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Debate over youth program requirements leaves Rio Vista Youth Services negotiating then withdrawing
Summary
Council and staff sought higher insurance and added volunteer training for Rio Vista Youth Services; staff said updated indemnity and training were required after safety incidents. RVYS chose not to renegotiate and withdrew; residents and council members debated safety versus volunteer burden.
City staff on Aug. 20 updated the council on negotiations to renew an agreement with Rio Vista Youth Services (RVYS), reporting that staff sought higher indemnity and insurance and additional volunteer training following reports of a safety incident.
The city manager (speaker 14) said the 2016 agreement with RVYS needed updated insurance and indemnity language and that training recommended by the Boys & Girls Club vendor (including CPR, mandatory reporting, bullying prevention and positive behavior supports) would cost roughly $15 per month per volunteer for many modules. "When I looked back at the contract, the insurance requirements hadn't been increased since 2009," the city manager said, arguing the changes were intended to protect both the city and program participants.
Multiple council members and public commenters expressed divided views. Some residents and volunteers said raising insurance requirements to a proposed $5,000,000 per-occurrence liability policy and adding new training could make it impossible for small nonprofits to continue operating. "You're breaking them with these requirements," one resident (speaker 6) said, urging council to consider waivers or alternative supports.
Other council members and staff emphasized that the recommendation followed reports the program had not been run with consistent safety practices and that the city must ensure children's safety. A council member (speaker 13) cited earlier testimony alleging volunteers had disclosed personal, identifying information about children and said that the direction to staff was intended to ensure safe, professionally run programming.
Staff told the council they had discussed training costs with the Boys & Girls Club vendor and found them reasonable; after discussions, RVYS elected to withdraw from renegotiation rather than accept the new terms.
Council members said they do not intend to close the idea of youth programming but want any program to meet defined safety and insurance standards. Several council members asked staff to explore alternatives for providing youth activities at multiple locations and to consider program models that would not overburden volunteer-led groups.
Next steps: staff will continue outreach and consider options for youth services delivery and funding, with Measure K revenues discussed as a possible longer-term source to expand recreation and youth programs.
