Senior Advisory Committee

Thu, April 9, 2026

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Meeting summaryAI-generated

Senior Advisory Committee — April 9, 2026

This was a regular meeting of Petaluma's Senior Advisory Committee (SAC), notable for the swearing-in of a new member and a significant announcement from the Chair about her future on the committee. Attendance was light, with Seth Combs, Kathy Myers, Robert Bailey, and staff liaison Lindsey Fisher all absent.

Swearing-In of New Member

Katherine Wells was sworn in as a new SAC member by City Clerk Caitlin Corley. Chair Nickola Frye used the occasion to introduce Wells to the committee's current goals and the status of each ad hoc working group.

General Public Comment

Kris Robillot, a former SAC member, introduced herself and updated the committee on her current work in the areas of Age Friendly initiatives, health education, and housing.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the March 12, 2026 meeting were approved as written. Because Chair Frye had been absent from that meeting, the minutes were approved by staff liaison Iya Josephmenard.

Chair Report

Chair Frye announced that she has withdrawn from the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Board of Directors and also indicated that she will not be applying to continue on the SAC. No further detail about her reasons was recorded in the minutes.

Ad Hoc Committee Goal Updates

Frye provided a status rundown on the committee's seven standing goals:

Goal 1 – Enhance Social Activities for Seniors: The planter box project is progressing well — plants are reported to be doing well.

Goal 2 – Improve Senior Physical Health and Well-being: Nothing new to report this month.

Goal 3 – Improve Senior Mental Health and Well-being: Both members scheduled to report — Kathy Myers on the ad hoc committee's status and Robert Bailey on Healdsburg's End of Life Planning Program — were absent, so no updates were given. These items will presumably carry over to the next meeting.

Goal 4 – Increase Access to Information and Resources: Member Gabriella Ambrosi expressed interest in potentially organizing a senior-focused event in 2026 or 2027. The committee is also still receiving survey responses related to a planned Symposium.

Goal 5 – Advocate for Senior-Friendly Infrastructure: Don Forman reported continued advocacy for a downtown public restroom. There is an unconfirmed rumor that when a business called the Pie Company takes over the former Starbucks location downtown, its restrooms may be made available for public use. Forman is continuing to monitor and push on this issue.

Goal 6 – Work with Sonoma County Master Plan for Aging: No meeting was held this month; nothing to report.

Goal 7 – Foster Intergenerational Connections: No update was recorded in the minutes.

Staff Comment

Staff liaison Iya Josephmenard mentioned an upcoming plant sale and succulent sale. Residents can find details in the Senior Center's monthly newsletter.

Key Takeaways

Chair Frye is stepping down: She has withdrawn from the RTP Board of Directors and announced she will not seek to continue her SAC membership — a significant leadership transition for the committee.

New member seated: Katherine Wells was officially sworn in and oriented to the committee's work.

Downtown restroom progress: There is a rumored possibility that a new business taking over the former downtown Starbucks location may offer publicly accessible restrooms, potentially addressing a long-standing SAC advocacy priority.

Mental health and end-of-life planning updates delayed: Key reports from absent members Kathy Myers and Robert Bailey will need to be carried over to the next meeting.

Possible future senior event: Member Gabriella Ambrosi floated the idea of organizing a community event for seniors in 2026 or 2027, though no formal plans have been made.

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

Approval of Minutes for the meeting of March 12, 2026

The minutes from the March 12, 2026 meeting were approved as written by staff liaison Iya Josephmenard, as Chair Nickola Frye was absent from that meeting. No public comment was noted on this item.

1. Chair Report – Update – Information regarding my withdrawal from RTP Board of Directors 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 Goal 2: Improve Senior Physical Health and Wellbeing Ad Hoc Members Nickola Frye, Don Forman, Drake Cunningham (RTP) Objective: To promote a healthier lifestyle and wellbeing among seniors.

Chair Nickola Frye provided a report on her withdrawal from the RTP Board of Directors and explained her reasons for not continuing on the SAC. Frye also introduced a new SAC member (Katherine Wells) and provided updates on the status of each of the seven SAC Goals, including reports from Ad Hoc committees on social activities, physical health, mental health, access to information and resources, senior-friendly infrastructure, the Sonoma County Master Plan for Aging, and intergenerational connections.

Agenda items (2)

Procedural (1)

1ProceduralApproval of Minutes for the meeting of March 12, 2026

The council will vote to approve the official record of what was discussed and decided at the March 12, 2026 meeting.

What happened

The minutes from the March 12, 2026 meeting were approved as written by staff liaison Iya Josephmenard, as Chair Nickola Frye was absent from that meeting. No public comment was noted on this item.

Public Hearing

2Public Hearing1. Chair Report – Update – Information regarding my withdrawal from RTP Board of Directors 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 Goal 2: Improve Senior Physical Health and Wellbeing Ad Hoc Members Nickola Frye, Don Forman, Drake Cunningham (RTP) Objective: To promote a healthier lifestyle and wellbeing among seniors.

This public hearing will include updates from the chair about stepping down from the RTP Board, plus progress reports from two senior-focused committees: one working on social activities and events for seniors, and another focused on improving seniors' physical health and fitness.

What happened

Verbatim transcript available

4 transcript segments indexed

____________________________________________________________________________ DATE: April 9, 2026 TO: Iya Josephmenard, SAC Members FROM: Nickola Frye SUBJECT: Minutes – April 9, 2026 MINUTES – April 9, 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: 9:09 SWEARING IN – of Katherine Wells, conducted by City Clerk Caitlin Corley. ROLL CALL - Nickola Frye, Don Forman, Gabriella Ambrosi, Seth Combs - abs, Kathy Myers - abs, Robert Bailey - abs, Katherine Wells STAFF LIAISON - Iya Josephmenard, Lindsey Fisher - abs PRESENTATION: None 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: Kris Robillot, previous member of the SAC, introduced herself and explained what she is doing now in Age Friendly, Health Education and Housing. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of March 12, 2026, meeting: approved as written by Iya as Nickola was absent. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION: None NEW BUSINESS: OLD BUSINESS: 1. Chair Report – Update – Information regarding Nickola’s withdrawal from RTP Board of Directors and reason why will not apply to continue on the SAC 2. Ad Hoc Committee Reports and Updates: Nickola provided an introduction for new SAC member and update regarding current status of each Goal of the SAC 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 – plants are doing well 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 March. – nothing new Goal 3: Improve Senior Mental Health and Well-being Ad Hoc Members – Kathy Myers Objective: To promote a healthier lifestyle and well-being among seniors. Kathy will report on status Ad Hoc committee. – Kathy is absent Robert will report on information regarding Healdsburg’s End of Life Planning Program. – Robert is absent 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. Report – Gabriella expressed interest in possibility of creating event for 2026 or 2027. Goal 5: Advocate for Senior-Friendly Infrastructure Ad Hoc members: Don Forman, Seth Combs, Nickola Frye Objective: To create a more senior-friendly environment in Petaluma. Report regarding update on downtown restroom. – Don continues to work on the need for a downtown public restroom. Rumor is that when the Pie Company takes over for the old Starbucks Coffee the plan is to let the restrooms be public use. 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. No current meeting – No meeting this month. Goal 7: Foster Intergenerational Connections Ad Hoc members: Nickola Frye Objective: To encourage connections between seniors and younger generations. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: - limited comments

STAFF COMMENT: - Iya discussed an upcoming plant sale and succulent sale – all information can be found in the wonderful Senior Center monthly newsletter. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned by Chairperson Frye at: 10:30