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Residents, instructors urge council to restore holiday access to veterans' hall; staff cite liability and staffing constraints
Summary
Operators and participants in a long-running exercise program asked the council to reverse a recent change that limits unsupervised access to the veterans' hall for holiday classes. City staff cited risk-management guidance, insurance concerns and staffing shortages and proposed alternatives including overtime staffing, a 12-month permit or volunteer certification.
Owners and participants of a longstanding recreation program urged the Carpinteria City Council on Nov. 24 to allow holiday exercise classes in the veterans' hall after recent staff policy changes limited unsupervised access.
Connie Fortgüen, who identified herself as co-owner of the program, told the council that the classes have run for decades and provide health and social benefits to older residents. "Nos hemos estado reuniendo ahí 30 años," she said, asking the council to consider the program's history and public benefit when weighing access and fee changes.
Several instructors and participants echoed that appeal, handing the city 15 handwritten letters and describing the event as a community tradition. Participants said the new requirements and fee changes threatened the program's continuity and asked for either an operational exception for holiday weekend classes or an alternative delivery model.
City staff responded that the change followed recommendations from the city's risk-management advisor and concerns about leaving facilities unsupervised, maintenance and insurance exposures. Staff said the city lacks regular staff coverage on some holiday days and that the cost of overtime has been separated from the hall rental fee in current practice. Staff proposed several follow-ups: (1) consider a year-long permit or a 12-month payment plan to spread costs; (2) explore a certified-volunteer model with formal training; or (3) schedule city overtime on critical holiday days while staff continue to recruit additional part-time help.
Councilmembers asked staff to return with options and suggested the matter be agendized for a future meeting so the council can consider policy and fiscal implications. Staff pledged to work with program leaders and to bring the topic back for further discussion.
