Senior Advisory Commission Special Meeting – April 2, 2025
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Senior Advisory Commission Special Meeting – April 2, 2025
The Senior Advisory Commission (SAC) met on April 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers, 955 School Street, Napa, CA. The commission received presentations from Molly’s Angels and the City of Napa Housing Division, along with an administrative update on Senior Center programs. No public comments were made. The meeting was adjourned with the next regular meeting scheduled for June 4, 2025.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The commission approved the regular meeting minutes of February 5, 2025 by a single vote; no items were removed for discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public addressed the commission during the public comment period.
Presentations
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Molly’s Angels Presentation – Devereaux Smith, Executive Director, provided an overview of the organization’s 25‑year history, its focus on transportation and social‑emotional support for seniors in Napa and Solano counties. Key statistics for the last year: 48,000 miles driven, 4,600 rides, 5,700 weekly phone calls (Molly Cares program), and approximately 1,100 clients served. The organization operates with 14 staff members, a mix of volunteers and paid drivers, and offers a new van service (starting May 1) for senior centers, libraries, and grocery stores. Smith also highlighted partnerships with Napa Valley Transportation Authority to help seniors navigate the paratransit system, and the Monarch Justice Center for crime victims aged 60 +. Commissioners expressed strong appreciation for Smith’s leadership and the organization’s impact, with Commissioner Broxton noting she “is to be commended” and that the organization is “blessed to have you in our community.” Commissioner Elson encouraged fellow commissioners to volunteer.
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City of Napa Housing Division Presentation – Kacey Lyons, Acting Rental Assistance Program Supervisor, presented programs administered by the Housing Division: the Section 8 rental assistance program (serving approx. 1,100 families, over 300 of whom are seniors; wait list closed), project‑based voucher wait list opening April 3 for one week (including senior properties Rolfs Manor in Napa and Valley View in American Canyon), homeless prevention/diversion program, and housing rehabilitation grants/loans (0% interest for repairs over $5,000). Lyons emphasized that the project‑based voucher wait list will be a lottery with preferences for elderly, families, and veterans. She noted that office staff are available to help seniors apply in person. Commissioners asked about coordination with the county’s Share Program and referrals for homelessness. Lyons described the “resource backpack” approach and referrals to partners like Abode Services and Molly’s Angels.
Administrative Reports
- Senior Center Program Update – Recreation Coordinator Katrina (substituting for Linda Button) reported on recent and upcoming Senior Center activities. Notable items:
- A $5,000 donation from “the table” to support monthly luncheons.
- A $5,000 grant from the Napa Valley Community Foundation for the scholarship fund, which had been fully expended after serving 95 recipients (average $142 per person, primarily for fitness and enrichment classes).
- Successful outreach for new instructors (Zumba, Tai Chi, chair yoga) likely adding 3–4 new classes starting this summer.
- Partnerships with the Napa Police Department (“Drive Safer Drive Longer” program for older adults) and Napa Solid Waste and Recycling (worm and backyard composting workshop).
- Upcoming dedication of Betty’s plaque (Betty Rhodes memorial corner) on April 11 at 10:00 AM.
Key Outcomes
- The commission approved the February 5, 2025 meeting minutes unanimously (no recorded dissent).
- No formal motions or votes were taken on policy matters; the presentations and reports were informational.
- Commissioners were encouraged to attend Senior Center luncheons and to help spread word about the project‑based voucher wait list opening.
- The next regular SAC meeting is scheduled for June 4, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
Molly's angels. I am ready for you. So I'm a little slow. Um I'm first of all, I'm really grateful to be here. I've heard about this group for some time and haven't made it here, so I'm glad to be here today. Uh I want to start uh by saying who which of you all know about Molly's Angels. I would suspect it's a solid core. Um I wanna then uh switch over to a video that we made last year for our 25th anniversary. I know that Mr. Broxton has probably seen this five times. So if you hear him singing along, that is what's happening. So thank you, Elijah. And then afterwards I'll answer any questions, give you some current data uh and uh just say thank you again. Molly's angels is still carrying on after 25 years, 25 magical years of a group of women that didn't didn't have a clue as to what they were doing. You know, there's so many stories, hundreds and hundreds of stories. Molly was the real deal. We um were tasked by the Board of Supervisors in Napa County to do an assessment of the needs of older adults. I was not aware how integral in the community that they actually were until we're in focus groups and the name Molly's Angels pops up. Or what about Molly's angels? Molly's angels could do that. Molly's angels should have more funding. All these things keep popping up about Molly's angels. I have goosebumps even as I am talking about that, but but it occurred to me that they really have a unique position in Napa County. What we want to do, and what we work hard for every day is to make sure that our seniors are living with dignity, that they're seen and that they're heard, and that they get the services they need. And we can do that because we are here from the hard work of all the people who came before us, and we are lucky to be able to do it. I was introduced to Molly by a friend. She took me to this wonderful restaurant here in Napa called Molly's Fish and Chips. One night I was there for dinner, and she just happened to uh come by with a big pickle jar, and she said there was just a fire here in Napa, and a grandmother does not have a place to live with her grandchildren. If everybody puts a dollar in this pickle jar, we might be able to help her find a place to live. So everybody was reaching in their pockets, grabbing money. One man pulled out a hundred dollar bill and put it in this big old pickle jar. And one of the friends I was with said to Molly, Molly, you have such a big heart, you always want to help people. Why don't you start a nonprofit organization? Then she came back to us a little while later, and she said, Okay, if all of you will help me, let's start a nonprofit. We met there the next night, and we picked out a name. Let's call it Molly's Angels for Molly. And this was uh May 1999 that it officially became a nonprofit. When people reach a certain age, obviously health issues are are first and foremost in their mind and need to take care of those things. But for them to ask you, it's real hard to ask for that kind of help. And also it's not just a doctor's appointment, it's a medical procedure. You've got to have someone who's gonna stay there with you. Not all people are willing to ask people for that kind of support. Yeah, no. Because the other one was a that's the practice on so many years later. In 2018, my eyes were getting starting to get so bad. Uh I just couldn't see anymore to do a lot of things. If we go glossary shopping, I cannot do the groceries anymore because I don't see. And you feel kind of helpless because you are incapacitated, then you can't see or you can't walk. Uh, you know, if you fall down on Stambola or something. I don't know what I would do.
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