City Council Special Meeting 3pm- Closed Session/ City Council Special Meeting 3:30pm/ Regular Meeting at 6 pm Tuesday, June 3, 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 June 17, 2025.
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING - CLOSED SESSION AT 3:00 PM 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 (Councilmember Craig DeVinney arrived at 3:03 p.m). 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.
2. CLOSED SESSION
After an opportunity for public comment, the City Council reconvened in closed session in the 3rd Floor Conference Room pursuant to:
a.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Name of case: Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board - Case No. ADJ18706728 b.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Name of case: Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board - Case No. ADJ14179699
3. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING - CLOSED SESSION at 3:15 p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AT 3:30 PM (not on video)
3rd Floor Conference Room
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 Darling reported that under California law, public comments at special meetings are limited to subjects on the agenda only. No public comments were received.
2. INTERVIEW COMMISSION CANDIDATES AND POTENTIAL ACTION ON APPOINTMENTS The City Council interviewed the following candidates at this meeting for openings on the Planning Commission; Board of Appeals; and for an alternate representative on the Library Commission.
Planning Commission (two openings): Jonathan Bartlett, Casey Case, Cherise Khaund, Katherine Ming, Brendan Moran, Rob Rees and Eric Wright Board of Appeals (two openings): Daniel Flamm and Ita Perez Library (one opening): Audrey Ko, Tiffany Martin, Diana Rich, Lynnelle Sanchez and Lorie Tinfow The City Council took the following actions at this meeting:
Motion by Mayor Darling, second by Silva,
carried unanimously
, to RE-OPEN the Board of Appeals recruitment to solicit additional qualified responses.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, second by Francois,
carried unanimously
, to APPOINT Lorie Tinfow as the City's alternate representative on the Contra Costa County Library Commission for an initial term through June 30, 2026; and to ADD Tiffany Martin to the Eligibility List in the event an unscheduled vacancy is to occur before the next recruitment cycle.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Motion by Mayor Darling, second by Mayor Pro Tem Wilk,
carried unanimously
, to APPOINT Cherise Khaund and Brendan Moran to the Planning Commission for a pre-term through March 3, 2026 and a first term through March 5, 2030; and to ADD Casey Case, Jonathan Bartlett and Rob Rees (in the order listed) to the Eligibility List in the event an unscheduled vacancy is to occur before the next recruitment cycle.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
3. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING at 5:40 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: Gun Violence Awareness Day
d.
PROCLAMATION: LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Darling pulled Consent Calendar Item 2c to note a correction to a whereas clause in the proposed resolution. Councilmember DeVinney pulled Consent Calendar Item 2d to ask questions of staff. Councilmember Silva pulled Consent Calendar Item 2g to ask questions of staff. No public comments were received.
Motion by Silva, second by Mayor Pro Tem Wilk,
carried unanimously
, to APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 2a, 2b, 2e, 2f and 2h as follows:
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling. a.
APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES dated May 20, 2025.
Minutes
b.
ACCEPTED WARRANT REGISTERS dated May 26, 2025 and May 23, 2025 ; and DIRECT PAYROLL TRANSFERS dated May 16, 2025.
Warrant Registers
e.
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to execute consultant services agreements with Folger Graphics and Stevens Printing for Arts and Recreation related printing services for an annual not-to-exceed amount of $125,000 per vendor, per fiscal year.
Agenda Report
Attachment Bid Recap Form
f.
AWARDED CONTRACT 25-01, the Lesher and Hofmann Stage Replacements project, to Rodan Builders Inc. for a contract price of $633,503, with a contingency and reserve not to exceed $60,000, for an authorized total of $693,503.
Agenda Report
Attachment Bid Recap
h.
APPROVED CALENDAR YEARS 2022-2023 Measure J Growth Management Program Checklist for fund reimbursement.
Agenda Report
Attachment Measure J Checklist
c.
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION listing projects for Fiscal Year 2025-26 proposed to be funded by SB1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
Mayor Darling pulled Consent Calendar Item 2c to note a correction to the proposed resolution to identify the correct neighborhoods - Estates of Walnut Creek, Diablo Shadow and San Marcos Neighborhoods (not Larkey Park, Buena Vista and Dorado Park Neighborhoods). No public comments were received.
Motion by Mayor Darling, second by Silva,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-20 listing projects for Fiscal Year 2025-26 proposed to be funded by SB1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, as amended.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Proposed Resolution
Attachment 2 Project Description Worksheets
d.
AUTHORIZATION OF THE CITY MANAGER to enter into Master Consultant Services Agreements with seven (7) consulting firms (CSG Consultants, West Coast Code Consultants, Inc., UpAvanti Inc., TRB and Associates, Bureau Veritas North America, Inc., Interwest Consulting Group, and 4Leaf) to provide plan check and inspection consulting services for a not-to-exceed amount of $715,000 each for a period of no more than five (5) years starting from the contract execution date.
Councilmember DeVinney pulled Consent Calendar Item 2d to ask questions of staff. No public comments were received.
Motion by Silva, second by DeVinney,
carried unanimously
, to AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER to enter into Master Consultant Services Agreements with seven (7) consulting firms (CSG Consultants, West Coast Code Consultants, Inc., UpAvanti Inc., TRB and Associates, Bureau Veritas North America, Inc., Interwest Consulting Group, and 4Leaf) to provide plan check and inspection consulting services for a not-to-exceed amount of $715,000 each for a period of no more than five (5) years starting from the contract execution date.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Proposed Amounts for Contracts
Attachment 2 Template Agreement
g.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE FISCAL YEAR 3RD Quarter Budget Update report, as recommended by the Finance Committee.
Councilmember Silva pulled Consent Calendar Item 2g to ask questions of staff. No public comments were received.
Motion by Silva, second by Mayor Darling,
carried unanimously
, to ACCEPT THE FISCAL YEAR 3RD Quarter Budget Update report, as recommended by the Finance Committee.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 FY2025 General Fund Summary
Attachment 2 Measure O Revenue Expenditure Update
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Public comments were received from Denise Kalm and Bob Linscheid, Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.
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 off concern.
The meeting was recessed from 6:55 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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 STATEWIDE COMMUNITIES DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE BENEFIT OF SEQUOIA LIVING INC. FOR THE VIAMONTE PROJECT Housing Analyst Jennifer Llamas introduced the item. She reported that Sequoia Living, Inc., a nonprofit organization, has requested that the California Statewide Communities Development Authority, a joint exercise of powers authority, issue revenue bonds in an amount not-to-exceed $165 million (Bonds) to provide for the refinancing of existing bonds as well as capital needs at senior residential and care services facilities that includes Viamonte Walnut Creek (Project), located generally at 2801 Shadelands Drive, Walnut Creek, California. 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.
Chief Business Development Officer David Latina, with Sequoia Living, provided further information.
Motion by Francois, second by Silva,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-21 approving the issuance of revenue bonds in an amount not-to-exceed $165 million by the California Statewide Communities Development Authority (CSCDA) for the benefit of Sequoia Living for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction, renovation, equipping and furnishing of certain capital projects for the Viamonte Walnut Creek project.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Agenda Report
Attachment Proposed Resolution
b.
PUBLIC HEARING PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 3502.3 ON THE CITY OF WALNUT CREEK’S JOB VACANCIES, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 Human Resources Director Trish Raver provided the staff presentation. She reported that the City Council is conducting a public hearing to consider the status of the City of Walnut Creek’s job vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts for fiscal year 2025 in accordance with Government Code 3502.3 (Assembly Bill 2561) prior to the adoption of the final budget. The recognized employee organization for a bargaining unit were entitled to make a presentation in accordance with the law.
Public comments were received from: Shane Blatz, Walnut Creek Police Officers Association; and Zachary Riquelme, Civilian Police Unit.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, second by Mayor Darling,
carried unanimously
, to RECEIVE AND FILE the presentation on the City of Walnut Creek’s job vacancies, recruitment and retention efforts for Fiscal Year 2025, pursuant to Government Code Section 3502.3.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Agenda Report
Presentation from WC POA
Presentation from Dispatchers
6. CONSIDERATION
a.
ADOPT RESOLUTIONS APPROVING THE ASSESSMENT REPORT AND INTENTION TO LEVY ASSESSMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR JUNE 17, 2025 Economic Development Manager Mike Nimon introduced the item. He reported that the City established the Walnut Creek Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) in December 2010. The purpose of the TBID is to promote tourism within the City by funding activities through a levy of assessments upon the hotels that will benefit from those activities. In accordance with California Streets and Highways Code Section 36540, the TBID Advisory Board has prepared an Annual Assessment Report for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 which includes previous year activities and the proposed plan for the new fiscal year.
Nicole Hankton, Executive Vice President of Walnut Creek Visitors Bureau, provided the 2024-2025 TIBID Renewal Report.
No public comments were received.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, second by DeVinney,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-22 approving the Walnut Creek Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) Annual Assessment Report for Fiscal Year 2024- 2025; and to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-23 adopting the Resolution of Intention to Levy Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026 for the TBID and set a public hearing for June 17, 2025.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Draft Resolution TBID Assessment Report Renewal with Exhibit A Attachment 2 Draft Resolution TBID Intention to Levy with Exhibit A The meeting was recessed from 8:15 p.m. to 8:23 p.m.
b.
FISCAL YEAR 2026 AND FISCAL YEAR 2027 PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET AND MASTER FEE SCHEDULE Budget Manager Ryndie Azevedo provided the staff presentation. She reported that every two years, the City Council adopts a budget that provides the spending plan to govern city operations. The FY26 & FY27 proposed budget includes necessary reductions, as well as key funding requests for consideration in the General Fund. The City Council reviewed the proposed budget and budget balancing actions on May 6, 2025. Council did not request any changes at that time. Staff returned to Finance Committee for a second review of the operating budget and for their feedback on proposed changes to the City’s Master Fee Schedule, which details fees and charges. Budget Manager Azevedo noted that this City Council review of the proposed FY26 & FY27 Operating Budget includes proposed operating budgets for the City’s general funds, enterprise funds, and Master Fee Schedule.
Public comments were received from Jan Warren.
The City Council provided feedback on the proposed FY26 and FY27 General Fund Operating Budget and proposed changes to the Master Fee Schedule.
Motion by Mayor Darling, second by Francois, to REQUEST the following be added to the proposed budget: an allocation of approximately $100,000 for an outdoor dining incentive or rebate program potentially from the Downtown Parking and Enhancement Fund, and hold off on deciding what to do with the Measure O unallocated end of year fund balance, as recommended by the Finance Committee, until it is known how much the new aquatic and community center at Heather Farm Park Project is going to cost.
Councilmember Francois provided an amendment to the motion to provide for a cap on the monies provided per applicant. Mayor Darling was in agreement with the amendment.
Motion by Mayor Darling, second by Francois,
carried unanimously
, to REQUEST the following be added to the proposed budget: an allocation of approximately $100,000 for an outdoor dining incentive or rebate program (potentially from the Downtown Parking and Enhancement Fund), with a cap on the monies being provided per applicant, and hold off on deciding what to do with the Measure O Year End Fund Balance, as recommended by the Finance Committee, until it is known how much the new aquatic and community center at Heather Farm Park Project is going to cost.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Motion by DeVinney to direct staff to revisit the $48 per square foot and to provide a better understand regarding the assumptions this number was based upon. The motion failed due to lack of a second.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 General Fund Summary
Attachment 2 Proposed Budget Balancing Actions
Attachment 3 General Fund Revenues Expenditures
Attachment 4 Measure O Summary
Attachment 5 Other Funds Summary
Attachment 6 Authorized Position Summary
Attachment 7 Master Fee Schedule
Attachment 8 General Fund and Measure O Reserves
7. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING at 9:24 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