Foster City Parks and Recreation Department Code of Conduct

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The Foster City Recreation Center, Community Center, and VIBE Teen Center are multi-use facilities where the public, visitors, customers and clients (collectively referred to as “participants”) can participate in recreation, socialization, educational, and fitness activities, as well as find a variety of helpful, relevant services in a fun and relaxed setting.  This Code of Conduct is designed to ensure the Recreation Center, Community Center and VIBE Teen Center serve their primary purposes, which include a safe environment to provide a variety of programs and services that help foster the well-being of our community. 

The rules below regulate disruptive behavior, noise, offensive odors, health and sanitation hazards, and bringing possessions, materials or objects into the Foster City Recreation Center, Community Center, and VIBE Teen Center, which are likely to interfere with its use by others. 

The following rules have been established for the comfort and safety of all who use and work in the City’s Recreation Center, Community Center and VIBE Teen Center.

The following are not allowed:

  1. Behavior that is prohibited by municipal, state and/or federal laws.
  2. Damaging or misusing Recreation Center, Community Center, or VIBE Teen Center property or materials (e.g. standing on tables or chairs).
  3. Strong odors and/or lack of personal hygiene so as to be offensive to others.
  4. Verbally or physically threatening or harassing other patrons and Parks and Recreation staff, including stalking, staring, touching.
  5. Entering staff office areas or vacant classrooms without staff permission.
  6. Entering recreation facilities without shoes or adequate clothing, including top and bottom.
  7. Running, pushing or shoving other people, or throwing objects on City facilities’ premises to damage City property or to injure people.
  8. Using recreation facilities for purposes other than those normally associated with a Recreation/Community Center (e.g. bathing or washing clothes).
  9. Lying down or sleeping on any floor, table, or seat in recreation facilities.
  10. Sexual misconduct or lewd behavior. 
  11. Soliciting (e.g., sales, canvassing) of patrons or staff.
  12. Animals other than service animals. Service animals, as defined in Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be on a leash and under the control of their owner.
  13. Activity that unreasonably interferes with others’ use and enjoyment of the center(s) or with the functioning of center staff.
  14. Blocking of any doors, stairs or other entrances and exits to the Recreation Center, Community Center, or VIBE Teen Center to intentionally prevent access by others.
  15. Alcohol usage is prohibited unless a permit is granted as part of a facility rental.
  16. Leaving or storing personal belongings in program rooms without permission of staff, .
  17. Disturbing others by talking loudly or with other noisy activity-including any loud sound originating from any electronic device. Please do use headphones when listening to audio on any electronic devices.
  18. No person shall ride a bicycle, scooter, skateboard, or similar item inside any recreation facility or leave them at the entrance- except equipment that is designed and is being used for the purpose of assisting the mobility of persons with disabilities and/or equipment designed and being used to carry infants and children. Bicycles and scooters should remain outside.
  19. Putting feet on facility furniture, rearranging the furniture, or using the furniture for other than its intended purpose.
  20. Viewing or displaying sexually explicit, obscene or illegal material in the facility.

BEHAVIORS THAT ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AND/OR PROHIBITED BY LAW

All participants of the Foster City Recreation Center, Community Center, and VIBE Teen Center are expected to treat Foster City employees and other participants with the utmost respect and dignity while on City property. The  City strictly forbids discrimination or harassment of any kind, whether based on race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, age, physical, mental or developmental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, political ideology or any other reason. Harassment may include unsolicited or unwelcome remarks, gestures, or physical contact, as well as the display or circulation of inappropriate or derogatory written materials or pictures.

Of paramount importance is for the safety and security of its employees and participants. This policy is strictly enforced and non-compliance will result in corrective measures being undertaken.

ENFORCEMENT OF RULES

When someone violates this Code of Conduct, staff may ask the person to leave the Foster City Recreation Center, Community Center, or VIBE Teen Center with or without a warning, may contact law enforcement if necessary, and/or may suspend the participant from use of any or all City facilities.  In addition the City may pursue remedies under Federal, State, or local law where applicable.

Staff will consider the following guidelines to determine the length of any suspension.  Threatening or violent behavior may result in immediate expulsion --even if it is the participant’s first offense.

1st Offense:  Verbal Warning

Staff will give the participant a verbal warning, inform the participant of the relevant conduct policy, and warn the participant that continued violation of the Code of Conduct may result in a potential loss of privileges, including suspension.  Staff will document this occurrence on an “Incident Report”.

2nd Offense:  Written Warning

Staff will record the second offense on an “Incident Report”.  Participant will meet with the Recreation Manager or Asst. Supervisor.  Staff will provide a written warning to the participant and indicate that a future incident will result in a 30-day suspension from the Foster City Recreation Center, Community Center, or VIBE Teen Center, whichever is applicable.

3rd Offense:  30 Day Suspension

Staff will record the occurrence on an “Incident Report:  Participant will meet with the Recreation Manager.  A written notice of suspension of 30 days will be given to the participant outlining the incident(s) and the specific violation(s) of the Code of Conduct.  Failure to meet with the Recreation Manager will be grounds for a continued suspension.

4th Offense:  Six Month Suspension

Staff will record the occurrence on an “Incident Report”.  Participant will meet with the Director of Parks and Recreation.  A written notice of six-month suspension will be given to the participant outlining the incident(s) and the specific violation(s) of this Code of Conduct.  Failure to meet with the Director will be grounds for a continued suspension.

5th Offense: Expulsion

If, after a six month period of suspension, the participant continues to violate the Code of Conduct, the Director may issue a written notice informing the participant that they can no longer utilize the Foster City Recreation Center, Community Center, or VIBE Teen Center and provide the participant with the Appeal Process identified below.  Nothing herein shall prevent the Parks and Recreation Director from immediately expelling a participant for threatening or violent behavior. 

APPEAL PROCESS

Participant has the right to appeal Staff’s decision regarding participant’s use of the Recreation Center, Community Center or VIBE Teen Center by requesting a meeting with the Parks and Recreation Director within Ten days of a reported incident.  To request a meeting, the participant must provide a written request to the Director’s office:

 

Derek Schweigart
dschweigart@fostercity.org

City staff will schedule an appointment with the participant and the Director to discuss the situation and review the information.  A suspension will remain in effect until the appeal process is concluded or the period of suspension expires.  Upon conclusion of the meeting, the Director shall provide a written determination of the Director. 

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