City Council Regular Meeting at 6 pm
Tuesday, July 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 August 5, 2025.
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. Councilmember Silva attended via Zoom per traditional Brown Act teleconferencing procedures. c.
PROCLAMATION: Port Chicago Remembrance Day
d.
PRESENTATION: Contra Costa County Supervisors - Candace Andersen, District 2 & Ken Carlson, District 4 e.
PRESENTATION: Summer Arts Program - Walnut Creek Downtown
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Silva pulled Consent Calendar Items 2c-i. Mayor Pro Tem Wilk pulled Consent Calendar Item 2p. Public comment was received from Shane Blatz for Consent Calendar Items 2h-i. Revised minutes (Consent Calendar Item 2a) and a red-lined agenda report (Consent Calendar Item 2q) were provided to the City Council and posted online as part of the meeting record.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, second by Silva,
carried unanimously
, to APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 2a, 2b, 2j-o and 2q as follows (including amendments presented for Consent Calendar Items 2a and 2q):
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling. a.
APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES dated June 17, 2025, as revised.
A revised set of minutes were provided for approval.
Minutes
Addendum
b.
ACCEPTED WARRANT REGISTERS dated June 13, 2025(2), June 20, 2025(2), June 27, 2025(2), and July 3, 2025(3); and DIRECT PAYROLL TRANSFERS dated June 13, 2025(2) and June 27, 2025(2).
Warrant Registers
j.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-32 approving the Salary and Wage Plan dated and effective as of June 22, 2025 (revised) and July 20, 2025.
Agenda Report
Attachment Draft Resolution with Exhibit A & B
k.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-33 authorizing the adoption of the 2024 Contra Costa County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan: City of Walnut Creek Annex.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Resolution
Attachment 2 WC Annex
l.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-34 establishing the Debt Policy.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Resolution
Attachment 2 Proposed Debt Management Policy
m.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-35 approving the Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA) between the City and Carlos G. Garibian, for 900 Homestead Avenue, for $1.6 million; AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to execute all documents necessary to implement the PSA subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney; and AUTHORIZED THE CITY CLERK to sign the Certificate of Acceptance on behalf of the City.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Resolution
Attachment 2 Purchase and Sale Agreement
n.
AWARDED CONTRACT 24-06, the Hofmann Sound System Replacements project, to EDIM Group Inc. for a contract price of $335,733, with a contingency and reserve not to exceed $40,000, for an authorized total of $375,733; APPROVED APPROPRIATION in the amount of $40,000 in the Lesher Foundation Fund from unappropriated fund balance; and APPROVED TRANSFERS of $40,000 from the Lesher Foundation Fund to the Hofmann Sound System Replacement project and $21,000 from the General Fund to the Hoffmann Sound System Replacement project, both within the Capital Fund.
Agenda Report
Attachment Bid Recap
o.
AWARDED CONTRACT 25-04, the 2025 Unsignalized Pedestrian Crossing Improvements project (includes 11 crossings) to DC Electric for a contract price of $562,447 for the Base Bid with a contingency not to exceed $85,000; APPROVED APPROPRIATION in the amount of $60,000 the Capital Projects Outside Funding fund unappropriated fund balance and transfer it to Unsignalized Pedestrian Crossing Project in the Capital Fund; and APPROVED TRANSFER of the remaining balances from CP010029 - Pedestrian Improvements: Non Signalized Crosswalks; CP010085 - Pedestrian Improvements: Non Signalized Crosswalks; CP010159 Citywide Traffic Calming; and CP010078 - School Area Active Transportation and Traffic Calming to CP010156 - Unsignalized Pedestrian Crossing Project Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Proposed Improvements
Attachment 2 Bid Evaluation
q.
APPOINTED GLORIANN SASSER to complete the unexpired term of Brendan Moran on the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission for a pre-term effective through March 2, 2026 and a subsequent appointment to a first full term of four-years through March 5, 2030.
A revised motion was provided to clarify the term of the appointment.
Agenda Report
Attachment Eligibility List
Addendum
Councilmember Silva pulled Consent Calendar Items 2c-g to provide comments. No comments were received from members of the public.
Motion by Silva, second by Francois,
carried unanimously
, to APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 2c-g as follows:
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling. c.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-36 approving the Side Letter of Agreement between the City of Walnut Creek and the Professional Unit relating to the professional development plan.
Agenda Report
Attachment- Draft Resolution with Exhibit A
d.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-37 approving the Side Letter of Agreement between the City of Walnut Creek and the General Management Unit relating to the professional development plan.
Agenda Report
Attachment Draft Resolution with Exhibit A
e.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-38 approving the Side Letter of Agreement between the City of Walnut Creek and the Confidential Unit relating to professional development plan.
Agenda Report
Attachment Draft Resolution with Exhibit A
f.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-39 approving Side Letters of Agreement with the Walnut Creek Police Officers Association relating to items of special compensation.
Agenda Report
Attachment Draft Resolution with Exhibit A
g.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-40 approving Side Letters of Agreement with the Walnut Creek Police Management Association relating to items of special compensation.
Agenda Report
Attachment Draft Resolution with Exhibit A
Councilmember Silva pulled Consent Calendar Items 2h and 2i. Mayor Darling and Councilmember DeVinney provided comments. Public comments were received from Shane Blatz for Consent Calendar Item 2i.
Motion by Francois, second by Silva,
carried unanimously
, to APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 2h and 2i as follows:
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling. h.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-41 approving a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Walnut Creek and the Walnut Creek Police Officers Association dated July 1, 2025.
Agenda Report
Attachment Draft Resolution with Exhibit A
i.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-42 approving a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Walnut Creek and the Walnut Creek Police Management Association dated August 1, 2025.
Agenda Report
Attachment Draft Resolution with Exhibit A
Mayor Pro Tem Wilk pulled Consent Calendar Item 2p to ask questions of staff. No comments were received from members of the public.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, second by DeVinney,
carried unanimously
, to APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 2p as provided below.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling. p.
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to execute a Consultant Services Agreement with Crossing Guard Services, LLC to provide school crossing guard services for the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 school year in an amount not to exceed $527,483, with the option of two two-year extensions, for a maximum authorized total of up to $1,663,880.
Agenda Report
Attachment Consultant Services Agreement
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Public comments were received form Illana Weisman; Margo Thilander; Patricia Sharaf; Carol Weed; Valerie Ventrc Hutton; Ellen Leng; Karen Perkins; Hina Fullar; Herb Solomon, M.D.; Marcia Liberson; Laura Bernell; Philip Mertz; and Elliott Tertes. Written comments were received, provided to the City Council and posted online as part of the meeting record.
By consensus, the City Council provided direction to staff to bring the California Climate Superfund legislation (AB 1243 and SB 684) to the Legislative Committee for review.
Public Comments
Public Comments After Packet Publication
4. COUNCILMEMBER AND STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS, REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES OR REQUESTS a.
Closed Session announcement - none.
b.
City Manager reports - City Manager Dan Buckshi reported that the project to install new lights at Tice Valley Parks Sports Field was completed on July 8. 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.
The meeting was recessed from 7:55 p.m. to 8:03 p.m.
5. PUBLIC HEARING
a.
WAIVE READING AND INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF TITLE 10, CHAPTER 2 OF THE WALNUT CREEK MUNICIPAL CODE (ZONING ORDINANCE) TO COMPLY WITH STATE HOUSING LAWS, ALONG WITH MINOR CODE CLEAN UP AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT TO REMOVE POLICY 9.3 AS REQUIRED BY PROGRAM H.4.G OF THE 2023-2031 HOUSING ELEMENT Acting Principal Planner Crystal De Castro provide the staff presentation. She reported that in response to recent state legislation aimed at reducing barriers to housing production and in furtherance of goals and policies in the Walnut Creek 2023-2031 Housing Element, staff continuously review the Walnut Creek Zoning Code and General Plan to ensure consistency with state law to provide clear regulatory guidance. The proposed amendments are intended to ensure compliance, improve clarity and consistency across the City’s land use policies and regulations. An Errata sheet for the proposed ordinance was provided to the Council and posted online as part of the meeting record.
No public comments were received.
Motion by Francois, second by Mayor Darling,
carried unanimously
, to WAIVE FIRST READING AND INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE making CEQA exemption findings under Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines amending various sections of Title 10, Chapter 2 (Zoning Ordinance) to comply with state housing law, along with minor code clean up and to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-43 approving a General Plan amendment to remove Policy 9.3 as required by Program H.4.G of the 2023-2031 Walnut Creek Housing Element, including the changes to the Ordinance as provided on the Errata sheet.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Draft Resolution with Exhibit A
Attachment 2 Draft Ordinance
Attachment 3 Planning Commission Resolution
Addendum
6. CONSIDERATION
a.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING THE GUIDELINES FOR THE DOWNTOWN PERMITTED OUTDOOR DINING STRUCTURES (PODS) INCENTIVE PROGRAM Economic Development Manager Mike Nimon provided the staff presentation. He reported that on December 6, 2022, the City adopted the Outdoor Dining Program following from Rebound, a COVID-19 response that enabled restaurants and bars to serve food in Permitted Outdoor Dining Structures (PODS) located on public right of way. The Outdoor Dining Program has generated the intended enhancement in street activity. However, the PODS which were expected to activate the City-owned right-of-way have not taken off to the level experienced under Rebound. To that end, City Council directed staff to deploy $100,000 to stimulate PODS activity in downtown. The proposed PODS Incentive Program (PODS Incentive Program) Guidelines are designed to meet this Council objective.
Public comments were received from Kathy Hemmenway, Walnut Creek Downtown Association; and Rolla Ghaben.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, second by Mayor Darling,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-44 approving the Downtown Permitted Outdoor Dining Structures (PODS) Incentive Program Guidelines.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Motion by DeVinney to agendize a discussion on the current parking space rental fee. Motion failed due to lack of a second.
Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Resolution
Attachment 2 Incentive Program Guidelines
b.
CLEAN WATER PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Clean Water Project Manager Lucile Paquette provided the staff presentation. She provided an overview of the City and County Clean Water Programs including a historic background.
No public comments were received.
The City Council asked questions of staff; no formal action was taken.
Agenda Report
7. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING at 9:16 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