City Council Special Meeting (Closed Session) 5:00pm/ Regular Meeting at 6 pm Tuesday, April 15, 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 held on May 6, 2025.
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING - CLOSED SESSION AT 5:00 PM Council Chamber, 1st Floor
1. OPENING AND PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
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 Darling 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.
THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES OR FACILITIES
Consultation with Walnut Creek Police Department Regarding Security/Safety Training for Public Facilities. (Subdivision (a) of Government Code Section 54957)
3. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING - CLOSED SESSION at 5:30 p.m. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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.
PRESENTATION: Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) & East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Water-related updates were provided by CCWD Division 3 Director and President Ernesto Avila and EBMUD Ward 2 Director Luz Gomez.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
Public comments were received from Stacey Schweppe for Consent Calendar Item 2e.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, second by Silva,
carried unanimously
, to APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR as follows:
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling. a.
APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES of April 1, 2025.
Minutes
b.
ACCEPTED WARRANT REGISTERS dated March 28, 2025 and April 4, 2025(2); and DIRECT PAYROLL TRANSFERS dated April 4, 2025(2).
Warrant Registers
c.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-15 accepting a Grant of Easement for Emergency Vehicle Access at 2800 Mitchell Drive (Deed 25-0001) from CastleRock I, L.P., a California Limited Liability Company.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 Vicinity Map
Attachment 3 Grant of Easement
d.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-16 declaring support for the preservation of the federal tax exemption of municipal bonds.
Agenda Report
Attachment Draft Resolution
e.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-17 to declare support for the Acalanes Union High School District's Measure T parcel tax.
Public comments were received from Stacey Schweppe.
Agenda Report
Attachment Draft Resolution
f.
ACCEPTED WORK for Contract 24-01, the Overlook Storm Drain project, as complete; and AUTHORIZED THE CITY CLERK to file a Notice of Completion for the project with the County Recorder.
Agenda Report
g.
ACCEPTED THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT allocated to the Arts + Recreation Department in the amount of $71,000 and appropriate $71,000 in the Capital Fund (Fund 210) to replace the concrete patio at the Civic Park Community Center's backyard.
Agenda Report
h.
AUTHORIZED TRANSFER OF unused project funds in the amount of approximately $789,878 to the Traffic Impact Fee Fund as part of the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget.
Agenda Report
i.
ADOPTED A PROCLAMATION declaring April 2025 as Fair Housing Month.
Agenda Report
Attachment Proclamation
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
No public comments were received.
4. COUNCILMEMBER AND STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS, REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES OR REQUESTS a.
Closed Session announcement - none.
b.
City Manager reports - City Manager Dan Buckshi announced unscheduled vacancies on City commissions. Applications are due May 12. c.
City Councilmember reports on AB1234 Activities, Councilmember assignments and various activities and upcoming events or requests.
Councilmembers announced upcoming events, reported on meetings and other local events attended since the last meeting; and made comments on issues of concern.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
City Council Ex Parte Contacts Disclosure - none.
a.
PUBLIC HEARING PURSUANT TO THE TAX EQUITY AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT (TEFRA) REGARDING THE ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS BY THE CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL FINANCE AUTHORITY FOR THE BENEFIT OF RCD GP, LLC/YVR LP FOR THE 699 YGNACIO VALLEY ROAD HOUSING DEVELOPMENT Housing Analyst Jennifer Llamas introduced the item. She reported that Resources for Community Development (RCD), a California nonprofit public benefit corporation (the "Sponsor"), on behalf of YVR, L.P., a California limited partnership, or another ownership entity created by RCD GP, LLC, a California limited liability company, its general partner (the "General Partner"), or by another affiliate of the Sponsor (such limited partnership or other ownership entity, the "Borrower"), requested that the California Municipal Finance Authority (CMFA), a joint exercise of powers authority and public entity of the State of California, issue revenue bonds in an amount not-to-exceed $65 million (the "Bonds") to finance and refinance the acquisition, construction, development and equipping of a 93-unit qualified residential rental project to be owned and operated by the Borrower and located at 699 Ygnacio Valley Road. For all or a portion of the Bonds to qualify as tax-exempt bonds, a public hearing must be held providing for the members of the community an opportunity to speak in favor of or against the use of tax-exempt bonds for the financing of the Project.
Jarod Suzuki, CMFA Authority Financial Advisor, discussed the item further.
No public comments were received.
Motion by Silva, second by Francois,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-18 approving the issuance of Bonds by the CMFA in an amount not to exceed $65,000,000 for the benefit of YVR, L.P., or another ownership entity created by RCD GP, LLC, its general partner, or by another affiliate of the Sponsor, to provide for the financing of the 93-unit qualified residential rental project located at 699 Ygnacio Valley Road.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Agenda Report
Attachment Draft Resolution
The meeting was recessed briefly from 7:12 to 7:22 p.m. b.
WAIVE READING AND INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE MAKING ZONING AMENDMENTS TO UPDATE PROVISIONS FOR OFF-STREET PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT Mayor Darling reported and Addendum to the Ordinance was received, provided to the City Council and posted online as part of the meeting record.
Assistant Planner Henry Rood provided the staff presentation. He reported that the purpose of this hearing is for the City Council to review, waive reading, and introduce a proposed ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance to adjust minimum parking requirements in the Multiple-Family Residential Zone. This ordinance reflects the "Flexible Demand" policy option per Council’s direction at their April 1, 2025 City Council meeting.
No public comments were received. Written public comments were received, provided to the City Council and posted online as part of the meeting record.
Motion by Francois, second by Silva,
carried unanimously
, to WAIVE READING AND INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE making CEQA exemption findings under Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines and amending Title 10 (Planning and Zoning) of the Walnut Creek Municipal Code to lower minimum parking requirements in the Multiple-Family Residential Zone, as provided in the Addendum.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Proposed Ordinance
Attachment 2 Agenda Report April 1
Attachment 3 Correspondence
Errata Sheet
Correspondence
6. CONSIDERATION
a.
BUILDER’S REMEDY PROCESS BRIEFING
City Attorney Steve Mattas reported that tonight’s presentation is about the Builder’s Remedy law and not about a specific project in Walnut Creek.
Community Development Director Erika Vandenbrande provided the staff presentation. She reported that at the February 18, 2025 City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk requested, and the City Council concurred, a briefing to the City Council about the Builder’s Remedy. The Builder’s Remedy is a provision under the California Housing Accountability Act, and is the process in regard to an application for a "Builder’s Remedy" townhome project submitted on October 18, 2023. Community Development Director Vandenbrande reiterated that tonight’s discussion is not with respect to and does not relate to a specific project. Rather, it provides a general overview of the Builder’s Remedy process only.
Public comments were received from: Steve Elster, Friends of Walnut Creek; and Charles Kreling. Written public comments were received, provided to the City Council and posted online as part of the meeting record.
Councilmembers asked additional questions of staff and provided comments.
Motion by Silva, second by Mayor Darling,
carried unanimously
, to RECEIVE THE REPORT of the Builder's Remedy Process Briefing.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Agenda Report
Redlined Agenda Report
Correspondence
7. ADJOURNMENT OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AT 9:06 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