Council declines immediate approval for Zion Church to run after-school programs in city facilities; members cite fairness and liability concerns

Zion Church requested use of Glenarden city facilities to host weekly after-school programs for children, proposing to provide dance classes, a skills club and Awana sessions and to offer them at no charge to Glenarden residents.

Council discussion focused on which city space would be appropriate, oversight and staffing costs, background checks for volunteers, insurance and fairness to other community organizations. Councilwoman Jones noted prior incidents involving children in city facilities and asked whether volunteers would be fingerprinted and fully vetted before any program could be approved. City staff said the community center would be a better fit than the Gold Room and that staff could manage scheduling and access if the council approved.

Several council members opposed giving free ongoing access to one organization. Councilman Herring argued that offering city space gratis to one church would require offering the same to all organizations and said the city cannot afford that: “If you do it for 1 church, you gotta do it for all...$50 is a small amount to pay...I don't think we should give anything away for free,” he said. Others raised insurance and liability questions and flagged prior incidents that led to tighter safeguards.

Councilmembers sought a formal request and documentation from Zion, including confirmation of vetting and insurance. A consensus to allow the programs in the community center at no cost failed at the meeting; several members abstained or voted no and the chair concluded the proposal did not pass.

Next steps: Sponsor Councilwoman Fareed said she would bring the request back with the requested formal documentation, and staff will prepare details about facility fees, staffing and insurance requirements before the item returns to the council.