Public Meetings - Walnut Creek, California

The Walnut Creek City Council held its regular meeting on March 18, 2025, at City Hall, 1666 N. Main Street, Council Chamber. The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned at 9:18 p.m. All councilmembers were present: Mayor Cindy Darling, Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Wilk, Councilmembers Craig DeVinney, Matt Francois, and Cindy Silva. The agenda included a proclamation, a communications update, consent calendar items, public communications, council reports, and two significant consideration items: the Business Improvement District (BID) assessments and the Pension Trust and Reserve Use Policy. Opening and Proclamations - Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. - Proclamation declaring March 31 as International Transgender Day of Visibility. The Mayor presented the proclamation to Alex Bicaro, a proud transgender man, who accepted on behalf of the Rossmoor LGBTQ+ communityholistic wellness. City Communications Update - Liz Payne, Digital Services Manager, presented the city's digital services accomplishments, including the redesign of four city websites in 2024. Key stats: website traffic increased 26% year-over-year, total reach averages 2.7 million views annually, over 24,000 email subscribers opening over 126,000 emails annually, and Instagram/YouTube growing 17% annually. Housing division saw a 38% increase in visitors after SEO improvements. Future initiatives include enhanced mobile experience, expanded online forms, accessibility improvements, and a chatbot. Consent Calendar - Items 2a (minutes), 2b (warrant registers), 2d (freeway maintenance agreement), 2h (Commissioner term continuation), and 2i (Microsoft licenses) were approved unanimously (5-0). Resolution No. 25-06 adopted. Microsoft license agreement with Insight Public Sector SLED authorized up to $240,000 annually, $720,000 total over three years. - Item 2c (Stormwater Utility Area fee) was pulled by Councilmember DeVinney for comment. He requested a future agenda item to delve into the complex subject. Resolution No. 25-07 adopted unanimously, requesting the Contra Costa County Flood Control District maintain the SUA fee at $35 per Equivalent Runoff Unit for FY 2026. - Items 2e (fiber optic network completion) and 2f (slurry seal completion) were pulled by Councilmember Silva to thank Public Works. Approved unanimously, including acceptance of work, transfer of balances ($73,888 for fiber; $92,096 for slurry seal), and authorization to file Notices of Completion. - Item 2g (Library Commission appointment) was pulled by Mayor Darling to recognize Heather Lurvey and thank Jasun Molinelli. Approved unanimously, appointing Lurvey as primary representative through June 30, 2026, and directing recruitment for an alternate. Public Comments & Testimony - Mary Rose (Rossmoor): Raised concerns about a recorded deed changing open space boundaries in Rossmoor related to a $4 million pickleball proposal. Claimed lack of public hearing and Brown Act notice; requested public hearing. - Ellen Osmundson (Walnut Creek): Announced rebranding of a senior village project to Mount Diablo Village, a nonprofit supporting seniors to stay in their homes. Noted nationwide movement of 260+ villages. - Keith Feiring (Walnut Creek): Supported the Mount Diablo Village initiative, emphasizing desire to remain at home and community volunteer support. - Jack Dudum (property owner, 1515 North Main Street): Objected to city letter requesting $3,600/year for patio use. Stated the patio is the only access to his restaurant's front door, and he spent over $200,000 on improvements under a prior 10-year lease that expired 8 years ago. Council and Staff Announcements - Mayor Pro Tem Wilk: Reported on TransPAC meeting, Contra Costa Animal Services tour, East Bay leadership program with AG Rob Bonta, employee recognition event (Vanessa Sendehas named Employee of the Year; Building Maintenance team named Team of the Year). - Councilmember DeVinney: Reported on National League of Cities conference in Washington, D.C., highlighting housing, workforce, municipal bonds, and Medicaid concerns. Also attended a film on anti-Semitism and met with a new business (Behavioral Fitness). - Councilmember Silva: Reported on RecycleSmart legislative committee (bills AB 337 and SB 45), waste characterization study, Cal Cities webinar on wildfires, housing, and short-term rental bills. - Councilmember Francois: Reported on spring break activities. - Mayor Darling: Reported on Read Across America at a TK class and community cleanup event. Discussion Item: BID and SBID Assessments - Staff and Walnut Creek Downtown (WCD) Executive Director Kathy Hemenway presented the annual assessment reports. The BID and SBID cover nearly 700 businesses across 29 blocks. Proposed assessments include a 3% annual increase. WCD activities included summer arts program, painted pianos, holiday decorations, ice rink (1.9 million TikTok views), and expanded events. An addendum noted revisions to Measure O funds. Council approved resolutions 25-08, 25-09, 25-10, and 25-11 unanimously, setting public hearings for April 1, 2025. The city charges a 10% administrative fee, which staff explained as cost recovery. Discussion Item: Pension Trust and Reserve Use Policy - Administrative Services Director Kirsten LaCasse and NHA Advisors (Mike Meyer) presented. Key points: City has $155 million unfunded accrued liability with CalPERS (safety: $73M; miscellaneous: $82M). Projected pension costs will increase through 2033, decline after 2034. The city holds $28.7 million in a Section 115 trust, originally funded with $19.9 million. - Scenarios showed trust could stabilize payments at $12.1 million (status quo) or $13.7 million (if discount rate drops to 6.5). A moderate recession scenario showed trust could cover projected deficits through 2034. - Council discussed policy provisions emphasizing use only during deficit years to maintain existing service levels, withdrawals based on actual year-end needs, and ensuring trust lasts to at least FY 2034. Some councilmembers voiced concerns about using funds to maintain services and the need to coordinate with investment advisors. - Resolution No. 25-12 adopted unanimously, establishing the policy. Key Outcomes - Approved all consent calendar items as noted, with resolution numbers 25-06, 25-07. - Adopted resolutions 25-08 through 25-11 for BID/SBID assessments and set public hearings for April 1, 2025. - Adopted Resolution No. 25-12 establishing the Pension Trust and Reserve Use Policy. - Directed staff to bring back a future discussion on the stormwater utility area fee (item 2c). - Staff to follow up on public comment concerns regarding Rossmoor open space deed. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:18 p.m.

The Design Review Commission met on March 5, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chamber. With a quorum of four commissioners present, the meeting opened with elections for chair and vice chair, followed by a consent calendar item and a public hearing on a master sign program for 1904 Olympic Boulevard. All votes were unanimous (4-0). Consent Calendar - Meeting Minutes (July 17, 2024): Adopted unanimously by roll call vote (4-0). No discussion or removal from consent. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made on items not on the agenda. Discussion Items - Election of Chair: Commissioner Riley nominated Commissioner Newsom for Chair; seconded and passed 4-0. Philip Newsom became Chair. - Election of Vice Chair: Chair Newsom called for nominations; Commissioner Case nominated Commissioner Basting for Vice Chair; seconded and passed 4-0. Commissioner Basting became Vice Chair. - Public Hearing – 1904 Olympic Blvd. Master Sign Program (Y24-087): Staff planner Chip Griffin presented the request for a new Master Sign Program (MSP) for an existing three-story commercial office building at 1904 Olympic Boulevard. The proposal includes up to six ground-level tenant wall signs (non-illuminated, maximum letter height 16 inches, logos up to 20 inches, sign area just over 12 square feet) and three addressing number awning signs. The building recently had its address unified. The existing MSP for the adjacent building (1910 Olympic Blvd) only permits signs on awning valances. The project is exempt from CEQA under Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). No questions from commissioners; the sign subcommittee had offered flexibility which the applicant declined. Commissioner Riley moved to approve the CEQA exemption and adopt the resolution approving the MSP subject to standard conditions; seconded and passed 4-0. - Commission Considerations: Commissioners volunteered for the sign subcommittee. Commissioner Riley volunteered again (having served twice before); a second commissioner (likely Commissioner Case) also volunteered. No other considerations were discussed. - Commission Member and Staff Reports: None. Key Outcomes - Chair and Vice Chair elected: Philip Newsom as Chair, Commissioner Basting as Vice Chair. - Consent Calendar approved: Meeting minutes of July 17, 2024 adopted (4-0). - 1904 Olympic Blvd. Master Sign Program approved: Unanimous vote (4-0) to adopt the resolution including CEQA exemption, authorizing six tenant wall signs and three addressing signs as proposed. - Sign Subcommittee volunteers: Two commissioners (Riley and another) volunteered for the upcoming subcommittee assignments. - Next regular meeting: Scheduled for March 19, 2025, 6:00 PM.

The Walnut Creek City Council convened for a Special Meeting (Closed Session) at 4:00 PM and a Regular Meeting at 6:00 PM on March 4, 2025, at City Hall. All five Councilmembers (Mayor Cindy Darling, Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Wilk, Councilmembers Craig DeVinney, Matt Francois, and Cindy Silva) were present. The meeting included a proclamation for American Red Cross Month, approval of the consent calendar, detailed councilmember reports on regional issues, and a unanimous vote to accept the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report. Consent Calendar - Items 2a-2e were approved unanimously (5-0) via a motion from Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, seconded by Councilmember Francois. This included approval of meeting minutes, acceptance of warrant registers, adoption of Resolution 25-05 for a $16,481 Tobacco Grant Program award from the California Department of Justice for police enforcement, acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2025 2nd Quarter Budget Update, and awarding a $611,935 contract to Vintage Contractors, Inc. for athletic court resurfacing at Arbolado and Rudgear Parks. - Item 2f, pulled by Councilmember Silva for a brief comment, approved the final language for the 2025 and 2026 Major City Goal regarding the General Plan Update via a unanimous (5-0) motion by Silva and Darling. Public Comments & Testimony - Jan Warren (Woodlands resident) spoke during Public Communications about the deteriorated pour-in-place rubber surface at the Heather Farms all-abilities playground, describing it as having potholes. Public Works Director Rich Payne confirmed spot repairs are planned in the near term, but a full replacement is deferred until the adjacent pool facility is completed to avoid damage. Later, during the Housing Element item, Warren requested an update on the 699 Yerba Buena Road affordable housing project and suggested freezing the city’s in-lieu affordable housing fee to signal support for developers. - Charles Kreling (Planning Commissioner) urged the council to include fire insurance accessibility in its legislative agenda, arguing that new homes cannot be occupied without consistent and affordable fire insurance, directly linking the insurance crisis to housing production goals. Discussion Items - 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report: Interim Principal Planner Crystal DeCastro presented the report. The City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for 2023-2031 is 5,805 units. To date, building permits have been issued for 59 units (1.6% of goal), but approximately 1,400 units are in the pipeline (24% of goal). Of the pipeline units, 25% are affordable. Staff highlighted that 110 of 144 housing element program actions have been implemented since certification. Councilmembers questioned metrics, the role of builder’s remedy projects, and barriers including high land costs and interest rates. Housing Manager Stephanie Bryan reported an ADU survey is being developed with ABAG, and acknowledged challenges for homeowners such as PG&E coordination, strict building codes, and a daunting permitting process. City Manager Dan Buckshi noted the biggest challenge is meeting the 60% below-market-rate RHNA target (over 3,000 affordable units), calling it “a money game at the end of the day.” Staff confirmed the 699 YVR project is targeting a financial close in mid-April with construction start on May 1, and affordable housing RFP results will come to Council in May. Key Outcomes - Closed Session Actions: City Attorney Steve Mattas reported the Council (5-0) authorized filing a Petition of Review in Chuluunbat v. City of Walnut Creek. For the Equestrian Center license negotiations (390 N. San Carlos Drive), the Council provided direction to negotiators with no reportable action. - Approval of Housing Element APR: Councilmember Silva moved, seconded by Mayor Darling, to accept the 2024 Annual Progress Report and forward it to the California Department of Housing and Community Development and the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. Passed unanimously (5-0). - City Manager Report on Wildfire Preparedness: Dan Buckshi updated the Council on new CAL FIRE Local Responsibility Area fire hazard maps released on February 24. The maps will impact building codes and defensible space requirements. The maps are available for public comment on the ConFire website (cccfpd.org). - Councilmember Reports: Reports covered regional legislative priorities, MCE rate setting (no residential increases since 2023), Recycle Smart waste characterization studies, Contra Costa Transportation Authority autonomous vehicle insurance issues, the Walnut Creek Education Foundation’s funding gap ($4,529 below national average per pupil), and changes to the annual Community Service Day (two separate events planned for Sept 2025 and April 2026).

The Planning Commission met on February 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM. The primary action was the approval of the Haven Single Family Residential Development at 1948 Third Avenue, a 6-lot subdivision with one moderate-income affordable unit, density bonus, and 13 waivers. The meeting also included the adoption of previous meeting minutes and recognition of Commissioner Steve Reiser's resignation. Consent Calendar - Adoption of Meeting Minutes (January 23, 2025): Approved unanimously by roll call vote (6-0). Public Comments & Testimony - Cynthia Schneider and Jim Gerendis (741 Thomas Lane): Expressed concerns about privacy from lot 4, which abuts their property with a 3.5-foot setback. They also worried about potential damage to their redwood trees (three 75-foot trees) during construction and requested that trees on their property be protected. - Terry Edwards (neighbor since 1992): Opposed the high density, stating six lots on a half-acre is "incredible" and raised fire safety concerns due to close proximity of houses. - Steve Collins (owner of adjacent property at 1958-1962 Third Avenue, low-income tenants): Asked for an additional five feet of setback on lot 4 to ease conflicts between new and existing residents. - Jonathan Spiegel (1951 Third Avenue): Supported single-family homes but questioned equity of adding one moderate-income unit while casting three groups of working people into "perpetual shade." Echoed request for more space. - Rob Johnson (1910 Third Avenue): Questioned why homes were so large and close together, suggesting four smaller homes instead. Applicant responded that shrinking homes would make the project infeasible. Discussion Items - Staff Presentation (Gerardo Victoria, Assistant Planner): Detailed the project: demolition of existing house, 6 two-story homes (one affordable at moderate income), private street, 5-foot land dedication, removal of 19 trees (3 highly protected), 13 density bonus waivers (e.g., reduced lot sizes from 8,000 sf to 2,600 sf, reduced setbacks). CEQA exempt under Section 15332. Staff recommended approval with conditions including a 6-foot windowsill height on lot 4's left elevation. - Engineer Ryan Cook: Explained drainage: bioretention basin in northeast corner (historical low point) cannot be relocated due to sewer easement restrictions. Stormwater treatment for 10-year event; detention pipes meter flow to pre-project conditions. Grading plan maintains existing elevations to protect adjacent trees. - Applicant (CM Ozami, Haven Development): Addressed design review commission recommendations: changed wood wall to concrete, increased fence height to 7 feet, added architectural detailing, smaller windows. Planting 10 new trees (6 protected species). Defended project feasibility and density. - Commission Discussion: - Commissioner Kwok recused himself initially (lives 700 feet away) but later participated in the vote. - Commissioners acknowledged state density bonus law constraints and housing need. - Commissioner Ward: Appreciated staff/developer collaboration on drainage and design; housing reduces environmental footprint. - Commissioner Klopp: Noted grading plan preserved existing elevations to protect trees; building height under 35 feet (28.8 ft) avoids need for aerial fire apparatus access. - Commissioner Nating: Clarified building height waiver not required; height at 28 feet complies with zone (25 ft base + 4 ft for roof pitch). - Commissioner Strongman: Thanked neighbors for participation. - Recognition: Chair Strongman acknowledged Commissioner Reiser's resignation (appointed 2018) and thanked him for service. Key Outcomes - Approval (6-0): Motion to approve the draft resolution (revised) for major subdivision, density bonus, design review, tree removal, and tree drip line encroachment permits (Application Y24-051) at 1948 Third Avenue. Included condition that second-story windowsill height on left elevation of lot 4 shall be no less than 6 feet, to be shown on building permit plans. - Vote: Commissioners Kwok, Ward, Klopp, Nating, Vice Chair Anderson, and Chair Strongman voted yes. (Commissioner Reiser had resigned; no vacancy filled.) - Staff Transition: Gerardo Victoria announced his last meeting as Planning Commission Secretary; Chip Griffin will take over.