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Home My WebLink About2019-02-19; Senior Center Programming and Computer Room Use Update; Hazeltine, ChrisTo the members of the: CllY COUNCIL A~¥£CA ✓ cc Date~CM V COO V Feb.19,2019 Council Memorandum To: From: Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council Chris Hazeltine, Parks & Recreation Direi:;tor Via: {cityof Carlsbad Re: Elaine Lukey, Chief Operations Officer A-;-,, Senior Center Programming and Com~ter Room Use Update The purpose of this memo is to p·rovide an update on Senior Center programming and computer room use. Background On Oct. 22, staff provided the attached council memorandum regarding the Senior Center programming and computer room use. Staff placed an item on the Nov. 1, 2018 Senior . Commission meeting agenda to ensure commissioners and the community were well informed of the planned changes to the computer room and the TV /library room. Public notice was posted in the facility 30 days prior to the change. Discussion Senior Center Programming Update The current program participation numbers are consistent with the previous update, except for the addition of a few new intergenerational programs. The term intergenerational is defined by the National Council on the Aging as an interaction or an exchange between any two generations. These programs involve the sharing of skills, knowledge or experience between old and young and have been found to diminish against stereotypes, so older adults and youth may develop enriching relationships. Building relationsh_ips between teens and seniors provides an opportunity to create a sense of personal and community identity while encouraging tolerance and mutual understanding. Beginning in November, staff implemented new intergenerational programs at the Pine Avenue Community Center, including: • Painting with Polly: Volunteer Senior Center artist instructing teens how to unleash their creativity through the fine art of acrylic painting. • Tech Talk with Teens: Sage Creek High School students instructing seniors on the latest skills to master smart phones. Future intergenerational programs include: Parks & Recreation Department 799 Pine Avenue, Suite 200 I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-434-2826 t Memo ID #2019013 Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council Feb. 19,2019 Page 2 • Grandfriends Project: Collaboration with Kids for Peace to develop a program to connect seniors and kids. • Farm to Fork Gardening: Collaboration between the Carlsbad Community Garden Collaborative and the City of Carlsbad after school teen program. • Homework Mentoring: Collaboration with the City of Carlsbad after school teen program and volunteer seniors to provide help with homework. Computer Room Use Update The Senior Center facility improvements were recently completed and the planned changes to the computer room and the TV/library room were well received by the public. The changes involved relocating computers to the TV/library room to create needed space for growing programs like tax preparation and technology classes. There was a delay in relocating the computers due to a flood that occurred on Dec. 6. Due to the flood, the computer room and TV /library room were closed along with other rooms on the east side of the building. A flood restoration company was hired for reconstruction efforts. On Dec. 18, the IT Department installed three computers and one printer in the resource room due to the computer room closure. On Jan. 11, the restoration project was completed and results from mold testing determined there was no mold present in the computer room and TV/library room. Next Steps The IT Department scheduled a cabling contractor to install network connections in the new computer room and it is anticipated that the room will be open to the public by the end of February. Public notice was posted in the facility regarding the anticipated opening date. There will be a senior element included in the upcoming Parks & Recreation Department Master Plan. The master plan will once again involve community input in an effort to understand the community's opinions on parks, facility and program needs, and establish the vision for the future. A Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit proposals from qualified planning and design firms to prepare the Parks & Recreation Department Master Plan is scheduled for late February. Attached: 1. Oct. 22, 2018 Council Memo: Senior Center Programming and Computer Room Use cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager Celia Brewer, City Attorney Gary Barberio, Assistant City Manager Oct. 22, 2018 To: From: Via: Re: Council Memorandum Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council Chris Hazeltine, Parks & Recreation Director Elaine Lukey, Chief Operations Officer Senior Center Programming and Computer Room Use Attachment {cityof Carlsbad The purpose of this memo is to provide an update on the Senior Center programming and computer room use. Background The City of Carlsbad Senior Center provides services for adults 50 and older. Programs available for patrons are extensive and include access to a computer room. Discussion A wealth of programs, information, resources and free or low-cost services are available including smart driver course, Ask an Attorney, Physical Therapist or Orthopedic Surgeon, Elder Law & Advocacy legal services, hearing services, and health insurance counseling. The center offers a variety of more than 1,300 programs, classes, and private facility rentals to over 21,000 participants annually. The Senior Center Senior Nutrition Program serves approximately 100 congregate meals each weekday. The program is funded by participant donations and a federal grant administered by the County of San Diego Aging and Independence Services. Approximately 200 meals are served on Thanksgiving, Christmas and other special events. Since 1987, the Senior Center has utilized volunteer services to deliver over 250 meals per week to homebound seniors. The Senior Center provides transportation to the daily lunch program, and for shopping and medical appointments, for Carlsbad residents, age 60 older, who can no longer drive. To maximize public use and access, the Senior Center is available for evening and weekend private rentals. The Senior Center provides a large, dedicated room offering all-day computer access. To measure efficiency, Parks & Recreation tracked computer use for six months. On average, nine of the 12 computers are used daily for approximately 30 minutes each. The remaining three computers are consistently unused. Parks & Recreation Department 799 Pine Avenue, Suite 200 I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-434-2826 t Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council Oct. 22, 2018 Page 2 To optimize space productivity, staff will relocate computers to the TV/library room. This plan will create needed space for growing programs like tax preparation and technology classes. If needed, the neighboring Pine Avenue Community Center offers an additional 15 computers for public use and classes. Requests for scanning equipment use are referred to any of our three libraries since all three facilities offer scanning capabilities. Next Steps The Senior Center is currently under renovation. After facility improvements are complete, IT staff will install new computers throughout the building. Staff will continue to communicate to patrons about the renovations schedule, and about any changes or additions to programming. Staff has placed an item on the Nov. 1, 2018 Senior Commission meeting agenda to ensure commissioners and the community are well informed of the planned changes to the computer room and the TV room/library. Public notice will be posted in the facility 30 days prior to the change. cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager Celia Brewer, City Attorney Gary Barberio, Assistant City Manager