UPDATED: Lebanon City Council to Discuss YMCA Future, Flock Camera Rules Tonight

Two issues that have generated significant community discussion in recent weeks will be before the Lebanon City Council tonight, with the future of the recreation facilities currently operated by the Lebanon Family YMCA and Flock license plate recognition cameras both scheduled for discussion.

City Releases More Details on YMCA Proposal

Questions about the future of the Lebanon Family YMCA have been circulating as the June 30, 2027 expiration of the current agreement between the City and Ozarks Regional YMCA approaches.

Lebanon Now previously reported that the City was considering the possibility of operating the facility itself, but that no final decision had been made.

Monday, the City released considerably more information about what that possibility could actually look like.

According to the City, council members asked staff to explore whether Lebanon should resume direct operation of the recreation portion of the Cowan Civic Center when the YMCA lease expires. That includes the pool, gym, fitness center and locker rooms.

The City operated those facilities through Parks and Recreation until 2010, when the Ozarks Regional YMCA began leasing the space.

City staff will present their proposal to the Council during tonight’s work session. The City stressed that tonight marks the beginning of that discussion and no decision has been made.

Under the proposal, the City would operate the recreation space as a community amenity rather than expecting it to operate as a completely self-supporting business.

The proposal includes $5 daily admission for most people ages 3 through 64, free access for seniors 65 and older, and free access for residents who meet income qualifications based on 150 percent of the federal poverty level or Medicaid eligibility. The City estimates more than half of Lebanon residents could qualify for free access.

There would also be designated free open-swim and open-gym hours available to everyone each week.

Monthly passes would begin at $25 for access to a single facility and $40 for full access.

The City also addressed concerns about senior programs and childcare. Staff say the goal would be to match or improve current senior programming, while children’s programming could include new partnerships with Lebanon R-3 Schools and programs through Lebanon Parks and Recreation.

If the proposal eventually moves forward, the City says it would also look at hiring as many current YMCA employees as possible, including lifeguards, front desk employees and senior programming staff.

Those details are proposals only. No vote on taking over operation of the recreation facilities is scheduled during tonight’s work session.Full release by the city here: https://www.lebanonmissouri.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/2409

Flock Cameras Also on Work Session Agenda

Flock license plate recognition cameras will also be discussed during tonight’s 6 p.m. work session.

Council members will discuss a proposed ordinance establishing local rules governing the Lebanon Police Department’s use of the cameras.

The proposal comes after weeks of local discussion surrounding the technology, including questions about data retention, access to information collected by the cameras, privacy and how the system can be used by law enforcement.

As with the Civic Center discussion, the work session allows council members to ask questions and discuss the proposal. Votes are not taken during the work session.

Also Before Council Tonight

Tonight’s meetings include:

6 p.m. City Council work session, including the Cowan Civic Center recreation proposal and proposed Flock camera ordinance.Future operation of the Cowan Civic Center recreation facilities after the YMCA’s current lease expires June 30, 2027.Proposed recreation pricing and free-access options if the City eventually resumes operations.Flock camera rules and safeguards proposed for the Lebanon Police Department.City property tax levy as part of the regular Council’s business.Additional City business during the regular meeting following the work session.

Lebanon Now will be following tonight’s meetings and will have more on what council members discuss and any action taken.

For a complete look at what is before the City Council tonight, read our full meeting preview.