City Council Special Meeting (Closed Session) at 5 pm/Concurrent Meetings: City Council (Regular) and Parking Authority (Special) at 6 pm.
Tuesday, October 7, 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 October 21,2025.
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AT 5:00 PM - CLOSED SESSION 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 items.
2. CLOSED SESSION
After an opportunity for public comment, the City Council reconvened in closed session in the 2nd Floor Conference Room pursuant to:
a.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Name of case: Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board - Case No. ADJ15839586 (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
b.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Name of case: Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board - Case No. ADJ20354870 (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
There was no reportable action for Closed Session Item 2a (re: Case No. ADJ15839586). For Closed Session Item 2b (re: Case No. ADJ20354870), the City Council by a 5-0 vote authorized a final resolution on that matter.
3. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING - CLOSED SESSION at 5:35 p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CONCURRENT MEETINGS:
CITY COUNCIL (REGULAR) AND PARKING AUTHORITY (SPECIAL) 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: United Against Hate Week, October 19-25th d.
PRESENTATION: Contra Costa County Clerk Recorder Kristin B. Connelly e.
PRESENTATION: Introduction of New Youth Leadership Commissioners
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Silva pulled Consent Calendar Item 2e to provide comments. No public comments were received for items on the Consent Calendar.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, second by Francois,
carried unanimously
, to APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 2a-2d and 2f-2k as follows:
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling. a.
APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES dated September 16, 2025 (see Parking Authority minutes for action on the Parking Authority minutes of May 6, 2025).
9.16.25 City Council Minutes
5.6.25 Parking Authority Minutes
b.
ACCEPTED WARRANT REGISTERS dated September 12, 2025 (2), September 19, 2025 (2), and September 26, 2025; and DIRECT PAYROLL TRANSFERS dated September 19, 2025 (2).
Warrant Registers
c.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-50 appropriating gap funding for homeless services programs in Fiscal Year 2026; and AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to enter into three (3) Community Grant Program contracts for Trinity Center's Employment Pathways ($161,597) and Evening Program ($150,000), and Contra Costa County Health's CORE team dedicated to Walnut Creek ($283,915). 2c Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 Updated FY26 Community Grant Program Funding Plan Attachment 3 Community Grant Program Contract Template
d.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-51 authorizing staff to file an application to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for $9,200,000 in funding for the Oakland Boulevard Multimodal Improvements Project; APPROPRIATED $400,000 within Measure J 28A Fund (Fund 167); and AUTHORIZED TRANSER of funds to the Oakland Boulevard Multimodal Improvement Project within the Capital Fund. 2d Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Resolution of Local Support
Attachment 2 Project Study Report
Attachment 3 Oakland Blvd Cross Section Plans
f.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 25-52 approving the Disclosure Policies and Procedures establishing a formal framework to ensure that the City complies with all applicable federal and state securities laws when providing financial and operational information to investors, rating agencies and the public. 2f Agenda Report
Attachment Resolution Adopting Disclosure Policies and Procedures g.
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to execute five-year agreements with Lincoln Aquatics, in an amount not-to-exceed $1,031,941, and with NorthStar Chemical in an amount not to exceed $167,347, for the supply and delivery of pool chemicals and related services to the City-owned and operated aquatics facilities. 2g Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Bid Recap
Attachment 2 Lincoln Aquatics Agreement
Attachment 3 Northstar Chemical Agrement
h.
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to execute a two-year (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027) renewal agreement between the City and the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, Forensic Services Division, for the County to provide forensic services in the amount of approximately $85,000 annually. 2h Agenda Report
Attachment Forensic Services Agreement
i.
AUTHORIZED APPROPRIATION AND TRANSFER OF FUNDS in the amount of $34,054 from the Equipment Replacement - IT Fund (Fund 640) to CP009994 - Tice Sportsfield Lighting Project in the Capital Fund to reimburse communications infrastructure costs. 2i Agenda Report
j.
RECEIVED AND FILED 2023-2031 Housing Element quarterly update for the period ending September 30, 2025. 2j Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Crisis and Homeless Response Protocol
Attachment 2 Staff Report Zoning, Ordinance Amendment
Attachment 3 Reso 25-43 Zoning Amendment
Attachment 4 Program H-6J Table
k.
ADOPTED PROCLAMATION declaring October 13, 2025 as Indigenous Peoples' Day in the City of Walnut Creek. 2k Agenda Report
Attachment Indigenous Peoples’ Day
e.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to sign a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement with Contra Costa County and appropriating $1.4 million from capital projects and outside grants for the Treat Boulevard Corridor Improvements Project.
Councilmember Silva pulled Consent Calendar Item 2e to ask questions of staff. No public comments were received.
Motion by DeVinney, died due to lack of a second, to postpone the vote in order to spend more time on the issue.
Motion by Silva, second by Francois,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-53 authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to sign a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement with Contra Costa County and appropriating $1.4 million from capital projects and outside grants for the Treat Boulevard Corridor Improvements Project, to include a formal letter to the County Board of Supervisors sharing the City's concerns surrounding the project, including clarification as to the configuration and operation of the lanes from Jones Road to the freeway.
YEAS:
Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
ABSTAIN: DeVinney.
Councilmember DeVinney abstained from voting on the item, citing he is conflicted and noting that he would have preferred a more in-depth discussion. 2e Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 Treat Blvd Corridor Improvement Project - 65 Plans Attachment 3 - Intersection Safety and Operational Assessment Attachment 4 - Traffic Impact Analysis
Attachment 5 - Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement
Attachment 6 - CCTA Resolution of TFCA Award
Attachment 7 Cooperative Agreement for TFCA between CCTA and City
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Public comments were received from Renee Zeimer; Diane Honig; Julie Jones; Christian Garcia (provided a handout), Planned Parenthood; and Barbara Ginos. Written public comments were received, provided to the City Council and posted online as part of the meeting record. Mayor Darling referred the Planned Parenthood concerns raised to staff, asking that they bring back to Council a more thorough update and suggestions for helping to keep the peace in the neighborhood.
Public Comments Prior to Packet Publication
Public Comments After Packet Publication
Public Comment Handout
4. COUNCILMEMBER AND STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS, REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES OR REQUESTS a.
Closed Session announcement - City Attorney Steve Mattas reported there was no reportable action for Closed Session Item 2a (re: Case No. ADJ15839586). For Closed Session Item 2b (re: Case No. ADJ20354870), the City Council by a 5-0 vote authorized a final resolution on that matter. 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.
ACCEPTANCE OF SHADELANDS PROPERTY AND BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (PBID) ANNUAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 President & CEO of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau Bob Linscheid presented the annual report prepared by the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce and Shadelands Steering Committee. He reported that in accordance with the Shadelands Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) Management Plan, the Walnut Creek City Council oversees the District and the PBID is required to present an annual report to the City Council. Council was asked to accept the Shadelands Property and Business Improvement District Annual Report 2024-2025.
No public comments were received.
Motion by Mayor Darling, second by Silva,
carried unanimously
, to ACCEPT the Shadelands Property Business Improvement District Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling. 5a Agenda Report
Attachment Shadelands PBID Annual Report
The meeting was recessed from 8:10 p.m. to 8:24 p.m.
b.
RESOLUTIONS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WALNUT CREEK AND THE WALNUT CREEK PARKING AUTHORITY ESTABLISHING THE WALNUT CREEK JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY AND RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO REIMBURSE EXPENDITURES RELATED TO THE HEATHER FARM PROJECT FROM LEASE REVENUE BONDS PROCEEDS Chris Lynch, with Jones Hall and serving at the City’s Bond Counsel, provided the presentation. He reported that the City is considering the issuance of lease revenue bonds to finance a portion of the costs to construct the Aquatic and Community Center at Heather Farm Park (Project). California law authorizes two or more public agencies by agreement, if authorized by their legislative or other governing bodies, to establish joint powers authority to exercise powers common to such public agencies and to exercise other statutory powers. California cities commonly establish joint powers authorities to provide assistance with financing, including lease revenue financing. Additionally, federal tax law limits the use of tax-exempt bonds to reimburse expenditures prior to issuance of the bonds unless the issuer declares its intention to reimburse the expenditures.
For the record, Mayor Darling stated that she had watched the video from the meeting she was unable to attend which addressed this topic.
No public comments were received.
Motion by Silva, second by Mayor Darling,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-54 authorizing the execution of a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for the establishment of the Walnut Creek Joint Powers Financing Authority (JPFA).
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling.
Motion by Silva, second by Mayor Darling,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-55 declaring the intention to reimburse expenditures from the proceeds of lease revenue bonds to be issued by the Walnut Creek Joint Powers Financing Authority.
YEAS:
DeVinney, Francois, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Mayor Darling. (see Parking Authority minutes for action on Parking Authority Resolution No. 7-PA authorizing the execution of a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for the establishment of the Walnut Creek Joint Powers Financing Authority) 5b Agenda Report
Attachment 1 City Council Resolution Establishing JPA
Attachment 2 Parking Authority Resolutions Establishing JPA Attachment 3 JPA
Attachment 4 Reimbursement Resolution
c.
CONSIDERATION AND DIRECTION ON THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE Principal Planner Crystal De Castro provided the staff presentation. She reported that on February 11, 2025, the City Council adopted its 2025 and 2026 priorities, which included updating the City’s General Plan 2025 ("General Plan"). Principal Planner De Castro provided a high-level overview of the General Plan update process and requested Council input on the proposed framework for the anticipated Request for Proposal ("RFP"), which addresses community engagement, policy and technical analyses, development of options for a future vision, preparation of draft and final versions of the General Plan and its elements, environmental and other impact analyses, and preparation of updates to the zoning code to implement the updated General Plan. Principal Planner De Castro stated that the feedback received would be incorporated to prepare the final RFP Scope of Work.
No public comments were received.
The City Council provided feedback on the proposed Request for Proposal framework for the General Plan update. The City Council supported the topic-cased approach for the community engagement and involvement in the process; no formal action was received. 5c Agenda Report
6. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CONCURENT MEETINGS: CITY COUNCIL (REGULAR) AND PARKING AUTHORITY (SPECIAL) 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