Communications for items not on the agenda.

Additional time for public communications for items not on the agenda will be provided at the end of the open session portion of the meeting if necessary.

If you desire to provide a public comment, please complete a speaker identification card and line up behind the lectern at the appropriate time.

Wait your turn, and then when you approach the lector, please state your name and city of residence for the record.

You will have two minutes to address the city council.

Please keep in mind that this is a city business meeting.

The City Council has adopted rules of decorum to ensure that meetings are conducted efficiently and effectively, and that all members of the public have a full, fair and equal opportunity to be heard.

The City Council handbook outlines decorum expected in the council chamber and can be found on our website.

All remarks should be addressed to the City Council.

Please do not use threatening, profane, or abusive language, which disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of the council meeting.

Again, each speaker will have two minutes to make your remarks.

Written comments submitted and received up to two hours before the meeting have been posted to the city's website for public review and are included in the meeting record, but will not be separately read into the record.

Hi, good evening.

I'm Kevin Wilk, mayor of the City of Walnut Creek, and welcome to the Tuesday, February.

Well, not excuse me, the Tuesday, March 3rd, uh regular meeting of the Walnut Creek City Council.

And if uh everybody could please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Pledge of allegiance of the flag of the United States of America.

And the Republic for which it stands.

One nation under liberty and justice for all.

And City Clerk Susie Martinez, could you please call the roll?

Councilmember Darling.

I am here.

Councilmember DeVinny.

Here.

Councilmember Silva.

Here.

Mayor Pro Tem Francois.

Here.

Mayor Welk.

Here.

Good evening, everyone.

Before we move on to tonight's agenda, I'd like to address the police related death that occurred last week and ask police chief Hibbs to give an update on the incident.

Last Thursday, our city experienced a profound tragedy when a life was lost during an officer involved shooting in one of our residential neighborhoods.

Just after midnight on Thursday, police responded to a report of a person looking into homes and parked vehicles.

Officers encountered an individual holding what they reasonable reasonably believed to be a handgun and issued multiple commands to drop the weapon.

Those commands were not followed.

The weapon was later determined to be a pellet gun.

Our officers acting under their the duties entrusted to them to protect our community, shot the suspect, resulting in his death.

This was a tragedy for the family of the man, Tony Pereira, who died and for the entire community.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected, including the family and our first responders.

We'll continue to support the independent investigations by the Walnut Creek Police Department and the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office.

We ask for continued respect for the investigative process and for compassion towards one another as we mourn and reflect on their loss.

Now, Chief Hibbs.

Good evening, Mayor Wilk, members of the City Council.

Ryan Hibbs, Chief of Police.

And first, I'd like to start by extending our deepest consolent condolences to the Pereira family and their loved ones.

Events like this now affect not only those closest to the individual but also neighbors, first responders in our entire community.

This incident is now under independent and thorough review.

In accordance with department policy, the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office is conducting a parallel investigation under the law enforcement involved fatal incident protocol.

And our department is also completing a separate administrative investigation.

Both officers were wearing body worn cameras and both were activated during this incident.

We will release the video 911 calls as required by California law and investigative timelines.

Our policy and state law allow for up to 45 days, but I want to assure you and the community that we will release these items as soon as possible.

We remain committed to transparency to due process and to maintain community trust.

Any loss of life impacts public confidence, and we take that responsibility seriously.

Independent review ensures accountability and clarity, and we will continue to share information as legally permitted.

Officer wellness and community well being are also tight priorities as we move forward.

We also encourage respectful dialogue and constructive engagement as additional information becomes available.

Thank you.