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Page 1 of 5 Policy #003 Effective Date: 2/12/2024 This policy applies to all Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department facilities and programs. Purpose and Objective: Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department welcomes everyone to use County recreational facilities as resources for social, educational, leisure and recreational uses. An individual or group whose conduct is disruptive, compromises safety, damages/destroys property, or is otherwise incompatible with the intended use of a park or facility, prevents others from enjoying and using the park or facility. Therefore, it is necessary that everyone who uses County parks or facilities follow this policy. Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action being taken including, but not limited to, verbal warnings, suspension of future access to parks and facilities, or contacting law enforcement. Notification will be given to parents or legal guardian upon issuance of disciplinary action if that individual is under 18 years of age. The duration of suspension will vary depending on the incidents and the frequency with which such incidents are committed by visitor/visitors. All incidents will be documented by the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department. Definitions: Suspension/Suspended – the official notice to a visitor or visitors at any of Otsego County Parks and Recreation’s parks or facilities that their presence on the property is not permitted for an amount of time determined by the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department. Until Further Notice - to indicate that a situation will not change until another announcement is made. With regard to the Disciplinary Policy, “until further notice” will be determined by the Director of the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department. Prohibited Behavior: Weapons – any individual found in possession and/or use of a weapon in any building or property belonging to the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department shall be Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department Disciplinary Policy ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 5 Policy #003 Effective Date: 2/12/2024 immediately suspended until further notice, and may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Threats of Violence – any threat verbalized or displayed in written form towards another individual or staff member shall result in immediate suspension until further notice, and may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Fighting – any fighting or physical altercations. First Occurrence – suspended until further notice Bullying – any threatened or actual physical harm, unwelcome physical contact, threatening or taunting verbal, written or electronic communications, stealing or extorting money or property, and/or obstructing movement will not be tolerated. If any individual is threatened in person or by electronic communications, they should notify a staff member. Law enforcement may then be contacted. Electronic communications include but are not limited to internet, cell phone, telephone, personal digital assistant, text messaging using a wireless device, instant messaging, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media platform. First Occurrence –suspended until further notice Sexual Harassment – sexual harassment including, but not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or inappropriate verbal or physical conduct that is sexual in nature, will not be tolerated. First Occurrence – suspended until further notice Vandalism – the willful destruction of property. First Occurrence – suspended until further notice Stealing – the deliberate taking of another individual’s property and/or property belonging to the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department will not be tolerated. Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department is not responsible for the loss of an individual’s property. First Occurrence – suspended until further notice ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 3 of 5 Policy #003 Effective Date: 2/12/2024 Use and/or Possession of Tobacco, Alcohol or Controlled Substance – Use of tobacco products, alcohol or a controlled substance in any Otsego County Parks or Recreation Department building or on any Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department property where it is not permitted will not be tolerated. Use of tobacco and/or alcohol products is prohibited in all Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department buildings. No individual under the age of 21 shall be permitted to use any tobacco and/or alcohol products in any building or on any property belonging to the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department. First Occurrence – suspended until further notice False Alarms – if an individual deliberately and/or intentionally activates a fire alarm, sprinkler system, or the Automated External Defibrillator (AED), the individual shall be suspended until further notice. Swearing and/or Vulgar Language – swearing or use of vulgar language will not be tolerated. First Occurrence – verbal warning Second Occurrence – suspended two weeks Third Occurrence – suspended until further notice Disrespectful Behavior and/or not following instructions and/or rules First Occurrence – verbal warning Second Occurrence – suspended two weeks Third Occurrence – suspended until further notice Breaking equipment or failure to return games or equipment – Destruction of equipment. Failing to return games or equipment or deliberately damaging games or equipment is not tolerated. First Occurrence – verbal warning Second Occurrence – suspended two weeks Third Occurrence – suspended until further notice ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 4 of 5 Policy #003 Effective Date: 2/12/2024 General Information: When the individual has served suspension time, upon return to the facility or program, the individual will have a meeting with the Director of the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department about behavior expected in the future. It shall be mandatory for a parent or guardian to be present during this meeting if the individual is under 18 years of age. The County reserves the right to make a parent conference mandatory before the individual will be allowed to return to any Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department facility or program. The Director of the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department may review any suspension and may overturn a suspension if special circumstances warrant an individual’s return before the individual’s suspension has been served. Appeal Process: The County, by and through the Director of the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department, may suspend an individual from the use of County parks, facilities, and programs, without appeal, for a period of thirty (30) days by informing the individual in writing that they have failed to adhere to the Disciplinary Policy and/or the rules and regulations of Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department. Individuals suspended from programs, parks, or facilities for a period of more than thirty (30) days shall be notified in writing within five business days of the decision to suspend the individual from participation and use of facilities. This notice shall describe the conduct of the individual which forms the basis for the disciplinary action and shall specify how such conduct is in violation of the Disciplinary Policy and/or the rules and regulations of the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department. The individual will have five business days from the time of receipt of the notification to appeal the disciplinary action in writing stating why the individual should not be suspended. Such a request must be sent to the Director of the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department at 225 W. Main Street, Gaylord, Michigan 49735. For those under 18 years old, the written notification will be sent to a parent or guardian. An appeal will not automatically delay the Director’s decision. Disciplinary actions shall take effect immediately unless stated otherwise by the Director. The Director of the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department shall hold a hearing on any timely appeals of a suspension of more than thirty (30) days. There is no right to a hearing in any other disciplinary action which is a thirty (30) days or less suspension from facilities or programs. The hearing shall be held before the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Board within ten (10) business days following receipt of the notification to appeal. The hearing shall be based upon the grounds specified in the written notice sent to the individual imposing the disciplinary action. The individual may present witnesses, exhibits, and argument at the hearing. A decision in an appeal may result in the reduction or an increase in the disciplinary ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 5 of 5 Policy #003 Effective Date: 2/12/2024 penalty. A majority vote of the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Board is required to change any disciplinary penalty issued by the Director. Other Information: This form must be filled out and returned to Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department within 24 hours for individuals to be permitted to participate in any and all activities taking place at the Otsego County Community Center and select other events taking place at other Otsego County Parks and Recreation parks and facilities. Failure to do so will result in denial entry for the individual/individuals. The Otsego County Parks and Recreation Policy follows the guidelines and policies set in place by Otsego County. The Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to make changes or discontinue this policy at any time. I, the undersigned parent or guardian for those under 18 years old and/or the undersigned individual over 18 years old, who is a participant in activities provided by the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department, have read, understand and accept the Otsego County Parks and Recreation Department Disciplinary Action Policy. Print Name (Parent/Guardian if filling out for a minor) Signature (Parent/Guardian if filling out for a minor) Date Print Otsego County Parks and Recreation Director Name Otsego County Parks and Recreation Director Signature Date