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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.2 Senior Ctr Registration/Card Program ITEM NO: 7.2 1 of 3 STAFF REPORT SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE DATE: August 4, 2016 TO: Honorable Chair and Committee Members FROM: Rich Jochner, Recreation Supervisor Reviewed by: Micki Cronin, Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services SUBJECT: Senior Center Registration/Card Program EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Advisory Committee will receive a report on a proposal for a Senior Center Registration /Card Program. FINANCIAL IMPACT: A registration fee would replace the current Supporter program and will help to offset the administrative costs to administer the program. RECOMMENDATION: Receive the report and provide feedback. DESCRIPTION: Over the last several months, Staff has been evaluating the idea of creating a registration system at the Dublin Senior Center to accomplish a couple of objectives. The first objective is to ensure that the City can account for the persons taking part in formal and informal activities at the Center. Currently patrons enter the Senior Center building and are not accounted for until they participate in an activity. Should there be a medical emergency or a disaster, there might not be a viable method to obtain quick medical info or account for who is in the facility and their emergency contact info. Modeling what other many other Senior Centers in the Bay Area have already implemented, this program would require all Dublin Senior Center patrons to register or check -in upon entrance to the facility. The Registration/Card program would allow Staff to obtain emergency contact information for each patron and verify who has entered the facility on a daily basis. The second objective is to create some operational efficiencies at the Center. Currently, each program participant must fill out a waiver per program and funds are collected each time they participate in the program. Under the proposed Registration/Card program, the waiver would be filled out annually (one time) and the card holder would have the ability or option to use a punch card to participate in activities rather than pay each time. 2 of 3 The suggested fee for the Senior Center Registration Card would be $25 yearly for residents and $30 for non- residents. The minimum age for participation would be 50 years of age. Patrons reaching their 85th birthday would receive honorary status and have their annual fee waived. The beginning of each annual period would be January 1 and the ending date December 31. Any new members registering after September 30 would be charged $15 if a resident and $18 if a non-resident. Should the Advisory Committee be amendable to instituting a program, Staff would implement this program at the Dublin Senior Center, beginning January 1, 2017. A card program would feature the following benefits to patrons:  Each person would only be asked to complete an emergency medical and waiver form, annually only, and receiving a card for doing so.  The Senior Center quarterly newsletter, the ‘Dublin Doings” would be emailed to them.  During senior programming hours, shared use of the television, fireplace & lounge, patios and computer center, free coffee and snacks, opportunity to dine at the aggregate lunch program, attendance at free workshops, use of jigsaw puzzles, and use of the lending library (books, magazines, CD’s).  All drop-in classes are charged the registered rate as opposed to a non-registered (daily) rate of a minimum of $2 per class.  Opportunity to purchase punch cards for program payments. For those patrons desiring a card but facing financial difficulty, a Senior Fee Assistance or “scholarship” could be established to assist with the annual fee. This program would model the Youth Fee Assistance program and is also going in front of the Senior Center Advisory Committee this month. For those who are not interested in registering for a card, the following conditions would apply:  A day use pass would cost $3 for informal use of the facility (this would also be in addition to any class or program fee, excluding the lunch program).  Drop-in classes would be charged at a higher rate; a minimum of $2 per class more to those who are not registered.  Non card holders would be required to complete an emergency waiver form on each visit or program registration. This program would benefit the City by having valuable medical info and accountability for all patrons daily. Senior Centers have different approaches to registration/membership/supporter fees: City Program Yes No Optional Cost Day Pass Cupertino  Yes $22 Res Yes Fremont  Yes $50 Res DK Hayward Area Recreation District  Yes $25 Res DK Milpitas  No $12 Res No Pleasant Hill  Yes $15 Res DK Pleasanton  N/A DK San Jose  DK varies by center DK San Ramon  Yes Benefits accumulate per each $15 spent DK Stockton  No $25 Res No Walnut Creek  No $12 Res club membership No 3 of 3 NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: None. ATTACHMENTS: None.