WORKSHOP ITEM - Robert Therres, Public Services Manager/Asst. City Manager
Title
SENIOR CENTER FACILITY USE DISCUSSION
Background
At the April 12th City Council Workshop, the Council discussed a draft of a facility use policy for a proposed new senior center. During the discussion the Council asked for documentation on how the commercial kitchen could or could not be used by outside groups. Attached are Minnesota Statute 157.15 and Anoka County Ordinance #99-1 and 2009-02 that pertains to serving of food.
The State of Minnesota defines a group who wants to serve food to the public as a “Special Event Food Stand” and Anoka County requires these types of groups to get a food handlers license and meet their criteria. License fees vary according to size, type and usage. Usually in the range of $30 to $100.
Examples of events that would need a license include: Fundraising events such as Spaghetti Dinners and Pancake Breakfasts and any events open to the public.
There is no statute or regulation that would prevent the use of the commercial kitchen, just the requirement to obtain the appropriate license.
Communities that operate/allow use of full kitchen facilities have set up rules and regulations to help maintain and protect the kitchen facilities. Examples of this include requiring a Caterer’s License, requiring and paying for city staff to be present, and coming in for advance training/orientation.
The Senior Center through the Volunteers of America (VOA) serves daily lunches Monday thru Friday and would have to lock/limit access to these supplies and refrigerators.
Recommendation
Staff is looking for direction on whether to include the use of the kitchen in the Senior Center Facility Use Policy. And if so, directions on limitations on what type of events are allowed.