San Leandro Senior Commission Meeting - April 25, 2025

Note: The minutes and transcript indicate the meeting was held on April 17, 2025, but the provided metadata states April 25, 2025. This summary uses the later date as instructed.

The San Leandro Senior Commission met on April 25, 2025 (as per metadata) at the Senior Community Center. The meeting covered routine approvals, staff updates, planning for the Cherry Festival and Senior Resource Fair, and progress on the Age-Friendly Action Plan. All eight commissioners were present.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda of April 17, 2025 and the minutes of March 20, 2025 via a single motion (8-0). [Note: The transcript shows two separate votes due to procedural confusion, but the final outcome was unanimous approval.]

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the designated public comment period. Staff noted that no eComments were received.
• However, later in the meeting, during discussion of the Senior Resource Fair, a member of the public spoke, suggesting that the commission create a brochure on how to use new computers and propose a program where seniors could publish stories with proceeds going to the city.

Staff Reports and Announcements

• City-wide Updates: The final biennial budget engagement forum will be held virtually on April 29th from 1-3 p.m. Recreation and Parks Director Vicente Zuniga will attend the July Senior Commission meeting for a meet-and-greet and to discuss the Recreation and Parks Master Plan.
• Human Services Department: The Lewelling Interim Housing and Drop-In Center open house is scheduled for May 23, 2025. New Program Assistant Valerie Nicolas introduced herself; she will focus on transportation and mobility, including the Flex Rides program and the Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program.
• Senior Services Updates: The Senior Community Center hours will change in fall 2025 to 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., then reopen at 5:30 p.m. for Recreation and Parks programming. A senior celebration event is planned for May 19th with food, music, and activities. A volunteer appreciation event is on April 21st. The first cohort of a Tech Exchange partnership completed laptop training and received free laptops. Outreach will occur at various events including Farmers Market, VACCEB, and the Annual Senior Resource Fair.

Discussion Items

Age-Friendly Implementation Plan Update and Next Steps

• Pear Street Consulting will present final drafts of the Age-Friendly Communications and Operations Plans at the May 15 Senior Commission meeting, with the goal of finalizing by June 30, 2025.
• The Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Training (CPBST) Planning Committee has 19 members, with 15 attending the first meeting on April 3. The next meeting is April 30 at 1 p.m. at the Surlene Grant Community Room, followed by a walking assessment of East 14th Street and Washington Avenue. Commissioners expressed concerns about the safety and accessibility of the walking route, particularly crossing busy streets.
• Regarding Beautify San Leandro, the Recreation and Parks Department has set priority projects for the year and the Senior Community Center is not included. However, staff will assess landscaping needs at the center in the coming weeks.

Cherry Festival Planning (June 7, 2025)

• The commission will participate in the parade and resource fair. A shuttle will be provided by MV Transportation. The commission agreed to invite the Human Services Commission to join again.
• Sign-up sheets were circulated for parade participation, decoration help, and booth volunteering. Ideas for shuttle decorations included an age-friendly theme ("through the ages") with costumes from different decades, red bunting, balloons, and giveaways like Ghirardelli chocolates. Commissioners discussed logistics to minimize wait times and ensure transportation from the senior center.
• For the resource booth, suggestions included having two tables with duplicate materials, a spin-the-wheel game with age-friendly or health questions, and giveaways such as hand sanitizers, flashlights, whistles, stress balls, and informational cards. Staff will provide talking points and key messages.

Senior Resource Fair Planning (June 24, 2025)

• The annual Senior Resource Fair will be held Tuesday, June 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The theme is "Roaring 20s." Staff are working to secure vendors, including interactive ones like blood pressure screenings. The commission will have a table; sign-up sheets were passed for time slots.
• Chair Woycheshin volunteered to bring decorations. Commissioners discussed judging for vendor tables (to be done earlier in the event to avoid missing early-departing vendors) and having water available.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar Approved (8-0): Agenda and minutes of March 20, 2025.
• Meeting Adjourned (8-0) at 11:02 a.m.
• Directives for Future Meetings:
  • Commissioner Brennan requested that the Special Needs Registry (offered by San Leandro Police Department) be added to the next meeting agenda.
  • Vice Chair Comelo requested that the Volunteers Helping Seniors program be added to the next meeting agenda.
• Cherry Festival and Resource Fair: Next steps include finalizing decorations, securing booth location, and confirming participant numbers. Detailed planning will continue at the May meeting.
• Age-Friendly Plans: Pear Street Consulting will present final drafts to the commission in May.