OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Leandro Senior Commission Meeting - June 18, 2026

City Council — Thursday, July 2, 2026
BodySan Leandro, California
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, July 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:34:54
Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Thank you.

0:01

I call the meeting of June 18th, 2026, Senior Commission to order.

0:06

The time is now 10 o'clock exactly.

0:11

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:13

Those who can't do it.

0:19

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.

0:34

Please be seated.

0:37

Mr.

0:38

Secretary roll call, please.

0:40

Thank you, Chair.

0:40

Chair Watchison?

0:41

Here.

0:42

Vice Chair Comelo?

0:43

Yes.

0:43

Commissioner Dylan.

0:45

Here.

0:45

Commissioner Lopez Nicario.

0:47

Commissioner McMichael Cady.

0:49

Commissioner Brennan.

0:50

Here.

0:51

Commissioner Benya.

0:52

Here.

0:53

Commissioner Kopak Krishnan.

0:55

Yeah.

0:55

And Commissioner Rixen.

0:58

Yeah.

0:59

Also in attendance are Human Services Program Coordinator Liliana Gray, Human Services Program Assistant Valerie Nicholas, and Senior Commission Secretary Beth Manaho.

1:10

Thank you.

1:14

Okay.

1:17

We have a new commissioner with us today.

1:20

And her name is Ann Rickson.

1:23

Did I get that correct?

1:24

Thank you.

1:25

And at the end of our meeting during our commission comments, we will ask you to please give us a little background on yourself.

1:31

Thank you.

1:32

Okay.

1:32

And welcome.

1:33

We are very pleased to have you.

1:35

Thank you.

1:36

All right.

1:36

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

1:41

Also 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.

1:49

Thank you.

1:56

All right.

1:58

Consent calendar.

1:59

Approval of the draft minutes of the senior commission meeting of May 21st, 2022.

2:05

I will, if there are no additions or corrections, I will entertain a motion to approve the draft minutes of the May 21st, 2026 meeting.

2:23

Secretary, please do the roll call.

2:25

Thank you.

2:26

Chair Watcheson?

2:27

Yes.

2:27

Vice Chair Comelo?

2:29

Commissioner Dillon.

2:30

Hi.

2:30

Commissioner Lopez Nacario.

2:32

Hi.

2:32

Commissioner McMichael Katie.

2:34

Yes.

2:34

Commissioner Benya.

2:36

Yes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement█████████████████████████████████████████████70%
Procedural█████████14%
Public Services█████8%
Parks and Recreation██3%
Transportation Safety█2%
Personnel Matters█2%
Health and Wellness█1%
Summary of Proceedings

San Leandro Senior Commission Meeting - June 18, 2026

The San Leandro Senior Commission met on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Senior Community Center. The meeting was called to order by Chair Watchison, with all nine commissioners present. Key topics included a debrief of the Cherry Festival parade, a proposed shift to quarterly age-friendly initiative updates with subcommittees, a discussion on lunch/coffee outreach with seniors, and a vote to cancel the August 2026 meeting. The meeting adjourned at 11:34 AM.

Consent Calendar

  • The draft minutes of the May 21, 2026 meeting were approved with two abstentions (Commissioners Brennan and Rickson).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Representatives from MV Transportation (account manager Pauline Coleman Collins, safety and training manager Darren Watson, mechanic Celicity Clement William, and assistant general manager Juan) spoke to express gratitude for the partnership and noted the ease of removing windows for the parade shuttle.
  • Other MV staff praised the event, highlighting the visibility and enjoyment of the seniors on the bus.

Discussion Items

  • Annual Senior Resource Fair: Human Services Program Coordinator Liliana Gray reported that the fair will be held June 30, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. 51 vendors are confirmed; last year saw about 200 attendees. A non-partisan project called America 250 will record seniors' stories at the fair.
  • Senior Services Updates: Gray reported a successful May day trip to Faloli House and Gardens (two shuttles, 28 seniors) and a Juneteenth celebration co-hosted with HHREC and Brilliant Mind Project, featuring African drumming, poetry, and quilt displays.
  • Cherry Festival Parade Debrief: Commissioners and staff praised the parade, noting strong community visibility. Suggestions included reducing wind-prone decorations (e.g., fans) and continuing to promote paratransit services (goal: 5% annual utilization increase).
  • Age-Friendly Initiative Priorities and Next Steps: Pedro proposed shifting to quarterly updates and forming three subcommittees (max 4 people each) on caregiver support, safe routes for seniors (already includes Chair Watchison, Vice Chair Comelo, Commissioners Pena and Brennan), promotion/outreach, and personal protection (including evacuation planning). Commissioners expressed support, asking for scope statements and a ranked-choice assignment process in July. Commissioner Brennan noted the need to avoid Brown Act issues for subcommittees.
  • Lunch with Seniors Discussion: After debate, the commission agreed to pilot a "Coffee with the Commissioners" event on Thursday, July 23, 2026, from 9:30–10:30 AM in the activity room, with four commissioners (Dylan, Pena, McMichael Cady, and Lopez Nicario) participating as a group of less than a quorum. Individual lunches with seniors remain optional.
  • San Leandro Improvement Association (SLIA) Discussion: Pedro confirmed SLIA is open to presenting; September or October 2026 is being considered.
  • County Budget Reductions Discussion: Commissioner Brennan raised concerns about potential cuts to senior social services. Pedro noted a county budget hearing scheduled for June 18, 2026 (2–5 PM, continued June 22), and offered to share the link.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved consent calendar minutes (May 21, 2026) with two abstentions.
  • The commission voted unanimously to cancel the August 2026 meeting (motion by Commissioner Pena, seconded by Commissioner Lopez Nicario).
  • A pilot "Coffee with the Commissioners" event was scheduled for July 23, 2026, 9:30–10:30 AM, with signage to be placed. Performance will determine frequency.
  • Staff will bring scope statements and assignment process for age-friendly subcommittees to the July 2026 meeting.
  • New Commissioner Ann Rickson (27-year San Leandro resident, retired social service executive and LCSW, teaching at San Francisco State University) was officially welcomed.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you. I call the meeting of June 18th, 2026, Senior Commission to order. The time is now 10 o'clock exactly. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Those who can't do it. 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 roll call, please. Thank you, Chair. Chair Watchison? Here. Vice Chair Comelo? Yes. Commissioner Dylan. Here. Commissioner Lopez Nicario. Commissioner McMichael Cady. Commissioner Brennan. Here. Commissioner Benya. Here. Commissioner Kopak Krishnan. Yeah. And Commissioner Rixen. Yeah. Also in attendance are Human Services Program Coordinator Liliana Gray, Human Services Program Assistant Valerie Nicholas, and Senior Commission Secretary Beth Manaho. Thank you. Okay. We have a new commissioner with us today. And her name is Ann Rickson. Did I get that correct? Thank you. And at the end of our meeting during our commission comments, we will ask you to please give us a little background on yourself. Thank you. Okay. And welcome. We are very pleased to have you. Thank you. All right. Please silence any devices that would provide a distraction during the meeting. Also 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. Thank you. All right. Consent calendar. Approval of the draft minutes of the senior commission meeting of May 21st, 2022. I will, if there are no additions or corrections, I will entertain a motion to approve the draft minutes of the May 21st, 2026 meeting. Secretary, please do the roll call. Thank you. Chair Watcheson?

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