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Home My WebLink About4.6 Senior Center CITY OF DUBLIN AGENDA STATEMENT Meeting Date : February 25, 1985 SUBJECT: Senior Citizens Center EXHIBITS : Park and Recreation Commission Agenda 'Statement: February 12, 198.5 RECOMMENDATION: �) Authorize staff to request a 1985 State Bond Act RFP Packet 2) Authorize staff to conduct a needs assessment of Dublin Seniors FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None At This Time DESCRIPTION: At the January 14 , 1985 meeting of the Dublin City Council, Alice Pitchford, Dublin ' s representative to the Alameda County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) , addressed the Council and requested that they consider the development of a Senior Citizens Center by utilizing 1984 State Bond Act monies . The matter was referred to the Park and Recreation Commission for consideration with their recommendations for 1985 Park Facility Improvements . On February 12 , 1985, Mrs . Pitchford appeared before the Commission and discussed the feasibility of developing a Senior Citizens Center in Dublin, reviewed possible sites for such a development, and requested that the City submit an application for an RFP to the Area Agency on Aging for project monies . The Commission recognized that the provision of a Senior Center could provide a viable resource and service center for Dublin seniors, and understood that the 1984 State Bond Act monies were for a one time allocation of funds . However, they felt that before the City of Dublin makes a commitment for the development and future operation of a Senior Center, the City should study the prospect to determine needs and potential use of such a complex. Therefore, the following considerations are provided City Council : a. Senior Center development is not recommended at this time, thus there will be no changes in the 1985 Park Facility Improvements . b . City should request an RFP packet from the Area Agency on Aging which contains an application for funding ; (deadline March 1985 ) . This would not commit the City and would leave the door open to submit an RFP for funding at a later date . C . Direct staff to conduct a needs assessment study of Dublin Seniors with completion targeted to coincide with the July, 1985 application deadline . ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ITEM N0: �1 COPIES TO: Park & Rec Corrrnission Alice Pitchford CITY OF DUBLIN AGENDA STATEMENT Meeting Date : February 12 , 1985 SUBJECT: Senior Citizens Center EXHIBITS: Brochure - Alameda County Area Agency on Aging RECOMMENDATION: 1 . Hear Request From Alice Pitchford 2 . Prepare Recommendations For City Council FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None At This Time DESCRIPTION: At the January 14 , 1985 meeting of the Dublin City Council, Alice Pitchford, Dublin ' s representative to the Alameda County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) , addressed the Council and requested that they consider the development of a Senior Citizens Center by utilizing 1984 State Bond Act monies . Recognizing that the Park and Recreation Commission has prepared a list of facility improvements for Council, they requested that Ms . Pitchfords ' request be reviewed and an appropriate recommendation be incorporated with the other facility improvements proposed. Staff met with Ms . Pitchford regarding the project and in conjunction provided a tour of Shannon Center, made arrangements for a meeting with Murray School District Business Manager Stanley Maleski, and toured Fallon School Multi-purpose facility. The following information is provided for your consideration in evaluating the request. I . What Is A Typical Senior Center? It is a facility through which social recreational activities and needed services for older persons as individuals and in groups are provided. It affords opportunities for older persons to serve their community and it makes information available about community resources and services . To carry out these functions the Center utilizes professional and volunteer leadership and houses its program in a suitable facility which functions as a community focal point for the delivery of services . II . Desirable components for a Senior Center Senior Centers vary significantly depending on program objectives, population target, available resources, location, etc . However, most contain the following basic elements : A. Office space and work area B. Large social hall or multi-purpose area C. Kitchen D. Lounge E. Meeting Room(s ) F. Special Activity Room(s) (billiards, crafts ) G. Restrooms H. Adjacent parking I . Facility Accessibility It is desirable to provide separate spaces for varying elements , and of course, spaces may be shared for compatible functions . III .Considerations for a Dublin Senior Center It was determined that new construction of a Senior Center would be unrealistic at this time and that investigation be limited to existing structures . Therefore, only Shannon Community Center and Fallon School Multi-purpose building were considered. Initial objectives would be to provide : - Office space (coordinator, reception and service providers ) - Lounge (T.V. , library, cards, music) - Social Hall (capacity 150-200 seated) - Kitchen (prepare meals program) - Storage (program and operating supplies ) - Classroom/meeting room(s ) - Restrooms A. Shannon Community Center Shannon is presently utilized approximately twelve hours per week for senior activities . The facility was not designed to include gerontological design features, yet some 330 older people come there each week for recreation functions . Dial-A-Ride brings passengers to the kitchen entrance and there are two handicapped parking stalls located there. Their use is limited to the social hall and kitchen with occasional meetings in either the east or west room. The only significant complaints regarding the facility have related to heating and acoustics . 1 . Positive Considerations a. City management of facility b. Existing maintenance service C . Utilities covered total facility operation d. Ample parking e . Aesthetically pleasing site f . Known senior attendance g. Has several meeting rooms h. Space available for development of outdoor recreation facilities. 2 . Negative Considerations a. Facility on elevated grade b. Parking not adjacent C . Limited direct access d. Access to lower floor by stairs only e . No air conditioning f . Difficult to maintain constant heat g. Poor acoustics h. No restrooms on lower level i . No range in kitchen j . Not many seniors living in neighborhood 3 . Recommended Modifications . a. Lower Floor 1 . Provide restrooms 2 . Provide pullman kitchen 3 . Provide ramp from bridge to entrance of A/B room 4 . Modify East entrance to accomodate wheelchairs 5 . Provide storage areas 6 . Provide partitions for office space for ) service providers 7 . Equipment and furnishings b. Main Floor 1 . Provide kitchen range and exhaust system 2 . . Provide storage for office system amenities 3 . Equipment and furnishings 4 . Implications 1 . Dedication of space for use by seniors would limit general public use 2 . Modification of lower floor would eliminate pre-school and special class facilities 3 . Any modifications to the builidng .would not change the overall design features concerning circulation and accessibility 4 . Approval for modification must be approved by DSRSD B. Fallon School Multi-purpose Building 1 . Positive Considerations a. Available for occupancy b . Adjacent parking C . Commercial kitchen d. One elevation e . 6, 362 square feet of available space . (multi with dining capacity of 197 ; regular seating 300, stage, kitchen, facility lounge, restrooms ) f . Other on-site meeting spaces for future growth and specialization g. Space for development of outdoor recreation facilities h. Older residents living in area j . Air conditioning 2 . Negative Considerations a. Owned by Murray School District which rents surplus facilities at 30� a square foot (can be negotiated) b. Maintenance must be contracted C . Utilities must be paid d. Not ample parking spaces e . Restrooms not accessible for handicapped 3 . Recommended Modifications a. Modify restrooms and entrances for accessibility b . Provide partitions for office and meeting spaces C . Provide storage areas d. Paint and give general facelift to building e . Provide identification sign f. Coat room g . Equipment and furnishings 4 . Implications a. Long range lease may be required b . Significant financial committment for ongoing operation C . Unknown if seniors will come to the site for programs IV. 1984 State Bond Act Monies Control and distribution of the State Bond Act monies will be handled locally by the Alameda County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) . $2 , 115, 000 has been allocated to Alameda County. The bond act specifies that monies must be spent in any of the following areas : - Senior Center acquisition - Senior Center renovation - New construction - Purchase of capital equipment - Start-up program costs , or - Expansion of existing programs The AAA will soon establish an advisory board which will conduct hearings throughout the County to determine the best plan for allocating resources, i .e. will Alameda County provide funds to new centers vs . centers in operation, etc . They will determine plan and accept requests for proposals (RFP) in July 1985 after which they will provide recommendations to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors who will make the final decision. V. Recommended Procedure It is recommended that the Park and Recreation Commission : A. Hear the request by Alice Pitchford; B. Determine whether they believe such a center would serve the needs of the older population of the comunity; C. Submit a recommendation to City Council to: 1. Pursue the development of a senior center for Dublin and specify a site to consider for submitting an RFP for State Bond Act monies, or 2 . Deny request