TO:City Council
FROM:Council on Aging
DATE:July 8, 2025
SUBJECT: Council on Aging Annual Report
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive Council on Aging (COA) Annual Report.
2. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Staff time and costs for coordination and preparation of the COA Annual Report are included in the Adopted FY 2025-26 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
The COA was established in 1974. It consists of nine members who are 60 years of age or older. On September 14, 2021, City Council approved Resolution No. 2021-046, rescinding Resolution No. 2010-081, establishing the following functions and duties of the COA:
•Review and provide input on any matters referred by the City Manager or their designee regarding a City departmental action, project, service, or development concerning matters which may directly affect older adults. •Provide outreach assistance to older adults for City projects or services as assigned by City Manager or their designee.
•Serve as liaisons to non-profit organizations or agencies that serve older adults as assigned by City Manager or their designee.
•Implement additional projects as assigned by City Manager or their designee.
•Submit an annual report to City Council on Commission activities and any other periodic reports as assigned or deemed appropriate.
Council on Aging Annual Report
July 8, 2025
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DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
In FY 2024-25, COA Commissioners accomplished the following functions and duties:
1. Review and provide input on any matters referred to the COA.
During the FY 2024-25 term, the COA Commissioners engaged with knowledgeable speakers from City departments and the community to establish relationships and provide input on referred projects and programs as they affect older adults. Meetings included:
Month Topic Presenter
September
2024
Brown Act Overview Noel Doran, Assistant City Attorney, City of Thousand Oaks
October
2024
1. Ventura Regional Fire
Safe Council
2. City of Thousand Oaks
Emergency Preparedness
1. Andy Ortega, Board President,
Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council
2. Grahame Watts, Emergency
Services Administrator, City of
Thousand Oaks
November
2024
City of Thousand Oaks
Transit
Tyler Nestved, Assistant Transit
Planner and Alina Chalas, Assistant
Analyst, City of Thousand Oaks
December
2024
Ventura County Area
Agency on Aging
Roger Horne, Communications
Manager, Human Services Agency,
Aging and Disability Services, County
of Ventura
January
2025
Cancelled
February
2025
Athens Services Sidney Stull, Community Affairs
Manager, Athens Services and Kurt
Dansby, Lead Recycling Coordinator
for Ventura County, Athens Services
March
2025
1. Westminster Free
Clinic
2. Discussion on the
Future of Downtown
Thousand Oaks
1. Lisa Safaeinili, Executive Director,
Westminster Free Clinic
2. Akbar Alikhan, Deputy City
Manager, City of Thousand Oaks
April 2025 Conejo Recreation and
Park District
Tim Duerr, Recreation and
Community Services Manager, CRPD
May 2025 Senior Alliance for
Empowerment (SAFE)
Rich Sauer, President, Senior Alliance
for Empowerment
June 2025 City of Thousand Oaks
Budget Process
Ryan Roman, Budget Officer, City of
Thousand Oaks
Council on Aging Annual Report
July 8, 2025
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2. Provide outreach assistance to older adults for City projects or services:
The COA Commissioners provided outreach assistance to older adults for City projects and services, as well as attended various functions to present COA information by doing the following:
•This was the second year for the COA Resource Directory Committee. They updated and released the second edition of the City of Thousand Oaks Resource Directory for Older Adults. The 30-page directory provides information on community resources, such as adult day programs, housing supports, food pantries, and caregiving services. It is available in large print and an electronic version is on the City’s website at
www.toaks.gov/olderadults. Almost 1,000 printed copies have been distributed throughout the community. COA Commissioners spend two- hour shifts, twice monthly at the Goebel Adult Community Center where they talk with residents, provide referrals to community groups, and distribute the Resource Guide and other pertinent information. •In January 2025, the CSVP Annual Wellness Festival was cancelled at the last minute due to warnings of imminent power outages at the Goebel Center as a result of two weeks of unprecedented winds and wildfires. The COA Commissioners attended anyway and interacted with approximately 100 community members who did not receive the event cancellation notice.
Commissioners handed out the Older Adult Resource Directory and provided referrals to services. Many community members who came that morning were feeling fearful and had been without electricity for long stretches. The COA Commissioners connected individually with residents, providing much needed community support.
3. Liaisons to Organizations:
In FY 2024-25, COA Commissioners served as liaisons to an array of organizations who serve older adults in the community. Each month commissioners deepened their relationships with these organizations, as well as provided updates and information regarding these organizations at the COA meetings. A summary of the following liaison positions is provided in Attachment #1:
•Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) – COA Commissioner Nivedita Vaidya and Resident Representative Stephanie Belding, both of whom were selected by the COA and confirmed by City Council to serve in this role.
Council on Aging Annual Report
July 8, 2025
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•Goebel Center Commission (GSCC) – Commissioner Mary Jane Taintor and Commissioner Pamela Davis
•Conejo Senior Volunteer Program (CSVP) – Commissioner Nivedita Vaidya •California Senior Legislature (CSL) – Chair Tony Gitt
•Senior Concerns – Chair Tony Gitt
4. Implement additional projects:
The COA implemented the following additional projects:
•The COA focused on a commission project this year. The goal was to collectively select and execute a project that added value to the community.
The project chosen was to support the Transit division in launching the Dial- A-Ride App. There were four project areas that were accomplished:
i. Demonstration Workshop in the Community – On March 27, 2025, the COA Commissioners helped host a Workshop at the Goebel Adult Community Center. The Workshop featured App demonstrations and individualized assistance to download and instructions on how to use the App.
ii. Distribution of User Guides – The COA Commissioners distribute information twice monthly at the Goebel Adult Community Center. The user guide provides detailed instructions on how to download and use the App. Additionally the Commissioners assist residents in downloading the App and answering questions.
iii. Feedback Card – The COA Commissioners supported the Transit Division by providing suggestions for a potential rider feedback card. iv. Promote the new App through taking pictures and the production of a video that can be run on TOTV, social media and the City Website.
The COA participated in a professional photo shoot in February and in collaboration with TOTV, acted in a video produced in May. The video is available for viewing on the City’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THCBNW7ZiX8
•Joined City Council in Proclaiming the Month of May as Older Americans Month at the April 29, 2025, City Council meeting, as well as through special posts on social media to promote the work of the COA and representation of older adults. The framed Proclamation is hanging in a prominent location at the Goebel Adult Community Center.
Council on Aging Annual Report
July 8, 2025
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•The COA Demographics Committee was new this year. The Committee used publicly available data to create a demographic snapshot of older adults in Thousand Oaks. The Committee has been working diligently since January to review and compile data that identifies current statistics and projections over the next ten years. Their report is included as Attachment #2.
In program year 2025-26, the COA will continue seeking direction from the City Manager’s Office on potential projects and providing outreach to relevant older adult agencies or activities that support the duties of the COA. .
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
B. Provide municipal government leadership which is open and responsive to residents, and is characterized by ethical behavior, stability, promoting public trust, transparency, confidence in the future, and cooperative interaction among civic leaders, residents, business representatives, and staff, while recognizing and respecting legitimate differences of opinion on critical issues facing the City.
G. Continue City's commitment to community and cultural programs and services (such as Performing Arts/Theatres, Libraries, TOTV, Visual Arts, Youth and Senior Programs).
PREPARED BY: Tony Gitt, COA Chair
Sarah Mailes, Community Services Analyst
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – FY 2024-25 COA Liaison and Committee Summary Report
Attachment #2 – Demographic Snapshot of Older Adults in Thousand Oaks CCS: 115-01\sm\H\COMMON\Community Services\City Council Items\2025 Staff Reports\07082025 COA Annual Report staff report.docx