City Council Regular Meeting at 6 pm
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
CITY HALL
1666 N. MAIN STREET, WALNUT CREEK
CouncilMembers:
DEVINNEY
FRANCOIS
sILVA
mAYOR pRO tEM Wilk
mayor Darling
Meeting minutes were approved by the City Council at the regular meeting on April 1, 2025.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL 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: International Transgender Day of Visibility d.
PRESENTATION: City Communications Update
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember DeVinney pulled Consent Calendar Item 2c to provide comments. Councilmember Silva pulled Consent Calendar Items 2e and 2f to provide comments. Mayor Darling pulled Consent Calendar Item 2g to recognize Heather Lurvey on her new appointment and thank Jasun Molinelli for his service. No public comments were received for Consent Calendar Items 2a, 2b, 2d, 2h and 2i.
Motion by Silva, second by DeVinney,
carried unanimously
, to APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 2a, 2b, 2d, 2h and 2i as follows:
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling. a.
APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES of March 4, 2025.
Minutes
b.
ACCEPTED WARRANT REGISTERS dated February 28, 2025 (2) and March 7, 2025 (2); and DIRECT PAYROLL TRANSFERS dated March 7, 2025 (2).
Warrant Registers
d.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-06 authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to the 1961 Freeway Maintenance Agreement with the California Department of Transportation assigning to the City maintenance responsibilities of State Highway as specified in the agreement including near Olympic Boulevard and South Main Street.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Draft Resolution with Exhibit A Amendment 1 Attachment 2 1961 Freeway Maintenance Agreement
h.
APPROVED the continuation of Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commissioner Jason Cooke's term through May 2025 while temporarily relocated.
Agenda Report
i.
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to execute an agreement with Insight Public Sector SLED for a three-year term for Microsoft licenses in an amount up to $240,000 annually, and not to exceed $720,000 over the three-year period.
Agenda Report
Attachment Preliminary Quote for Licenses
c.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION requesting the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District maintain the City’s Stormwater Utility Area (SUA) fee at $35 per Equivalent Runoff Unit (ERU) for FY 2026.
Councilmember DeVinney pulled Consent Calendar Item 2c to provide comments. He requested that the item return at a future meeting in order to delve more into the subject as quite complex. No public comments were received.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, second by Silva,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-07 requesting the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District maintain the City's Stormwater Utility Area (SUA) fee at $35 per Equivalent Runoff Unit (ERU) for FY 2026.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Agenda Report
Attachment Draft Resolution
Councilmember Silva pulled Consent Calendar Items 2e and 2f to provide comments. No public comments were received.
Motion by Silva, second by Francois,
carried unanimously
, to APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1) 2e, to ACCEPT WORK for Contract 23-14, the Downtown Fiber Optic Network Phase 2 - Civic Park Buildings project, as complete; TRANSFER remaining balance of approximately $73,888 from CP010169 - Civic Park Fiber Communications to Fund 640 Equipment Replacement - IT Fund unappropriated fund balance; and AUTHORIZE THE CITY CLERK to file a Notice of Completion for the project with the County Recorder; and 2) 2f, to ACCEPT WORK for Contract 23-12, the 2024 Slurry Seal project as complete; TRANSFER remaining budget appropriation of approximately $92,096 to the CP010133 2024 Slurry Seal project to CP010134 - 2025 Slurry Seal project within the Capital Fund (210); and AUTHORIZE THE CITY CLERK to file a Notice of Completion for the project with the County Recorder.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling. e.
ACCEPTANCE OF WORK for Contract 23-14, the Downtown Fiber Optic Network Phase 2 - Civic Park Buildings project, as complete; TRANSFER OF remaining balance of approximately $73,888 from CP010169 - Civic Park Fiber Communications to Fund 640 Equipment Replacement - IT Fund unappropriated fund balance; and AUTHORIZATION OF THE CITY CLERK to file a Notice of Completion for the project with the County Recorder.
Agenda Report
f.
ACCEPTANCE OF WORK for Contract 23-12, the 2024 Slurry Seal project as complete; TRANSFER OF remaining budget appropriation of approximately $92,096 to the CP010133 2024 Slurry Seal project to CP010134 - 2025 Slurry Seal project within the Capital Fund (210); and AUTHORIZATION OF THE CITY CLERK to file a Notice of Completion for the project with the County Recorder.
Agenda Report
Attachment Street List
g.
APPOINTMENT OF HEATHER LURVEY as the City of Walnut Creek’s primary representative to the Contra Costa County Library Commission through June 30, 2026, effective immediately; and DIRECT THE CITY CLERK to launch a recruitment for an alternate representative.
Mayor Darling pulled Consent Calendar Item 2g to recognize Heather Lurvey on her appointment and thank Jasun Molinelli for his service. No public comments were received.
Motion by Mayor Darling, second by Francois,
carried unanimously
, to APPOINT HEATHER LURVEY as the City of Walnut Creek's primary representative to the Contra Costa County Library Commission through June 30, 2026, effective immediately; and DIRECT THE CITY CLERK to launch a recruitment for an alternate representative.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Agenda Report
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Public comments were received from Mary Rose (handout provided); Ellen Osmundson (handout provided); Keith Feiring; and Jack Dudum.
Public Comment Handouts
4. COUNCILMEMBER AND STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS, REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES OR REQUESTS a.
Closed Session announcement - none.
b.
City Manager reports - none.
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.
APPROVAL OF ASSESSMENT REPORT AND ANNUAL LEVY OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THE DOWNTOWN WALNUT CREEK BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND DOWNTOWN WALNUT CREEK SOUTH BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 AND SETTING PUBLIC HEARINGS An addendum was provided with revisions to Measure O Funds and Expenditures in the Agenda Report, Attachment 5 and Attachment 6. The addendum was posted online and provided at the meeting.
City Manager Dan Buckshi introduced the item. He shared excerpts of a letter recently received by the City applauding the efforts of City leadership in keeping the City beautiful and safe.
Economic Development Manager Mike Nimon provide the staff presentation. He reported that the Business Improvement District (BID) and South Business Improvement District (SBID) both provide funding for planned activities for ongoing vibrancy and business support in the downtown area. The Districts require an annual review by City Council and a yearly consideration of the assessment.
Kathy Hemmenway, Executive Director of Walnut Creek Downtown, outlined the BID and SBID’s previous year activities and the proposed plans for the new fiscal year.
No public comments were received.
Motion by Mayor Darling, second by Mayor Pro Tem Wilk,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-08 approving the Downtown Walnut Creek Business Improvement District Annual Assessment Report for Fiscal Years 2024-2026; to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-09 approving the Downtown Walnut Creek South Business Improvement District Annual Assessment Report for Fiscal Years 2024- 2026; to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-10 a Resolution of Intention to Levy Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026 for the BID and set public hearing for April 1, 2025; and to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-11 a Resolution of Intention to Levy Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026 for the SBID and set public hearing for April 1, 2025.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Resolution to Approve BID Assessment Report Attachment 2 Resolution to Approve SBID Assessment Report Attachment 3 Resolution of Intention to Levy BID
Attachment 4 Resolution of Intention to Levy SBID
Attachment 5 BID Annual Report
Attachment 6 SBID Annual Report
Attachment 7 WCD Financials
Addendum
The meeting was recessed from 7:51 p.m. to 8:02 p.m.
b.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING PENSION TRUST AND RESERVE USE POLICY An addendum was provided with revisions to Exhibit A, the Pension Trust and Reserve Use Policy, an exhibit to the Resolution. The addendum was posted online and provided at the meeting.
Administrative Services Director Kirsten LaCasse provided the staff presentation. She stated that rising pension costs continue to place pressure on the City of Walnut Creek’s budget, with projections indicating that costs will not begin to decline until 2034. Administrative Services Director LaCasse reported that in order to mitigate impacts, the City may strategically utilize the Pension Trust (Trust) to offset rising expenses. A policy framework will help ensure the Trust is used effectively, balancing short-term budget relief with long-term financial sustainability.
Michael Meyer, Vice President of NHA Advisors LLC, discussed CalPERS costs, the Cost Management Strategy overview and the City’s Section 115 Trust.
No public comments were received.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, second by Silva,
carried unanimously
, to ACCEPT the report and ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-12 establishing the Pension Trust and Reserve Use Policy, as recommended by the Finance Committee YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Draft Resolution with Exhibit A
Attachment 2 GF Forecast Scenarios
Addendum
6. ADJOURNMENT OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AT 9:18 p.m. ________________________________________
Suzie Martinez, MMC
City Clerk of the City of Walnut Creek
Approved:
_______________________________________
Cindy Darling
2024-25 Mayor of the City of Walnut Creek