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Residents tell Atascadero council event closures blocked Meals That Connect and senior center access
Summary
Multiple speakers told the city council that unannounced East Mall road closures for events blocked access to the Senior Center and forced Meals That Connect volunteers to carry heavy coolers; council apologized and said staff would follow up but took no immediate action.
At a June 23, 2026 meeting, the Atascadero City Council heard repeated public complaints that street closures for events blocked vehicle access to the Senior Center and disrupted Meals That Connect deliveries.
Jill Aguilar, site manager for the Meals That Connect senior-nutrition program, said the nonprofit has operated at the center for about 30 years and currently delivers roughly 60 meals a day. "All of the five drivers had to park on West Mall and carry the two heavy coolers, each of them, across the park," Aguilar said, describing volunteers in their 60s and 70s struggling to transport food after bollards were placed without adequate notice.
Other speakers amplified the concern. Cindy Castle, a long-time volunteer, described finding the senior-center entrance blocked and said the lack of notice left volunteers to "hoof it with the 40-gallon cooler." Judy Hemingway told the council the Atascadero Senior Center serves nearly 300 members, relies on about 30 volunteers and sees roughly 225 visits per week; she urged advance notice for planned closures so members with limited mobility can be accommodated.
City officials acknowledged the problem and promised follow-up. Mayor Pro Tem Darris apologized for the miscommunication and said council members would speak individually with staff; no formal action was taken because the topic was raised during the community-forum portion of the meeting and the Brown Act limits deliberation on non-agendized items. The mayor also noted that a nearby new shopping center is subject to a conditional use permit, and staff can pursue code inquiries where appropriate.
What happens next: council members said staff will meet with complainants and review how event road closures are communicated and managed to avoid repeated disruptions to senior services. The council did not adopt any ordinance or policy changes at the meeting.
