Minutes
1. Welcome & Introductions by Chair — Discussion
Guests Present: Aaron Chong, Caryl Rose, Kari Emery-Kotner, Jasmine Rosnan, Chris Costa, Rabbi Matt Rosenberg, Melissa Jacobs, Maggie Minero, Contessa Bunn, Sara Martinez, Sharon Jennings, Gene Lazano Anonymous Guest via Zoom
2. Roll Call — No Action
Commissioners Present: Theresa Abah, Dawn Angelo, Debra Bonner, Kristen Stauss, Maureen Sullivan, Debra Larson
3. Request(s) for Remote Participation under the Brown Act (if any)
No Requests Presented.
4. Consent Items
- Approval of November 13, 2024, Minutes
K. Stauss moved to approve the Minutes with edits to the title to read “Minutes" rather than “Agenda". D. Angelo seconded the motion. The motion passed with no objections or abstentions. - Approve January 22, 2025, Agenda
K. Stauss moved to approve the Minutes. D. Angelo seconded the motion. The motion passed with no objections or abstentions.
5. AAC Business & Initiatives — ACTION
- Request for Letter of support from the Commission
Deferred to the next meeting. - Brown Act Presentation by County Counsel
The County Counsel for the Adult and Aging Commission, Chris Costa presented on the Brown Act with a PowerPoint Presentation and held and Q&A with the Commission and Guests. The PowerPoint Presentation will be attached to the Minutes as a separate document. - Report from representative of the County Board of Supervisors
Aaron Chong attended the Commission meeting as a representative of District 1 Supervisor and current Chair Phil Serna. Aaron recommended to the Commission that contacting the Chair's office is easiest via email, with the suggestion to CC the appropriate County Liaisons/staff to keep everyone informed. County Counsel Chris Costa also reminded the Commission that information pertaining to or received from the County Board of Supervisors can be shared to Commissioners and guests, but any discussions pertaining to the information must be addressed in a Commission Meeting, per the Brown Act. - Reports from Senior and Adult Services (SAS)
a) Programs
C. Bunn reports that SAS has staff changes including herself! C. Bunn is the new Program Planner for SAS and will be the liaison between SAS and the Commission. The Department of Child, Family and Adult Services is also welcoming their new Director, Shelby Boston, on 1/27/25. In addition, the Adult Protective Services Division Manager, Ruth MacKenzie, will be retiring in early February.
b) Contracts
No updates at this time.
- Local Age and Disability-Friendly Action Plan
C. Bunn reports the Local Age and Disability-Friendly Action Plan Launch Event will be held on 3/17/25. Flyers have been made and there are Free Ride Flyers to share. Copies will be made available for distribution.
- Reports from Ad Hoc Committee/Sub Committee
The Commission's Executive Sub-Committee met on 1/15/25 to create the agenda for 1/22/25 and to discuss the Commission in 2025. The calendar for 2025 is in progress and will be brought to the full Commission and Liaison for review and suggestions. The Executive Sub-Committee also shared a handout with a list of suggestions for the Commission. This will be attached to the Minutes as a separate document. The Executive Sub-Committee has recommended the following sub-committees be created for the year 2025: a Bylaws Committee, an AAC and SAS Oversight Committee that will monitor priorities, a Homelessness Committee, and a Public Awareness Advocacy Committee.
6. New Business — ACTION
- AAC Proposed Plan for 2025
T. Abah reports that the Commission will review the Plan Documents and discuss it at the next Commission meeting. This will be added as an agenda item.
7. Reports — ACTION
- 5 Over 50 Awards
K. Stauss reports that there are currently 3 nominations received. Please share and distribute the nomination link as the applications will be closed on 2/7/25. The Commission will then review the nominations and submit their recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
- Area 4 Agency on Aging
S. Martinez reports that Will Tift has stepped down from the Assistant Director position to an Area Planner position. The new Assistant Director will be Julie Bates. All funded programs will be going out to bid in February.
- Aging Resources Exchange
- Bonner reports the next Aging Resources Exchange meeting will be on 1/28/25 via Zoom. A guest speaker from Area 4 will be presenting on their new Key Connections co-living program.
- Others
None at this time.
8. Liaisons:
- Human Services Coordinating Council
D. Bonner reports the Council met in December and had guests Chevon Kothari, the Deputy County Executive of Social Services and Melissa Jacobs, the Deputy Director of Senior and Adult Services. Both Chevon and Melissa presented their respective roles and services. The Council is also discussing how to coordinate and pull together all commissions and boards into an Advisory Board. The Council is creating a flyer for this Advisory Board and will share with their commissions and boards once complete. The Council will also hold community listening session meetings as well. - Others
None at this time.
9. Commission Membership Changes — ACTION
The Commission welcomes a new commissioner: Rabbi Matt Rosenberg.
A potential commissioner is in the process of approval with the Board of Supervisors. The Commission is excited for Sharon Jennings to join.
In addition, Dr. Koss has also submitted their application for renewal.
10. Announcements — Open Forum and Discussion
D. Bonner would like to remind the Commission that District 4 has a new Supervisor, Rosario Rodriguez.
11. Public Comment (limited to three minutes per speaker) No Action
None at this time.
12. Future Meetings — Open Forum and Discussion
No discussion at this time.
13. Adjourn
D. Larson moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:30PM. D. Angelo seconded the motion. The motion passed with no objections or abstentions. Meeting adjourned at 3:30PM.
