AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a Staff presentation and Hold a Public Hearing to receive comments for or against Ordinance 2021-17, adopting Youth Programs Standards of Care for 2021; and consider approval of Ordinance 2021-17, on the first of two readings; providing a severability clause; providing for the repeal of any conflicting provision; declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: March 2, 2021
Department: Parks and Recreation
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: N/A
Account Number: N/A
Funds Available: N/A
Account Name: N/A
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: City Council approved Ordinance 2020-42 unanimously on June 16, 2020 following the first reading and public hearing held on June 2, 2020.
City Council Strategic Initiative: [Please select from the dropdown menu below]
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Master Plan: [Please select the corresponding Master Plan from the dropdown menu below (if applicable)]
Youth Master Plan
Background Information:
The State of Texas Human Resources Code Chapter 42 exempts certain after-school and summer recreation programs from state licensing requirements as identified in Subsection 42.041(14) stating "an elementary-age (ages 5-13) recreation program operated by a municipality provided the governing body of the municipality annually adopts standards of care by ordinance after a public hearing for such programs, that such standards are provided to the parents of each program participant, and that the ordinances shall include, at a minimum, staffing ratios, minimum staff qualifications, minimum facility, health, and safety standards, and mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing the adopted local standards; and further provided that parents be informed that the program is not licensed by the state and the program may not be advertised as a child-care facility;"
The City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation Department offers elementary-age day camp programs for children ages 5-13. The Texas Legislature requires municipal day camp youth programs for these ages to meet day care licensing requirements or file for an exemption (Section 42.041 (b) (14) of the Human Resources Code). To receive exempt status, a municipality must submit a copy of program standards, a notice of a public hearing for the program and a copy of the ordinance adopting the standards.
Youth Programs Standards of Care will provide basic child care regulations for day camp activities operated by the San Marcos Parks and Recreation Department. This will allow the department to qualify as exempt from requirements of the Texas Human Resources Code.
The Standards of Care include:
• Staff ratios
• Minimum staff qualifications
• Minimum facility, health, and safety standards
• Mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing the adopted local standards
• Provide notice to parents that the day camp program is not licensed by the state
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
N/A
Alternatives:
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Recommendation:
Approve the Youth Standards of Care Policy.