Senior Advisory Board Meeting - June 8, 2026

The Senior Advisory Board met on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 3:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a lahar preparedness presentation, updates on senior center activities, a report on the June 2026 Senior Services report, and board discussion on upcoming events and recognition of volunteers.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: The board approved the agenda as modified, moving item 5b (Ice Breaker) to the end of the meeting if time permitted. (Motion carried unanimously.)
• Approval of Minutes: The board approved the April 13, 2026 draft minutes. During discussion, a board member noted that Angela Garcia had resigned and should no longer be listed as absent; the minutes were approved as submitted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Jody Erickson, Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Washington, requested to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting to report on a new student community practicum project focused on transportation in Puyallup, in alignment with AARP’s age-friendly city specifications. She previously presented outcomes from a prior student project at the last meeting.

Discussion Items

• New Business – Lahar Informational Presentation: Louise Darcy, City of Puyallup Emergency Management Division, delivered a PowerPoint presentation on personal preparedness and lahar-specific risks. Key points included:
  • Mount Rainier is an active volcano with a “very high” threat level; lahars (mud and debris flows) can travel up to 50 mph and reach 100 feet high. Small lahars occur annually within the national park, typically in summer.
  • The city participates in a regional earthquake/volcano evacuation exercise (world’s largest) involving over 40,000 students every two years.
  • Recommended preparedness: build a communication plan, assemble a kit (water, food, medicines, cash, pet supplies), sign up for Puyallup Alerts (text PUYALERTS to 99411), and know evacuation routes via the EPIC EOC Lahar Evacuation Routing App.
  • The City’s CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program offers free basic classes twice a year (spring and fall). The spring 2026 class graduated 30 participants.
  • Board members asked about improvements since Mount St. Helens (seismic monitoring now in place), how seniors can access CERT materials (a presentation at the Activity Center was held on May 18, and another is planned for July), and how cell phone alerts reach residents without landlines (geofenced wireless emergency alerts and door-to-door notification by police during emergencies).
• Other Business – Senior Advisory Board Trifold: The board discussed the trifold brochure, which was not ready due to a photo error involving a board member (Dr. Erickson was incorrectly included in photos). The trifold will be completed and distributed before the next meeting.
• Staff Reports – Senior Services Report, June 2026: Shelby, Senior Services staff, reviewed recent and upcoming activities:
  • Bridge to Sanity: A weekly current events discussion group held Tuesdays 9:30-11:00 AM at the Activity Center.
  • Sketch and Paint: An open-format drawing/painting class Tuesdays 9:00 AM-12:00 PM; members recently painted portraits of Shelby’s dog Murphy.
  • Snoqualmie Train Trip: A scenic round-trip ride on the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad on June 7, including lunch at the Twin Peaks Cafe. The trip filled in a day and a half, with a waitlist of 25; two additional trips were added.
  • Kentucky Derby Party (May 7): First annual event with hats, mocktails, and prizes; will be repeated next year.
  • Volunteer Appreciation (June 3): Held at the Activity Center from 4:30-6:00 PM, featuring certificates, thank-you cards, and a meal. Board members praised the event and suggested adding year-of-service milestones on certificates.
  • Car Show (“Cruise In”): Scheduled for June 26, 2026, at the Activity Center parking lot, with a patriotic theme (red, white, blue); hot dogs will be served. Construction on the parking lot is expected to start at the end of August/early September, potentially limiting future events.
• Icebreaker (moved to end): Board members shared personal stories. One member recounted working as a seating host for the Seattle Mariners and meeting Reggie Jackson. Staff member Shelby described his career working with seniors for 40 years, including starting a senior center in Federal Way and helping build the Puyallup Activity Center.

Key Outcomes

• Approved agenda as amended (motion carried).
• Approved April 13, 2026 minutes (motion carried).
• Granted Dr. Jody Erickson’s request to be placed on the next meeting’s agenda.
• Trifold brochure to be completed and distributed before the next meeting.
• The June 26 “Cruise In” car show will proceed with a patriotic theme and hot dogs; board members were asked to help recruit cars.
• Staff will consider adding service-year designations to volunteer appreciation certificates.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 3:54 PM.