Walnut Creek City Council Special and Regular Meeting - March 17, 2026
Walnut Creek City Council Special and Regular Meeting - March 17, 2026
The Walnut Creek City Council held a special meeting at 5:00 PM for a closed session on existing litigation, followed by a regular meeting at 6:00 PM. The regular meeting included proclamations, a presentation of the 2025 Year in Review, approval of a consent calendar, public comments, and three major discussion items: a General Plan Update contract, Downtown Business Improvement District assessments, and the 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report. All votes were unanimous (4-0) with Councilmember Silva absent.
Proclamations and Presentation
- International Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31, 2026): Mayor Wilk read the proclamation; Alex Bacaro (Rossmoor LGBTQ+ Alliance) accepted, highlighting the importance of supportive community statements.
- Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month (March 2026): Thea Halland (CCC Meds Coalition) accepted, noting 105,007 drug overdose deaths nationally in 2023 (70% from opioids), 183 opioid-related deaths in Contra Costa County, and upcoming DEA Take Back Day on April 25, 2026.
- 2025 Year in Review (Annual Report): Digital Services Manager Liz Payne presented the comprehensive report, highlighting a 20% reduction in overall crime, 511 new businesses, Measure O investments, and the new Aquatic and Community Center at Heather Farm Park.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (4-0) without discussion or public comment. Items included:
- Approval of March 3, 2026 City Council minutes.
- Acceptance of warrant registers and direct payroll transfers.
- Adoption of Ordinance No. 2255 rezoning a two-acre parcel at 2717 N. Main Street, 1530 Second Avenue & 1510 Second Avenue for the Porsche Walnut Creek Dealership Project.
- Adoption of Resolution No. 26-09 requesting the Contra Costa County Flood Control District maintain the Stormwater Utility Area fee at $35 per Equivalent Runoff Unit for FY 2027.
- Adoption of Resolution No. 26-10 authorizing a Prohousing Incentive Program application to the state for up to $1,000,000 to support affordable housing.
- Award of Contract 20-28 (Walker Avenue Pedestrian Improvement) to FJ&I Engineering for $209,780 (total authorized $251,736 with contingency).
- Authorization of City Manager to enter into a Master Consultant Agreement with Griffin Structures for Aquatic Center Phase 2 construction management (not-to-exceed $1,416,690).
- Authorization of City Manager to enter into Utility Service Agreements for the Aquatic Center (not-to-exceed $750,000).
- Authorization of City Manager to execute a Consultant Service Agreement with Sanbell for Newell Avenue and Broadway Safe Routes to School design ($258,242).
- Acceptance of work for Hofmann Sound System Replacement and North Locust Garage Concrete Repairs, and filing of Notices of Completion.
- Acceptance of the December 2025 Investment and IRS Section 115 Pension Trust Report.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Gian Panetta (Moraga, Club Waka East Bay): Expressed support for continuing the partnership with Walnut Creek Parks and Recreation, emphasizing that social sports leagues like kickball and cornhole build community connections. He provided a newsletter highlighting 2025 activities.
- Alia Issa (Walnut Creek resident): Reported that her catalytic converter was stolen for the third time in three years and that thefts occur frequently in her neighborhood. She urged the city to prioritize prevention measures such as VIN etching programs, increased penalties for resale of stolen parts, and partnerships with local repair shops to make theft deterrence more accessible. Mayor Wilk asked staff to provide an update on state legislation regarding catalytic converter theft.
Discussion Items
1. Adoption of Resolution Authorizing Consultant Services Agreement for General Plan Update (Item 5a)
- Staff Presentation: Principal Planner Crystal DeCastro and Eric Yurkovich (Alta Planning + Design) presented. The RFP process began in November 2025, with three proposals received and interviews in February 2026. Alta Planning + Design (formerly Raimi + Associates) was selected as the most qualified. The contract is for $3,160,705, covering a four-year term with an option to extend 12 months. The project will include extensive community engagement, including joint meetings with six commissions, online tools, and pop-up events.
- Council Discussion: Questions focused on flexibility to adapt to future technologies (e.g., self-driving cars, AI), integration with existing plans, and the frequency of council/commission updates (staff noted 30+ meetings are scoped plus four additional as needed).
- Public Comment: None.
- Motion: By Mayor Pro Tem Francois, second by Darling. Carried unanimously (4-0). Resolution No. 26-11 adopted.
2. Adoption of Resolutions for Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) and South BID Assessments (Item 5b)
- Staff Presentation: Economic Development Manager Mike Nimon and Walnut Creek Downtown Executive Director Kathy Hemmenway presented. The BID and SBID assessments fund beautification, marketing, events, and advocacy. The proposed assessments increase by 3% for FY 2027. The first meeting (step one) requires adoption of the Annual Assessment Reports and setting a public hearing for April 7, 2026.
- Highlights from Kathy Hemmenway: 2025-2026 accomplishments included a new wellness event (March 1, 2026), Oktoberfest with 15,000+ attendees (20% increase), Holiday lights funded by Measure O, and a new five-year vision plan “Downtown 365.” The budget shows projected reserves of $18,489 for the BID and $18,000 for the SBID.
- Council Discussion: Questions about Broadway Plaza involvement, Measure O funding alignment, activation of North Main Street, and the evolution of the Summer Arts program into a year-round Arts Alliance.
- Public Comment: None.
- Motion: By Darling, second by DeVinney. Carried unanimously (4-0). Resolutions No. 26-12 (BID) and 26-13 (SBID) adopted, setting public hearings for April 7, 2026.
3. 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report (Item 5c)
- Staff Presentation: Housing Manager Stefanie Brynen reported that the City must submit the APR to HCD and the Governor's Office by April 1, 2026. Key metrics: 244 building permits issued (4% of RHNA goal), with pipeline units representing 23% of the goal. Nearly half of pipeline units are affordable. Of 145 housing element actions, 138 have been implemented. Highlights include a 147% increase in permits over the prior year, the ADU accelerator program (rebates fully allocated in nine months), and a $1 million Prohousing award.
- Council Discussion: Councilmembers noted the low percentage of RHNA progress but commended staff for implementing programs within the city's control. Questions about consequences for not meeting RHNA targets; staff explained that current law holds cities accountable for implementing housing element actions, not for achieving the numeric goal, though a mid-cycle review may occur in 2027.
- Public Comment: None.
- Motion: By DeVinney, second by Darling. Carried unanimously (4-0). The APR was approved and staff directed to submit to the required agencies.
Key Outcomes
- Closed Session: No reportable actions. The special meeting adjourned at 5:40 PM.
- All Consent Calendar Items: Approved unanimously (4-0).
- General Plan Update Contract: Approved (Resolution No. 26-11) – City Manager authorized to execute agreement with Alta Planning + Design for $3,160,705 over four years plus optional 12-month extension.
- Downtown BID and SBID Assessments: Approved (Resolutions No. 26-12 and 26-13) – Annual Assessment Reports for FY 2026 accepted, intent to levy assessments for FY 2027 (3% increase), and public hearings set for April 7, 2026.
- Housing Element Annual Progress Report: Approved – Staff directed to submit the 2025 APR to the California Department of Housing and Community Development and the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation.
- Councilmember Reports: City Manager acknowledged Deputy City Clerk Ellena Branson for achieving Certified Municipal Clerk designation. Councilmembers reported on committee meetings, events, and the upcoming trip to Kita City, Japan (sister city).
- Meeting Adjourned at 8:10 PM.
Meeting Transcript
All right. Uh good afternoon. I'm Kevin Wilk, mayor of the City of Walnut Creek. Welcome to the Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 special meeting of the Walnut Creek City Council. This special meeting is called for the purpose of holding a closed session related to the following conference with legal counsel existing litigation. Under California law, public comments at special meetings are limited to subjects on the agenda only. Therefore, public comments will be received at this time for the item previously mentioned. After an opportunity for public comment, the city council will reconvene for the closed session discussion. And there is no public here. So we will adjourn or we will reconvene in an hour for the open session, and right now we'll go to closed session. I'm Kevin Wilk, Mayor of the City of Walnut Creek, and welcome to the regular meeting of the Walnut Creek City Council. The City Council is conducting this meeting from the City Council Chamber. This meeting is being video streamed and can be viewed live or later on the city's website. As some attendees may be participating in their first Walnut Creek City Council meeting, I wanted to welcome everyone and talk briefly about the public comment process. For each agenda item, there will be an opportunity for public comment on the item. Thus, if you desire to speak to an item on the agenda this evening, please hold your comments until the city council considers that item. Additionally, we have a section on the agenda titled Public Communications, which is for public comments for items not on the agenda. Any comments during public communication should not relate to an item that is on the agenda this evening. Consistent with section 9.5 of the City Council Handbook, 30 minutes will be initially allocated for public 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 lectern, 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. All right, good evening. I'm Kevin Wilk, mayor of the City of Walnut Creek, and welcome to the Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 regular meeting of the Walnut Creek City Council. And please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council Member Darwin. Here. Councilmember DeVinny. Here. Mayor Protestant Francois. Here. Mayor Wilk. Here. And Councilmember Silva is absent due to a planned vacation. All right. So first we have a proclamation that is for International Transgender Day of Visibility. And I would like to invite Alex Bacaro with Rossmore LGBTQ Plus Alliance forward to accept the proclamation. And I'm first going to read it and then I'll come there, present it, have a few words too, and then we'll take a picture. All right. based transgender activist Rachel Crandall, a licensed psychotherapist and the executive director of Transgender Michigan created to acknowledge and honor the successes achieved by transgender people. Whereas organizations across the world celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility as an annual day to celebrate the accomplishment and victories of transgender and gender nonconforming people while raising awareness of the work that is still needed to address the discrimination they face and save transgender lives. International Transgender Day of Visibility is intended to recognize and celebrate the work that is being done by transgender advocacy groups as they fight for dignity and equal rights for members of the transgender community to build inclusive and healing spaces and to protect and defend those who are most vulnerable.
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