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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Walnut Creek City Council Regular Meeting - October 6, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, October 6, 2026

BodyWalnut Creek, California

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, October 6, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:25:03

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Unassigned speaker

0:13

I'm

Speaker 1

0:13

Kevin Wilk, mayor of the City of Walnut Creek, and welcome to the regular meeting of the Walnut Creek City Council.

0:20

The City Council is conducting this meeting from the City Council Chamber.

0:24

This meeting is being video streamed and can be viewed live or later on the city's website.

0:30

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.

0:40

For each agenda item, there will be an opportunity for public comment on the item.

0:45

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.

0:53

Additionally, we have a section on the agenda titled Public Communications, which is for public comments for items not on the agenda.

1:00

Any comments during public communication should not relate to an item that is on the agenda this evening.

1:07

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.

1:16

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.

1:25

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

1:33

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

1:40

You will have two minutes to address the city council.

1:43

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54953.4, SB 707.

1:50

Members of the public may also participate remotely via Zoom.

1:54

If you are participating via Zoom and would like to make a public comment, please use the raise hand feature or press star nine if you're calling by phone during the agenda item on which you wish to comment.

2:04

Again, you will have two minutes to address the city council.

2:08

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

2:11

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.

2:23

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

2:30

All remarks should be addressed to the City Council.

2:33

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

2:44

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

2:47

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.

Speaker 2

3:05

All right, good evening, everyone.

3:06

My name is Matt Francois.

3:08

I'm the mayor pro tem of the City of Walnut Creek.

3:12

Welcome to the Tuesday, October 6th regular meeting of the Walnut Creek City Council.

3:18

Would you please all rise if you're able and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance?

Speaker 3

3:25

Pledge allegiance to

Speaker 2

3:27

reply.

3:42

Excellent.

3:43

City Clerk Susie Martinez, would you please call the roll?

Speaker 4

3:46

Councilmember Deviney.

Unassigned speaker

3:48

Here.

Speaker 4

3:48

Councilmember Silva.

3:49

Here.

3:49

Mayor Pro Tem Francois.

3:51

Here.

3:51

Mayor Wilk.

Speaker 2

3:52

Here.

Speaker 4

3:53

And Councilmember Darling is absent due to a planned vacation.

Speaker 2

3:58

Excellent.

3:59

So next on our agenda, we have a few proclamations.

4:03

And the first is for pedestrian safety awareness month.

Speaker 5

4:09

If

Speaker 2

4:10

we have a representative from walk bike walnut creek, I'd invite them

Unassigned speaker

4:15

to

Speaker 2

4:15

the lectern.

4:16

And I'll just give a little remarks of a preview of what's in the proclamation.

4:22

Essentially, we recognize October as pedestrian awareness month.

4:27

And have made efforts at the city to adopt a vision zero plan, which means we're trying to avoid any fatalities that involve pedestrians.

4:38

Encourage that behavior by building out more sidewalks and areas for people to walk safely and safe crosswalks.

4:46

But also recognizing that the benefit health benefits and the social benefits from getting out and walking and talking to your neighbors and getting out of your car and seeing a different perspective of the city.

Unassigned speaker

4:58

So I have a proclamation here.

Speaker 2

5:00

I'll come up and present it to you and then we'll get a photo after and love to hear from you and a more about your organization.

Speaker 6

5:07

Sounds good.

5:15

Thank you.

5:20

Do I get to talk now or later?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Transit██████████████████████22%

Public Engagement███████████11%

Budget Management█████████9%

Public Safety███████7%

Education███████7%

Procedural██████6%

Business Improvement District████4%

Signage████4%

Parks and Recreation███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Walnut Creek City Council Regular Meeting - October 6, 2026

The Walnut Creek City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. Mayor Kevin Wilk participated via teleconference, and Councilmember Cindy Darling was absent due to a planned vacation. The meeting, which adjourned at 9:32 p.m., featured presentations from BART and County Connection, a review of the 2026 state legislative session, and unanimous endorsements of four November ballot measures.

Consent Calendar

The majority of items were approved in a block (4-0). Note a discrepancy between the agenda/minutes and the transcript: the opening roll call stated Councilmember Darling was absent, yet the minutes for Item 2f specifically list her as voting 'Yea' on that item.
Item 2f (Heather Farm Park Synthetic Sport Field): Approved (4-0). Mayor Pro Tem Francois pulled the item to discuss public access. Arts & Recreation Director Chris Farrow detailed a pilot program offering public use during school breaks and highlighted the need to balance public access with protecting the $7 million investment in the turf.
Item 2i (2027 Meeting Schedule): Approved (4-0). Mayor Wilk successfully amended the schedule to keep the April 20, 2027 meeting date, clarifying that Passover begins the evening of the 21st.
Other approved items included the adoption of Ordinance No. 2258 (ADU/Zoning updates), authorization of temporary staffing agreements (WORKERS.COM and PeopleReady, up to $625,000 each) and a security contract (AX9 Security, $237,175), acceptance of CDBG grant funding for ADA improvements ($210,000), and a proclamation declaring October 12, 2026 as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Public Comments & Testimony

Non-Agenda Item Comments: Denise Burian (AAUW) spoke on domestic violence awareness. Jan Warren inquired about damaged bollards on Mitchell Drive. Annie Harlan (Assemblymember Farias’ office) provided a legislative update. Pamela West announced her candidacy for County Board of Education.
State Legislative Session (Item 5a): Marc Joffe (Contra Costa Taxpayers Association) criticized the extended response timelines for public records under the new AB 1821.
Ballot Measure Endorsements (Item 5b): Marc Joffe urged the Council not to endorse measures outside the city’s direct purview. Multiple students from the Acalanes Union High School District (Ingrid Yott, Henry Pickett, Ember Auker, Lorelei Fairclough, Shahin Mohebafi, Students for Measure W) spoke passionately in favor of Measure W, citing budget cuts impacting class sizes, counseling services, and libraries. The students expressed a desire for the Council’s endorsement.

Discussion Items

Presentation on the 2026 State Legislative Session (Item 5a): Assistant City Manager Joe Carozza and Casey Elliott of Townsend Public Affairs briefed the Council on significant legislation. Topics included the failure of wildfire liability reform (SB 492), new e-bike laws, housing streamlining bills (AB 1621, AB 1751, AB 2296, AB 1117), and the impact of the upcoming gubernatorial transition in 2027. No formal action was taken.
Endorsement of November 2026 Ballot Measures (Item 5b): The Council unanimously voted to adopt resolutions supporting four separate measures after discussion.
- Measure W: A parcel tax to support Acalanes Union High School District. Council stressed the link between school quality, property values, and the local economy.
- Measure T: A measure to change the City Treasurer from an elected to an appointed position. Council argued it provides better professional oversight and aligns with over 90% of California cities.
- Measure RTM: The Regional Transit Measure to fund Bay Area transit. Councilmembers cited the catastrophic alternative service plans (up to 70% cuts), the economic necessity of transit, and the efficiency measures already undertaken by BART.
- Proposition 1: The Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026. Council highlighted the critical need for state subsidies to address the housing crisis.
Shadelands Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) Annual Report (Item 5c): Chamber CEO Caity Meaney Burrows and Steering Committee Chair Blair Stientjes presented the FY 2025-2026 annual report. Key accomplishments included a flat assessment rate, a new district-wide wayfinding strategy, and maintaining the free Route 7 shuttle service. Councilmembers discussed the long-term funding for the Route 7 shuttle, vacancy rates in the district, and the implementation of wayfinding. No formal action was required.

Key Outcomes

Votes:
- Adopted Resolution No. 26-51 supporting Measure W (4-0).
- Adopted Resolution No. 26-52 supporting Measure T (4-0).
- Adopted Resolution No. 26-53 supporting Measure RTM (4-0).
- Adopted Resolution No. 26-54 supporting Proposition 1 (4-0).
City Manager Announcement: Announced that the City received the Platinum Level Beacon Spotlight Award from the Institute for Local Government for achieving a 32% reduction in community-wide greenhouse gas emissions compared to the 2005 baseline.
Upcoming Business: The Council noted that the General Plan update process has officially launched with community workshops, and recommendations from the Finance Committee regarding the FY 2026-2027 budget will be presented at the next Council meeting on October 20, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

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. Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54953.4, SB 707. Members of the public may also participate remotely via Zoom. If you are participating via Zoom and would like to make a public comment, please use the raise hand feature or press star nine if you're calling by phone during the agenda item on which you wish to comment. Again, 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, everyone. My name is Matt Francois. I'm the mayor pro tem of the City of Walnut Creek. Welcome to the Tuesday, October 6th regular meeting of the Walnut Creek City Council. Would you please all rise if you're able and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? Pledge allegiance to reply. Excellent. City Clerk Susie Martinez, would you please call the roll? Councilmember Deviney. Here. Councilmember Silva. Here. Mayor Pro Tem Francois. Here. Mayor Wilk. Here. And Councilmember Darling is absent due to a planned vacation. Excellent. So next on our agenda, we have a few proclamations. And the first is for pedestrian safety awareness month. If we have a representative from walk bike walnut creek, I'd invite them to the lectern.

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