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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-19-2024 Commission PacketIf you will need disability related accommodations to participate in this program or event, please contact LaTasha DeLoach at latasha-deloach@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5225. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. Senior Center Commission Thursday, December 19, 2024 4 PM Iowa City Senior Center Agenda 1. Introductions/Welcome—J. Gilchrist 2. Minutes (November 21, 2024) 3. Public Discussion for items not on the agenda 4. Operational Overview—L. DeLoach  Senior Center programming update  Senior Center facility update  Code of Conduct and Locker Policy 5. Commission Discussion— J. Gilchrist  Code of Conduct and Locker Policy discussion  Locker rental price increase  Nominating Committee for 2025 officers  Senior Center master plan discussion  Commissioner’s report of community correspondence  Future agenda Items 6. Adjourn **Next meeting is Thursday, January 16, at 4 PM ** Meeting Packet Contents: 1. Agenda: Thursday, December 19, 2024 2. Minutes: Senior Center Commission, Thursday, November 21, 2024 3. Current Code of Conduct Policy 4. Code of Conduct Policy Draft 5. Current Locker Policy 6. Locker Policy Draft 7. Locker price increase memo If you will need disability related accommodations to participate in this program or event, please contact LaTasha DeLoach at latasha-deloach@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5225. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. Senior Center Commission Thursday, December 19, 2024 4 PM Iowa City Senior Center Agenda 1. Introductions/Welcome—J. Gilchrist 2. Minutes (November 21, 2024) 3. Public Discussion for items not on the agenda 4. Operational Overview—L. DeLoach  Senior Center programming update  Senior Center facility update  Code of Conduct and Locker Policy 5. Commission Discussion— J. Gilchrist  Code of Conduct and Locker Policy discussion  Locker rental price increase  Nominating Committee for 2025 officers  Senior Center master plan discussion  Commissioner’s report of community correspondence  Future agenda Items 6. Adjourn **Next meeting is Thursday, January 16, at 4 PM ** Meeting Packet Contents: 1. Agenda: Thursday, December 19, 2024 2. Minutes: Senior Center Commission, Thursday, November 21, 2024 3. Current Code of Conduct Policy 4. Code of Conduct Policy Draft 5. Current Locker Policy 6. Locker Policy Draft 7. Locker price increase memo Preliminary Minutes November 21, 2024 1 MINUTES SENIOR CENTER COMMISSION November 21, 2024 Room 311, Iowa City Senior Center Members Present: Nancy Ostrognai, Betty Rosse, Jay Gilchrist, Warren Paris Members Absent: Ross Taylor, Lee McKnight, Angie McConville Staff Present: LaTasha DeLoach, Kristin Kromray Others Present: Cynthia Dietz CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by McKnight at 4:00 PM. RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 17, 2024 MEETING: Motion: To accept the minutes from the October 17, 2024. Motion carried on a 4/0 vote. Ostrognai/Paris PUBLIC DISCUSSION: Cynthia Dietz, a retired GIS librarian, spoke to the commission regarding an online map project that will explore information and resources in the Iowa City area. Cynthia would like to partner with the Senior Center to do a program and/or gather information from local seniors. Commissioners suggested she speak with Senior Center programming staff regarding her ideas. OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW: DeLoach noted the Senior Center has hired three new evening and weekend employees. The afternoon receptionist position is still currently open, but an offer to a potential new employee has been given. The door and window project is still slated to occur next year. Ostrognai requested a larger handicap button at Washington St. Paris noted an opener that is activated by a hand wave might be an option. Preliminary Minutes November 21, 2024 2 DeLoach reported staff will be revising the code of conduct and locker policies. Updated policies will likely be in next month’s commission packet for review. The Senior Center has seen an increase in the number of unhoused community members utilizing the Senior Center. Updated policies will address some of the items Senior Center staff have been navigating. The Senior Center is working more closely with Shelter House and the police department as well as starting to attend a City work group dedicated to unhoused community members. Rosse noted that there have been some concerns on the Monday Table to Table distribution and that people have reported to her that they appreciate a police officer coming through on Mondays. Gilchrist asked if the police are well resourced. DeLoach noted that Iowa City police officers do receive de-escalation training and that when calling the Senior Center can request an officer who is versed in mental health issues. Additionally, there is the Mobile Crisis Unit that can be contacted for situations that do not warrant a police call. DeLoach noted that locker pricing has not been increased in many years. It currently costs $5/month. The recreation center has day use only lockers that are 50 cents a day. The Senior Center will be putting forward a request to increase the cost of a locker to $15/month. This will put it more in line with the recreation department pricing. DeLoach noted that the Table-to-Table distribution continues to evolve and will soon involve a registration process. She will be keeping an eye on how it is going and make assessments as things move forward. Rosse reported that Ecumenical Towers residents are interested in having an ATM at the Senior Center. As of now, DeLoach understands the desire to have one, but it is unlikely to happen soon. DeLoach noted that this could be something that could be discussed during the interior renovation discussions. There was discussion that there are multiple ATMS’s within a block. Gilchrist also noted that there might be a concern with older adults and scamming that could occur. COMMISSION DISCUSSION: Ostrognai mentioned that a community member asked if congregate meals would come back to the Senior Center. DeLoach gave a brief history of that meal program and that it had always been an outside organization who had run that program. She noted that once a kitchen renovation is complete that there might be more opportunities for meals at the Senior Center. The Commission discussed the one application for the at large commission seat. Motion: To appoint Mary McCall as the at large, non-Iowa City, Johnson County representative. Motion carried on a 4/0 vote. Paris/Ostrognai Preliminary Minutes November 21, 2024 3 Gilchrist noted that he would like for other Senior Center staff members to meet at future commission meetings. Meeting Adjourned. Preliminary Minutes November 21, 2024 4 Senior Center Commission Attendance Record Name Term Expires 12/21/23 1/18/24 2/15/202 4 3/21/24 4/18/24 5/16/24 6/20/24 7/18/24 8/15/24 9/19/24 10/17/2024 11/21/2204 Betty Rosse 12/31/26 -- -- -- X X X NM NM O/E X X X Jay Gilchrist 12/31/25 O/E NM X X X X NM NM X X O/E X Tasha Lard 12/31/24 O NM O O O -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Angela McConville 12/31/24 X NM X X X O/E NM NM X X X O/E Lee McKnight 12/31/27 X NM X X O/E X NM NM X X X O/E Susan Mellecker 12/31/23 X -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Nancy Ostrognai 12/31/26 X NM X X X X NM NM X X X X Ross Taylor 12/31/24 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- O X O O Warren Paris 12/31/25 X NM O X X X NM NM O X O X Key: X =Present O =Absent O/E =Absent/Excused NM =No meeting -- = Not a member 1 Title: Code of Conduct Policy Date of Current Version: October 2022 Replaces Version: March 2019 Background The Senior Center encourages broad-based community participation in a welcoming environment. A Code of Conduct Policy has been established to ensure that each person visiting the Senior Center has an enjoyable experience that is not disrupted by the behavior or actions of others. This policy identifies prohibited behaviors likely to infringe on the enjoyment of other people and the consequences of any violations of the policy. Code of Conduct Policy 1. Conduct that interferes with the rights of individuals to use Senior Center services in a safe and secure environment is prohibited. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following: a. Committing or attempting to commit any activity that would constitute a violation of any federal, state, or local criminal law or ordinance on City of Iowa City property. b. Willfully annoying, harassing, or threatening another person. c. Sexual, physical, or other harassment. d. Possessing, consuming, selling, or being under the influence of illegal drugs or other substances. i. Any use of alcohol on the premises must adhere to the Senior Center’s alcohol policy. e. Soliciting, panhandling, or unlicensed gambling inside the building. f. Impeding access to the building or an area of the building. g. Leaving personal items in the building unless properly stored and secured in a rented locker. The Senior Center assumes no responsibility for any belongings left unattended. h. Improper use of another person’s membership card. i. Entering non-public or locked areas of the building unless accompanied by a staff person or with prior authorization from a staff member. j. Intentionally damaging, destroying, or stealing any materials, equipment or property belonging to The Center, visitors, participants, or staff. 2. No person may carry into the Senior Center a dangerous weapon as defined in Section 702.7 of the Iowa Code with the following exceptions: a) any peace officer; b) any member of the Armed Services or National Guard; c) a correctional officer; and d) a person who has been issued a permit to carry a weapon under Sections 724.11 and .11A of the Iowa Code. 3. The Senior Center endeavors to provide a comfortable, inclusive, and welcoming environment. Center users are expected to treat each other respectfully and behave in a manner that does not disrupt other participants or Center programing and services. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following: a. Using profane, obscene, or abusive language. b. Behaving in a loud, boisterous, or disruptive manner that is not solely caused by a disability. 2 c. Fighting or challenging to fight, pushing, shoving, or throwing things. d. Campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey taking, soliciting, and selling unless previously reviewed and authorized by the coordinator or designee. e. Taking pictures or videos of people, except at public events, unless authorized by the coordinator (or designee) and by the patrons involved or parents of minor children. 4. Participants are expected to support staff efforts to maintain a healthy and clean environment. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following: a. Using cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or other tobacco products in or on the grounds of any City of Iowa City property, including she Senior Center and Tower Place Parking Garage. Smoking is allowed inside private vehicles parked in the Tower Place Parking Garage. b. Consuming food or beverages at the public computer kiosk. c. Consuming food or beverages in a manner that creates an unclean environment, disrupts other patrons, or is harmful or potentially harmful to the Senior Center’s resources. d. Bodily hygiene that is offensive so as to constitute a nuisance to other persons. e. Excessive use of personal fragrances which may cause an adverse reaction for those with respiratory sensitivities.Bringing animals into the Senior Center, with the exception of service animals and those allowed during special programs. Enforcement 1. Individuals who fail to observe the Senior Center’s Code of Conduct Policy may be asked to leave the Senior Center and surrounding property, be expelled from the Senior Center for a period of time, be subject to arrest or other lawful action. 2. Levels of progressive discipline shall be followed. a. First offense: Warning b. Second offense: Expelled for 1 day c. Third offense: Expelled for a period of days up to 1 year d. Fourth offense: Expelled for 1 year 3. The Coordinator may skip levels of progressive discipline depending on the situation and the nature of the violations. 4. Senior Center staff and/or Iowa City Police Department will intervene to stop prohibited activities and behaviors. 5. Security cameras are located in public areas of the Senior Center to protect the safety and security of people, the building, and its contents. Cameras are monitored as needed. Appealing Disciplinary Action 1. Individuals who have been cited for violations of the Code of Conduct Policy have the right to appeal all levels of disciplinary action. Administration The policy is administered by the coordinator or designee. All staff members shall intervene if violations of the Code of Conduct Policy are taking place in their presence or currently in progress. 3 Approved by the Senior Center Commission on: October 20, 2022 Title: Code of Conduct Policy Date of Current Version: December 2024 Replaces Version: October 2022 Background The Senior Center encourages broad-based community participation. The Senior Center is dedicated to providing a friendly, courteous and respectful experience. ICSC strives to provide an enjoyable, clean, and comfortable environment for all users. Policy 1. Committing or attempting to commit any activity that would constitute a violation of any federal, state or local criminal law or ordinance is prohibited on City of Iowa City property. Examples of prohibited activities include but are not limited to: a. Sexual, physical, or other harassment b. Possessing, consuming, selling, or being under the influence of illegal drugs, alcohol, or other substances. c. Soliciting, panhandling, or gambling d. Trespassing or entering Senior Center property when suspended. e. Impeding passageways through physical presence or with personal property. f. Leaving personal property unattended. Items left unattended will be removed. g. Improper use of a member card or allowing a non-member access to member areas. h. Entering non-public or locked areas of the building unless accompanied by a staff person or with prior authorization from a staff member. i. Propping exterior doors open. 2. Senior Center patrons and staff expect a comfortable and welcoming environment. Mutual respect makes it possible for everyone to enjoy Senior Center services and facilities. We ask participants to be respectful of each other and behave in a manner that does not disrupt others or interfere with normal operation of the Senior Center. Examples of prohibited disruptive behaviors include but are not limited to: a. Using threatening or abusive language b. Fighting or challenging to fight, running, shoving, or throwing things c. Creating unreasonable noise. Using audible devices without headphones. d. Lying outstretched on the furniture or floor. e. Using classroom or programming space for unintended purposes. f. Campaigning, petitioning, interviews, survey taking, soliciting, and selling unless previously reviewed and authorized by the coordinator or designee. g. Failing to comply with a staff request. h. Taking pictures or videos of people, except at public events, unless authorized by the coordinator (or designee) and by the patrons involved or parents of minor children. 3. Participants are expected to support staff efforts to maintain a healthy and clean environment. Participants are expected to leave shared spaces in the same condition as they were found. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to: a. Using cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco or other tobacco on Senior Center property. b. Consuming food or beverages in a manner that creates an unclean environment. No food or beverages allowed at computer kiosks or in G13 or 103. c. Spreading personal items out in a way that interferes with others use of the facility. d. Personal hygiene, odor or scent that constitutes a nuisance to others or poses a health risk. e. Bringing animals inside, except for service animals and those allowed during special programs. No service animals are allowed on furniture. f. Bringing bikes inside or affixing to the exterior of the building. g. Wearing clothes or shoes inappropriately. h. Using shower rooms for longer than 1 hour or using showers for unintended purposes. i. Using public restrooms for personal hygiene activities. The showers and restroom in the fitness area can be used for this purpose. Laundering clothing or other items is not allowed. j. Introducing bed bugs or other pests via returned materials or personal belongings. 4. The Senior Center serves vulnerable populations. If you have an upper respiratory infection or other contagious illness, please do not enter the facility, or wear a face mask at all times and avoid occupied areas. 5. The Senior Center is responsible for protecting equipment, property, and facilities for present and future users. Participants are not allowed to use Senior Center property that is not made available for public use. Furniture is not to be rearranged by patrons. Intentionally damaging, destroying, or stealing any materials, equipment or property belonging to the Senior Center, another patron or staff member is prohibited. Enforcement Enforcement of Senior Center policy will be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner. Individuals may not be aware of their conduct is disruptive. Senior Center staff, Iowa City Police Department and/or other trained professionals will intervene to inform and stop prohibited activities and behaviors. Individuals who fail to observe the Senior Center Code of Conduct policy may be asked to leave the Senior Center building and property, be suspended from the Senior Center for a period of time, be subject to arrest or be subject other lawful action. Security cameras are located in public areas of the Senior Center to protect the safety and security of people, the building and its contents. Suspensions of one month or longer may be appealed to the Senior Center Coordinator. 1 Title: Locker Rentals Date of Current Version: March 2019 Replaces Version: April 2012 Background To provide a convenient and secure storage options for members. Availability and Use 1. Secure storage lockers shall be available for current Senior Center members to rent on a monthly basis. 2. Locker rental space is available on a first come first served basis. 3. Pending availability and coordinator (or designee) approval, agencies that routinely provide programs and services at the Senior Center may be assigned a locker for storage of program materials on a long-term basis at no cost. 4. Lockers located in the fitness area are available for storage while members are actively exercising. Locks are prohibited. 5. Lockers are to be used for storage of items used in Senior Center activities or for storage of personal items while involved in Senior Center activities. 6. Storage of combustible or perishable material in the locker is prohibited. 7. All lockers must be secured with locks provided by the Senior Center. Locks not provided by the Senior Center will be removed within 24 hours of discovery. The contents of the locker will be removed and placed in lost and found. Any prohibited materials found will be disposed of immediately. 8. Any material found in an unlocked locker in the fitness area outside of member hours will be gathered and placed in lost and found. All prohibited materials will be disposed of immediately. 9. Personal items shall be maintained in lost and found for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days. Rental Periods 1. All rental and renewal fees shall be paid in advance. 2. Monthly rentals run from the first day of the month through the last day of the month. The rental fee is not prorated. All subsequent rental fees are due on the first day of the month. 3. In the event the locker rental has expired, the operations assistant shall attempt to contact the renter. Failing prompt resolution of the situation, all personal items shall be removed from the locker and placed in lost and found. Any prohibited materials discovered will be disposed of immediately. Financial Management 1. All revenue collected from locker rentals is handled in accordance with City Policy and deposited as revenue in the Senior Center’s current operational budget. 2. The locker renter shall pay the Senior Center a reasonable reimbursement fee for losing the lock and/or key issued to secure the rented locker. 2 Administration The locker rental program is managed by the operations assistant. Approved by the Senior Center Commission on: 5/16/2019 1 Title: Locker Rentals Date of Current Version: December 2024 Replaces Version: March 2019 Background To provide a convenient and secure storage options for members. Rentable Locker Availability and Use 1. Secure storage lockers shall be available for current Senior Center members to rent on a monthly basis. 2. Rented lockers are available to access during the Senior Centers open hours. 3. Locker rental space is available on a first come first served basis. 4. Monthly rentals run from the first day of the month through the last day of the month. New rentals that start after the 15th of the month will be pushed out to the end of the following month. All subsequent rental fees are due on the first day of the month. 5. All rental and renewal fees shall be paid in advance. 6. The locker renter shall pay the Senior Center a reasonable reimbursement fee for losing the lock and/or key issued to secure the rented locker. 7. In the event the locker rental has expired, the operations assistant shall attempt to contact the renter. Failing prompt resolution of the situation, all personal items shall be removed from the locker. Any prohibited materials discovered will be disposed of immediately, remaining items will be held for a minimum of seven days. 8. Members may only rent one locker at a time. 9. Storage of the following items are prohibited: • Items prohibited in the Senior Center’s code of conduct, including but not limited to: alcohol, cigarettes, vaping items, and illegal drugs • Combustible items • Weapons • Food • Items such as dirty laundry that creates an odor or items that have bed bugs or other pests 10. All lockers must be secured with locks provided by the Senior Center. Locks not provided by the Senior Center will be removed within 24 hours of discovery. The contents of the locker will be removed and placed in lost and found. Any prohibited materials found will be disposed of immediately. 11. Staff will not allow any member of the public other than the locker renter to access their rented locker. 12. Senior Center staff reserves the right to inspect the contents of any locker if any prohibited items are suspected in a locker. 13. Any violations of locker policy will be grounds to lose locker rental access. 2 Non-Rentable Locker 1. Pending availability and coordinator (or designee) approval, agencies that routinely provide programs and services at the Senior Center may be assigned a locker for storage of program materials on a long-term basis at no cost. 2. Lockers located in the fitness area are available for storage while members are actively exercising. Locks are prohibited. 3. Any material found in an unlocked locker in the fitness area outside of member hours will be gathered and placed in lost and found for a minimum of seven days. All prohibited materials will be disposed of immediately. Financial Management 1. All revenue collected from locker rentals is handled in accordance with City Policy and deposited as revenue in the Senior Center’s current operational budget. Administration The locker rental program is managed by the operations assistant. Approved by the Senior Center Commission on: City of Iowa City Memorandum Date: December 10, 2024 To: Senior Center Commission From: LaTasha DeLoach, Senior Center Coordinator Re: Senior Center locker rental price increase Background: The Senior Center has lockers available for members to rent on a monthly basis. Members have the option to pay for multiple months in advance and may only rent one locker. Locks and keys are provided by the Senior Center. The current monthly rental cost is $5. Replacement lock or key is $10. Proposal: Increase the cost of a monthly locker rental to $15/month. Increase the cost of replacement locks or keys to $15. Reasoning: The increase in locker rental pricing is in line with rates of other city facilities. Locker rates were last increased in 2016 by $1. Additionally, the cost of locks has increased significantly in the last few years and are now over $12 per lock. Implementation: Current locker rental members will receive a 90-day advance notification regarding the increase in locker rental prices. This notification period will ensure ample time for members to adjust to the changes.