REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSION ON AGING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14TH, 2026 AT 12:00 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM 301 W 2ND ST AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Commission on Aging may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Ryan Sperling, 512-974-3568, Ryan.Sperling@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Richard Bondi, Chair Teresa Ferguson, Vice Chair Austin Adams Suzanne Anderson Martin Kareithi Faith Lane Fred Lugo Gloria Lugo Judi L Nudelman Jennifer Scott AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Luan Tran Preston Tyree Henry Van de Putte Selina Yee The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Aging regular meeting of December 10, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Briefing regarding the Age Friendly Austin Partner Summit on January 28th, progress of community engagement for the development of the Age Friendly Austin Action Plan 2026- 2030, progress on Resolution 20250605-084, and other Age-Friendly Austin activities. Briefing by Halana Kaleel, Public Health Community Engagement Specialist, and Nicole Alexander, Public Health Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discuss responses on a community input survey regarding budget priorities created and presented by Chair Bondi. 4. Discussion regarding scheduling future presentations to the Commission on Aging. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Discussion and possible approval of the formation of a Working Group to collaborate with stakeholders and provide a recommendation on emergency preparedness. 6. Discussion and possible approval of a recommendation to support the Age-Friendly Action Plan Priority Areas for 2026-2031. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 7. Update from the Budget Working Group regarding proposed recommendation topics. 8. Update from the Quality of Life Survey Working Group regarding the status of updates to the final report, review by City staff, and next steps. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon …
COMMISSION ON AGING REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2025 The Commission on Aging convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room 1101, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Bondi called the Commission on Aging Meeting to order at 12:06 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Richard Bondi (Chair) Gloria Lugo Judi Nudelman Luan Tran Preston Tyree Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Teresa Ferguson (Vice Chair) Suzanne Anderson Martin Kareithi Fred Lugo Henry Van de Putte Selina Yee PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Aging regular meeting of November 12, 2025. The minutes of the November 12, 2025 meeting were approved on Commissioner Nudelman’s motion, Commissioner Tyree’s second on an 11-0 vote. Commissioners Adams, Lane, and Scott were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation regarding the Intergenerational Day Center Initiative. Presentation by Dr. Jacqueline L. Angel, Wilbur J. Cohen Professor of Health and Social Policy and Professor of Sociology; and Alice 1 Mendoza, Sophie Drelinski, and Kiere Caston, Graduate Students, University of Texas at Austin LBJ School of Public Affairs. The presentation was made by Dr. Jacqueline L. Angel, Wilbur J. Cohen Professor of Health and Social Policy and Professor of Sociology; and Alice Mendoza, Sophie Drelinski, and Kiere Caston, Graduate Students, University of Texas at Austin LBJ School of Public Affairs. 3. Presentation regarding the development of a report to understand and address disparities in community conditions across neighborhoods and feedback. Presentation by Gary Aaron, Business Process Consultant Sr. and Shivani Datar, Business Process Specialist, Austin Equity & Inclusion. The presentation was made by Gary Aaron, Business Process Consultant Sr. and Shivani Datar, Business Process Specialist, Austin Equity & Inclusion. 4. Update regarding topics discussed at the December 3, 2025 Joint Inclusion Committee meeting as related to the Commission on Aging. Update by Chair Bondi. 5. Discussion regarding the status of the Commission on Aging’s FY2025-2026 budget recommendations and the City’s upcoming FY2026-2027 budget process. Update by Chair Bondi. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Approve the formation of a FY2026-27 Budget Recommendation Working Group to provide budget recommendations for the City of Austin’s FY2026-27 Budget. The motion to approve the formation of a FY2026-27 Budget Recommendation Working Group to provide budget recommendations for the City of Austin’s FY2026-27 Budget was approved on Commissioner Tyree’s motion, Commissioner Anderson’s second on a 10-0 vote. …
Age-Friendly Austin Partner Summit and Community Engagement Strategy for the Development of the Age-Friendly Action Plan 2026 - 2030 Nicole Alexander, Age-Friendly Austin Program Coordinator nicole.alexander@austintexas.gov Halana Kaleel, Public Health Community Engagement Specialist halana.kaleel@austintexas.gov Purpose of Community Engagement and the Age- Friendly Partner Summit To collect insights from community partners, aging service organizations, and other City departments to ensure the new AFA plan is deeply rooted in the real-life experiences and top priorities of older adults, caregivers, and service providers in Austin. To ensure adequate opportunities are given to partners, stakeholders, and the community to give feedback. The information we learn from the summit, along with the data obtained from the Older Adults Quality of Life Study and the Age-Friendly Initiatives outlined in 2024, will help to shape the new goals and strategies of the 2026 - 2030 plan. Engagement Objectives Validate and contextualize findings from key data sources Co-develop strategic priorities and measurable goals Ensure transparency and accountability in the planning process Allow for the voices of community stakeholders and partners to be heard and considered Build community ownership of the final Age-Friendly Action Plan Community Listen and Learn Sessions Community Listen and Learn Sessions Engaging Partners & Closing the Feedback Loop Building on the Listen and Learn framework developed for City Staff and repurposed for community members and partners to drive AFA Action Plan Development. Format: Virtual or in-person sessions. Core Objectives: Educate: Inform partners on the upcoming new Action Plan and how to be involved. Integrate: Provide updates on how the Older Adults QoL Study recommendations are being incorporated. Validate: Gather feedback to ensure the plan aligns with identified community needs. Connect: Build on and continue the trust established during the study. Age-Friendly Austin Summit Focus Area 1 Social Engagement, Connection, and Inclusion Aligns with Domains: Social Participation (4), Respect and Social Inclusion (5), Communication and Information (7) Key Objectives and Actions: Combat social isolation Bridge the digital divide Improve information access Inclusive City planning Social Engagement, Connection, and Inclusion Previous Related Goals and Strategies in the 2021 - 2025 AFA Plan Increase recreation, leisure, and educational activities targeting older adults, including multigenerational programs Expand city-wide interagency collaborations to identify and optimize opportunities for senior engagement Increase in amenities at parks and public spaces Integrate age-inclusive policies as criteria for decision making and promote age-friendly customer service best practices Ensure services and programs targeted to seniors respect …
Age-Friendly Action Plan Priority Areas 2026-2031 Current AFA Domains: Outdoor Spaces and Buildings Transportation Housing Respect and Social Inclusion Social Participation Civic Engagement and Employment Communication and Information Community and Health Services Proposed Priority Areas: 1. Social Engagement, Connection, & Inclusion Aligns with Domains: Social Participation, Respect & Social Inclusion, Communication & Information Why this Priority: The Older Adults Quality of Life (QoL) Study found high risks of social isolation particularly among LGBTQIA+ seniors, people with disabilities, and lower income older adults. Furthermore, Districts 2&4 had lower communication scores. With low-income seniors and seniors with disabilities facing greater communication barriers. Potential Key Objectives & Actions • Combat Social Isolation: Increase recreation, leisure, and educational activities, focusing on culturally diverse programming. • Bridge the Digital Divide: Promote technology training to help older adults stay • • connected Improve Information Access: Leverage trusted community networks and non- digital channels to distribute information. Inclusive City Planning: Integrate seniors into City planning initiatives by utilizing community ambassadors and other trusted community networks (ex. formalize a paid Community Ambassador program to act as trusted bridges and utilize high-tra(cid:431)ic trusted venues like libraries, parks, and recreation centers for engagement). Last updated: January 6th, 2026 Previous Related Goals & Strategies AFA Action Plan 2021-2025 • Increase recreation, leisure, and educational activities targeting older adults, including multigenerational programs • Expand city-wide interagency collaborations to identify and optimize • • opportunities for senior engagement Increase in amenities at parks and public spaces Integrate age-inclusive policies as criteria for decision making and promote age- friendly customer service best practices • Ensure services and programs targeted to seniors respect racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity and are welcoming and inclusive • Identify opportunities for seniors to participate in multi-group service day events • Make City of Austin’s Commission on Aging meetings accessible for older adults • Provide multi-cultural information and resources, recognizing the diversity of Austin’s senior population. • Promote technologies and technology training that help older adults stay connected to their community, friends, and family. 2. Health, Mobility, and Accessibility Aligns with Domains: Community & Health Services, Transportation, and Outdoors Spaces & Buildings Why this Priority: The QoL study highlights gaps in food security for District 3 and seniors with disabilities. Concerns about healthcare access arose for those seniors ages 50-64 who do not yet qualify for Medicare. Potential Key Objectives & Actions • Enhance Food Access: increase access to healthy …
