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HomeMy WebLinkAbout15.A.4. community Center Room Reuse/Teen Center IS.A. ~ CITY OF SHAKOPEE MEMORANDUM To: Mayor and City Council Mark McNeill, City Administrator From: Mark Themig, Facilities and Recreation Director Meeting Date: October 21,2003 Subject: Community Center Room Reuse/Teen Center INTRODUCTION City Council is asked to provide direction to staff regarding reusing the Community Center's Multi-Purpose room for a teen center, or other action to deal with continuing behavior issues. BACKGROUND As I shared with you in your October 3rd activity packet, we have experienced an increase in behavior problems at the Community Center since school began this fall (see Attachment A). Hopefully you had a chance in the last two weeks to stop by and observe the activity. We have taken a more assertive approach with behavior issues over the past few weeks, including one-day exclusions and immediately contacting parents for minor behavior issues. However, behavior issues are continuing. The evening of Thursday, October 16 might be helpful in demonstrating what is occurring. In addition to monitoring the behavior of approximately 50 youth that were in and out of the building throughout the evening, two incidents occurred: . At approximately 4:45, staff observed two youth who appeared to be fighting outside the front doors. Staff intervened, the two youth were detained, questioned, required to call their parents to explain what occurred, and excluded for the night. The youth contend that they were playing; however, staff reported that it was more significant. After the parents were contacted to pick up their children, one parent called me to discuss what had happened, and questioned the exclusion. Total time to respond to the incident, including fof/ow-up: Approximately 1 hour . At approximately 7:00 p.m., I observed a youth being "body slammed" in the Community Center Lobby. I intervened, the two youth were detained, required to call their parents to explain what occurred, and excluded for the night. The youth also contended that they were playing, which I agree that they probably were. However, it gave the appearance to other building users that the youth were fighting. Total time to respond to the incident, including fof/ow-up: Approximately 45 minutes. In order to commit time to deal with these incidents, as well as ongoing regular activity, we have had to add additional staff. The behavior issues that we are encountering are, for the most part, kids being kids. However, there appears to be a lack of respect issue that we frequently encounter. For example, a youth that was excluded for a two-week period was seen on the property three times. We notified the parents that if he was seen on the property again, he would be charged with trespassing. This resulted in a complaint call and follow-up meeting with the parents. DISCUSSION The youth behavior is having an affect on our day-to-day business. Community Center members have complained about the activity, loitering, and language. The Hockey Association has also discussed it at their meetings. As I communicated previously, if this is a place where teens are welcome, then we need to have a space where teens can congregate. Attachment B is a summary of information that I asked Recreation Supervisors Brad Eller and Travis Karlen to put together, which includes a survey of how other Community Centers deal with teens. As you will see, those that don't have a teen center don't allow teens to loiter at their facility. Mr. Eller and Mr. Karlen also held a meeting with the teens earlier this month to learn why they hang out at the Community Center, and what some of their issues are. During this meeting, Mr. Eller and Mr. Karlen talked about the concept of a teen center. A summary of this meeting is also included in Attachment B. In our 2004 budget presentation, we presented an option for creating a teen center in the multi-purpose room, once the library vacates. One of the significant issues Council discussed was the initial startup and ongoing operating costs for a teen center. Our initial estimate for a teen center startup was $25,000. However, that included constructing walls in the multi-purpose room to provide dual use. If we would convert the entire room into a teen center, the cost would be considerably less. The ongoing operating costs for the teen center remain unchanged at an estimated $20,000 per year (see Attachment C). The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board affirmed their support of a teen center concept at their August and September meetings. REQUESTED ACTION Council is asked to provide direction to staff regarding teen behavior at the Community Center. Possible options include: 1. Direct staff to provide additional information and more accurate cost estimates and potential funding sources for creating and operating a teen center in the multi- purpose room. 2. Direct staff to formulate a policy that would restrict loitering. 3. Direct staff to continue with current policies and procedures, and continue the additional staffing resources to handle behavior issues. 4. Other alternatives as desired by Council. M~~~ Facilities and Recreation Director \\ CITY OF SHAKO PEE MEMORANDUM To: Mayor and City Council via Activity Report Mark McNeill, City Administrator >- From: Mark Themig, Facilities and Recreation Director ~ Date: October 3, 2003 Subject: Youth Behavior at the Community Center INTRODUCTION I am writing to inform you of youth behavior concerns we are having at the Community Center. BACKGROUND As you may recall, in 2001 we began to experience an increase in the number of incidents at the Community Center involving fighting, thefts, and disruptive or disrespectful behavior. In response, we created the zero-tolerance policy and the non- resident fee and verification program. These two initiatives seem to have addressed the most serious behavior issues, and have resulted in 35 exclusions since the programs were initiated in 2002. However, there has always been some behavior that doesn't meet the threshold for an exclusion, but is still disruptive or disrespectful for staff and other users. These behaviors typically occur from youth "hanging out" at the Community Center. In talking with these youth, they want to be with their friends in a safe area, but aren't necessarily interested in using the Community Center's gym or skate park, the only two areas that are open for their use. Since school began in September, the number of youth "hanging out" seems to have increased over previous years. It's not uncommon to have 25-50 youth here on any weekday night. When it's warm out, they typically congregate outside the front of the building, or move back and forth from the skate part to the building. When it's cooler, they are usually in the fireplace area, hanging out in hallways, etc. Typically they are in grades 6-8, with some older and some younger. DISCUSSION I believe that the Community Center should be a place where youth are welcome - it is a safe space with adult supervision. However, it's difficult when you have 25-50 youth (or more) that don't have a space suitable for them. Over the past few weeks, we have received approximately 15 complaints from other users regarding youth activity in and around the building. As I mentioned previously, these are youth that aren't necessarily violating use policies; they are mostly just hanging out in the front of the building, lobby, or fireplace area. They're being teens, with all the energy, emotion, and drama that goes with being a teen. Facilities like YMCA's don't typically have these kinds of issues because you need to be a member in order use the facility, while many city-owned Community Centers have designated teen areas. In order to help monitor and control behavior at our facility, we are adding full-time staff to evening shifts, and a third staff person that is res~sible for the skate park and outdoor areas. We will also be more aggressive in asking youth to leave the premises, and communicating behavior issues with parents. As part of the budget presentation, I presented a concept of converting the multi-purpose room into a teen center. This would create a safe, supervised area where these youth could go. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board discussed the issue of youth again at their September meeting, arid affirmed their desire to see a space created for these . individuals. However, there are both one-time and ongoing costs associated with this concept. REQUESTED ACTION At the October 21 st City Council meeting, I will be bringing back more specific information on creating and operating a designated teen area at the Community Center, as well as other alternatives such as more restrictive building policies. Prior to October 21 S\ I would appreciate it if you could stop in the Community Center a few weekday evenings to observe the activity and give you an idea of what kinds of behavior we are dealing with. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. Mark Themig From: Mark Themig Sent: Friday, October 03, 2003 2:51 PM To: SH Comm Center Cc; Mark McNeill Subject: Full-Time Staff Schedules As you will see with Travis's and Brad's schedules, they are working evenings for the next few weeks to help address behavior issues. Therefore, they will not be in until later in the day on those days. During this time, we will need to make sure we coordinate schedules to ensure we have adequate coverage during the daytime. If you anticipate any problems, please let me know in advance. Also, if you hear any concerns regarding their availability during the daytime, please explain their work schedules. Mark T. 1 G CITY OF SHAKOPEE MEMORANDUM To: Shako pee City Council Mark Themig, Facilities and Recreation Director From: Brad Eller, Recreation Supervisor Travis Karlen, Recreation Supervisor Date: October 16. 2003 Subject: Re-use of the Multi-Purpose Room as a Teen Center Introduction Upon your request, we have further researched the possibility of utilizing the existing multi purpose room as a future teen center site. Background The Shakopee Parks and Recreation Advisory Board previously requested a report regarding the re-use of areas within the Community Center. Those areas included the gymnastics room and the multi purpose room. Several concepts were proposed that generally implemented a fitness area, aerobics area, gymnastics area, and a teen center. Following presentation, one concept was recommended by the PRAB. That concept utilized the current gymnastics room as one half cardio/weight equipment and one half fitness/aerobics studio. The multi purpose room would then become one half teen center and possibly one half gymnastics room. The PRAB recognized the need for a teen center and cited the large number of youth and teens 'hanging out' at the Community Center in the evenings. The board requested that we further research the option of adding a teen center within the Community Center. What is Occurrin9 Now? Observations of Community Center premises between the hours of 4 pm and 9 pm will show numbers of teens 'hanging out' in front of the building and socializing in the lounge area. It is not surprising for there to be 40 or more in the general entrance area at a given time. There are also a significant number of skate park users that enter and use the community center facilities simultaneously. What do other Community Centers Do? We have surveyed a number of community centers around the metro area that do not currently have a teen center. Each community center works with their teen centers differently, but the main consensus with the four community centers polled is that if the teens are not able to just "hang out" in the facilities, they must be engaged in an activity. The information we collected by talking to different teen contacts is as follows: Center Name Teen Center? Yes/No Details About Teen Populations Brooklyn Park No - Offer regularly scheduled teen events - Offer scheduled social times - Do not allow loitering of any kind - Have a teen information hotline Rosemount No - Only have structured activities for teens - Offer a program every Friday night for teens including open gym, DJ (usually brings in about 350 - 400 teens) - Are not allowed any other times Shoreview No - Friday nights are most busy with teens - Have building supervisors and managers walk through the building continuously - Have a Zero Tolerance Policy - Did have a teen coordinator when they were a bit busier - Busiest durina the summer months Maplewood No - Have had huge problems in the past until they issued a no loitering policy - Kids that are in the building must be engaged in an activity or they are asked to leave the building Maple Grove Yes - Teen Center is inside the Community Center - Teens must have a student id to enter the Community Center - Teen Center is not open during normal school hours - 3 strikes behavior policy enforced by the Building Supervisor - Teens must be in the Skate Park or Teen center. They may not hang out in the main area of the center. Apple Valley Yes - Teen Center is next to the Community Center. - It is for grades 6 - 12 - Teens are free to commute back and forth between the Community Center and the Teen Center - Enforce a zero tolerance policy Eagan YES - Teen Center is inside the Community Center. - Teens must be engaged in an activity while in the building or they must be in the teen center - Loitering is prohibited - Use a zero tolerance policy What do Teens Want? In an effort to educate ourselves on the teens' point of view and determine interest in a possible teen center, a meeting was assembled that invited teens to voice their opinions and give input. This meeting was held on a typical evening at the Community Center and was hosted by Brad and Travis. There were close to 50 teens in attendance. When asked why they like to hang out here, many teens agreed that they just like to spend time with their friends and their friends are here and at the skate park. During the summer, teens like to be able to come inside and take advantage of the air conditioning on hot days. There was a consensus amongst the teens noting that they didn't really like hanging out in the lounge area or out front, but there's no place else to go. They are bored and are looking for something to do. Teens agreed that the facility has grown in popularity as a place to spend time with friends. There was concern that there would be absolutely nothing to do once the cold weather shuts down the skate park. This would only leave our current lounge area and gym available to this group. When asked why there have been recent behavior issues at the community center, teens agreed that it was because there was nothing else to do other than the skate park and many of them aren't skaters. Teens felt that if they had a dedicated area to hang out in that they could call their own, that it would keep them occupied and eliminate some of the boredom. Within that given area, the following suggestions were made for equipment, atmosphere and policies: Free admission, big screen TV, arcade, food/snack bar, black Lights, strobe lights, DDR (dance game), air hockey, pool table, stereo system, playstation 2, gamecube, Xbox, multiple TV's on walls, dance floor, karaoke, indoor skate ramps, couches and chairs, fireplace, computers, skate shop, sumo suits, trampoline, murals on walls, paintball gun splats used to paint walls, 'mock' graffiti on walls, laser tag, DVD player and movies, bean bag chairs, ping pong, foosball, bowling alley, stage, live bands, lock-ins, roller blades and skateboard rentals, hot chocolate machine, popcorn machine, pop machines and cheaper vending. Obviously, some of these ideas are good ones and very feasible while others are not. It would be up to staff to make the proper decisions and to lead in the right direction if we were to involve the teens in further planning. Teens also showed some excitement in naming a possible teen center. Some examples are: The Shack, The Outhouse, The Hanger, The Doghouse, The Dog pound, The Shelter, The Loft, The Attic, The Crib, The Basement, The Spot (of Shakopee), Timeout. The older teens thought the teen center minimum age requirement should be the ih grade level in order to enter, while the younger teens thought a 6th grade minimum would work. Teens understood that movie viewing would likely be regulated to no greater than a PG-13 rating and video games a 'T' or teen rating. This is the policy that most other teen centers in our area use. Pros and Cons of Establishino a Teen Center Pro's . Provides an official 'hang out' and haven for teens grades 6-12 that can be available after school and on a regular evening basis . Free 'drop in' status . A place where all teens are welcome and can spend time without parents and siblings, yet under adult supervision. . Capitalizes on existing youth using the comm. center facility, skate park, arena . Provides an excellent opportunity for programs to reach what can be a difficult age group to provide quality opportunities for (B-day parties, Super Bowl Party, Boys and Girls group, Teen advisory board, etc). . Provides a place where diverse teen interests are met . Provides the opportunity for activities such as movies, games, video games, foosball, pool, ping pong, air hockey, food, live music, dj's . Will provide the opportunity for us to acquire donated recreational equipment from area businesses and the option to contract a vending company for electronic games and equipment. . Can add equipment at our own pace . Can get teens involved in the planning of the teen center (use GOALS program at Junior High?) . Located in an area of the building where the teens don't have to be members to use the facility . Uses the given space on a regular basis, maximizing it's utility . Open mostly evening hours, which provides daytime and weekend program opportunities in the same space (youth b-day parties, meetings) . Can utilize space used for aerobics studio as band/dance area with use of temporary partition wall Con's . Will require increased supervision from on-site staff and recreation supervisor . Will require increased maintenance . Will require a set-aside space . Funding . We want to make sure we have a good amount of equipment and a desirable atmosphere that will attract teens from the beginning and hold their interest. This will take planning and time. . Will be noisy area at the community center . Some members may think a teen center does not maximize the use of the physical space . Lack of storage space in the given area . With more teens there will be more incidents . A teen center will provide limited revenue on a regular basis (vending contracts, special events, and 'off time' program and meeting room space) Cost of Eauipment The following is a wish list of items and an approximate cost associated with that item. Some items may be acquired through a donation drive involving local businesses or through vending contracts. Teen Center Costs-Wish list .0tV: Item Cost Donation Possible? 2 Foosball Tables $375 each yes/vendor 1 Ping Pong Table $350 yes 1 Air Hockey $500 yes/vendor 6-8 ArcadeIPinball N/A vendor 1 Elec. Darts 0-$200 yes/vendor 1 Big Screen TV 0-$1500 yes/vendor incentive 1 VCR $100 yes 1 DVD $150 yes 1 Playstation 2 $200 yes 1 XBox $300 yes o-? PS2 and Xbox games $30-$50 each some 0-8 extra game controllers $15-$25 each some 2 27 in TV $250 yes 4 cable lock systems $30 no sofas, chairs $free ves-used 1-4 hightop tables and chair $300 each possible 1 pool table $0-1000 yes/vendor board games 0-$200 yes o-? CD's- $O-? yes, burned CD's 2 sound system speakers $275 each no? 3 microphones w/cable $50 each no? 3 mic. stands $20 each no? 1 powered amp/mixer $390 Already have 2 TV Cart $100 no? 1 CD burner $300 yes 2-8 Portable 4x8 stage sections $100-500 yes-wood materials 0-4 area rugs 0-$150 yes perm. dancefloor lighting 0-$1500 1-2 portable light tree $100-$300 magazine subscriptions 0-$100 vendor contract 0-100 VHS and DVD Movies 0-$500 yes Posters, Paint, Decor, Mural 0-$500 some storage cabinets, shelves, racks 0-$500 some front desk area-tall/secure 0-$1000 some-build one? partition walls-hallway/aerobics ? no Considerations: It is extremely difficult to get an accurate estimate of what it would cost to set up a teen center. It would depend on what we determine to be immediate needs and also on our success of obtaining donations and vending contracts. Once donations and contracts were in place, we could fill in the areas of need. Also, we would need to determine what type of equipment and atmosphere enhancements it would take to attract teens initially and to keep their interest. First impressions are extremely important with teens, so it needs to be an attractive place for them to spend their time right from the start. Another factor to consider is that of sharing a space that is being utilized to suit other community needs. Can a teen center be a fun place to hang out if there is regular 'interference' from adults using a common space? The teenagers will probably not think so. Teens need this space to reflect their identity and no one else's. If the only option is to share a 'master' space, then we will need it well divided. In the case of the multi-purpose room, this would mean the addition of either a permanent or temporary wall. A temporary wall would allow for the space to be opened up to one large area in the case of a special program or special event. However, a temporary wall may not deaden enough sound for there to be program use simultaneously. This could be especially true in the case of an aerobics studio with loud music and a teen center with loud music. It would be beneficial to have a teen board involved in the development of a teen center. They would have important input on the atmosphere, equipment, and programs that would be developed. They also may be involved in the physical aspect of decorating, painting, and furnishing of the area. Teens would also be the best promoters of the teen center by word of mouth and a direct connection within the schools. It would build pride and a sense of ownership. Conclusion There is a recognized need to provide opportunities for teens in the community. Portions of these teens are currently using our community center facility and there is the potential to proVide opportunities for so many more. We must decide what type of investment we are willing to make in them. The greatest asset that we possess right now is the already established teen users of the community center. Attracting teens to new teen centers and getting them in the door is usually the most difficult challenge that organizations face. We already have them and theire looking for a place to call their own. c.. Shakopee Parks and Recreation Budget Improvement Package Prepared by: Brad Eller Date: July 21, 2003 Instructions - for any improvement that results in an increase of $1,000 or more, the following information should be provided: Improvement Description: Addition of a Teen Center facility within the existing community center multi-purpose room, as recommended by the Parks Advisory Board. Description of Need: As the community of Shakopee has grown, so has the teenage population. City staff has recognized the increase in use of the Community Center facility and skatepark by this age group. An evening visit to the Community Center often brings notice to the number of teens 'hanging out' in the lobby and hallway areas. The Park Advisory Board has recognized this demand and recommended that the teens have a dedicated space within the Community Center to call their own. This space would be in the form of a teen center that would provide a valuable service to the community. Costs: All costs to support the improvement (include salary, benefits, training, equipment, and any other costs). Please identify costs by item: Expenditures are estimated and may vary depending on operating hours/staffing, donations, vending contracts, use of existing community center services and supplies. Item 1st Year 1st Year- Possible 2"0 Year Expenditures with DonationsNending Contracts Walls, HV AC, Elec 25,000 25,000 Staffing 16,016 16,016 16016 28hrs/wk x $11/hr x 52 weeks Based on hours of: M-Th 2:15-7:15 Fri 2:15-10:15 Sat 12:45-10:15 Sun 12:45-6:15 Paint 400 400 100 Desk 400 400 Computer 750 Larqe TV 1200 Various TV's 500 250 VCRlDVD 200 200 Stereo/Sound System 1500 500 300 Cable setup 200 200 Phone(setup) 580 580 480 2Iines@$20/mo. HiQh Top Tables 750 750 500 Furniture 1000 300 1000 StaQe Materials 300 150 Liahts 600 400 300 StoraQe 500 500 250 Video Games/Svstems 1500 750 1000 Locks 200 200 Movies 400 200 250 Fooseball 500 500 PinQ PonQ 500 Air Hockey 500 Pool Table 1000 Operatina Supplies 200 200 200 Office Supplies 200 200 200 Misc. Supplies 300 300 300 Build.Maint. Supplies 200 200 200 Total 55,396 47,246 22,046 Anticipated Revenue: Anticipated additional revenue as a result of the improvement. Please identify additional revenue by item: Item Amount Vending (machines in Community Center will ? have increased revenues) Vending (If we have pay pool table, fooseball, 1,000 air hockey, add various) Events 400 Total +/- 1,400 Impact on City Service Levels by Funding the Improvement: A teen center will be primarily maintained by the part time staff involved in its day to day operations. Community Center building maintenance will be asked to take part in maintenance such as carpet cleaning, wall painting, repairs, and other various items.