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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.1 Senior Center Facility Use PolicyCITY OF DUBLIN PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA STATEMENT MEETING DATE: February 14, 1989 SUBJECT Senior Center Facility Use Policy EXHIBITS ATTACHED None RECOMMENDATION_ Review Draft Recommendations and Provide Input FINANCIAL STATEMENT None DESCRIPTION The Dublin Senior Center opened on June 20, 1988. The Center is presently open Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm During the hours of operation, the Center is programmed with a variety of activities and services for Senior adults in the area. The Center is also utilized one evening per week for a Recreation Department sponsored class and, additionally, the Senior Center sponsors a Friday evening dance program once per month. One of the goals of staff and the City Council is to develop a use policy for the Senior Center. The City Council appointed Senior Center Advisory Committee has submitted draft recommendations for use of the Center for review by the Park and Recreation Commission. After the Commission has reviewed and provided staff with input on the recommendations, staff will incorporate them into a formal policy for submittal to the City Council. The draft recommendations are as follows: 1. During the hours of operation, the Senior Center is to be used solely for activities and programs for senior adults sponsored by the City of Dublin. Discussion Due to the size and layout of the Center, it would be difficult to make the Center available for a club meeting or other outside activity without causing disruption to the regularly scheduled activities. However the Advisory Committee has recommended that this could be waived with the approval of the Advisory Committee. 2. When not in use for Dublin Senior Center activities, the Center may be used by groups as follows: A. Senior Groups 1. Non-profit senior groups 2. Community groups whose active membership is 75% seniors, age 55 years and over. B. City of Dublin 1. Recreation Department 2. Other Departments C. Community Groups Discussion The intent of this recommendation is to insure that groups comprised of senior adults would have priority use of the Center outside of the Centers normal hours of operation. Although staff concurs with this recommendation, experience with the use policy of Shannon Center has shown us that groups would need to be defined in greater detail than proposed above. Specifically we need to address: 1. Residency of groups 2. Method for determining age of members 3. Definition of "Community Group" It should be noted that the Advisory Committee has not included use by the School District, other governmental agencies, the Chamber of Commerce or private use by residents. ITEM NO. O. AGENDA STATEMENT - Senior Center Facility Use Policy February 14, 1989 Page Two 3. Use of the Center is limited to the Social Hall, Stage and Kitchen. Kitchen may be used with the following areas restricted from use: Food preparation equipment, food storage equipment and dishwashing equipment. Discussion The intent of this recommendation is to protect the equipment and supplies utilized by the Center's staff for preparation of meals. The oven, grill and refrigerator would not be available for use. Consequently groups utilizing the Center and wanting to serve food would have to utilize caterers whose operation is self-contained. Currently the cupboards, refrigerator and freezer are not able to be locked, but contain all of the food and supplies used for the Senior meals program. Prior to making the kitchen available for use, locks would have to be installed. 4. Groups can only use the facility with the majority approval of the Senior Center Advisory Committee and/or the Recreation Department. Discussion Allowing the Advisory Committee to approve use could prove unwieldy as they only meet once per month. 5. Alcohol will not be allowed except at special senior center events. Discussion The intent of this recommendation is to limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages at the Senior Center. However staff recommends defining or expanding upon "special senior events". 6. The use of the Center is restricted to persons 55 years and older. Discussion This is not consistent with the group use suggested above. 7. To insure maximum use of the Center, use applications will be issued for a period of one month, subject to renewal. Discussion The intent of this recommendation is to provide for expansion of Senior Center programs and activities by not allowing long-term use permits by outside groups. Items not covered in the recommendations submitted by the Senior Center Advisory Committee, include a timeline for submission of use permits and a fee structure. However it is recommended that the Commission discuss these two items. Although staff is receiving requests for use of the Center, they have been hesitant in granting use as a formal policy has not yet been adopted. However requests have been reviewed on a case -by - case basis. As Shannon Center will not be available for use during March -June, staff anticipates an even greater interest in use of the Senior Center. The main difficulty with private use of the Senior Center is working around the furnishings, equipment and supplies contained in the Center. Much of the furnishings and equipment was paid for with Senior Center Bond Act monies. Consequently it is important that those items are used primarily by seniors. It is the recommendation of staff that the Commission review and provide input on the draft recommendations for the Senior Center Facility Use Policy.