Title
A. Conduct a public hearing regarding the Parks and Recreation Department Youth Programs Standards of Care.
B. Consider an ordinance adopting Standards of Care associated with the City's recreation programs titled "2026 Youth Programs Standards of Care" and repealing Ordinance No. 5158.
Body
The Parks and Recreation Department operates youth programs at various recreation centers during after-school hours and on school breaks. These programs are designed to provide constructive recreational experiences and ensure school-aged children in the community have access to quality programs with supervision when school is not in session.
Under Texas State Law, municipal youth programs are exempt from many standard daycare regulations, provided the municipality fulfills the following requirements:
1. Develop and maintain operating policies and procedures known as the "Standards of Care".
2. Conduct an annual public hearing followed by formal adoption of the standards by City Council.
3. Provide a copy of the Standards of Care to the parents of every participant.
4. The City may not advertise the program as a "child-care" facility or program, and parents must be informed that the State of Texas does not license the City of Mesquite to provide "child-care" programs that qualify for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Child Care Tax Credit.
The Youth Programs Standards of Care were last adopted on March 17, 2025, by Ordinance No. 5158. This year, the standards include the following revisions:
1. Recreation Leader I Position
a. Licensing: Removed the requirement for a valid Texas driver's license as a minimum qualification.
b. Age Requirement: Lowered the minimum age requirement for this position to 16 years of age.
2. Recreation Aide Position
a. Consolidation: This position has been eliminated and combined into
the Recreation Leader I position.
All policies governing the program are made available to participants in the program at time of registration.
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