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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAP 2012-03-26 Item 2B - Update - Teen CenterCity of Tukwila Jim Haggerton, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Haggerton Community Affairs Parks Committee FROM: Rick Still, Parks and Recreation Director' Dave Johnson, Recreation Superintendent DATE: March 21, 2012 SUBJECT: TEEN CENTER PROPOSAL ISSUE Tukwila Teen Center as a proposed use for the KCLS Foster Library building. BACKGROUND In response to a Council member request, the Parks and Recreation Staff has updated a proposal for potentially operating a Teen Center in the current KCLS Foster Library building, once the new Library is built. The majority of the research and site visits were conducted in 2009 as part of our initial development of a Teen Center proposal. We have continued our research on Teen Centers and have updated the Teen Center proposal (attached). This proposal does not consider alternate uses or combined uses for the KCLS Foster Library building like, a police Neighborhood Resource Center, an Emergency Operations Center, or a School Annex building. Additionally, the acquisition costs of the building have not been factored into this proposal. The original 2009 proposal was put together to "get an idea" of what could be offered in the building once the new library is built. DISCUSSION According to the 2010 U.S. Census, there are 1,909 teens living in Tukwila between the ages of 10 and 17. Teenagers today face an abundant number of struggles, challenges, and decisions on a daily basis (sometimes hourly). Many of these challenges could affect them for the rest of their lives. Teenagers today are at a crossroads. Sometimes it is easy for them to fall into the traps and huge temptations that surround them. The Teen Programs provided by the Tukwila Parks and Recreation Department's Teen Programs offer activities that are positive and uplifting. The staff and volunteers that work in these programs serve as advocates, mentors, and role models for these teens. The teens are OUR FUTURE. A Tukwila Teen Center would provide a more consistent opportunity for the City to further encourage and model a positive influence on our youth today and our future leaders of tomorrow. FINANCIAL IMPACT The financial impact for this proposal would be a one -time start -up cost of approximately $59,000 and an annual "program" cost of approximately $42,000. RECOMMENDATION Information only. ATTACHMENTS Tukwila Teen Center Proposal, February 2012 13 14 proposal for the Foster Library building. Tukwila Parks and Recreation Department February 2012 15 I: INTRODUCTION A Teen Center run by the Tukwila Parks and Recreation Department would be an incredibly valuable asset and resource for our youth, and reinforce the City's commitment to teens in this community. A Teen Center would capitalize on the strong relationship our staff has built with the teens, parents, Tukwila School District personnel, and the Community Schools Collaboration. This proposal is based on research, professional experience, general budget projections, and from visiting different Teen Centers around the region. A Teen Center would amplify how the Tukwila Parks and Recreation Department programs for the teens in our community. A Teen Center would become the focal point of teen programs and activities in Tukwila. While a Teen Center provides teens with their own space, we would continue to utilize other facilities to complement the Teen Center, such as the Tukwila Community Center and the schools. Additional emphasis would be placed on building student led groups and focusing efforts to engage students. We would work to identify ambassadors among the students and community that are committed to the teens in Tukwila with the goal of being a voice for the teens in Tukwila. We feel that the Foster Library site is an ideal location for a Teen Center in Tukwila based on its proximity to Foster High School and Showalter Middle School and presents us with a great opportunity to eliminate the transportation challenges for students to participate in activities. The convenient location to Tukwila Pool is also a benefit. This proposal is based on a Teen Center located at the current Foster Library site. PROGRAMMING A Teen Center provides an excellent opportunity for the City to further reach the teens in our community. The success of a Teen Center will depend on engaging teens in the programming component at the Teen Center. Working with the schools to create a Teen Center Advisory Board will be a key factor to engaging teens in programming activities. This will help create the sense and feeling that the Teen Center belongs to the teens and the community. It empowers them and will have a high impact on them. Many of the Teen Centers we visited have worked with businesses and community partners to provide equipment and supplies to the Center(s). Examples of equipment include stages, cafes, computers, sound editing equipment, dedicated rooms, etc. Typically, the partners supply equipment in exchange for advertisement. In this way, we will seek out opportunities with local businesses and community partners to support the teens in our community and help the Teen Center reach its full potential. For the purposes of this proposal, Programming is broken down into four main areas: Recreation, Resources, Education Tutoring, and Special Events. Again, this proposal is currently without Teen /Community engagement and only represents concepts. A Teen Center at the Foster Library site may include a main area, multi purpose room, a computer lab and /or a music room /studio. 17 I: Below is breakdown of potential programming /areas for a Teen Center at Foster Library: OPERATIONS The operation of a Teen Center would require the Teen Recreation Program Specialist to re- locate offices from the Tukwila Community Center to the Teen Center to be available to make the connections with our teens and to be at the facility when the building is open. The Youth /Teen Coordinator would likely share office space between the Teen Center and the Community Center. This proposal is a baseline for where we would start staffing, as the Recreation Specialist would be working the majority of the operating hours. We propose to have extra labor staff to support to the Specialist in the areas of: Supervising activities, student groups, and events under the direction of the Teen Specialist. Serving as lead staff in the teen center and all other programs in the absence of the Teen Specialist. Assist in recruiting volunteers Administrative support 19 a. Drop -in activities such as pool, ping pong, air hockey, sitting areas, Recreation video games, movies, concessions area, etc. b. Tournaments Contest such as Pool Video Game tournaments, cooking contests, etc. a. Peer Groups such as Teen Center Advisory Board, Teens for Tukwila, Culture clubs, etc. b. On -site Counselor (with established hours) Resources c. Student led groups and clubs d. Guest Speakers and workshops e. Food Events community partner based activity serving food to the community (not just teens) on a monthly basis at no cost. f. Mentoring Volunteer Programs Education a. Teen Trainings and Classes Tutoring b. On -site Tutor (with established hours) c. Internships and job training program(s) d. Cooking classes and other "Life Skills" classes Special a. Ladies Night Out (overnighter for grades 6 10) Events b. Open Mic Night c. Performances Computer South Park Community Center has a great model for a computer lab. The Lab multi purpose room at the Foster Library site would be a perfect place for a computer lab. Music The Foster Library has a few small rooms that could serve as great place to Room /Studio put a small music studio in. OPERATIONS The operation of a Teen Center would require the Teen Recreation Program Specialist to re- locate offices from the Tukwila Community Center to the Teen Center to be available to make the connections with our teens and to be at the facility when the building is open. The Youth /Teen Coordinator would likely share office space between the Teen Center and the Community Center. This proposal is a baseline for where we would start staffing, as the Recreation Specialist would be working the majority of the operating hours. We propose to have extra labor staff to support to the Specialist in the areas of: Supervising activities, student groups, and events under the direction of the Teen Specialist. Serving as lead staff in the teen center and all other programs in the absence of the Teen Specialist. Assist in recruiting volunteers Administrative support 19 20 The extra labor hired to assist the operation of the Teen Center will fit into our existing Temporary Seasonal Pay Schedule and would depend on the operating hours. Additionally, Volunteers play an important role in our current Teen Programs and we will continue to recruit and involve volunteers in a new teen center. We will continue to develop a strong partnership with the Tukwila Police Department to ensure safety, security, and relationship building with staff and teens. Minimally, we need to have routine drive through by Police. Ideally, we'd like an officer on -site during events. The Teen Centers that we visited all had nightly custodial service. We will need this service to ensure the overall cleanliness of our facility and these costs would need to be considered. HOURS OF OPERATION There are a variety of options to serve the teens with the hours of operation. These scenarios are only a sample of what can be done and a few different models based on the information we gathered as we visited other functioning teen centers. We have continued our existing successful Friday Late night program at the Tukwila Community Center into consideration with these different options. SCHOOLYEAR Option Mon Thur Friday Sat Sun Hours per Friday Late week Night 1 I 2:30 -8pm 1 2:30 -10pm I CLOSED I CLOSED I 29.5 I On -site 2 I 2:30 -7pm I 2:30 -7pm CLOSED CLOSED 22.5 TCC 3 2:30 -7pm 2:30 -7pm 8 -11 pm CLOSED 25.5 TCC SUMMER Option Mon Thur Friday Sat Sun Hours per Friday Late week Night 1 12 -8pm 12 -8pm 12 -8pm CLOSED 48 N/A 2 3 -8p 3 -8pm 12 -8pm CLOSED 33 On -site 3 8am -6pm 8am- 12 -8pm CLOSED 62 On -site 10pm BUDGET REVENUE When we visited other Teen Centers, we had the opportunity to discuss their fee model with them. The consensus was that charging admission resulted in fewer teens participating in the daily activities, however, charging for event nights or special activities did not affect participation. Many of the families in Tukwila are economically challenged as evidence by roughly 80% of the students in Tukwila School District qualifying for the Free /Reduced Lunch Program. We would seek input from City Council on the Cost Recovery model expected for this operation. Keeping in mind that this a more service -based approach, we propose a combination of modest drop -in fees ($1) and passes for daily activities. Special events may call for special rates. Depending on the number of participants and operating hours, we anticipate revenue between $13,000 $25,000. 21 22 EXPENDITURES Expenditures can be categorized into Start -Up Costs and Annual Program Costs. START-UP COSTS "Start -Up' costs are 1 -time purchases to get the Teen Center going. It is estimated that "Start -Up" costs would be as listed below (excluding purchase /lease of the land /building or any tenant improvements). It should be noted that some of the Program Supplies may be provided by donors and /or partners. Description Estimated amount Office Equipment (copier, printer, CLASS install, $19,300 shelving, file cabinet, office furniture, etc.) Program Supplies Pool Table and Supplies 1,000 Ping Pong Table Supplies 400 Air Hockey /Foosball Table(s) 700 Music Equipment 5,000 TV /Video Equipment 1,800 Computer Lab Equipment $20,000 Tables /Chairs 8,000 Furniture 500 Miscellaneous 2.000 Sub -Total $39,400 TOTAL START -UP COST $58,700 PROGRAM COSTS "Program Costs" are the costs to run the Teen Center on an annual basis, and include extra labor staff, benefits, supplies, other services /charges. Description Estimated Amount Extra Labor 2 x $11 /hr x 19 hrs /wk x 52weeks $21,736 Benefits (a) 15% 3.260 Sub -Total $24,996 Supplies (paper, office supplies, 5,000 Kitchen supplies, food, etc.) Sub -Total 5,000 Other Services /Charges CLASS licensing 2,000 Professional Services $10.000 Sub -Total $12,000 TOTAL PROGRAM COST (annual) $41,996 23 24 CONCLUSION A Teen Center provides teens with a safe place to grow, connect, and play. Tukwila Parks and Recreation staff would expand programs, provide more after school programming, and have an even greater impact on the lives of Tukwila teens. With the staggering number of immigrant and refugee families with children relocating and settling in Tukwila, the teen center would be a great place where they can come and learn things about our culture and meet friends. A teen center offers the teens a place to "hang" and a steady, stable place to help keep them engaged in a positive setting. The teen center would further strengthen the Department's partnerships with the Tukwila School District, the Tukwila Pool, the Police Department, and the Human Services Division; and enhance our relationships with the teens. A teen center would be a valuable resource in Tukwila. The relocation of the KCLS Foster Library presents the city with a unique and exciting opportunity to provide a very visible commitment from the city towards developing and encouraging our teens to become well rounded and active community members now and in the future. 25