City Council Special Meeting at 2 pm and Regular Meeting at 6 pm Tuesday, February 20, 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 March 5, 2024.
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING - 2:00 PM (Video recording begins here) 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.
Mayor Haskew reported that under California law, public comments at special meetings are limited to subjects on the agenda only; therefore, public comments would be received at this time relating to the commission candidates. Public comments were received from Barbara Ginos. Written public comments were received, provided to the City Council and posted online as part of the meeting record. After an opportunity for public comment, the City Council reconvened in the 3rd Floor Conference Room to conduct the commission interviews. Commission interviews were not video-recorded.
2. INTERVIEW COMMISSION CANDIDATES AND ACTION ON APPOINTMENTS The City Council interviewed the following candidates at this meeting for openings on the Arts; Design Review; Park, Recreation and Open Space (PROS); Planning; and Transportation Commissions; Board of Appeals; and for representatives on the Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging (Council on Aging) and Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control Board (M+V Board).
Arts Commission
: (Two openings) Alisa Kutsel, Peter Magnani, Jacquelyn Smith, Laura Taylor and Netsanet Tesfay (Tonya Makowski withdrew her application) Motion by Wilk, second by Francois,
carried unanimously
, to APPOINT Netsanet Tesfay (non-resident) and Peter Magnani (resident) to the Arts Commission for four-year terms, ending March 6, 2028.; and ADD Jacquelyn Smith (non-resident) and Alisa Kutsel (resident) to the Eligibility List for the Arts Commission, in the order listed.
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
Design Review Commission
: (One opening) Cricket Riley, Karen Basting, and Peter Weingarten Motion by Mayor Haskew, second by Mayor Pro Tem Darling, carried unanimously
, to APPOINT Peter Weingarten to the Design Review Commission; and ADD Cricket Riley and Karen Basting to the Eligibility List for the Design Review Commission, in that order.
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
PROS Commission
: (One opening) Cameron Collins, Craig Corson, John Kopchik, Sharon Pinkstaff and Gloriann Sasser Motion by Francois, second by Wilk,
carried unanimously
, to APPOINT Sharon Pinkstaff to the Park, Recreation and Open Space Commission for a four-year term ending March 6, 2028; and ADD Cameron Collins to the Eligibility List for the Park, Recreation and Open Space Commission .
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Darling, second by Wilk,
carried unanimously
, to ADD Gloriann Sasser to the Eligibility List for the Park, Recreation and Open Space Commission.
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
Planning Commission
: (Two openings) Charles Kreling, Steven Kwok, and Molly Pfau Clopp (Kenneth Miller withdrew his application) Motion by Francois, second by Mayor Pro Tem Darling,
carried unanimously
, to APPOINT Molly P. Clopp to the Planning Commission for a four-year term ending March 6, 2028.
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
Motion by Francois, second by Silva,
carried unanimously
, to APPOINT Steven Kwok to the Planning Commission for a four-year term ending March 6, 2028.
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
Transportation Commission
: (Two openings) Richard Brightman, Craig DiVinney, Edward Guerrero, Ashley James, Charles Kreling and Laura Patch Motion by Francois, second by Mayor Pro Tem Darling,
carried unanimously
, to APPOINT Edward Guerrero and Laura Patch to the Transportation Commission; and ADD Ashley James and Richard Brightman to the Eligibility List for the Transportation Commission, in the order listed.* YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew. *This motion was revisited. Discussion ensued regarding the Transportation Commission interviews.
Motion by Wilk, second by Francois,
carried unanimously
, to RE-OPEN the decision made in regards to the Transportation Commission appointments and APPOINT Charles Kreling and Laura Patch to the Transportation Commission for four-year terms, ending March 6, 2028; and ADD Edward Guerrero, Ashley James and Richard Brightman to the Eligibility List for the Transportation Commission, in the order listed.
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
Board of Appeals
: (Four openings) Christina Long, Christopher Wong, Gerald Wu and Harpreet Hansra (Art Odom did not appear for the interview) Councilmember Francois recused himself from the Board of Appeals interviews 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 APPOINT Harpreet Hansra to the Board of Appeals for a four-year term ending March 6, 2028.
YEAS:
Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
Motion by Silva, second by Mayor Haskew,
carried unanimously
, to APPOINT Christopher Wong to the Board of Appeals for a four-year term ending March 6, 2028.
YEAS:
Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
Motion by Silva, second by Wilk,
carried unanimously
, to RE-OPEN THE RECRUITMENT for the Board of Appeals.
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
The City Council asked that staff be clear about the requirements when advertising for the two open alternate seats.
Council on Aging
: (One opening) Denise Kalm
Motion by Silva, second by Mayor Pro Tem Darling,
carried unanimously
, to APPOINT Denise Kalm to the Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging, for a two-year term ending March 2, 2026, subject to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors approval.
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
M&V Board
: (One opening) Ethan Niedermeyer and Peggie Howell
Motion by Silva, second by Wilk,
carried unanimously
, to APPOINT Peggie Howell to the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control Board for a two-year term ending March 2, 2026; and ADD Ethan Niedermeyer to the Eligibility List for the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control Board.
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew.
Addendum
3. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING at 5:57 p.m. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AT 6:00 PM (video-recording resumes here) Council Chamber, 1st Floor
1. OPENING - The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m.
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.
PRESENTATION: Master Plan for Aging in Contra Costa County d.
PRESENTATION: Vision for the New Mitchell Canyon Education Center
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Wilk, second by Silva,
carried unanimously
, to APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR as follows:
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Darling, Mayor Haskew. a.
APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES of February 6, 2024.
Minutes
b.
ACCEPTED WARRANT REGISTERS dated January 12, 2024, January 19, 2024 and January 26, 2024; and DIRECT PAYROLL TRANSFERS dated January 12, 2024 and January 26, 2024.
Warrant Registers
c.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 24-07 authorizing staff to apply for the Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 grant funds from Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) to construct the San Miguel Drive Pedestrian Path project.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Resolution
Attachment 2 Map
d.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 24-08 approving the renewal for the Community Benefit (2-year) agreement for 1910 N. Broadway (former DMV site, proposed Cityview Mixed Use project).
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Resolution
Attachment 2 PC Resolution
Attachment 3 Renewal Request
Attachment 4 Recorded Agreement
Attachment 5 Approved Plans
e.
ACCEPTED WORK for Contract 22-19, the Civic Park Community Center Accessibility and Lobby Improvements project, as complete, and authorize returning any remaining funds to source.
Agenda Report
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Public comments were received from Scottie. Written public comments were received, provided to the City Council and posted online as part of the meeting record.
Addendum
4. COUNCILMEMBER AND STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS, REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES OR REQUESTS a.
Closed Session announcements - none.
b.
City Manager reports - none.
c.
City Councilmember reports on AB1234 Activities, Councilmember assignments and various activities and upcoming events Councilmembers announced upcoming evets, reported on meetings and other local events attended since the last meeting, and made comments on issues of concern.
5. CONSIDERATION
a.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES UPDATE
Deputy City Manager provided the staff presentation. She reported that on February 28, 2023, the City Council identified five strategic priorities for the City for the next two calendar years (2023-2024). She presented an update on work completed or in process for each priority.
Mayor Haskew opened the item for public comment, hearing no comment, she closed the public comment period. Written public comments were received, provided to the City Council and posted online as part of the meeting record.
The City Council received the 2023-2024 City Council Priorities update; no formal action was taken.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 City Council Priorities
Attachment 2 Priority Work Plan Progress
Attachment 3 Economic Development Work Plan
Addendum
The meeting was recessed from 7:29 p.m. to 7:40 p.m.
b.
NEW AQUATIC AND COMMUNITY CENTER AT HEATHER FARM PARK: SCHEMATIC DESIGN PRESENTATION PACKAGE Arts + Recreation Director Kevin Safine presented an update on the New Aquatic and Community Center at Heather Farm project, including the schematic design presentation package of the combined facility. The replacement of the existing swim center and community center at Heather Farm Park with a new combined swim center and community facility is one of the City Council's 2023-2024 priorities. He reported that staff is seeking feedback from the City Council on the Schematic Design Presentation Package.
Arts + Recreation Director noted this is the first of two meetings to present and seek feedback on the schematic design presentation package. He stated that tonight's meeting will focus on the building, site plan and outdoor gathering spaces. Two building schemes were developed to provide alternative solutions to key site and building design issues. For both schemes, the overall site plan remains the same.
Jocelyn Lawrence Barish, Noll & Tam Architects, discussed the three site options - swim center site, community center site and middle park site.
Gina Chavez, RRM Design Group, discussed the guiding principles for the site plan.
Jocelyn Lawrence Barish shared the perspectives renderings. Kevin Safine discussed next septs.
Mayor Haskew opened the item for public comment. Public comments were received from: Audrey Gee; Nick Arenson; and Matthew Tarlach, Mt. Diablo Bird Alliance.
The City Council provided feedback on the Schematic Design Presentation Package presented for the combined aquatic and community center facility at Heather Farm Park, with a particular focus on the following items:
• Which building scheme is preferred? Scheme A, scheme B, or some combination? • What features do you like at the exterior?
• Is the building entrance and approach sequence clear? • Do the patios and event garden appropriately connect the building to the park? • What features do you like at the atrium and other interior spaces? • Is the design of the Lakeside room and event garden welcoming? The feedback provided was a general preference toward Scheme A, with roof enhancements to be more artistic, expressive and symmetrical. The feedback provided will be used to guide the continuing design process and will formulate the final design of the facility. Arts and Recreation Director Safine reported that the next step is the review aquatics features of the Schematic Design Presentation Package at the March 5, 2024 City Council meeting.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Conceptual Site Plan
Attachment 2 Project Assumption and Principles
Attachment 3 Summary of Community Feedback
Attachment 4 (Including 4.1-4.8) Schematic Design Presentation Attachment 5 Public Comments
Addendum
6. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING at 9:30 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