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Home My WebLink AboutAGENDA REPORT 2009 0204 CC REG ITEM 10I imp rrEm 100 Tow* City Council Meeting of �Z- ,..SOD 9 ww rr.'w■ r^ A TION6 MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL _. to--a-- --�.. • •� AGENDA REPORT Y. TO: The Honorable City Council 6 FROM: Mary Lindley, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director BY: Peggy Rothschild, Active Adult Center Supervisor DATE: January 27, 2009 (CC meeting of February 4, 2009) SUBJECT: Consider Adoption of a Standards of Conduct Policy at the Active Adult Center DISCUSSION Staff is seeking City Council approval for adoption of a Standards of Conduct Policy at the Active Adult Center and inclusion of such a policy in the City Council Policies Resolution. Over the years, incidents have occurred at the Active Adult Center which have required staff to address inappropriate participant behavior. Staff would like to formalize the Active Adult Center's Standards of Conduct Policy. In addition to helping staff maintain a pleasant and welcoming environment at the Active Adult Center, the proposed standards and disciplinary process will enable staff to consistently enforce the rules for appropriate conduct. Prior to drafting these proposed standards, staff surveyed other senior centers in the county and state and determined that most have incorporated similar standards and disciplinary procedures. Staff also consulted with the Active Adult Center Advisory Committee which concurred that a formalized conduct policy would be beneficial to the Center, and reviewed and approved the proposed Standards of Conduct Policy. FISCAL IMPACT None. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Approve adoption of the Standards of Conduct Policy and direct staff to incorporate the new policy into the City Council Policies Resolution. Attachment A- Moorpark Active Adult Center proposed Standards of Conduct Policy. . 0 201 Honorable City Council February 4, 2008 Page 2 ATTACHMENT A ACTIVE ADULT CENTER STANDARDS OF CONDUCT POLICY 1. Purpose In order to provide the Moorpark Active Adult Center with an atmosphere of safety, courtesy, integrity and respect; the City of Moorpark established a "Standards of Conduct Policy". This policy applies to all participants, defined as individuals, contract instructors, facility users, organizations or groups, and volunteers using, gathering and/or participating in activities at or associated with the Moorpark Active Adult Center. Each participant, as described in the prior sentence, is responsible for regulating his or her own conduct in a positive, productive, and mature manner. In matters of general conduct, participants shall be governed by the ordinary and reasonable rules of behavior observed by law- abiding and self-respecting citizens. All participants and City staff have the right to be safe, and feel safe while attending a City facility or program. With this right comes the responsibility to be law-abiding citizens and to be accountable for actions that put at risk the safety of others or oneself. 2. All participants at the Moorpark Active Adult Center or in its programs are expected to: A. Treat others with respect. Use courteous language at all times. B. Be flexible in accepting alternate facility assignments or modification to schedules due to maintenance and scheduling conflicts and emergency situations, etc. C. Comply with the decisions of staff and abide by the established appeal process. D. Refrain from being a part of malicious gossip or activities, which would tend to be disruptive. E. Refrain from all forms of harassment, including unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical conduct that creates an intimidating, offensive, or hostile environment, including physical or verbal sexual approaches, racial or gender slurs towards staff, volunteers or participants. F. Participants and staff have a responsibility to maintain an environment where conflict and differences can be addressed in a manner characterized by respect and civility. G. Show proper care and regard for City property and the property of others, and make a reasonable effort at cleanup. SACommunity Services\ADMINISTRATIVE\CC Reports\2009\02-04-09 (Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Policy).doc Honorable City Council February 4, 2008 Page 3 H. Smoking is not permitted, except in designated areas. I. Selling or "soliciting" is not permitted; no one may panhandle or solicit on the premises. J. Defacing of property, such as spitting and littering, is not permitted. K. Exhibit appropriate behavior, cleanliness and dress. L. Comply with all established and adopted rules and procedures governing City buildings. 3. Disciplinary Process for Moorpark Active Adult Center A. Failure to comply with these standards of conduct may result in disciplinary action, up to and including permanent suspension from the Active Adult Center. The severity of the infraction may be cause for immediate suspension without warning. When a serious act of misconduct by a participant occurs, the Active Adult Center Supervisor shall immediately investigate the allegation. The Supervisor shall make a recommendation to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director, or his/her designated representative regarding the final disciplinary action. In the interim, the Supervisor and/or Director may immediately impose use restrictions up to a temporary suspension verbally or in writing until the final action can be determined. B. The disciplinary actions below may be enforced and escalate directly to permanent suspension or less severe action depending on the behavior, level of disruption of normal activities or severity of the offense. The Moorpark Police Department will be called for assistance if necessary. If the disruption at the Center is suspected to be related to mental health issues, Adult Protective Services will be contacted for an investigation, as required by law. Family members may also be contacted to help alleviate issues, where appropriate. 1) First Occurrence - Verbal or written warning including a review of the Moorpark Active Adult Center Standards of Conduct. This staff review will also include possible suggestions on ways to avoid a reoccurrence of the incident or behavior. Depending on the severity of the incident, the first occurrence can lead to permanent suspension. 2) Second Occurrence — A written admonishment to the participant may result in temporary or permanent suspension from the Center, depending upon nature and/or severity of the infraction. 3) Third Occurrence - May include a temporary or permanent suspension from attendance at the Moorpark Active Adult Center. Two suspensions within a one-year period of time may result in an extended or permanent SACommunity Services\ADMINISTRATIVE\CC Reports\2009\02-04-09 (Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Policy).doc 002�'.� Honorable City Council February 4, 2008 Page 4 suspension. A written suspension notice will be delivered to the participant. 4. Appeal Process of Aggrieved Party Request for review and appeal of any disciplinary action must be in writing and delivered to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director within ten (10) business days of the warning or suspension. After investigation of the incident, the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director will notify the offending party of his/her decision within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt on the written appeal. The Director's decision shall be final. SACommunity Services\ADMINISTRATIVE\CC Reports\2009\02-04-09 (Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Policy).doc