Minutes 04-09-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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David Stancil said there is a range of services that can be offered at community centers; from full service (open twelve hours a day, six days a week) to being open only when a specific request of use has been made. Chair McKee said the consensus at Cedar Grove and Efland is for a secured access to the community center versus a locked facility. He said he encouraged residents to talk to the Rogers-Eubanks Neighborhood Association (RENA) as they have been successful. He said it would be critical to have a responsible community organization to act as a key holder in coordination with the County. David Stancil said that centers can be open without requiring full time County staff. He added there are differences between the centers and the organizations that may be involved to assist in operations. He said leveraging volunteers or seasonal staff from the community may be the key. He said the gymnasium at Cedar Grove was a good example of something that may be highly used and require greater oversight than a non-profit can offer. Commissioner Rich said the Rogers Road Community Center is unique due to the pre- existing relationships within the community. She said she would like to know how a volunteer pool is created. She said she saw a vibrant volunteer staff at Seymour Center and wonders how it can be replicated. David Stancil said they have looked at the Seymour Center as a role model and they would like to try and solicit volunteers from the local Efland community groups that are already involved in this process. He said then those volunteers could be given training regarding potential issues specific to the amenities of Cedar Grove. David Stancil said another model that can be followed is to have the County start off as the coordinator and then transition to a community group. Commissioner Price said fees need to be kept at a minimum. Commissioner Price said any organizations rising to the surface should be encouraged to get training from RENA to move in the right direction. She said as the opening of Cedar Grove approaches, she is hearing from community members eager to use the space. Commissioner Jacobs said when the Efland Community Center opened, there was a very active community group but the recreation department at that time was not receptive to volunteers. He said he has tried to bring up each year in the CIP discussions about doing something with the Efland Center but access has always been the issue. He said there are responsible community persons that could take access responsibility. He said having a base unit of service would be a very good idea but notes this is difficult as the communities are very different. Commissioner Jacobs suggested if an advisory group is created that the Board of County Commissioners should appoint the members. He asked if the YMCA had been brought into the discussion. David Stancil said only in reference to the summer program they operate. He said there are several non-profit organizations that could be potential partners: YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, etc. Commissioner Jacobs said the faith community may also be willing to be involved. David Stancil said the faith community is being involved in the discussion. Commissioner Jacobs asked for clarification regarding the internet cafe at the Cedar Grove Community Center. He said he understood it to be a library and wonders how it relates to the kiosk. Jeff Thompson said the cafe will have a strong wireless access point. He said the intention of the internet cafe is to use the wireless access point and the kiosk is to provide product. Lucinda Munger said the kiosk will be a sheltered, outside product. She said this was done to deliver library resources to the rural area without an increase in personnel. She said