FAMILY & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: March 9, 2026
Subject: Appointments and reappointments to the Advisory Council on Aging
Submitted For: Marla Stuart, Director
Department: Employment and Human Services
Referral No: N/A
Referral Name: N/A
Presenter: Tracy Murray, Aging and Adult Services Director
Contact: Jason Chan, (925) 655-2050
Referral History:
On January 7, 2020, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2020/1 adopting policy amendments governing appointments to boards, committees, and commissions that are advisory to the Board of Supervisors. Included in this resolution was a requirement that applications for at-large/countywide seats be reviewed by a Board of Supervisors committee.
The Advisory Council on Aging (ACOA) provides a means for county-wide planning, cooperation and coordination for individuals and groups interested in improving and developing services and opportunities for the older residents of this County. The Council provides leadership and advocacy on behalf of older persons and serves as a channel of communication and information on aging.
The Advisory Council on Aging consists of 40 members serving 2-year staggered terms, each ending on September 30. The Council consists of representatives of the target population and the general public, including older low-income and military persons; at least one-half of the membership must be made up of actual consumers of services under the Area Plan. The Council includes: 19 representatives recommended from each Local Committee on Aging, 1 representative from the Nutrition Project Council, 1 Retired Senior Volunteer Program, and 19 Members at-Large.
Pursuant to the ACOA Bylaws, the ACOA may recommend for appointment up to four (4) alternate Member-at-Large (MAL) members, who shall serve and vote in place of members (City or MAL) who are absent from, or who are disqualifying themselves from participating in a meeting of the ACOA.
The Area Agency on Aging, the ACOA and the Clerk of the Board, using Contra Costa TV (CCTV), assisted with recruitment. Area Agency on Aging staff has encouraged interested individuals including minorities to apply through announcements provided at the Senior Coalition meetings and at the regular monthly meetings of the ACOA. The Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) website contains dedicated web content where interested members of the public are encouraged to apply. The website provides access to the Board of Supervisors' official application with instructions on whom to contact for ACOA related inquiries, including application procedures.
Referral Update:
Zee Handoush submitted an application for ACOA membership on September 2, 2025. The City of Pinole recommended Zee Handoush to serve as the ACOA’s City of Pinole’s representative on November 4, 2025 with a term expiring September 30, 2027.
Inderprit Sekhon submitted an application for ACOA membership on March 31, 2025. Inderprit Sekhon was appointed to fill Alternate #1 seat on the ACOA by the Board of Supervisors on July 14, 2025. The ACOA Membership Committee recommended to promote Inderprit Sekhon to fill the Member at Large #12 seat on January 21, 2026. The nomination was forwarded to the Executive Committee for approval. On February 3, 2026, the Executive Committee approved the nomination. At the general meeting of the ACOA on February 18, 2026, members of the ACOA voted unanimously to approve Inderprit Sekhon’s appointment to fill Member at Large #12 seat with a term expiring September 30, 2027.
Sean Barry submitted an application for ACOA membership on October 6, 2025. The ACOA Membership Committee interviewed Sean Barry on January 21, 2026 and recommended that he fill Alternate #1 seat. The nomination was forwarded to the Executive Committee for approval. On February 3, 2026, the Executive Committee approved the nomination. At the general meeting of the ACOA on February 18, 2026, members of the ACOA voted unanimously to approve Sean Barry’s appointment to fill Alternate #1 seat with a term expiring September 30, 2027.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
RECOMMEND to the Board of Supervisors the appointments of Zee Handoush to the City of Pinole’s local seat, Inderprit Sekhon to the Member at Large (MAL) #12 seat, and Sean Barry to the Alternate #1 seat with terms expiring September 30, 2027, on the Advisory Council on Aging.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
There is no fiscal impact for this action.