Napa Senior Advisory Commission Meeting Summary – December 3, 2025

The Napa Senior Advisory Commission met on December 3, 2025, at 9:45 AM. The meeting featured a presentation from Community Action Napa Valley (CANV) on its Meals on Wheels and food bank programs, an annual report on Senior Service Providers (SSPs) at the Napa Senior Center, updates on senior center events and programming, public comment from the Napa County Commission on Aging chair, and the introduction of new commissioner Julie Seeger. The commission unanimously approved the previous meeting’s minutes and gave approval to continue renting to all SSPs in good standing.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. All commissioners voted aye; the minutes were approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mark Frankenstein, Chair of the Napa County Commission on Aging: Introduced himself and noted that the city and county commissions serve overlapping populations but lack a formal relationship. He invited commission members to attend county Commission on Aging meetings (next meeting: January 26, 2026, at 2 PM at CSOA) and offered to share agendas. He praised the senior center’s work and congratulated new commissioner Julie Seeger on completing law school and preparing for the California Bar exam.

Discussion Items

• Presentation by Lisa Rose Hernandez, Program Director of Community Action Napa Valley (CANV): Hernandez reported on CANV’s Meals on Wheels and food bank programming. Key points:

  • Meals on Wheels: Serves over 400 individuals county-wide with home-delivered meals and wellness checks on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Congregate dining provides hot meals at the Napa Senior Center Monday–Friday at 11:30 AM. No waiting list; meals are served within 24 hours of application.
  • Food Bank Programs: Operates over 8 pantries, 9 free markets, 6 USDA sites, and the Silver Fox program (two food boxes per month for seniors with fresh meat, dairy, staples, and recipes).
  • Total meals served per month: Over 12,000.
  • Eligibility: Must be 60 years old or older.
  • Wellness Checks: Conducted 1–3 times per month in clients’ homes. A new collaboration with Napa County HHSA’s mobile health van (first Tuesday of month, 9 AM–12 PM at the senior center parking lot) provides additional health screenings and referrals.
  • Enrollment: Family members can refer seniors; online application via secure portal (GetCare) linked to the California Department on Aging. No waiting lists. Contact via website (canv.org) or phone.
  • Hernandez answered commissioner questions about sign‑up protocols, frequency of wellness visits, and referral networks.

• Annual Senior Service Providers (SSP) Report (Linda, Senior Center Staff): Linda presented the annual SSP report. Currently 16 SSPs meet at the senior center. Five groups stopped meeting in the past 18 months:

  • CAME (California Association of Machine Embroiderers) – declining membership.
  • Boots and Bell Square Dancers – low attendance, disbanded.
  • MENTIS – lost mental health funding; programs suspended.
  • AARP driver safety courses – no volunteer coordinator for Napa County.
  • Puertas Abiertas (replacement) – received funding and expanded mental health services for Spanish speakers to Tuesdays.
  • All remaining SSPs are in compliance with rental rules. Staff recommended approval of continued rentals. The commission unanimously approved.

• Senior Center Activity Update (Linda): Linda reported on fall 2025 events:

  • Dia de los Muertos: Staff and participants created a life‑size Catrina figure, displayed at the senior center.
  • Halloween Luncheon: Approximately 65 attendees.
  • Thanksgiving Luncheon: 120 seniors attended; meal was free thanks to a $5,000 donation. Upcoming holiday luncheon on December 16.
  • Winter/Spring Classes: Six guest speakers planned: fraud prevention (Napa PD), hands‑only CPR (fire department), estate planning (North Bay Legal), victim services, stop falls program, and safe driving (CHP).
  • Building Availability: Linda indicated the senior center is seeking additional contract instructors and SSPs. In response to a commissioner’s question, she agreed to discuss adding an intermediate/advanced mahjong time slot.
  • Dietary Concerns: Linda and Hernandez discussed options for dairy‑ and gluten‑free alternatives.

• Commissioner Comments and Updates:

  • Brianna (Parks and Recreation staff) reported on the community‑wide parks and recreation survey: over 1,500 responses received (total 1,800 including a controlled survey of 300). Data summary will be presented to commissions in early 2026. A field trip for council and possibly commissions to visit other cities’ park facilities is being planned.
  • New Commissioner Introduction: Julie Seeger introduced herself. She moved to Napa in 1999, worked in the wine industry, served on the board of Howell Mountain Vintners and Growers Association, and later worked as a paralegal. She graduated from law school and is preparing to retake the California Bar exam in February 2026. She expressed honor in serving on the commission.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Minutes: Unanimously approved.
• Senior Service Provider Rentals: Commission unanimously approved continued rentals for all 16 SSPs in good standing.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for February 4, 2026.