commercial and industrial areas are also expressing interest in on-site facilities. Currently, child care facilities are allowable in every zone with the exception of conservation/open space, central commercial and tourist commercial. Under the "planned development" approach, however, child care 'facilities could be allowable within all commercial zones. Acquiring a use permit for a child care facility requires approval of the hearing officer in the Community Development Department, which is the City's least administratively intense process. It does not require Planning Commission nor City Council approvals which reduces costs and time for the applicant. These are examples of how the City Council has intended to increase the accessibility of child care facilities and services through the development of partnerships between the public and private sectors for those who reside and work within the City. These approaches do not actually generate funds to support child care programs, but instead, produce cost savings and make it easier for private individuals or organizations interested in providing child care in the City. Chill Care Programmina in the Recreation Department In addition to supporting child care assistance by adopting processes and policies that expedite the development of child care facilities within the City, the City Council funds programs in the Recreation Department that provide licensed child care to over five hundred children in the community. The "Little Rec'ers" program daily serves approximately thirty pre-school youngsters while "Sun and Fun" serves 500 school age children at various school sites throughout the City. These are licensed programs that provide working parents with safe, reliable and attentive child care. The City funds approximately $200,000 per year for Sun and Fun, and $45,000 annually for Little Rec'ers excluding indirect costs. Currently, 3 li��►bH��II►IIIIIIP IIUIU MY Of San t. ; OBISPO Mii% COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT 50% of the program costs are recovered through fees. Child Care as a Human Relations Commission (HRC) Concern As part of the human relations program, the HRC provides grants-in-aid to various social services organizations. The category of children's services received grants totalling $11,000. Funds were granted to organizations to assist with the coordination of child care services, e.g. EOC Community Partners in Child Care and EOC Child Care Resource Connection whose. grants will be devoted to child care provider training, recruitment and licensing. Additionally, HRC funded the majority of the materials and supplies for San Luis Obispo Child Development Center for their daily therapeutic child care program. The Child Development Center targets low income and at risk children. The HRC as part of its work program conducted a human needs assessment to get a better understanding of the problems affecting the community and to find which social services are most needed. Adequacy and availability of quality child care was one area surveyed. The needs assessment pointed to the lack of affordable, quality child care as one of the most pressing problems facing the community. The City Council will be reviewing the assessment in the next few months and will use the information generated as a guide to evaluating future programs and policies. What can the City do in the future? There are a. number of options the City Council may want to consider that would serve to expand its role as a supporter of child care as it seeks to meet the needs of its employees and the community at large. Meeting the Needs of Employees Last month, the City entered into negotiations with the San Luis Obispo City Employees Association, the City's largest bargaining group. In that forum, other child care options will undoubtedly be explored and agreed upon as part of the negotiated agreement. Job sharing, voluntary reduced time, parental leave, dependent care assistance plans, parental education. programs, reimbursement/voucher programs, family day care home networks, and on-site centers are options that are possible and may be evaluated in the context of cost- effectiveness and employee need. Meeting the Needs of the Community The City can seek to develop and enhance partnerships that will lead to the development of more affordable and quality child care. The following options are currently in place in other California agencies. Some of these options are similar, but all have unique elements that deal with the meeting the need for more child care. • Develooer Incentives or Bonuses In order to encourage developers to include child care facilities in their projects, incentives can be designed with the goal of increasing the supply of child care particularly in areas where there are high concentrations of employment. Incentives can range from reductions in development requirements to City participation in industrial revenue bonds for industrial developers willing to provide child care facilities. 4 �—� �iin��►�►►►(Vlllllfl�ll� �IIUIII city of San ISS OBISPO ob COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT • Linkage By definition, linkage, as related to child care, is a requirement, usually in the form of an ordinance, that developers construct child care facilities on or near their development site or pay a fee into a community fund for child care purposes. Proponents of this option argue that developers should bear some of the responsibility for the increased demand for services their projects generate, such as child care. The consideration of any linkage ordinance is likely to be controversial. There must be a direct connection between a new development and i the need for additional community child care facilities. Governments typically implement linkage to address the supply or quality of child care, or to improve its accessibility to targeted groups. • Development Agreements This alternative represents a potential mechanism for the construction of child care facilities, and would complement the 'linkage' option. Development agreements between the City and a developer set forth the basic outline of a particular development. They are designed to allow the City and a developer to enter into an agreement corresponding to the specific problems that are raised by a particular development. Such agreements could provide for dedication of property for child care facilities, payment of child care fees or actual construction of child care facilities as part of the project. s No Fee Child Care Ordinance Some cities require developers to mitigate the impact of development on child care services. The requirement is referred to as "no fee" because it contains no in- lieu fee requirement. The developer may choose the method of meeting the child care needs caused by the project. Some agencies require that any business of 100 or more employees make provisions for child care. These agencies encourage the integration of child care facilities with other uses such as schools, recreation areas and churches. • Financing for New Facilities and Programs An option some California cities have exercised revolves around developing financing vehicles that generate funding for child care projects. These include surcharges on Business License Fees, developer fees, Mello-Roos bonds, and grants available to the City through state, federal and foundation sources. Although the options listed above may provide opportunities to expand child care services in the community, given the current rate of growth, the City's practice of addressing impacts on child care as projects are proposed on a case-by-case basis is appropriate. As an example, the Margarita Specific Plan will include uses that allow child care facilities. As large residential and commercial developments are proposed in the future and the City's resident population and workforce expands, the City may want to consider these options. As a provider of child care through its Recreation Department, the City is unable to expand the near capacity "Sun and Fun" after school programs. Limited by the available facilities to the four school sites where the program is currently operating, expansion is dependent upon the development of new facilities by the School District. With the passage of a recent school bond, funding will be available to the schools and as they develop new facilities, it 5 �'� �,in��ju►�IIIIIII�p° ►���N city of san h..i osispo COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT is anticipated that the "Sun and Fun" program will expand. Additionally, the new Recreation Center has space that is designated for a licensed pre- school program that will be similar to the existing "Little Rec'ers" program. The facility could accommodate an expanded, full-time preschool program. Dependent upon demand, the Department may move in this direction. CONCLUSION: This report has outlined what the City is currently doing in support of child care in San Luis Obispo. Additionally, it discusses a number of options that cities and counties throughout the state and nation have implemented or are considering. Child care is clearly an issue of growing concern, for parents faced with the challenge of juggling their work and family responsibilities, for employers concerned with the quality of their labor force and the retention of experienced employees, and for government. The City Council is faced with meeting not only the needs of City of San Luis Obispo employees through competitive and equitable benefit packages that include child care support but also the needs of a community who looks to public leaders to provide community services, child care prominent among them. Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached resolution which clearly articulates the City's commitment to continuing to place a high priority on children and their safe and attentive care and to demonstrating its willingness to be a role model to other major. employers in the community by endorsing child care support systems as a positive, beneficial, and cost-effective influence on the work force. CONCURRENCE: The Directors of Recreation, Community Development and Finance concur with this report as the various options for future activities may have impacts on their departments' operations. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of this resolution. There may be some minimal administrative costs that arise from the implementation of any of the options outlined above. In addition, any expanded child care assistance benefit granted by the Council to employees as part of the current meet and confer process will be analyzed in the context of the total economic package agreed upon through negotiations. ALTERNATIVE: By not adopting a formal policy that signals the City's ongoing commitment to child care and the children of the community, the City can continue to provide the kinds of assistance and services at the current levels. However, the City Council has an opportunity to not only acknowledge current efforts but also stimulate future expanded efforts by the City and other employers in the community. ATTACHMENT Resolution: "Establishing a Child Care Policy." 6 RESOLUTION NO. (1992 series) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ESTABLISHING A CHILD CARE POLICY WHEREAS, the City Council of San Luis Obispo recognizes good quality child care services are an essential service for working parents which contribute to a child's emotional, cognitive, and educational development; and WHEREAS, the need for affordable, reliable child care is increasing as the workforce of the 1990's continues to be characterized by having both parents in the family working outside the home; and WHEREAS, the commitment to employer supported child care assistance will pay dividends in the recruiting, retention and attendance of skilled and productive employees; and WHEREAS, if the City of San Luis Obispo is to continue to be a vital and viable City that offers a special quality of life, young families must be encouraged to live and work in San Luis Obispo and the City's success in this effort will depend greatly on insuring the safety and well-being of the children in our community; and WHEREAS, the City Council of San Luis Obispo places a high priority on children and see them as the future; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo establishes a Child Care Policy as follows in Exhibit A: Upon motion of , seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of April, 1992. 14 -7 Resolution No. (1992 Series) Mayor Ron Dunin ATTEST: Pam Voges, City Clerk ,Qty A inistrative Officer QA��At�� Ttto ey 0-t� C Personnel Director EXHIBIT A THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CHILD CARE POLICY By adoption of this policy, the City of San Luis Obispo demonstrates its willingness to address the child care needs of its employees and the community. The policy will be the guideline for all the actions taken by the City in the area of child care. ■ AS AN EMPLOYER The City of San Luis Obispo will continue to assist its employees with child care by maintaining the current programs that are in place (flexible spending accounts, flexible scheduling, family care leave, and child care assistance through the Employees' Assistance Program). The City pledges to support new programs as they are presented in the context of employer/employee relations consistent with the City's obligation to negotiate in good faith employee benefits, of which child care assistance is one. In this way, the City will strive to be a model employer that through its own programs and policies will encourage and stimulate other employers to assist their employees with child care. ■ AS A COMMUNITY LEADER The City of San Luis Obispo will continue to address the needs of the community in the area of child care by considering the direct and indirect impact of its actions on the current status of child care in this community. This is evidenced by recent revisions to the zoning ordinance, inclusion of a policy position promoting child care in the draft Land Use Element of the General Plan and the consideration of public private partnerships designed to enhance child care in the community. The City of San Luis Obispo through the Recreation Department will continue to provide child care services to the community in its pre-school and after school recreation programs. Although program costs are in part fee supported the City will continue to fund a portion of the operational costs in support of child care services. The City of San Luis Obispo will encourage the Human Relations Commission to continue to place a high priority on granting aid to various children's services and to identify community needs so that the City will remain informed about the adequacy of child care services and responsive to the residents of San Luis Obispo. ,c�_q