Council advances reuse of Russell Youth and Community Center; introduces senior triage policy order

Councilors on Nov. 3 discussed steps to increase senior programming at the Russell Youth and Community Center and introduced a policy order to explore creating a dedicated triage role to help older residents access services.

Councilor Susie (floor comments) said Thursday and Friday programming at Russell will include yoga, tai chi and portrait drawing for older adults and praised staff responsiveness to neighbors' requests. Councilor Nolan noted community requests dating back about two years and called the space a "Russell Youth and Community Center," pointing out it can and should serve broader age groups.

The city manager's agenda item on using Russell as a community resource was placed on file by unanimous roll-call vote. Assistant city managers and the Council on Aging noted the planned sessions run roughly 9 a.m.'12 p.m. for older adults and clarified the Council on Aging serves residents 60 and older.

Separately, Councilor Zuzi introduced a policy order asking the city manager to explore a dedicated position or function to triage seniors to appropriate services, citing meetings with elder-service providers and requests for better navigation and mental-health assessment access. Councilor Nolan raised budget concerns and exercised his charter right to request a budget discussion in a future meeting before final decisions on new staffing.

No final staffing or budgetary decisions were made at the Nov. 3 meeting; councilors asked staff to report back with feasibility and budget implications.