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Record of Proceedings

San Leandro Senior Commission Meeting Summary - May 21, 2026

City Council — Thursday, June 18, 2026
BodySan Leandro, California
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, June 18, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:23:50

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:01

I call the meeting of May 21st, 2026 Senior Commission to order.

0:07

The time is now 10 a.m.

0:10

Please stand for the pledges of allegiance, those that are April.

0:18

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:26

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:31

Please be seated.

0:34

Mr.

0:35

Secretary, could you do the roll call first?

0:38

Thank you.

0:38

Chair Watcheson?

0:39

Yes.

0:40

Here.

0:40

Vice Chair Comelo?

0:42

Yes.

0:42

Commissioner Dillon.

0:44

Commissioner Lopez Nacario.

0:46

Commissioner McMichael Cady.

0:48

Commissioner Brennan.

0:50

Commissioner Pena.

0:53

And Commissioner Gopal Christian.

0:56

We have an excuse absence by Commissioner Brennan.

1:00

Also in attendance today, we have Human Services Director Jessica Lobitan, Recreation and Parks Director Vicente Zunica.

1:08

Human Services Program Assistant Valerie Nicolas and Senior Commission Secretary Pedro Mananco.

1:15

Thank you.

1:18

Announcements, Pedro.

1:20

I have one minor announcement.

1:22

If you take a quick look at your agenda under item uh seven, which is action items, the agenda that was sent to you on Friday had a typo.

1:32

There was a 7A, 7B, 27 C's.

1:35

So just a minor edit there.

1:37

We went ahead and switched the last one to a D from a C.

1:40

That was it.

1:41

Thank you.

1:45

Please silence any devices that would prove a distraction during the meeting.

1:50

And also please remember to ask for a recess if you need to step out of the meeting, as that may impact the Commission's ability to maintain a quorum.

2:00

Consent calendar.

2:02

I will entertain a motion for approval of the draft minutes of the senior commission meeting of April 16th.

2:11

Anyone?

2:13

Yes.

2:15

Commissioner Shalini and the second?

2:17

I see.

2:18

Second, Commissioner Comelo.

2:21

Mr.

2:21

Secretary, will you please take the roll call?

2:24

Thank you.

2:24

Chair Watchison?

2:25

Yes.

2:26

Vice Chair Comelo?

2:27

Yes.

2:27

Commissioner Dillon.

2:30

Abstain.

2:32

Commissioner Lopez Nacario?

2:34

Here.

2:35

Commissioner McMichael Cady.

2:36

Yes.

2:37

And Commissioner Gopakrishnan.

2:39

Yeah.

2:40

Thank you.

2:40

The motion passes.

2:44

Okay.

2:46

Item four city staff reports and announcements.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement██████████████████████████████████34%
Health and Wellness███████████████████19%
Parks and Recreation██████████████14%
Homelessness███████████11%
Procedural██████████10%
Personnel Matters████4%
Public Safety████4%
Economic Development██2%
Transportation Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

San Leandro Senior Commission Meeting Summary - May 21, 2026

The San Leandro Senior Commission met on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Senior Community Center. The meeting covered a major reorganization of city departments, updates on homelessness and alternative response programs, and planning for upcoming community events. Commissioners approved minutes, heard staff reports, and discussed several action items.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes (26-247): The draft minutes of the April 16, 2026 Senior Commission meeting were approved on a 5-0-1 vote (5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention), with Commissioner Dillon abstaining.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made, and no e-comments were received.

Discussion Items

City Staff Reports & Announcements

  • Vacant District 5 Appointment: Secretary Naranjo announced that Ann Wrixon was appointed to the Senior Commission by the City Council on May 18, 2026, and will attend the June meeting.
  • Human Services Department Reorganization: Human Services Director Jessica Lobedan and Recreation & Parks Director Vicente Zuniga presented a reorganization effective July 1, 2026, moving Senior Services under the Recreation & Parks Department. The reorganization is expected to achieve approximately $350,000 in annual savings by streamlining departmental structures. Senior services (senior center, paratransit, food programs, Age-Friendly Action Plan) will move to Recreation & Parks, while homeless services, the Lewelling Center, and the Alternative Response Unit (ARU) will move under the City Manager’s Office. Director Zuniga noted that this structure is industry standard and will allow for expanded programming and better coordination with existing recreation offerings.
  • Annual Senior Resource Fair: Set for Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with a baseball-themed "Take Me Out to the Resource Fair." Commissioners were invited to staff shifts, hand out tote bags, distribute surveys, and help attendees navigate the event.
  • Senior Services Updates: Recent events were highlighted, including the Volunteer Appreciation Event (April 30), a senior day trip to the USS Hornet, and an Earth Day tabling event.

Presentations

  • Alternative Response Unit (ARU) Annual Report: Director Lobedan reported on the first year of the ARU, a partnership with Alameda County Fire and Cardea Health providing unarmed response to behavioral health 911 calls. Key statistics: 821 unduplicated clients served, approximately 2,800 total interactions. Only 5% of ARU calls required EMS involvement. The program is now operating at full capacity (40 hours/week, Mon-Thu 8am-6pm). Commissioners asked about call volume trends (decline in high utilizers) and outreach to seniors. The ARU has a direct phone number and business cards were made available.
  • Lewelling Navigation & Drop-In Center Update: Since opening in April 2025, the interim housing portion has moved over 30 clients into permanent housing. The drop-in center has served about 300 unduplicated individuals, offering laundry, showers, and connections to services. Success stories included a client housed just before Christmas who secured a job.

Action Items

  • Cherry Festival Parade (June 6, 2026): Logistics were finalized. Commissioners confirmed participation as walkers and for float decoration on June 5. The theme was set as the 250th anniversary of the United States. Commissioners suggested decorations like tri-corner hats and handouts.
  • Lunch with Seniors: Tabled to the next meeting via motion (7-0).
  • San Leandro Improvement Association (SLIA) Discussion: Commissioner Comelo initiated discussion on improving safety and beautification in the downtown area near CVS and Safeway. Commissioners expressed interest in inviting SLIA to a future meeting to discuss their services and limitations. Staff will contact SLIA and, in the interim, share commissioners’ questions. Commissioner Comelo left during this item.
  • Age-Friendly Initiative Update: Secretary Naranjo noted the upcoming Coffee with a Cop event on May 27 at the Senior Center (9:00-10:30 AM), and the Safe Routes to Senior Center project, part of the CPBST program, with four commissioners participating in follow-up meetings.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar approved (5-0-1).
  • Lunch with Seniors tabled (7-0).
  • SLIA invitation: Staff directed to reach out to SLIA to schedule a presentation; commissioners to review SLIA’s City Council presentation video and submit questions.
  • Cherry Festival participation confirmed with theme and decoration plans.
  • Meeting adjourned at 11:40 AM on a motion (7-0).

Note: The meeting date is May 21, 2026, as per official agenda and minutes.

Meeting Transcript

I call the meeting of May 21st, 2026 Senior Commission to order. The time is now 10 a.m. Please stand for the pledges of allegiance, those that are April. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Please be seated. Mr. Secretary, could you do the roll call first? Thank you. Chair Watcheson? Yes. Here. Vice Chair Comelo? Yes. Commissioner Dillon. Commissioner Lopez Nacario. Commissioner McMichael Cady. Commissioner Brennan. Commissioner Pena. And Commissioner Gopal Christian. We have an excuse absence by Commissioner Brennan. Also in attendance today, we have Human Services Director Jessica Lobitan, Recreation and Parks Director Vicente Zunica. Human Services Program Assistant Valerie Nicolas and Senior Commission Secretary Pedro Mananco. Thank you. Announcements, Pedro. I have one minor announcement. If you take a quick look at your agenda under item uh seven, which is action items, the agenda that was sent to you on Friday had a typo. There was a 7A, 7B, 27 C's. So just a minor edit there. We went ahead and switched the last one to a D from a C. That was it. Thank you. Please silence any devices that would prove a distraction during the meeting. And also please remember to ask for a recess if you need to step out of the meeting, as that may impact the Commission's ability to maintain a quorum. Consent calendar. I will entertain a motion for approval of the draft minutes of the senior commission meeting of April 16th. Anyone? Yes. Commissioner Shalini and the second? I see. Second, Commissioner Comelo. Mr. Secretary, will you please take the roll call? Thank you. Chair Watchison? Yes. Vice Chair Comelo? Yes. Commissioner Dillon. Abstain.

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