Alameda SSHRS Board Meeting - December 3, 2025
Alameda Social Service Human Relations Board Meeting - December 3, 2025
The Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB) held a regular meeting on December 3, 2025, from 7:03 p.m. to 8:09 p.m. The meeting included the unanimous approval of minutes from October 22, 2025, a vote to accept six nominees for the Volunteer of the Year awards, a vote on the 2026 meeting calendar, work group reports, and staff updates. The board also honored outgoing member Diane for her service and discussed concerns about skilled nursing facility care in Alameda.
Note: The transcript begins with "December first, two thousand twenty-five" but the meeting date provided for this summary is December 3, 2025.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the October 22, 2025 meeting by voice vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made on any agenda item.
Discussion Items
- Volunteer of the Year Award Nominations (Item 4A): The board voted unanimously to accept six nominees recommended by The Road Home Committee. The adult category nominees were Sister Pat Nagel (Lifetime Achievement Award), Kate Kasperger (Social Services Award), and Armanda Graca (Human Relations Award). The youth category nominees were Tate Matula, Sierra Miller, and Soliana Tesfaladet (all Human Relations Award). Each nominee was presented with their award by a nominator who highlighted their service.
- 2026 Meeting Calendar (Item 4B): The board voted unanimously to approve the proposed 2026 meeting schedule. Exceptions include the January meeting moved to the third Thursday due to the Point-in-Time Count, and the November/December meetings combined into an early December meeting.
- Work Group Reports (Item 4C): The Domestic Violence Task Force met in mid-November with five organizations and a presentation from the Alameda County DA. The Road Home Committee reported on the upcoming Point-in-Time Count on January 29, 2026 (5 a.m. to 11 a.m.) and encouraged volunteer sign-ups. The United Against Hate group reported on a successful film screening with over 30 attendees and discussed future events such as a poetry slam and a Season of Nonviolence program.
- Staff Updates (Item 5A): Gracia Manayan, program manager, reported on the Point-in-Time Count volunteer registration, a wish list for care kits for unsheltered individuals, and upcoming City Council items including the winter warming shelter agreement and CDBG funding for the Day Center relocation.
- Board Communications - Non-Agenda Item: Board member Diane raised concerns about the quality of care at Alameda Healthcare and Wellness Facility, citing a recent lawsuit and personal experience. Board members discussed the systemic issues of underfunded skilled nursing facilities, the need for more ombudsmen, and the importance of age-friendly community conversations around end-of-life care and mental health support for families.
- Welcome to New Board Member: Robbie Creetz, a former Alameda resident and director of special education, introduced herself. Board members shared their backgrounds and expressed gratitude to outgoing member Diane for her service.
Key Outcomes
- Vote on Volunteer of the Year Nominees: Approved unanimously (voice vote). The six award recipients were honored during the meeting.
- Vote on 2026 Meeting Calendar: Approved unanimously (voice vote).
- Point-in-Time Count: Scheduled for January 29, 2026, 5 a.m. – 11 a.m. Volunteers can register at Alameda.pointintime.info.
- Next Meeting: January 13, 2026, at 7 p.m. (rescheduled due to the Point-in-Time Count).
- Farewell: The board recognized Diane’s contributions as she steps down from the SSHRB.
Meeting Transcript
Just let me know. Welcome to the December first, two thousand twenty-five social service human relations board meeting. Um, this meeting is being recorded. The chat function has been turned off. If members of the public would like to comment on an item, there are multiple options to do so. If attending via Zoom, digitally raise your hand, and Secretary Manayan will announce when it's your turn. You will then have the option to unmute yourself and proceed with your public comment. Email your public comment to Secretary Manayan at G M A N N A H A Y O N at Alameda C A.gov. Before or during the meeting with your name, the agenda item number, you're referencing and your comment. Comments submitted during the meeting before the conclusion of the public comment section will be read into the record. Her email address is also on the meeting's agenda. If you are calling in by phone, please email Ms. Manayan. As we cannot see you, raise your hand. Second, under each agenda item, there will be an opportunity for public comment on that specific item. So we will now call this meeting to order at 7 03 p.m. Moving on to roll call. Bernie Wolf. He's absent. Diana Michira Omi here. Gerald Bryant, here. Michelle Buckholtz. Here. Samantha Green. Here. Scott Means. Here, that's me. And Robbie Creetz. Here. And from the Housing Human Services Division, Gresha Mania Ayan, program manager, and Shelby Neal, administrative specialist. And just want to take a moment to welcome our newest board member, Robbie Christ. This will be her first meeting. We are moving on to item number two, non-agenda public comments. The city welcomes speakers providing public comments, but please be advised this is a limited public forum. Comments from the audience may concern matters either on or not on the agenda, but must deal with matters subject to the jurisdiction of the Social Service and Human Relations Board. Comments will be limited to three minutes. Comments concerning matters on this evening's agenda will be heard when that item is called. If speakers fail to follow these rules, they will be warned. And if they continue to disregard the rules, their opportunity to speak will end. Um do we have any speakers or comments? Yeah. There is no public comment. All right. Seeing none, we'll move on to item three to the minutes to review and approve the minutes from October 22nd, 2025. I motion to approve. We have a motion. Do we have a second? I'll second it. We have a motion and a second. Um we will uh oh, actually, we can just go ahead and do a uh consensus vote.
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