Senior commission votes 5–2 to forward 'Age‑Friendly' community study to city council with survey appendix

The Encinitas Senior Citizens Commission voted 5–2 to recommend that the City Council review the Encinitas Age‑Friendly Community Study and Strategic Opportunities report, with an addendum that includes the survey questionnaire, tabulated results and demographic breakdowns.

Supporters who addressed the commission urged adoption and said the study reflected substantial community input. Jesse Hanwit, a former senior commissioner, told the panel the study was built from a policy review and input from residents and community workshops: "It reflects what our community says it needs and values," she said, and asked the commission to honor the work of more than 1,379 residents who participated in the process.

Brad Lynn, a longtime Encinitas resident who spoke in favor, framed the plan as a tool to prioritize future spending, not a mandate to increase the city budget: the study, he said, is intended to "inform, direct, and prioritize" investments so they benefit residents of all ages.

Opponents on the commission raised concerns about the study’s methodology and representativeness. Several commissioners argued that the outreach sessions and questionnaire were self‑selecting and asked for the underlying survey instrument, the demographic breakdown of respondents and fuller documentation of the analysis before recommending the report to council. City staff and the study team responded that the project included a statistically significant survey, eight public listening sessions, and follow-up meetings, and they agreed to include the questionnaire and full survey results as an appendix for City Council review.

Chair Ling made a motion to forward the study to the City Council with the requested addendum; Commissioner Angel seconded. The motion passed, with five commissioners voting yes and two voting no. Staff said the report with the addendum will be provided to City Council (expected in August) and that the city will post the council agenda packet, including the survey appendix, prior to that meeting.

The commission’s vote does not commit the city to any specific funding or implementation steps; staff emphasized the study contains many low‑cost or no‑cost recommendations and that City Council will determine any follow-up actions. Commissioners asked staff to confirm the council meeting date and the posting timeline so the commission can review materials and provide comments in advance.

The commission also recorded two other routine actions during the meeting: approval of the May 19 minutes (six yes, zero no, one abstain) and unanimous approval of a letter of encouragement to City Council recognizing several youth award recipients.