October 15, 2026 — Housing and Transportation Subcommittee meeting

Agenda

Respectful Dialogue: 

The Commission on Aging encourages a respectful dialogue that supports freedom of speech and values diversity of opinion. The Commission, staff, and members of the public are expected to be civil and courteous, and to refrain from questioning the character or motives of others participating in the meeting. The County requests that speakers not use threatening, profane, or abusive language which disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of the Commission meeting. Members of the public may comment on any item on the agenda during Commission consideration of the item. The Commission Chair will invite public comment following discussion and voting items and prior to final Commission deliberations. Each speaker will be allotted time for comment as set by the Commission Chair (generally 2 minutes).

Meeting Agenda: 

1. Call to Order and Roll Call                                                                                    
2. Approval of Agenda                                                                                                                                  
3. Approval of July 2026 Meeting Minutes
4. Open Time for Public Expression on Matters not on the Agenda (2 minutes each)
5. Reports (3 minutes per report) 
   • Chair Report – Tricia Smith
   • Vice Chair’s Report – Sylvia Barry
   • Aging and Adult Services Report - Mandy Reyes, Sr. Program Coordinator
   • Housing Partner’s Reports – 
     • Joseph Shumake, Program Director, Front Porch 
     • Kellen Dammann, Director, County's Home Energy Conservation and Sustainability programs
   • Transportation Reports - 
     • Joanna Huitt, Program and Policy Manager, Marin Transit
     • Jon Gaffney, ADA Compliance and Program Manager, Golden Gate Transit 
6. Presentation by Marin Housing Authority - Staff will provide an overview of programs with emphasis on:
   • Benefits to landlords of participating in Section 8
   • Owner occupied home repair loan program
   • How Commissioners can help to spread the word about these programs
7. Presentation by Jane Gould - Update on Marin Based Programs for Autonomous and Self Driving Vehicles for Seniors
8. Commissioner General Announcements (1 minute each)
9. Business Items for Next Agenda
10. Announcements
11. Adjournment          

Next meeting date: November 20, 2026

Agenda File

Minutes

Housing and Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes

October 15, 2026, 1:30pm – 3:30pm 

Draft – For review at November meeting

Minutes Summary

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

Location:  20 N. San Pedro, Point Reyes Room, San Rafael

Members present: Chair Tricia Smith, Vice-Chair Sylvia Barry, Larry Binkley, Rhea Brown, Suzanne Sadowsky

Others present: Kellen Dammann (Marin Climate and Sustainability Division), Joseph Shumake (Home Match Marin), Jeff Kelly (Marin Housing), Kathleen Wyatt (Marin Housing), Susanne Joyce (Marin Housing), Michael Cushing (Welcoming Home), Ron Brown (Community Member)

Members Excused: None           Members absent: Jane Gould

Call to Order and Roll Call:

The meeting was called to order at 1:40 p.m.

Approval of Agenda:

Motion by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Sadowsky, approved 5-0.

Approval of June 2026 Meeting Minutes as Amended:

Motion by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Binkley, approved 5-0.

Open Time for Public Expression:

Michael Cushing – 

• Michael gave a general overview of Welcoming Home. The organization partners with social service agencies to furnish homes for individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness, providing essential items tailored to their needs to promote dignity and stability. With support from donors and volunteers, the organization has served the community for 10 years and will furnish four homes on Saturday. Leadership has recently transitioned from founders Marcia and Greg to Michael.

Commissioner Brown – 

• The Health and Nutrition Committee will meet Monday from 12:15–2:15 p.m. Guest speaker Carmen Benavides, Community Engagement Specialist with the Alzheimer’s Association and former care navigator for the U.S. POINTER study, will discuss lifestyle interventions, including diet and exercise, to support brain health in older adults.

Reports:

Chair Report – Tricia Smith

There are upcoming senior and workforce housing developments in Sausalito funded by last year’s Measure. Two project presentations have been shared with the community and plans look promising. 

Vice Chair’s Report – Sylvia Barry

Commissioner Barry plans to attend a neighborhood meeting where Novato Unified School District will present its workforce housing proposal. There are ongoing discussions and approvals related to housing, affordable housing, and community development.

Aging and Adult Services Report – Mandy Reyes, Sr. Program Coordinator

The California Department of Aging (CDA) submitted a request for clarification and corrections to the Area Plan Update (APU) submitted in May. The requested corrections have been completed, and the AAA is awaiting final approval.

Housing Partner’s Reports – 

Joseph Shumake, Program Director, Home Match Marin

• None

Kellen Dammann, Director, County's Home Energy Conservation and Sustainability programs - 

• Energy Efficiency Program Update:
• Since April, the Efficiency and Sustainable Energy (EASE) Home Program have conducted 109 of 150 scheduled site visits, secured 55 participation agreements, and completed 31 projects in the County.
• Outreach in San Anselmo and Fairfax included 4,000 targeted mailers and community engagement events, with a focus on reaching older adults. The next outreach campaign will target Novato with 5,000 mailers beginning in mid-November.
• For a limited time, the program will offer heat pump water heater installations with a maximum $3,000 copay for eligible residents replacing water heaters over 10 years old. A public webinar is scheduled for November 18.
• The Landlord Resource Expo has been rescheduled to February 6 at the Mill Valley Community Center. The event will provide information on fair housing laws, Section 8, housing resources, and energy assistance programs. Outreach will include advertisements and press releases.

Transportation Reports –

Joanna Huitt, Program and Policy Manager, Marin Transit

• None

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

• None

Presentation by Marin Housing Authority: Staff provided an overview of Marin Housing Authority programs and services, including:

• Rental assistance programs
• Affordable housing
• Landlord partnerships
• Supportive housing services
• Family self-sufficiency program
• Home repair loans
• Outreach and resources

Welcoming Home – Michael Cushing: Michael provided a deeper overview of Welcoming Home, highlighting the following:

• Provides free furniture and household essentials to individuals and families transitioning into housing, primarily through referrals from social service agencies and community partners.
• The program completes approximately 40–45 home setups annually, with nearly half supported by individual or group sponsors.
• Community donations and volunteers help furnish homes based on each household’s needs. Limited storage space and a shortage of lead volunteers remain ongoing challenges.
• The committee discussed referral opportunities for clients transitioning into housing and how community members can support the program through donations and volunteer participation.
• Information on current needs and volunteer opportunities is available at the Welcoming Home website.

Commissioner General Announcements:

Commissioner Sadowsky –

• A health fair was held at the San Geronimo Community Center, offering flu shots and health assessments. Organizers are exploring additional health screenings beyond flu vaccinations at future events throughout West Marin.
• The West Marin Elders Advisory Council hosted a housing program that drew strong attendance and significant community interest in local housing issues.

Chair Smith – 

• Sausalito is partnering with Rotary to resume annual chore days. 
• The monthly Neighbors’ Supper Club provides restaurant-style meals for older adults on the first and third Mondays of each month. The first Monday meal is free, with the third Monday meal offered for $5 to Medi-Cal recipients and $15 to others. Meals are served from 4:00–5:30 p.m. and are open to older adults in the 94965 area, with guests also welcome.

Business Items for Next Agenda:

Review the meeting calendar for the remainder of 2026 and 2027.

Adjournment:

The meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.

Motion by Commissioner Barry, seconded by Commissioner Sadowsky, approved 5-0.

Next meeting: Thursday, Nov. 19, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Minutes File

Accessibility information

Disability accommodations

For disability accommodations please phone 888-413-9462 (Voice), CA Relay 711, or email at least five business days in advance of the event. The County will do its best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats, upon request.