Walnut Creek City Council Meeting - May 20, 2026 (Transcript Discrepancy: May 5)
Walnut Creek City Council Meeting - May 20, 2026 (Transcript Discrepancy: May 5)
Note: The transcript of this meeting refers to the date as "Tuesday, May 5th 2026," but the user-provided metadata specifies the meeting took place on 2026-05-20. This summary uses the provided date per instruction, while noting the discrepancy.
The meeting included proclamations, consent calendar approvals with several pulled items for discussion, public comments on short-term rental enforcement, and councilmember reports. Key actions included approval of an entertainment zone ordinance and management plan, road repair funding, and compensation increases for the city attorney and city manager.
Proclamations
- Bike to Work Week: Mayor Wilk read a proclamation declaring May 2026 as Bike Month in Walnut Creek, with Bike to Everywhere Day on May 14. Representatives from Walk Bike Walnut Creek and Bike East Bay accepted and promoted bike events.
- National Police Week: A proclamation declared May 10–16, 2026 as National Police Week and May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day. Officer Shane Blats (Walnut Creek POA president) accepted on behalf of the police department.
Consent Calendar
- Items Approved Without Discussion: Items 2A, 2B, 2E, 2I, 2J, 2K, 2L, and 2M were approved unanimously via motion by Councilmember Wilk, seconded by Councilmember Divini. A public commenter asked about remaining affordable housing funding after item 2I; staff answered that approximately $2 million would remain in the commercial linkage and housing in-lieu fee funds.
- Items Pulled for Discussion: Items 2C & 2D (entertainment zone), 2F (road repair), and 2G & 2H (compensation) were pulled and approved separately (see Discussion Items and Key Outcomes).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Short-Term Rental Complaint: Three residents (Joe Warren, Jan Warren, and Lisa Blanco, all from Walnut Creek) spoke about a property on their street that they said is repeatedly rented for short periods (under 31 days) via VRBO, violating city regulations. They reported ongoing non-compliance and insufficient enforcement despite notifications to staff since mid-2025. Neighbors expressed concerns about noise, safety near an elementary school, and lost hotel tax revenue. They asked for clear enforcement.
- Council Response: Mayor Wilk referred the matter to Community Development Director Erica Vanderbrand for follow-up. Councilmember Darling requested a future public service announcement clarifying short-term rental rules.
Discussion Items
- Entertainment Zone (Items 2C & 2D): Councilmember Silva asked clarifying questions about the second reading of the ordinance and management plan. Topics included: whether multiple zones could exist (yes), that the zone does not permit 24/7 alcohol consumption (events only), street closures during events, consistency of days (weekend vs. Friday/Saturday language), and restroom facilities. Assistant City Manager Charles Mayor explained that the ordinance sets outer limits, and the management plan can be more restrictive. Councilmember Silva proposed and staff presented three amendments to the management plan: (1) add language requiring restroom facilities per the city's special event permit, (2) clarify hours of operation (less than allowed by code), and (3) require project sponsor to ensure all participating businesses have necessary permits (ABC, business license). The motion to approve with these amendments and a typographical correction (SB 969) was made and seconded; voted unanimously. Kathy Hemenway (Walnut Creek Downtown) noted a dedicated webpage for the entertainment zone.
- Road Repair Funding (Item 2F): Councilmember Darling asked about the Ignacio Valley Road project included in the FY2026-27 SB1 funding plan. Assistant Engineer Austin responded that construction is planned for 2027 from Oak Grove Road to the city limits. Councilmember Darling made a motion to approve, seconded; voted unanimously.
- City Manager and City Attorney Compensation (Items 2G & 2H): Mayor Wilk spoke in support, praising City Manager Dan Buckshai's leadership and financial acumen. The items include a 4% salary increase effective July 1, 2026, and an additional 3% increase effective July 1, 2027, contingent on satisfactory evaluations. For the city manager, the amendment also extends the non-renewal notice period from 90 to 180 days after a new council election and increases severance from 9 to 12 months, including health benefits. Motion to approve made and seconded; voted unanimously.
Councilmember Announcements
- Councilmember Divini reported on attending the State of the Chamber, gubernatorial candidate events, Authors Gala, Challenger Baseball Jamboree, police awards ceremony, Rotary Club, Teleferic Barcelona anniversary, Cal Cities East Bay division meeting (e-bike legislation update), and Sustainable Contra Costa 5K run.
- Mayor Pro Tem Francois read to first graders at Buena Vista Elementary, attended the quarterly commission update, and participated in the Recycle Smart Board meeting (executive director evaluation, cost allocation policy updates, school recycling program, and upcoming household hazardous waste drop-off).
- Councilmember Silva added details on Recycle Smart's cost-sharing model and school food share programs, and reported on the League of California Cities' advocacy in Sacramento: supporting SB 922 (road repair cost recovery), AB 2296 (housing element timing), and increased homeless housing funding; opposing a Howard Jarvis initiative; taking no position on a ballot measure for public campaign financing. Also noted e-bike legislation discussions.
- Mayor Wilk attended MCE board training on energy economy, East Bay MUD workshop, and other local events.
Key Outcomes
- Entertainment Zone: Ordinance and management plan approved unanimously with three amendments (restroom facilities, hour clarification, permit verification).
- Road Repair: FY2026-27 SB1 funding approved; Ignacio Valley Road construction planned for 2027.
- Compensation Increases: Approved for city attorney and city manager (4% in FY2026-27, additional 3% in FY2027-28 contingent on evaluations). City manager contract extended with modified notice and severance terms.
- Short-Term Rental Enforcement: Referred to staff for follow-up; council requested a public clarification of rules.
- Consent Calendar: All non-pulled items approved unanimously.
- No Closed Session Actions: Reported.
- Recognition: City Clerk's Week noted.
Meeting Transcript
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 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. Alright, we're back. Uh we'll do a little bit of McGivoring in the background. We'll let uh we'll make sure that there's this is going to be recorded as well. So people will see this. There'll be a broadcasting component to it. Little bit different than usual, but uh uh we're on. With that, good evening. I'm Kevin Wilk, mayor of the City of Walnut Creek, and welcome to the Tuesday, May 5th 2026 concurrent regular meetings of the Walnut Creek City Council and Parking Authority. And would you all please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? Under God, indivisible liberty and justice for all. And City Clerk Susie Martinez, would you please call the role on this Cinco de Mayo? Council Member Darling. Here. Councilmember Deviney. Here. Councilmember Silva here. Mayor Pro Tem Francois. And Mayor Welk. Here. All right. Uh the first item is we have a proclamation for Bike to Work Week. And I invite the Walk Bike Walnut Creek and Bike East Bay forward to accept the proclamation. And while they're coming up, I will just quickly read a few of the proclamation information. Whereas throughout the month of May, the City of Walnut Creek will celebrate biking in the sense of freedom, joy, and well-being that it inspires. May is National Bike Month, and May 14th, 2026 is bike to wherever Day in the Bay Area. The City of Walnut Creek has a robust network of trails perfect for cycling, including the Contra Costa Canal Trail and the Iron Horse Trail. And city staff, schools, parks, and recreation departments, police departments, public health districts, hospitals, businesses, and civic groups will be joining the League of American Bicyclists in promoting bicycling during the month of May 2026. And whereas these groups are also promoting greater public awareness of bicycle operation and safety education during bike month and year round in an effort to reduce collisions, injuries, and fatalities and improve health and safety for everyone on the road. I, Kevin Wilk, Mayor of the City of Walnut Creek, on behalf of the Walnut Creek City Council, do hereby declare May 2026 as bike month in the city of Walnut Creek and encourage Walnut Creek residents and citizens to join me in this special observance. So welcome here, and if you have a few words that you'd each like to say, uh oh.
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