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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, May 27, 2008 7:00 o’clock p.m. ___________________________________________________________________________________ (3. FUNDING FOR GILLESPIE CENTER, DONNA SMITH, Continued) McMillan requested the services provided by the Gillespie Center be covered. Smith noted their Dial-a-Ride bus service has been decreased to two days a week, which was a result of Senior Community Services losing their contract with Metropolitan Transit. The last Meals on Wheels lunch prepared at the center was on February 1, 2008, and the lunch program has since been moved to Presbyterian Homes in Spring Park. The Gillespie Center continues to run the SCS program for 12 Long Lake residents. The transfer of the meals program to Presbyterian Homes resulted in the loss of their part-time cook, but volunteers on Wednesdays and Fridays are making homemade meals. In the near future the center hopes to use their own kitchen to prepare meals the other days of the week utilizing the services of their own cook. A part-time custodian is also employed. In addition to serving some meals at the center, the facility is also available for use by other community groups. Smith noted the veterans used the room for the Memorial Day ceremony. Also available is a bakery where residents may purchase discounted bakery items from Cub Foods. The center is also now open on Saturday mornings where they used to be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 4:00. Smith stated the contractual agreement that was recently signed with Mound and Spring Park is basically the same one that was brought before the Orono City Council last year. Representatives from the center attended 12 council meetings last summer and the center has decided to focus their efforts for obtaining financing on the four cities that receive the majority of the services. Smith noted you do not need to be a member of the center in order to receive services and that the center is basically a community center. McMillan asked what the future of the Gillespie Center would be if it is funded to the extent that they would like to see. Johnson stated they provide a number of services for seniors, including trips, hobbies, card playing and other recreational activities. The center does not have a swimming pool but can be utilized for meetings, weddings, and other community events. Rental income does help offset some of the costs and the facility is viewed as an all-purpose building. Harold Pellett addressed the City Council, stating that a loss of funding could result in the loss of the facility, which would be very difficult to regain. Pellett stated with the center being open on Saturday, more working people could participate in the activities. Popular programs include the preschool program, Santa’s Hidden Treasures, and other programs offered during Homecoming Week. A few of the goals include offering more programs to the residents who work, additional hours of operation, and enhancing existing services for the seniors. Pellett noted the facility was bought and paid for by the residents in the community and not from tax dollars. Pellett requested the City Council give serious consideration to funding the center. Murphy stated he personally has no question in his mind about the value of the Gillespie Center to the citizens who utilize the facility and that there are a large number of people who are dedicated to making the facility a success. Murphy expressed a concern that the Gillespie Center might be straying too far from their central theme, which may cause problems in the future. Murphy asked what the relationship is between Senior Community Services and the Gillespie Center. Murphy noted a year ago there were some concerns expressed that the SCS would still be a viable PAGE 2 of 12 Item #02 - CC Agenda - 06/09/08 Approval of Council Minutes 05/27/08 [Page 2 of 12]