City Council Special Meeting 4pm/ Regular Meeting at 6 pm Tuesday, September 2, 2025
CITY HALL
1666 N. MAIN STREET, WALNUT CREEK
CouncilMembers:
DEVINNEY
FRANCOIS
sILVA
mAYOR pRO tEM Wilk
mayor Darling
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AT 4:00 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 DeVinney stepped out briefly during the opening.
2. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Darling reported that under California law, public comments at special meetings are limited to subjects on the agenda only; therefore, public comments would be received during the City Council consideration of the item.
3. STUDY SESSION
a.
CONSIDERATION AND DIRECTION ON DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE CURB MANAGEMENT PLAN Associate Traffic Engineer Briana Byrne provided the staff presentation. She reported that the City is drafting the Downtown Curb Management Plan (the Plan). Curbside management is an approach to reviewing the use and priority of the curb by balancing parking, loading, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, placemaking, accessibility, and safety-while considering the needs of people of all ages, physical abilities, and economic backgrounds. The Plan uses data-driven standards to optimize the curb. Updates and key findings have been presented to the public via Transportation Commission meetings. Staff presented the draft recommendations to Council, requested feedback, and reviewed next steps for the Plan.
Associate Traffic Engineer Byrne discussed the draft recommendations including, loading and curbside pickup; merchant parking (automobile); transit and pedestrian safety; traffic safety; bicycle facilities; and street parking, wayfinding and branding.
No public comments were received. Written comments were received, provided to the City Council and posted online as part of the meeting record.
The City Council provided feedback on the draft recommendations. No formal action was provided. City staff anticipates bringing back a plan for formal adoption by the Council in the fall. 3a Agenda Report
3a Attachment 1 Study Area
3a Attachment 2 Draft Recommendations
3a Public Comment
4. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING at 5:30 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: National Preparedness Month
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
Oral public comments were received from Jan Warren for Consent Calendar Item 2j. Written comments were received, provided to the City Council and posted online as part of the meeting record for Consent Calendar Item 2d.
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 dated August 5, 2025.
2a 8.5.25 Meeting Minutes
b.
ACCEPTED WARRANT REGISTERS dated August 1, 2025, August 8, 2025 (2), and August 15, 2025(2); and DIRECT PAYROLL TRANSFERS dated August 8, 2025 (2). 2b Warrant Registers
c.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION No. 25-45 designating the Assistant City Manager as the Primary Board Member and the Assistant to the City Manager as the Alternative Board Member to the Municipal Pooling Authority of Northern California and rescinding Resolution No. 24-52. 2c Agenda Report
2c Attachment 1 Draft Resolution
2c Resolution No. 24-52
d.
AWARDED CONTRACT No. 25-05, the 2025 Trail Crossing Improvements project to DC Electric, for a contract price of $147,391, with a contingency not to exceed $25,000, for an authorized total of $172,391; APPROVED APPROPRIATION in the amount of $120,000 within the Capital Investment Program Outside Funding (Fund 212) for the TDA Grant; and APPROVED TRANSFER of $120,000 from Fund 212 to CP010157 - Bike Facilities in the Capital Fund (Fund 210) for use on the 2025 Trail Crossing Improvements project. 2d Agenda Report
2d Attachment 1 Proposed Improvements
2d Attachment 2 Bid Evaluation
2d Public Comment
e.
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to execute a two-year Consultant Services Agreement with California Scenic Fabrication to provide scenic fabrication for Center REP productions for the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 seasons, in an amount not to exceed $450,000 in FY26 and $375,000 in FY27. 2e Agenda Report
2e Attachment Bid Recap Form
f.
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to enter into a two-year Memorandum of Understanding with Walnut Creek Seniors Club to utilize City facilities to provide programs and services for seniors. 2f Agenda Report
2f Attachment MOU
g.
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to execute a two-year Facility Use Agreement with Meals on Wheels Diablo Region to utilize spaces within Civic Park Community Center to provide nutritional services to seniors at the Civic Park Community Center. 2g Agenda Report
2g Attachment Facility Use Agreement
h.
ACCEPTED WORK for Contract 24-13, the Lesher Center Cooling Tower project as complete; and AUTHORIZED THE CITY CLERK to file a Notice of Completion for the project with the County Recorder. 2h Agenda Report
i.
APPOINTED Mayor Cindy Darling as the Voting Delegate; and Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Wilk as the Alternate Voting Delegate for the purpose of voting at the League of California Cities Annual Conference to be held October 8-10, 2025. 2i Agenda Report
j.
ACCEPTED the June 2025 Investment and Internal Revenue Service Section 115 Pension Trust Report. 2j Agenda Report
2j Attachment 1 Investment Detail
2j Attachment 2 Supplementary Information by Investment Type 2j Attachment 3 Walnut Creek Section 115 Pension Trust Statement 2j Attachment 4 Walnut Creek Section 115 Pension Trust Economic Overview
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Oral public comments were received from Jan Warren; Barbara Ginos; and Julia Maxwell. Written comments were received, provided to the City Council and posted online as part of the meeting record.
General Public Comment
4. COUNCILMEMBER AND STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS, REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES OR REQUESTS a.
Closed Session announcement - none.
b.
City Manager reports - City Manager Dan Buckshi addressed staff pensions and e-bikes. c.
City Councilmember reports on AB1234 Activities, Councilmember assignments and various activities and upcoming events.
Councilmembers announced upcoming events, reports on meetings; and other local events attended since the last meeting; and made comments on issues of concern.
5. CONSIDERATION
a.
AUTHORIZATION OF THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH PARTNERS IN PUBLIC INNOVATION TO PROVIDE PROCESS IMPROVEMENT AND LEAN TRAINING SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TEAM FOR A TOTAL NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $290,720 Community Development Department Administrative Analyst Kathy Arana provided the staff presentation. She reported that the City processes a wide range of development applications each year, from residential remodels to large mixed-use projects. While progress has been made to improve efficiencies in the development process through organizational restructuring and technology upgrades, applicants can still encounter a process that feels complex, with varying requirements and timelines across departments. Administrative Analyst Arana noted that to build on recent improvements and further the City’s "One Development Services" vision, staff is recommending engaging Partners in Public Innovation (PPI) to provide Lean Process training, process improvement support, and staff capacity-building.
PPI Principal and Co-founder Ryan Hunter shared additional information about the corporation’s mission, process improvement methodology utilized, etc.
No public comments were received.
Motion by Silva, second by DeVinney,
carried unanimously
, to AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER to enter into an agreement with Partners in Public Innovation to provide process improvements in Development Services in an amount not-to-exceed $290,720.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling. 5a Agenda Report
5a Attachment 1 Consultant Services Agreement
5a Attachment 2 Proposed Scope of Work
The meeting was recessed briefly from 7:15 p.m to 7:23 p.m.
6. PUBLIC HEARING
a.
CONSIDERATION OF A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION, GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT, AND WAIVER OF READING AND INTRODUCTION OF A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (P-D) ORDINANCE TO CHANGE THE EXISTING LAND USE AND ZONING DESIGNATION FOR THE PROPERTY AT 1200 ROSSMOOR PARKWAY FROM OFFICE (OF) TO GENERAL RETAIL (GR) AND TO A NEW P-D ZONE, AND TO ESTABLISH CORRESPONDING DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS Principal Planner Chip Griffin provided the staff presentation. He reported that the City Council is requested to consider adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration and related Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, approving a General Plan Amendment, and waiving reading and introducing a Planned Development Rezone Ordinance for the property located at 1200 Rossmoor Parkway, Walnut Creek (the "project"). The Planning Commission previously recommended the City Council approve the requested legislative amendments during the public hearing on August 14, 2025, and now the City Council will consider the project. Approval of the requested legislative actions herein do not grant entitlements for specific projects; subsequent developments would be separately considered by the City in light of applicable standards depending on whether the proposed amendments on this agenda are approved.
Eric Erickson, Colliers, representing the applicant, discussed the project further.
No public comments were received.
Motion by Francois, second by Silva,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-46 adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration, including adoption of relevant findings and the Mitigation, Monitoring, and Reporting Program for Application No. Y23-063, 1200 Rossmoor Parkway; ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-47 amending the General Plan for Application No. Y23-063, 1200 Rossmoor Parkway; and WAIVE READING AND INTRODUCE A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE to amend the Municipal Code by rezoning the property at 1200 Rossmoor Parkway from Planned Development (PD) District 1140 to a new PD District.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling. 6a Agenda Report
6a Attachment 1 Draft Resolution MND with Exhibit A
6a Attachment 2 Draft Resolution GPA with Exhibit A and B 6a Attachment 3 Draft PD Ordinance
6a Attachment 4 Aerial and Vicinity Map
6a Attachment 5 Applicants Project Description
6a Attachment 6 Summary of CC Text Modifications
6a Attachment 7 PD 1140
6a Attachment 8 PD 1834
6a Attachment 9 Ordinance 1669
6a Attachment 10 ISMND Comments from EBMUD
b.
CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION TO APPROVE FY 2024-2025 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ANNUAL ACTION PLAN SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT Assistant Housing Planner Allison Rustick provided the staff presentation. She reported that as specified by federal requirements, a Substantial Amendment to the 2024-2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan is necessary to formally appropriate CDBG funds to two eligible projects for economic development and public facility activities and update the Action Plan accordingly because the Action Plan outlines projects and budgets for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and implements the goals and priorities of the 2020-2025 CDBG Five-Year Consolidated Plan.
Oral public comments were received from Molly P. Clopp and Jan Warren.
Motion by Silva, second by Francois,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-48 approving the Substantial Amendment to the 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling. 6b Agenda Report
6b Attachment 1 Draft Resolution
6b Attachment 2 Substantial Amendment Redline
7. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING at 7:56 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