Senior Advisory Committee — February 12, 2026

This was a regular meeting of the Senior Advisory Committee (SAC), chaired by Nickola Frye. The session ran from 9:00 to 10:10 a.m. and was dominated by a well-received presentation from Healthy Petaluma, which left limited time for the committee's regular business. Seth Combs and staff liaison Iya Josephmenard were absent.

Presentation: Healthy Petaluma

The centerpiece of the meeting was a presentation by Ramona Faith (CEO), Matthew Ingram (Director of Community Impact), and Benjamin Spierings (Community Health Program Manager) of Healthy Petaluma. The team used a slideshow to explain the organization's background, mission, and day-to-day responsibilities, with Ingram and Spierings detailing their specific program areas. SAC members asked numerous questions and received thorough answers. The committee found the information valuable enough to extend the allotted time, which compressed the rest of the agenda. Members commented at the end of the meeting that the presentation was excellent.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes from the January 8, 2026 meeting were approved without changes.

Ad Hoc Committee Reports

Time for committee goal reports was limited due to the extended presentation. Here is what was reported:

Goal 1 – Enhance Social Activities for Seniors: No update. Staff liaison Iya Josephmenard, who was to report on dirt and plants for the senior planter box project, was absent.

Goal 2 – Improve Senior Physical Health and Well-being: No report.

Goal 3 – Improve Senior Mental Health and Well-being: Kathy Myers gave a brief report expressing concern that mental health issues among seniors are important and need to be more actively addressed. Robert Bailey had intended to share information about Healdsburg's End of Life Planning Program but was unable to make contact; he will report next month.

Goal 4 – Increase Access to Information and Resources: No report. (The agenda had noted the group was still receiving survey responses related to a planned Symposium, but no update was given at the meeting.)

Goal 5 – Advocate for Senior-Friendly Infrastructure: Don Forman reported that the long-discussed downtown public restroom project is currently on hold, as the City is evaluating a new contractor.

Goal 6 – Work with Sonoma County Master Plan for Aging: No update. The February 4 Master Plan for Aging Oversight Committee meeting was cancelled.

Goal 7 – Foster Intergenerational Connections: Nickola Frye provided an update on the RTP (Recreation, Theater & Parks or similar — not spelled out in the minutes) Youth Construction Internship Program, with upcoming volunteer opportunities on February 18 (3:30–6:30 p.m.), February 21 and 28 (8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.), and a workday on April 4 (8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.). Committee members and seniors are invited to participate.

Key Takeaways

Healthy Petaluma made a strong impression: The organization's leadership gave a comprehensive overview of their work in community health, generating significant interest and questions from SAC members — a potential foundation for future collaboration on senior health initiatives.

Downtown restroom remains stalled: The public restroom project, an ongoing infrastructure priority for seniors, is on hold while the City searches for a new company to handle it.

Mental health flagged as a gap: Kathy Myers raised concerns that senior mental health is not receiving adequate attention; this will continue to be tracked under Goal 3.

End-of-life planning update delayed: Information about Healdsburg's End of Life Planning Program — potentially a model for Petaluma — will be brought to the next meeting by Robert Bailey.

Intergenerational volunteer opportunities available: Seniors interested in connecting with youth can participate in the RTP construction internship program events in late February and early April.

AI-generated summary from voice-to-text transcript. Not the official record. Verify important details with the source documents linked above.

What happened at this meeting

Ramona Faith, MSN RN, Chief Executive Officer, Healthy Petaluma; Matthew Ingram, Director of Community Impact; Benjamin Spierings, Community Health Program

Ramona Faith (CEO of Healthy Petaluma), Matthew Ingram (Director of Community Impact), and Benjamin Spierings (Community Health Program Manager) presented on the background, work, and responsibilities of Healthy Petaluma, with a slideshow and specific information on their respective roles. SAC members asked multiple questions and received comprehensive answers, with extra meeting time allocated due to the importance of the information.

Approval of Minutes for the meeting of January 8, 2026

The minutes from the January 8, 2025 meeting were reviewed with no changes requested and approved as received.

Agenda items (3)

General Business

1General BusinessRamona Faith, MSN RN, Chief Executive Officer, Healthy Petaluma; Matthew Ingram, Director of Community Impact; Benjamin Spierings, Community Health Program

Healthy Petaluma leadership will present on community health programs and initiatives, with participation from the CEO, Director of Community Impact, and Community Health Program staff.

What happened

Procedural (1)

2ProceduralApproval of Minutes for the meeting of January 8, 2026

The city council will vote to approve the official record of minutes from the January 8, 2026 meeting.

What happened

The minutes from the January 8, 2025 meeting were reviewed with no changes requested and approved as received.

Public Hearing

3Public Hearing1.

A public hearing will be held on an unspecified matter, allowing residents to comment before the council takes action.

Verbatim transcript available

4 transcript segments indexed

____________________________________________________________________________ DATE: February 12, 2026 TO: Iya Josephmenard, SAC Members FROM: Nickola Frye SUBJECT: Agenda – February 12, 2026 AGENDA – February 12, 2026 Submit Written Public Comment Email the Committee Clerk at: ijosephmenard@cityofpetaluma.org, with the subject line “Public Comment.” Comments that are received at least two hours prior to the meeting will be distributed to Committee members and published with the agenda packet on the City's website as part of the public record for the meeting. Comments received after the cutoff time will be distributed and posted online following the meeting. Decorum The Chair has the authority to rule any speaker out of order, including speakers during the General Public Comment period, if the subject raised is not within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Committee, or during a public hearing or a general business item if the speaker is not presenting testimony or evidence relevant to the matter or if the speaker becomes disruptive to the proceedings and conduct of the meeting. The Chair also has the authority to order any person who willfully interrupts the meeting to be removed. All persons are expected to conduct themselves with civility and courtesy at all times. All persons giving comments shall speak directly to the Committee and address issues, not individuals. Personal attacks and cursing are not tolerated in order to foster an environment where everyone feels welcome to speak. Animals in Meeting Locations No animals shall be allowed at or brought in to a public meeting by any person except (i) as to members of the public or City staff utilizing the assistance of a service animal, which is defined

as a guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability, or (ii) as to police officers using the assistance of dog(s) in law enforcement duties. CALL TO ORDER – by Chair Nickola Frye at: - 9:00 ROLL CALL - Nickola Frye, Don Forman, Gabriella Ambrosi, Seth Combs - abs, Kathy Myers, Robert Bailey STAFF LIAISON - Iya Josephmenard - abs, Lindsey Fisher, Kat Reisinger PRESENTATION: Ramona Faith, MSN RN, Chief Executive Officer, Healthy Petaluma; Matthew Ingram, Director of Community Impact; Benjamin Spierings, Community Health Program Manager. – Presentation provided a clear understanding of the background, work, and responsibilities of Healthy Petaluma. Ramona introduced a slideshow, and Ben and Matt provided specific information about their responsibilities. SAC members asked multiple questions and received comprehensive answers. Because the information was important extra meeting time was provided for this presentation. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT During General Public Comment, the public is invited to make comments on items of public interest that are within the Senior Advisory Committee’s subject matter jurisdiction and that are not listed on the current agenda. Public comments are limited up to three minutes per person. Depending on the number of persons wishing to address the Committee, time will be allocated in equal shares totaling no more than twenty minutes, subject to the Committee’s discretion (Cal. Gov’t. Code §54954.3(a), Petaluma Rules, Policies and Procedures, III). PUBLIC COMMENT: - none APPROVAL OF MINUTES of January 8, 2025, meeting: - no changes, approved as received PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION: - none NEW BUSINESS: - none OLD BUSINESS: - limited time for old business, because of extended presentations 1. Chair Report – Update – 2. Ad Hoc Committee Reports and Updates: Goal 1: Enhance Social Activities for Seniors Ad Hoc Members - Nickola Frye, Kathy Meyers, Iya Josephmenard (PSC)

Objective: To create more social opportunities for seniors to connect, engage, and build friendships. Update on dirt and plants for planter boxes – Iya was not here, no report Goal 2: Improve Senior Physical Health and Well-being Ad Hoc Members - Nickola Frye, Don Forman, Drake Cunningham (RTP) Objective: To promote a healthier lifestyle and well-being among seniors. No report for January. Goal 3: Improve Senior Mental Health and Well-being Ad Hoc Members – Kathy Myers – small report on her concern that mental health issues are important and needs to be addressed. Objective: To promote a healthier lifestyle and well-being among seniors. Kathy will report on status Ad Hoc committee. Robert will report on information regarding Healdsburg’s End of Life Planning Program. – Robert was not able to talk to them, will report next month Goal 4: Increase Access to Information and Resources Ad Hoc members - Gabriella Ambrosi, Nickola Frye, Iya Josephmenard (PSC), Patricia Souza (non-SAC member), Objective: To ensure seniors have access to important information and resources. No report Goal 5: Advocate for Senior-Friendly Infrastructure Ad Hoc members: Don Foreman, Seth Combs, Nickola Frye Objective: To create a more senior-friendly environment in Petaluma. Report regarding update on downtown restroom. – Don reported that status of downtown restroom is on hold. City is looking at new company. Goal 6: Work with Sonoma County Master Plan for Aging Ad Hoc Members: No Ad Hoc - all SAC members will participate (if possible) in MPA. Objective: To create and increase a working relationship with MPA. Update from Wed, February 4 meeting, and update from Wed, February 4 meeting Master Plan for Aging Oversight Committee – Meeting was cancelled. Goal 7: Foster Intergenerational Connections Ad Hoc members: Nickola Frye Objective: To encourage connections between seniors and younger generations. Report and invitation to participate in the RTP Youth Construction Internship Program – Wed, Feb 18, 3:30-6:30; Sat, Feb 21 & 28, 8:00-4:00. – update on RTP program RTP Workday April 4, 8:00-4:00

COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: - limited time for comments, but everyone felt that the presentation was great. STAFF COMMENT: - none, Iya is on vacation and will return for next meeting. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned by Chairperson Frye at -10:10