Agenda - 06-21-2016 - 5-a - Minutes

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19 1 The Board received a report on the current activity/status and operational plans for the 2 County's three community centers. 3 David Stancil presented the following information: 4 5 At its annual retreat in January, the Board identified community centers as a top priority for the 6 present and upcoming fiscal years. In June 2015 the Board also approved a top priority for the 7 present and upcoming fiscal years. In June 2015 the Board also approved a new Community 8 Center Coordinator position with the instruction to synchronize opportunities and activity at the 9 two existing centers (Efland Cheeks and Rogers Road) and one under construction (Cedar 10 Grove Community Center)with a plan using the Rogers Road Community Center as a model. 11 12 With construction underway at Cedar Grove, David Caldwell was hired as the Community 13 Center Coordinator and began work in late-January. Working with staff from DEAPR and AMS, 14 Mr. Caldwell has been meeting regularly with resident groups in both the Efland Cheeks and 15 Cedar Grove communities to plan for expanded and/or new center operations and to engage 16 the public in organizing support boards for the centers, future center activities and program 17 needs. Mr. Caldwell has also worked closely with staff to coordinate furnishings and equipment 18 for the centers, while still maintaining an active role in the Rogers Road Community Center, 19 which opened in January 2015. 20 21 Leveraging resources within and outside of County government, efforts have begun to create 22 new and/or re-energized centers at Cedar Grove and Efland Cheeks along the Rogers Road 23 model. At this time, there are emergent or existing non-profit associations at both locations as 24 noted in the report. These associations have formed or are forming Boards of Directors, using 25 the Rogers Eubanks Neighborhood Association as a template, and may offer an opportunity for 26 operations agreements as early as this fall. 27 28 As noted in the attached report of the abstract, as of June 1, all three community centers are 29 operating on a regular schedule, with a base level of temporary staff support. The Rogers 30 Road Community Center operates under its Operating Agreement with Orange County (a five- 31 year agreement approved February 19, 2014). The Rogers Road Center is open Monday- 32 Friday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm with Center staff support, until 7:00 pm on weekdays using 33 trained community volunteers, and on Saturdays for special events and programs. The Rogers 34 Road Center is available for reservation through Orange County on Sundays. 35 36 The Efland Cheeks and Cedar Grove Community Centers are open 10:00 am — 3:00 pm at 37 present with the Community Center Coordinator and temporary part-time employees providing 38 staffing. Using the community organizing efforts currently underway, the intention is to expand 39 operational hours to the same as those at Rogers Road, once the nascent Cedar Grove 40 Neighborhood Association (CGNA) and Efland Cheeks Neighborhood Association (ECNA— 41 actual name to be determined) gain or renew formal non-profit "corporation" status from the 42 State of North Carolina and secure necessary insurance. (Both organizations are also pursuing 43 or renewing federal 501c3 non-profit status as shown in the attached report). At that time, 44 trained volunteers will be able to operate the centers for extended hours. 45 46 This model of initial operating is consistent with the Rogers Road Center approach. Staff 47 support is provided from 10:00 am — 3:00 pm, with the community encouraged to organize and 48 enter into an operating agreement with the County, at which time trained volunteers (under the 49 oversight of the neighborhood association) can work at the center and extend the operating