Senior Commission Special Meeting - October 9, 2025

The Senior Commission convened for its regular meeting, focusing on departmental updates, a presentation on a home-sharing program, and planning for age-friendly initiatives. City staff reported on budget constraints, emergency siren repairs, and upcoming community events. The commission also honored a departing member.

Consent Calendar

• Items 3A and 3B were bundled and approved unanimously via roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public were present, and no e-comments were submitted.

Discussion Items

City Staff Reports

• Emergency Sirens: Staff reported the city's emergency sirens are not working; repairs are a costly project on the city's list.
• City Budget: The city is in a structural deficit, requiring cuts for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. All departments have been asked to identify reductions.
• Landscaping: An assessment of the Senior Center's irrigation system is planned before phased plant replacement, due to budget constraints.
• Downtown Safety Ambassadors: The program scope is unchanged, but staffing shortages have slowed operations. Staff agreed to explore posting the ambassador phone number in the downtown area.
• Diwali Event: An announcement was made for a Diwali cultural event on October 11 at the Manor Branch Library.
• LOUEL Interim Housing Data: Over half of interim housing residents and a significant portion of drop-in center users are age 45 and older. Tours of the center are not currently available.
• Resource Cards: Small business-card-sized resource guides for homeless services are available and preferred over larger pamphlets.
• Halloween Event: A Halloween Bingo event is scheduled for October 31 at the Senior Center.
• Center Monitor: The IT department is investigating systems to activate the center's display monitor for promotional content, citing potential cost and technical needs.

Home Match Presentation

• Rachel Matthews, Director of Home Match Alameda County, presented on the home-sharing program. She described it as a homelessness prevention tool that matches homeowners with rooms to spare with individuals seeking housing.
• Key Program Aspects: Includes compatibility matching, background checks, lease agreements, and ongoing mediation support. The program is free and funded in part by the City of San Leandro.
• Commissioner Feedback: Multiple commissioners expressed support for the program, sharing positive anecdotes and asking detailed questions about operations, including working with students, situations after a homeowner's death, and contracts for multiple tenants or ADUs.

Age-Friendly Initiative Updates

• Pedro Hernandez provided updates on the six priority areas of the age-friendly action plan.
• Plan Sustainability: Webpage development is ongoing, with plans to include an AI chat function. Participation in the county Age-Friendly Council continues.
• Outreach: Staff will table at upcoming community events, including a Spooktober event and the VASIB Fall Health Fair.
• Training: All public-facing staff are now CPR/First Aid certified.
• Personal Protection: A walking assessment report with UC Berkeley is complete; next steps include technical assistance. A contract with MB Transportation for emergency shuttle services is executed. An emergency preparedness workshop and the Great Shakeout drill are scheduled for October.
• Housing Security: Highlighted the Home Match presentation as an initiative under this priority.
• Health & Wellness: Dementia care training sessions for caregivers are scheduled for October.
• Transportation: A contract with Citiair for the Ride Care volunteer transportation program is executed; they will present in November. An assessment and redesign of the senior shuttle program is underway with a consultant.
• Social Connection: Planning for monthly senior day trips using MB Transportation shuttles. The department recently participated in the Oakland Zoo Senior Living Festival.

League of Women Voters Forum

• Commissioner Shalini proposed having the League of Women voters provide unbiased voter information to seniors. Suggestions included setting up a table at the upcoming Senior Expo in December or incorporating them into a resource fair.

Commissioner Comments and Announcements

• Commissioner McHenry: Announced this was his final meeting after nine years of service, expressing appreciation for his colleagues.
• Other Comments: Commissioners shared ideas including: a mobile grocery store concept for seniors (inspired by a Danish model), inviting the former lunch vendor to a meeting, confirming the annual Thanksgiving luncheon, and facilitating senior story recording for the America250 project.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Motion to bundle and approve items 3A and 3B carried unanimously.
• December Meeting: Motion to cancel the December 2025 meeting carried unanimously.
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
• Directives and Next Steps:
  • Staff to explore posting Downtown Safety Ambassador contact information publicly.
  • Staff to share information about dementia training sessions.
  • Citiair (Ride Care) to present at the November commission meeting.
  • Consultant to assess and redesign the senior shuttle program, with findings to be presented in the future.
  • The League of Women Voters' involvement to be coordinated, potentially at the December Senior Expo.
  • The commission will consider integrating senior story recording for the America250 project.