Iowa City senior commission raises locker fee, adopts rental rules

The Iowa City Senior Center commission voted to adopt a revised locker rental policy that raises monthly rent from $5 to $15 and tightens usage rules.

Latasha, the senior center director, told commissioners the change reflects increased maintenance costs and operational realities. “Monthly rent is $5. The increase will go to $15,” she said, and added the commission will provide 90 days’ notice before implementing the new rate.

The updated rules make lockers available to members on a first‑come, first‑served basis, limit renters to one locker at a time, and list prohibited items, including alcohol, cigarettes, combustible items, weapons and perishable food. Items left in non‑rentable lockers will be placed in lost and found for seven days; prohibited materials will be disposed of immediately. The center also noted a $12 cost to replace broken locks.

Chair (Speaker 1) asked for a motion; a commissioner (Speaker 3) moved to adopt the revised locker policy and Speaker 4 seconded. The commission approved the policy by voice vote; the meeting record shows affirmative 'Aye' responses but does not include a roll‑call tally by name.

Commissioners said they would monitor the policy’s effect, noting the price change could reduce demand. Latasha suggested scholarships could be used if cost posed a barrier for some members. The commission did not set an exact implementation date at the meeting beyond the announced 90‑day notice period.

The commission took the locker action as a discrete item; other policy updates on the agenda were considered separately.