Senior commission prepares for officer turnover and seeks greater outreach role with city council

Commission leadership and duties were a substantive agenda item. Staff read the commission’s duties from the Iowa City website and urged members to act as advocates to promote center programming and funding needs to city council and county partners.

Latasha Delos proposed that commissioners make twice-yearly public comments to city council — timed to months when council agendas are lighter — and suggested commissioners attend the annual county presentation to provide a human perspective on senior-center services. "You all are our mouthpieces," Delos said, encouraging commissioners to promote events and the Better Age survey.

The chair announced he does not intend to run for another term; the nominating committee (the chair and Warren) will solicit candidates and commissioners will take nominations at the next meeting. Commissioners discussed potential candidates for chair, secretary and other officer roles and the logistics of verbal nominations and ballots at the next meeting.

Staff also suggested commissioners consider subcommittees for program ideas and outreach; Delos described the option to volunteer for fundraising or outreach events such as the center’s pickleball fundraiser. No formal action was taken beyond setting the nomination timetable.