HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 4.A 12/16/2019DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
December 16, 2019
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager'Q!—'
Sandra Kraus, Recreation Coordinator, Senior Center
Drew Halter, Recreation Supervisor
The City of Petaluma's Membership in the World Health Organization's Global
Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City of Petaluma to
submit an application to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) for participation
in the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Network of Age Friendly cities and
communities. The Global Network of communities are committed to providing a high quality of
life for all its residents that includes the opportunity to lead active, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
An Age Friendly designation reflects a City's commitment to actively seek opportunities to
improve both the quality of life and livable space for people of all ages. .
BACKGROUND
In 2006, the WHO's Age Friendly Cities and Communities initiative was established to identify
the key elements required to address the growing aging population. AARP is an affiliate of the
WHO's Global Network provides support to those cities interested in applying for membership
by facilitating the application and implementation process.
The Age Friendly designation currently applies to 46 countries, 937 cities, and over 240 million
people worldwide. Sonoma County joined the World Health Organizations Global Network of
Age Friendly Cities and Communities in 2016, establishing a commitment to the County's aging
population and laying the groundwork for the incorporated cities to join the cause. If
membership is approved, Petaluma would become only the second city in Sonoma County to
receive the Age Friendly designation and serve as a model for other cities in the region who
recognize the importance of fostering sustainable communities for all its residents.
The United Nations estimates that the global population of individuals 60 years and older will be
1.2 Billion by 2025 and 2 billion by 2050. In 2018, the US Census Bureau estimated that
approximately 16.1% of Petaluma residents were 65 years old or older. By 2022, the Sonoma
County Economic Development Board estimates that the City of Petaluma's 65+ population will
have grown to 19.1 %. While these trends are not unique to Petaluma, it is important that the City
acknowledge the shift in an aging demographic and seize opportunities to invest in Age Friendly
initiatives.
The WHO has identified eight individual domains of livability that influence the quality of life
for older adults. The eight domains have been incorporated into the Age Friendly City
designation as a framework to help guide cities and counties in deciding what features
community features have the biggest impact on the well-being of older adults. The eight domains
include:
1) Community and Health Services — Support livable communities aimed at improving
physical and mental health, reducing social pathology, and strengthening social immune
systems.
2) Communication and Information —Access to affordable high-speed internet services.
Information disseminated through diverse channels. Technology and educational
workshops.
3) Civic Participation and Employment — Supportive services for senior employment
programs. Skills training, educational opportunities, and tax aide support.
4) Respect and Social Inclusion — Intergenerational activities, strategies to support the
aging LGBT community, support of the cultural arts.
5) Social Participation — Availability of accessible, affordable and' engaging social
activities.
6) Housing — Dwellings designed or modified to help residents age in place across socio-
economic classes. Encourage visitability to ensure ease of access for people with mobility
challenges.
7) Transportation — Public transit options, pedestrian safety, bicycle master plan, complete
streets, specialized transportation.
8) Outdoor Spaces and Buildings — Public places to gather. Green spaces, safe streets,
sidewalks, outdoor seating and accessible buildings.
DISCUSSION
The Senior Advisory Committee recognizes that committing public resources to improving Age
Friendly programs and places, is shown to have wide-ranging benefits to the health and
wellbeing of its residents. Subsequently, the Committee has made obtaining membership status a
top priority for the 2019 calendar year. The Age Friendly membership and designation commits
the City of Petaluma to actively seek to incorporate the eight domains of Livability into
programs, projects, and developments. The Senior Advisory Committee recommends that
Council take action, joining the 937 Age Friendly Communities worldwide in promoting and
supporting the ability of residents to age in place and thrive in the City where they reside.
The City Council's adopted Goals and Priorities for FY 2019-2022 pay considerable attention to
promoting the health and wellbeing of the aging adult community. This effort moves forward
Objective #3, Workplan item 99 "Secure designation as an Age Friendly City." The Age
Friendly designation encourages city leadership to consider implementing the types of changes
that make communities more livable for all ages, especially older adults. By j oining the Age -
iia
Friendly Network of States and Communities, the City will have access to resources that will
allow Petaluma to become more age -friendly including national and global research, planning
models, and best practices. Membership in the AARP Network of Age -Friendly States and
Communities means that the City has made a commitment to actively work with our residents
and local advocates to make our City an age -friendly place to live.
Many of the goals adopted by the City Council align with the eight domains of livability
identified in the Age Friendly initiative:
• Establishment and improvement of walking and biking paths as useful transportation
options and the implementation of a community bike share system.
• Expanding transit service on primary corridors.
• Implementation of a City Vision Zero plan with a focus on pedestrian and cyclist safety
with improvements to uncontrolled crosswalks, curb ramps, sidewalk and bicycle
infrastructure.
• Addressing the current housing crisis by supporting an Adult Dwelling Unit, ADU's,
ordinance which allows for more affordable housing through a streamlined permitting
process.
Approval of the Age Friendly Membership designation typically occurs within two weeks upon
AARP receiving the application. The designation leads to formal recognition by the AARP,
acknowledging the City's efforts, followed by a process of identifying and assessing community
needs, access to technical assistance, expert -led webinars, and best practice materials from the
AARP.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
During the regular meeting of the City Council on March 20th, 2017, Renee Toliver, Director of
Social Services for the Council on Ageing presented information on the recent designation of
Age Friendly Initiative pursued by Sonoma County. The Age Friendly Initiative was presented to
the Senior Advisor Committee during a regular meeting on November 9th, 2017. Since that time,
this item has been placed on several meeting agendas of the Senior Advisor Committee and
noticed through appropriate City communications channels. The Age Friendly Membership
designation leads to public recognition for the City's commitment, followed by a process of
identifying and assessing community needs, access to technical assistance, expert -led webinars,
and best practice materials and support from the AARP.
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FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The Age Friendly membership does not include any financial obligations on the part of the City
but rather provides a lens for which to actively view opportunities to integrate the World Health
Organization's eight domains of livability into decision making.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Application to Age Friendly
2. Draft of Mayors Letter
3. Resolution
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Attachment 1
World Health Organization
Age Friendly City - Membership Application — City of Petaluma
1) City/Community details
1) Name of Citv or communitv
City of Petaluma
2) Region or State
California
3) Country
United States of America
4) Your citv or community's population size
60738 total population according to the 2018 Economic Development Board City of Petaluma
City Profile and Projections report.
5) Percentage of residents above the age of 60
According to the US Census Bureau of 2017 the percentage of residents above the age of 60+ is
approximately 23%.
6) The geographic coordinates:
38.2324° N, 122.6367° W.
7) Are you applving through one of the Network's Affiliated Programs?
Sonoma County Age Friendly Communities
2) Political commitment toward becoming an age friendly city or community
1) Mavor's Name
Teresa Barrett, Mayor of Petaluma
2) Address of Mavor's Office at Citv Hall
11 English St, Petaluma, Ca. 94954
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3) Designation of contact person for the Global Network
1 Title:
Recreation Coordinator
2) Name:
Sandra Kraus
3) Position:
Senior Center Activities and Programs Coordinator
4) Role in city or communitv's age -friendly initiative:
As the Recreation Coordinator for the Petaluma Senior Center my role is to create, plan,
organize, schedule, coordinate, and facilitate, City recreation programs and oversee facility use.
Assist in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and
work standards in areas of responsibility; provide for staff training and professional
development.
Make recommendations regarding matters of general policy and budget; prepare detailed
budget requests for the staff, and equipment and materials required for projected activities;
provide technical assistance to staff; inspect and evaluate work being performed; identify
problem areas and direct remedial actions to be taken; direct the selection, supervision, and
work evaluation of assigned staff.
Participate in long term planning to assess future recreation needs; research new operational
techniques, methods, and equipment; make recommendations for purchase or implementation.
Act as City liaison to the Senior Advisory Committee consisting of seven members appointed by City
Council. The Senior Advisory Committee advises the City on issues and programs for active adults as
well as the operation of senior facilities, including:
• Identifying areas of interest and need for seniors and active adults in the Petaluma community.
• Assist in the provision of recreational, social and health related programs for seniors and active
adults.
• Advise the city regarding senior program operations which include recruitment of volunteers
and identifying and helping secure funding sources for future programming opportunities.
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Any other advice deemed necessary by any members of the city council and/or city staff as it
pertains to the well-being of seniors and active adults.
5) E-mail address:
skraus@cityofpetaluma.org
6) Telephone number (including international dialing code)
Senior Center— (707) 778-4349
Recreation Center Front Desk — (707) 778-4380
4) Description of your age friendly activities to date
1) Please provide a brief summary (250-300 words) of your city or community's policies, programs and
services targeted at older people and how you are planning to make your community more age -
friendly. (If application is accepted this section will be published on WHO website)
The City of Petaluma already has in place a multitude of policies, services, and programs
available for older adults and is committed to growing services in order to create a more age -
friendly community. We have an active and engaged Senior Advisory Committee which has been
spearheading efforts to have the City join the age -friendly network of communities. Our Senior
Center provides recreational and educational opportunities for older adults; popular
intergenerational programs at the Center are being offered which engage local schools and
community groups. The City has also been supportive of the Village Network of Petaluma,
which is focused on helping people age in the community.
When developing programs for transportation, housing, safety, and outdoor spaces, the City
considers all demographics including our aging adult community. The City recently streamlined
the approval process for accessory dwelling units to address the shortage of housing, which is an
issue throughout California but was exacerbated in Sonoma County due to the large scale
destruction of homes during the 2017 Wildfires. Given our community's vulnerability to
earthquakes and wildfires, an effort has been made to encourage neighborhood -based disaster
preparedness programs —the Senior Advisory Committee has taken an active role in promoting
these programs. The City has also addressed street and sidewalk safety through an extensive
LED retrofit of nearly 6,000 street lights.
The Petaluma City Council approved ambitious goals for FY 2019 through FY2020, following
extensive input from the community which included a daylong public workshop and two
comprehensive online surveys. Many of the goals ultimately adopted by the City Council support
age -friendly community components. The goals document will be uploaded as part of this
application. Specifics from that document will be noted in this application where applicable.
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Transportation:
Paratransit is a specialized service provided for those with limited mobility and ADA needs.
iRide, a volunteer driver program coordinated through a partnership with the Petaluma People
Services non-profit group, addresses the growing need for transportation for the older adult
community. IRIDE provided over 4800 rides/trips in 2018.
The City's FY 2019-2021 Council goals call for the establishment and improvement of walking
and biking paths as useful transportation options and the implementation of a community bike
share system. The goals also include expanding transit service on primary corridors and the
implementation of a City Vision Zero plan with a focus on pedestrian and cyclist safety with
improvements to uncontrolled crosswalks, curb ramps, sidewalk and bicycle infrastructure.
Housing:
Petaluma Ecumenical Properties (PEP Housing) is an all -volunteer nonprofit organization
providing fully accessible housing to low income seniors while advocating for seniors and
offering support services.
Rebuilding Together Petaluma is a local nonprofit volunteer organization providing repairs and
modifications to low income seniors at no cost.
The City is proactively addressing the current housing crisis by creating a new Adult Dwelling
Unit, ADU's, ordinance which allows for more affordable housing through a streamlined
permitting process.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a rent -subsidy program that assists eligible low-income
persons and their families in obtaining affordable, decent, and safe housing by paying a portion
of their rent. Eligible applicants locate a unit in the private rental market. Rent must be within
the current allowed Payment Standards. Of the applicant pool, 500 names are pulled at random
to be added to the waitlist and assigned a number. Families on the Sonoma County Housing
Authority's waiting list are served based on their numerical standing.
Preference is granted to applicants with household members in Any One of the following
groups:
• Persons with disabilities
• Seniors (62+ years of age)
Applicants with one of these preferences are served first. Applicants are only required to
provide documentation for any preferences that apply to them at the time their name is
reached on the waiting list.
Applicants without preferences can expect to be served within 24 months of approval for a
voucher.
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City Council goals include the creation of a 5 -year strategic housing plan to provide inclusive housing
solutions that are affordable, ADA compliant, age friendly, and ensure the continuity of City services
to a growing residential population.
Outdoor Spaces & Buildings:
The City of Petaluma has 450 acres of designated parkland which is spread across 46 parks
consisting of playgrounds, facilities, sports fields, and other recreation amenities. In addition,
the City of Petaluma's Community Center offers day and evening classes for children, young and
older adults, and rents out rooms for meeting space, programs, and special events.
The City has implemented several age -friendly features such as: LED retrofit street lighting,
establishing the Lynch Creek pedestrian and bike trail, installing ADA Domes at crosswalks to
help the visually and hearing impaired. The City recently partnered with the Miracle League of
North Bay to construct an all-inclusive ballpark and playground intended to serve youth and
adults with physical or mental disabilities.
In addition, the City Council's goals call for the creation and promotion of multi -cultural and
multi -generational recreation and wellness programs that support community connection,
physical well-being, and opportunities for play. There will be a focus on public health in the
planning processes for these programs —including air quality, walkability, childcare
incorporated into larger developments, including revisiting zoning around sensitive receptors
(e.g. schools, health care facilities).
Civic participation/Respect & Inclusion:
The Senior Advisory Committee (SAC) was created to serve as an advocate for Petaluma's older
adult population and to advise the City Council, City boards, commissions, and departments, as
well as private agencies on matters related to their needs, and increasing awareness of those
needs among the broader population.
The SAC held a public event in 2018 to introduce age -friendly concepts to the larger community
and has worked diligently to bring to light the need to acquire the Age Friendly status for the
City of Petaluma in order to implement the five year plan and move forward to creating a
community that allows our older adults to age in place.
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2) Please choose a picture (skyline or logo) to be published on the profile page of your community on
the Network's website
Picture attached.
3) If you have already conducted an age -friendly baseline assessment of your city or community,
please upload.
Sonoma County's Age Friendly Baseline
4) If you have already developed a strategy or action plan to make our community more age -friendly,
please upload.
The City Council held a workshop on April 6, 2019 and offered a survey, to gather the
community's ideas about City priorities over the next two years.
After that workshop, staff collected all the feedback from both the survey, the workshop, and
through input received prior to and following the workshop, and created the next draft version
of the City's goals and priorities for the next two years. The Goals were reviewed by the City
Council and have been finalized:
A City that Works for Everyone.
Objective 1— Ensure a Fiscally and Organizationally Sustainable City:
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Workplan Items:
#5. Improve the responsiveness and efficacy of the City to its residents by examining potential changes
and updates to the City Charter.
Objective 2 — Provide City Infrastructure that is Safe, Sustainable, Multi -Use, Efficient,
Inspiring Civic Pride:
Workplan Items:
#14. Identify funding options to complete Petaluma's planned cross-town connectors.
#15. Identify funds and develop plan to improve Petaluma's streets and roads.
#18. Establish and improve paths, as useful transportation options, and make walking and biking ease,
fun and safe.
#19. Implement community bike share system and explore other multi -modal transportation offerings.
#20. Better integrate multi modal transportation with street designs.
#22. Complete the second SMART station at Corona.
#23. Expand transit service on primary corridors.
#24. Provide additional real — time schedule information and infrastructure for Petaluma Transit.
#26. Update the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian plan and realize opportunities for crosstown connections
for all modes of transportation.
#27. Encourage transit use through expanded service, pass programs, partnerships, and promotion.
#28. Consider a program to make some downtown streets pedestrian -only.
Objective 3 — Maximize all opportunities to be transparent, effectively inform, and
meaningfully engage our Community through Innovation, Accessibility, and Excellent Customer
Service.
#29. Establish a centralized, citywide community engagement and communications program that
emphasizes two-way, ongoing communications and robust community engagement.
#34. Promote outreach, inclusion, and involvement of Petaluma's diverse communities through
expanded translation and interpretation services in City information and programs, recruitment
strategies, and developing leadership opportunities.
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Objective 4 — Implement technology initiatives to improve the accessibility, efficiency and
effectiveness of City Operations, provide the highest level of customer service and make the City the
primary source for City information
Workplan Items:
#38. Complete the roll-out of an updated City website that creates a more user-friendly, accessible, and
interactive information resource and online experience for the community.
A Safe Community that Thrives:
Objective 1 -Maintain and enhance public safety and prepare for emergencies & disasters
through crime and fire prevention, and traffic safety.
Workplan Items:
#78. Assess current staffing levels and adjust public safety staffing to ensure rapid response times and
the safety of our first responders.
#79. Restore Public Safety specialty units when possible:
a. Re-establish bicycle teams downtown.
b. Priorities youth safety through education and community resource officers.
c. Restore the Homeless Outreach Service Team.
#81. Create an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) that is appropriately equipped and staffed to better
respond to all emergencies and disasters.
#82. Adopt a Care and Shelter operations manual to improve City logistics planning during emergencies.
#83. Assist the community, with special focus on those with special needs, through outreach and
training, to ensure resiliency and emergency preparedness. Plan for natural disasters and all
emergencies by providing safe places for the community to shelter (e.g. fairgrounds, faith
community/churches, city facilities).
#87. Promote emergency preparedness and resiliency strategies to our residents and businesses.
#88. Promote neighborhood policing and fire safety with beat assignments, community engagement,
and multilingual outreach.
#90. Enhance pavement management program to improve the safety and serviceability of our roads to
to protect drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
#92. Develop programs that provide affordable rental and ownership housing for the missing middle
including but not limited to public safety, municipal employees, teachers, and no -profit employees
Support and partner with organizations that help the housing insecure and unsheltered populations find
health care & supportive services.
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#93. Work with service providers and countywide agencies to coordinate response and solutions to the
City's unsheltered population including transiting homeless Petaluman's into shelter and housing.
#94. Facilitate construction of Accessory Dwelling Units.,
#96. Create a 5 -year strategic housing plan to provide inclusive housing solutions that are affordable,
ADA compliant, age friendly, and ensure the continuity of City services to a growing residential
population.
Objective 2 — Support a healthy community by encouraging active living, increasing
recreational opportunities, and enacting policies that promote well-being.
Workplan Items:
#97. Collaborate with Health Care District and other service providers to identify and promote wellness
programs and policies.
#98. Create and promote multi -cultural and multi -generational recreation and wellness programs that
support community connection, physical well-being, and opportunities for plan. Focus on public health
in planning processes — including air quality, walkability, childcare incorporated into larger
developments, including revisiting zoning around sensitive receptors (e.g. schools, health care facilities).
#102. Improve access to healthy, sustainable food throughout the community, including consideration
of community garden sites and farmers market locations (e.g. fairgrounds), and events; explore
opportunities to incorporate elements of County Food Action Plan.
#103. Improve integration of transit to all demographics by partnering with social service agencies and
non-profit organizations.
#104. Create more diverse recreational, social, and cultural opportunities for youth.
#105. Secure designation as an Age Friendly City.
#106. Increase efforts to support seniors that help them to remain engaged, active, and independent.
An Economy that Prospers:
Objective 1— Re-establish the Petaluma River as a clean and accessible waterway open to
Commercial and Recreational Traffic.
Workplan Items:
#123. Establish bicycle and walking paths and other river access amenities along the Petaluma River as
identified in the River Access and Enhancement Plan.
Spaces and Places that Inspire:
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Objective 1— Envision and Create a safe downtown and neighborhoods that are attractive,
clean, and can be enjoyed by all ages.
Workplan Items:
#127. Identify and prioritize projects to upgrade and improve the downtown, alleyways, and public
spaces.
#130. Assess and review accessibility to public restrooms in the downtown area and develop a plan to
address identified needs.
Objective 2 — Enhance public spaces that are accessible, sustainable and inspire connections to
our history and to each other.
Workplan Items:
#144. Capital maintenance and upgrades to City facilities to provide places and spaces for community
dialogue, public meetings, and customer service.
Objective 3 — Improve existing parks, park infrastructure and reimagine new spaces for play.
Workplan Items:
#155. Develop a plan to prioritize playground upgrades / replacement and accessibility improvements.
#.156. Repurpose existing amenities to promote recreational opportunities, including initial phases of
tennis court rehabilitation citywide and pickleball courts.
#157. Upgrade parks facilities including restroom repairs, new benches, and trash receptacles; lighting
improvements including LED sports lighting project at Lucchesi Park.
#158. Improve existing trails and park pathways to increase accessibility and promote intergenerational
use, including Lynch Creek Trail Prince Park.
#159. Complete improvements for Lynch Creek Trail including lighting, wayfinding, benches, and safety;
and promote the trail via map for users and digital promotions (e.g. web, social, advertising).
#160. Prioritize completion of all phases of the Petaluma Community Sports Field project.
#161. Refine proposed trail network and begin guided tours for interim access on Lafferty Ranch;
consider incorporation into City.
#162. Explore acquisition of parcels adjoining existing parks (e.g. Cavanagh Landing Park, McNear
Peninsula) to increase opportunities for public access to the river.
#163. Work with the community to ensure a balanced program of investments for Measure M — a 10
year, voter— approved 1/8 cent tax measure to support County and city parks and open spaces.
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5) Engagement of older people
1) How are you engaging and involving older people in the process of becoming a more age -
friendly communitv?
The Petaluma Senior Center partners with Sonoma County's Area Agency on Aging to conduct
surveys at the Senior Center. Two focus groups were held in 2017 with the steering
committee members of Age -Friendly Sonoma County and Petaluma's older adult
population. These meetings created a face to face opportunity for local residents to
share their opinions and ideas on how to create a more age -friendly community through
direct interaction.
Petaluma older adults participated in the Age -friendly walking audits in October of 2017.
Having these community members on the streets, participating by taking detailed notes
and photos of areas of concern, and reporting their findings gave residents the
opportunity to participate in the Age -friendly process and become engaged in the age -
friendly Petaluma movement.
A larger survey of over 1,000 seniors by Age Friendly Sonoma County gave local older
adults the chance to share their thoughts and opinions. Information collected in this
survey will be included in the larger County Age -friendly movement.
6) Cross -sectoral collaboration
1) What mechanisms have you/are you planning to put in place to facilitate collaborative
planning and implementation between different departments of the local administration and
across sectors?
Petaluma People Services provides 53 human services programs in our community
based on best practice research with measurable outcomes. Their leadership strongly
supports age -friendly initiatives and is particularly interested in promoting
intergenerational programs.
The Petaluma Health Care District has included age -friendly as one of their guiding
principles. The chair of the SAC attends local meetings where projects and priorities are
discussed.
Sonoma County's Area Agency on Aging (AAA), in partnership with several nonprofits,
has long-established collaborations in Petaluma. Partnerships include the Council on
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Aging, Senior Advocacy Services, Redwood Empire Food Bank and the Health Insurance
Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP).
The Petaluma Senior Center currently works with multiple area businesses to provide a
wide array of services to the local community including: Santa Rosa Junior College that
offers multiple older adult classes at the Senior Center and at other City facilities, and
local attorneys who provide free consultations. The Senior Center also partners with the
Community Center's preschool program, Tiny Tots, in providing intergenerational events
at the Senior Center throughout the year that includes activities such as story time,
music programs, and arts & crafts.
7) Participation in the WHO Global Network of Age -Friendly Communities
1) How do you hope to contribute to the Global Network?
The City of Petaluma hopes to contribute to the Global Network by being a model for
other cities in how to create a community where our older adults can age in place and
where our youth can contribute to that success. By offering intergenerational programs
the City hopes to bridge the gap between those 8 year of age and 80.
2) What motivated your community to become a member of the Global Network?
The City of Petaluma prides itself on being a "livable" community. Becoming a member
of the Global Network is a natural fit for the city's goals and vision. Our commitment is
also based on the growing number of 60+ and older adults living in our city and the need
to assist them in aging in place. While being mindful of our older adults we also hope to
create a community that bridges the gap from the age of 8 to the age 80 and creating a
community that all ages can enjoy.
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ATTACHMENT 2
December 16, 2019
Rafi Nazarians I AARP California
Associate State Director, Community
200 S. Los Robles Ave., Ste. 400
Pasadena, CA 91101-2422
Dear AARP and World Health Organizations Age -Friendly Communities:
The City of Petaluma, its residents and officials, remain dedicated to creating and maintaining
an age -friendly community for all. I am pleased to offer this letter in support of Petaluma's
membership into the AARP Network of Age -Friendly Communities and the World Health
Organizations Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities. Petaluma is
committed to establishing the services, policies, and programs for Petalumans to live
fulfilling lives while aging in place.
With a population of 60,738, Petaluma is the second largest City in Sonoma County and data
from the Sonoma County Economic Development Board indicates that by 2022, 19.1% of the
City's population will be older than 65. As the demographics of our citizenry changes, we are
committed to adopting an action plan that reflects the growing needs of the community.
The City of Petaluma recently adopted several age -friendly objectives as part of the approved
Fiscal Year 2019-2021 City Council Goals and Priorities. The City also continues to
strengthen partnerships with volunteer groups and non-profit organizations focused on
serving an intergenerational audience. The City continues to incorporate many age -friendly
initiatives when prioritizing housing and transportation projects.
On behalf of the City, I look forward to working with AARP, and the WHO to establish
Petaluma as Age Friendly and hope to be a model for other cities in creating a community
where youth and older adults can succeed in leading healthy, active lives and ultimately,
aging with dignity.
Sincerely,
Teresa Barrett
Mayor
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ATTACHMENT 3
Resolution No. 2019 -XXX N.C.S.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA
AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORLD HEALTH
ORGANIZATION'S (WHO) GLOBAL NETWORK OF
AGE FRIENDLY CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
WHEREAS, in 2016, the County of Sonoma joined the World Health Organization's Global
Network of Age -Friendly Cities and Communities. "Age -Friendly Sonoma County" was created
to encourage and guide Sonoma County cities in becoming Age -Friendly; and
WHEREAS, the Age -Friendly City designation includes eight domains of livability as
defined by the World Health Organization, which are: outdoor spaces and buildings;
transportation; housing; social participation; respect and social inclusion; civic participation and
employment; communication and information; community support and health services; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the percentage of individuals in Petaluma
ages 65 years or older in 2018 at 16.1 %; and
WHEREAS, Age -Friendly cities and communities thrive when all ages benefit, healthy
aging is promoted, inequalities are limited, the visitability or ease of access for those with
mobility challenges are prioritized, and intergenerational -programming is encouraged; and
WHEREAS, becoming an Age -Friendly City means that elected leadership has made a
commitment to actively work toward making Petaluma a great place for people of all ages
through considerations of the above categories as applied to development and planning of the
City; and
WHEREAS, the City already offers numerous services and programs that support the
Age Friendly initiative; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Petaluma
herby authorizes the filing of an application to the AARP, for the designation of the City of
Petaluma as a World Health Organization recognized "Age -Friendly City" and acknowledges
that designation as an Age -Friendly City is a commitment to Petaluma residents that the City will
continue to work toward making Petaluma a welcome place for residents of all ages.
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