July 16, 2026 — Housing and Transportation Subcommittee meeting

Agenda File

Minutes

Housing and Transportation Committee - Meeting Minutes

July 16, 2026, 1:30pm – 3:30pm 

Draft – For review at September meeting

Minutes Summary

Recorder: Mandy Reyes, Staff, Area Agency on Aging (AAA)

Location:  20 N. San Pedro, Mt. Tam Room, San Rafael

Members present: Chair Tricia Smith, Vice-Chair Sylvia Barry, Rhea Brown, Jane Gould, Suzanne Sadowsky

Others present: Lauren Elkin (Commission on Aging), Jon Gaffney (Golden Gate Transit), Kellen Dammann (Marin Climate and Sustainability Division), Joseph Shumake (Front Porch), Jon Gaffney (Golden State Transportation), Joanna Huitt (Marin Transit), Eric Little (Onward)

Members Excused:                    Members absent: Larry Binkley

Call to Order and Roll Call:

The meeting was called to order at 1:45 p.m.

Approval of Agenda:

Motion by Commissioner Gould, seconded by Vice Chair Barry, approved 5-0.

Approval of June 2026 Meeting Minutes, as Amended:

The minutes were amended to include Commissioner Binkley as present.

Motion by Vice Chair Barry, seconded by Commissioner Brown, approved 5-0.

Commissioner General Announcements:

• Commissioner Sadowsky – August is Aging Month in the San Geronimo Valley. Notices about upcoming events will be distributed.
• Vice Chair Barry – In June, the Rotary Club of Novato and the Rotary Club of Novato Sunrise invited the public to a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new mural and two educational plaques recognizing Hamilton Airfield’s history as a transit center for Southeast Asian refugees in the early 1980s.

Open Time for Public Expression:

None

Reports 

1. Chair Report – Tricia Smith

None

2. Vice Chair’s Report – Sylvia Barry

None

3. Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) Report – Jane Gould

• The annual report was shared with commissioners, highlighting the agency's key initiatives and funding measures.
• Measure B was identified as particularly important, providing more than $700,000 annually to support paratransit and other transportation services for older adults through a vehicle registration fee.
• Current Transportation Authority discussions are focused on reimagining roadways and identifying sustainable approaches to maintain crossing guard services while addressing rising costs.

4. Aging and Adult Services Report – 

Mandy Reyes, Sr. Program Coordinator

• The AAA/Vivalon Assisted Transportation Program contract, partially funded by the California Department of Aging (CDA), was renewed for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

5. Housing Partner’s Reports – 

Joseph Shumake, Program Director, Front Porch 

• Home Match Marin provides comprehensive matching services for homeowners with available rooms, ADUs, or in-law units and individuals seeking housing, including home visits, screening, and ongoing support.
• Staff reported 3,793 inquiries, 21 housing matches, 49 individuals housed, 1,787 service hours, and 259 participant intakes in the previous year. Current-year activity remains on pace with consistent inquiries, matches, and service levels.
• The program serves both short- and long-term housing needs, with each match tailored to the needs of the home provider and home seeker. Affordable housing opportunities may be created through reduced-rent arrangements in exchange for agreed-upon household assistance.
• Commissioners discussed the program's role within Front Porch, housing needs across income levels, and encouraged individuals seeking housing to consider Home Match Marin as a resource.

Jenny Silva, Executive Director, Call Marin Home

• Silva highlighted key housing priorities, including expanding affordable and accessible housing, strengthening tenant protections, updating zoning and design standards, and supporting funding measures for housing.
• Commissioners discussed the complexity of housing development, including the impacts of financing, development costs, local fees, regulations, and state housing requirements on project feasibility.
• Members emphasized the importance of public education to help residents understand housing challenges, evaluate policy tradeoffs, and support informed decision-making.
• There is a housing forum on September 22 at the College of Marin to discuss housing funding measures, tenant protections, and regional housing issues. The presentation materials will be shared with the Commission.

Kellen Dammann, Director, County's Home Energy Conservation and Sustainability programs - Energy Efficiency Program Update:

• The next marketing sprint for the Efficiency and Sustainable Energy (EASE) Home Program begins July 24, with outreach focused on Fairfax and San Anselmo.
• Staff will coordinate with commissioners representing Fairfax and San Anselmo to promote the program to older adults living in single-family homes who may benefit from energy efficiency upgrades.
• Marketing for the multifamily energy efficiency program will launch at approximately the same time.
• Outreach will include mailers to multifamily property owners throughout Marin County, followed by email and phone call campaigns.

6. Transportation Reports –

Joanna Huitt, Program and Policy Manager, Marin Transit, updates and Q&A

   Marin Transit Updates:

• Small service adjustments will take effect in September to refine the April MASCOTS service changes. Additional information will be posted at marintransit.gov.
• A public hearing will be held on September 14 to gather feedback on proposed policy changes, including eliminating cash transfers and the paid youth pass.

   Marin Access Updates:

• Marin Access will implement Board-approved shuttle program adjustments in September.
• Staff are preparing an evaluation of the Mobility Wallet Program, with results expected in early fall for the Housing & Transportation Committee.
• An August workshop will be held for community partners on the Marin Access enrollment process. Details will be shared via email.

Jon Gaffney, ADA Compliance and Program Manager, Golden Gate Transportation

• Marin Transit implemented a fare increase for fixed-route and paratransit services effective July 1.
• Preliminary work continues on the San Rafael Transit Center relocation project, including soil testing in coordination with the Native American Heritage Commission to identify any cultural resources.

Discussions

1. Discussion led by Chair with Transportation Partners on what they understand to be the greatest needs, priorities and possible solutions regarding housing efforts for older adults in Marin County and how Commissioners can help to advocate. 

Eric Liddle, Director of Marketing, Onward Rides -

• Companion Ride is a ride-share alternative is for seniors, disabled adults, and low acuity patients in need of minor physical assistance.
• Mobility Transformed 2026 Conference is an ADA Paratransit & On-Demand Transit Conference. It will be held in Santa Rosa, CA Nov. 5-7. Mobility Transformed conference registration 
• Onward has received Access for All (AFA) grant funding to subsidize same-day wheelchair transport and WAV (wheelchair-accessible vehicle) trips for qualifying riders in Alameda, Santa Clara, Marin, and San Mateo counties. If you use a mobility device, this program was built for you. For more details and enrollment, visit Access for All (AFA). 
   

2. Communication strategy for information provided by the committee -

• The Commission discussed expanding its communications strategy to better share information with the community.
• Members emphasized leveraging existing communication channels, including city newsletters, community organizations, Rotary, Chambers of Commerce, Age-Friendly networks, local newspapers, and other partner newsletters.
• Commissioners were encouraged to proactively ask organizations to share Commission information, noting that many are willing to help expand outreach.
• Upcoming outreach materials will include flyers for Marin Transit, Walmart, Proposition 1, and the resource guide to help educate and inform the community.
   

3. Resource Guide - Commission Chair Lauren Elkin gave a brief update -

• Approximately 1,700 copies have been prepared for distribution.
• Commissioners will receive a notice by the weekend with distribution assignments and drop-off appointments.
• Materials will be delivered to designated locations.
• A commissioner suggested including a personalized letter with each distribution to provide additional context.
   

4. Committee Meeting Calendar for the year – 

• There will be no meeting in August or December to align with the General MCCOA meeting. The committee meeting will continue to be held in Mt. Tam from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. for the rest of the calendar year as long as technology issues are resolved.

Business Items for Next Agenda

Discuss possibly rotating locations for Housing and Transportation committee meetings. 

Adjournment:

The meeting adjourned at 3:38 p.m.

Motion by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Vice-Chair Barry, approved 4-0.

Next meeting: Thursday, Sept. 17, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Minutes File

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