Council hears youth-center report; city to fund 1-on-1 special-needs liaison

The City Council received a December report from the youth center on rising program registrations, maintenance work and a new position to support participants with special needs.

The youth center director, Liz, told the council the center saw rises in registrations across age groups and restarted its basketball league with more than 175 kids signed up. She said the gym floor was refinished — last done in 2021 — and that the center plans to refinish again in two to three years.

The report matters because the center’s services and staffing affect after-school coverage, summer programming and safety at city parks. "We have games, food, dancing...we were able to share a toy in the book with each child next to generous donations from the sheriff's department and other community organizations," Liz said during her presentation.

Council members asked for details about a proposed special-needs position. Dominic asked whether the city planned a special program or a staff position. Liz said the city will fund a staff position—described as a 1-on-1 awareness liaison—to work with civil service to define qualifications and training and to coordinate with schools and parents. "We're looking at...a 1 on 1 awareness. So that person would help them in certain situations, but they would also be there to help make sure that their needs are being met by everyone," Liz said.

Liz said the new position will be county- or city-funded (she stated "funded by county money" in the meeting) and could be a roamer between the center’s two sites, or multiple hires could be made if needed. She also said the city will begin summer program registration next month and will advertise to returning families first.

The director warned residents to stay off Oakdale Park’s ice; staff installed signs after observing unstable ice and moving water under the surface. She also outlined seasonal maintenance — including gym floor refinish and equipment purchases — and said the department will begin hiring for summer staff, including lifeguards and counselors.

The council had no public commenters on the youth report. The center provided a phone number for questions and said it will share job and registration details on social media and by direct notice to returning families.

Looking ahead, Liz said the department will post summer employment openings and continue to coordinate with schools and civil service on the special-needs liaison’s job specification and recruitment timeline.