City Council Special Meeting- Closed Session 4pm/ Regular Meeting at 6 pm Tuesday, February 6, 2024
CITY HALL
1666 N. MAIN STREET, WALNUT CREEK
CouncilMembers:
FRANCOIS
SILVA
wILK
mAYOR pRO tEM Darling
mayor Haskew
Meeting minutes were approved by the City Council at the regular meeting on February 20, 2024.
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING - CLOSED SESSION AT 4:00 PM All Councilmembers were in attenance. Mayor Haskew reported that under California law, public comments at special meetings are limited to items on the agenda only. No public comments were received.
Council Chamber, 1st Floor
1. OPENING AND PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Consider and take action on any request from a Councilmember to participate in a meeting remotely due to emergency circumstances pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(f)(1). Receive notice that a Councilmember is participating in the meeting due to just cause circumstances pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(f)(1) - none.
All Councilmembers were in attendance. Mayor Haskew reported that under California law, public comments at special meetings are limited to subjects on the agenda only. No public comments were received for the closed session item identified below.
2. CLOSED SESSION
After an opportunity for public comment, the City Council reconvened in closed session pursuant to:
a.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6)
Agency Designated Representatives: Trish Raver, Kelly Guertin Employee Organizations: Department Directors (Unrepresented), Civilian Police Unit (Teamsters 856), General Management Unit, Professional Unit, General Employee Unit (WCEA) and Confidential Unit
3. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING - CLOSED SESSION at 4:41 p.m. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AT 6:00 PM
Council Chamber, 1st Floor
1. OPENING
Consider and take action on any request from a Councilmember to participate in a meeting remotely due to emergency circumstances pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(f)(1). Receive notice that a Councilmember is participating in the meeting due to just cause circumstances pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(f)(1) - none. a.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
b.
ROLL CALL - all Councilmembers were in attendance.
c.
PROCLAMATION: Black History Month and African American Mental Health Awareness Week d.
PRESENTATION: 2024 Election Preparation - Kristin B Connelly, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Wilk, second by Francois,
carried unanimously
, to APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR as follows:
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew. a.
APPROVED THE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES of January 16, 2024.
Draft Minutes 1-16-24
b.
ACCEPTED WARRANT REGISTERS dated December 15, 2023, December 21, 2023 and January 5, 2024; and DIRECT PAYROLL TRANSFERS dated December 15, 2023 and December 28, 2023.
Warrant Registers
c.
REJECTED ALL BIDS RECEIVED FOR CONTRACT 23-07, THE LOCUST STREET REHABILITATION PROJECT.
Agenda Report
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Public comments were received from: Gilda Gonzales, Planned Parenthood; Kathy Hemmenway, Walnut Creek Downtown; and David Harder (provided a handout which was also received as a written public comment in advance of the meeting). Written public comments were received, provided to the City Council and posted online as part of the meeting record.
Addendum Public Comments
4. COUNCILMEMBER AND STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS, REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES OR REQUESTS a.
Closed Session announcements - none.
b.
City Manager reports - City Manager Dan Buckshi introduced Ellena Branson, Deputy City Clerk; and provided a storm update. c.
City Councilmember reports on AB1234 Activities, Councilmember assignments and various activities and upcoming events Councilmembers announced upcoming events, reported on meetings and other local events attended since the last meeting, and made comments on issues of concern.
5. CONSIDERATION
a.
PROPOSED 2024 STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
Deputy City Manager Carla Hansen introduced the item. She reported that each year, the City Council considers and adopts a State Legislative Agenda for the upcoming year to provide guidance to the City’s legislative advocacy firm, Townsend Public Affairs, which serves as the voice for the City of Walnut Creek on all State legislation. The Legislative Committee reviewed the 2024 State Legislative Agenda, submitted edits to Staff, and has referred it to the City Council for discussion and approval. Deputy City Manager Hansen reported that a revised proposed legislative agenda had been provided and posted online as part of the meeting record.
Casey Elliott,Townsend Public Affairs, provided a legislative update.
No public comments were received.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Darling, second by Silva,
carried unanimously
, to APPROVE THE 2024 Legislative Agenda as presented as revised.
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Redline
Attachment 2 Clean Version
Addendum to Attachments 1 and 2
b.
SELECTION OF APPLICANTS TO BE INTERVIEWED FOR CONSIDERATION FOR 2024 COMMISSION City Clerk Suzie Martinez discussed the item. She reported that the City Council is considering applicants for 2024 Commission and Board appointments. There is one opening each on the Design Review and Park, Recreation and Open Space Commissions; two openings each on the Arts, Planning and Transportation Commissions; four openings on the Board of Appeals; and one opening each for a Walnut Creek representative on the Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging and the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control Board. Council was asked to select the applicants to be interviewed for these openings at this meeting. The City Council will interview candidates on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.
No public comments were received.
Motion by Silva, second by Francois,
carried unanimously
, to INTERVIEW all Design Review Commission (Riley; Basting; Burke; and Weingarten); Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging (Kalm); and Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control Board (Niedermeyer; and Howell) applicants on February 20,2024.
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
Motion by Silva, second by Mayor Haskew,
carried unanimously
, to INTERVIEW all Board of Appeal (Odom; Long; Wong; Wu; and Hansra) applicants on February 20,2024.
YEAS:
Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
Councilmember Francois recused himself from the Board of Appeals motion/vote due to a conflict of interest (candidate Harpreet Hansra is a client of Rutan & Tucker, LLP).
Motion by Silva, second by Mayor Pro Tem Darling,
carried unanimously
, to ballot for the candidates to interview for the Arts, Planning and Transportation Commission, voting for up to six applicants; and to interview for the Park, Recreation and Open Space Commission, voting for up to four applicants.
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
City Clerk Martinez distributed ballots and the Councilmembers balloted.
City Clerk Martinez report out on the ballot results.
Motion by Francois, second by Mayor Pro Tem Darling,
carried unanimously
, to interview all 7 applicants receiving three or more votes on the Transportation Commission (Brightman, Burke, DiVinney, Guerrero, James, Kreling and Patch).
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
Motion by Silva, second by Wilk,
carried unanimously
, to interview all 5 applicants receiving three or more votes on the Planning Commission (Kreling, Kwok, Miller, Moline and Clopp).
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
Motion by Wilk, second by Francois,
carried unanimously
, to interview all 5 applicants receiving three or more votes on the Park, Recreation and Open Space Commission (Collins, Corson, Kopchik, Pinkstaff and Sasser).
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
Motion by Silva, second by Mayor Pro Tem Darling,
carried unanimously
, to interview all 7 applicants receiving three or more votes on the Arts Commission (Kutsel, Magnani, Makowski, Smith, Stewart, Taylor and Tesfay).
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 List of Applicants
Attachment 2 Outreach
The meeting was recessed from 7:48 p.m. to 7:58 p.m.
6. City Council Ex Parte Contacts Disclosure
City Council Ex Parte Contacts Disclosure - Councilmember Wilk noted he had not met with anyone but had received two voicemails from the applicant. a.
PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF A PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT FOR 1530 SHUEY AVENUE (APPLICATION NO. Y23-064) Associate Planner Brittany Lenoir noted addendums had been provided to include an addendum to the agenda report regarding density calculations, responses to Council questions, and additional written public comments received since the distribution of the agenda report. Associate Planner Lenoir reported that the applicant, Carl Campos, of LCA Architects, is proposing a preliminary application for a General Plan Amendment (GPA) for 1530 Shuey Avenue. There are five properties bounded by Stow Avenue to the north, N California Boulevard to the east, Bonanza Street to the south, and Shuey Avenue to the west. The General Plan land use designation of all properties along this block, except for 1530 Shuey Avenue, are Mixed Use Downtown (MU-D). 1530 Shuey Avenue is currently designated as Multifamily Low (MFL). The applicant requests City Council consideration for a General Plan Amendment preliminary application to redesignate 1530 Shuey Avenue to MU-D, to ensure it is consistent with the adjacent parcels.
The applicant, Carl Campos, of LCA Architects, discussed the project further.
Mayor Haskew opened the item for public comment. Public comments were received from: Carlos DeRubira; Doug Offenhartz; Bill Todoroff; Susan deRubira; Jeremy Lamb; Andrew Koo; and Mike Blatz. Written public comments were received, provided to the City Council and posted online as part of the meeting record.
Motion by Francois, second by Mayor Pro Tem Darling,
carried unanimously
, to continue the item to a date uncertain, requesting the applicant to consider the primary feedback given, including the request for concept drawings and that the proposal be reconsidered in terms of either a planned development zoning or general plan designation, that allows the City to maintain flexibility and control over the project site and adjacent sites.
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Image and Map
Attachment 2 Proposal and Description
Attachment 3 WDSP Exerpts
Attachment 4 Overlay Zone
Attachment 5 Development Standards
Addendum Public Comments for Item 6a
Addendum No. 2
Addendum No. 3
7. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING at 9:25 p.m. ________________________________________
Suzie Martinez, MMC
City Clerk of the City of Walnut Creek
Approved:
_______________________________________
Loella Haskew
2023-24 Mayor of the City of Walnut Creek