City Council Special Meeting 4pm (Closed Session)/ Regular Meeting at 6 pm Tuesday, April 21, 2026
CITY HALL
1666 N. MAIN STREET, WALNUT CREEK
CouncilMembers:
Darling
DeVinney
Silva
mAYOR pRO tEM Francois
mayor Wilk
Meeting minutes were approved by the City Council at the Regular meeting held on May 5, 2026.
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AT 4:00 PM (not on video)
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 Wilk reported that under California law public comments at special meetings are limited to subjects on the agenda only. There were no speakers 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.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title: City Manager
(Pursuant to Government Code section 54957)
b.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title: City Attorney
(Pursuant to Government Code section 54957)
Reportable action as a result of the Closed Session: Mayor Wilk reported the City Council has completed the performance evaluations for City Attorney Steve Mattas and City Manager Dan Buckshi.
3. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING - CLOSED SESSION at 5:50 p.m. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AT 6:00 PM (video recording begins here) 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.
OATH OF OFFICE: Iron Horse Corridor Management Committee - Robert Kearsley d.
PROCLAMATION: Fair Housing Month
e.
PROCLAMATION & PRESENTATION: National Library Week
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
Public comments for Consent Calendar Item 2e were received from Jan Warren. Mayor Wilk pulled Consent Calendar Item 2e to ask questions of staff.
Motion by Silva, second by DeVinney,
carried unanimously
, to APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 2a-d and 2f-g as follows:
YEAS:
Darling, DeVinney, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Francois, Mayor Wilk. a.
APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES of April 7, 2026.
4.7.26 Minutes
b.
ACCEPTED WARRANT REGISTERS dated March 27, 2026, April 3, 2026 (2), and April 10, 2026, and DIRECT PAYROLL TRANSFERS dated April 3, 2026(2).
Warrant Registers
c.
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Macias Gini & O'Connell LLP., to provide professional auditing services fiscal years ended June 30, 2026 to 2030, with an option for two additional one-year extensions through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2032, and in the contract amount limits identified in the agenda report. 2c Agenda Report
Attachment Sample Agreement
d.
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to enter into two (2) Master Consultant Services Agreements for on-call storm drain investigation and cleaning services with Pipe and Plant Solutions, Inc., and AIMS Companies for a not-to-exceed amount of $500,000 each, for a period of no more than five (5) years starting from the contract execution date. 2d Agenda Report
Attachment MSA
f.
APPROVED revised calendar year 2026 City Council meeting schedule, canceling the special meeting scheduled for April 28, 2026. 2f Agenda Report
Attachment Revised City Council Schedule
g.
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to execute an Agreement with Computacenter to purchase Cisco Network equipment in the amount of $678,222. 2g Agenda Report
Attachment Quote
e.
REJECTION OF ALL BIDS received for Contract 26-02, the Lesher Fire Alarm Replacement project.
Public comments for Consent Calendar Item 2e were received from Jan Warren. Mayor Wilk pulled Consent Calendar Item 2e to ask questions of staff.
Motion by Mayor Wilk, second by Darling,
carried unanimously
, to REJECT ALL BIDS bids received for Contract 26-02, the Lesher Center Fire Alarm Replacement project.
YEAS:
Darling, DeVinney, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Francois, Mayor Wilk. 2e Agenda Report
Attachment Bid Evaluation
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Public comments were received from: Kathy Dunne; Michael Vecchio; Ellen Osmundson, Mt. Diablo Village (provided handout); Maurice (Mo) Levich and Greg Brown, The Big Band of Rossmoor/Mt. Diablo Village; Elle, Kieran, Jacob and Rocco, students from Buena Vista Elementary School (provided handout); and Cherise Khaund, representing Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan.
Handout at Dais- General Public Comment
4. COUNCILMEMBER AND STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS, REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES OR REQUESTS a.
Closed Session announcement - Mayor Wilk reported the City Council has completed the performance evaluations for City Attorney Mattas and City Manager Buckshi. 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.
DIRECTION TO INITIATE THE ELECTIONS CODE 9212 REPORT ON THE WALNUT CREEK SENIOR HOUSING TRANSIT VILLAGE INITIATIVE RELATED TO A 2.4-ACRE SITE LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF NORTH CALIFORNIA BOULEVARD AND YGNACIO VALLEY ROAD AND ENTER INTO A COST PAYMENT/REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH FRIENDS OF WALNUT CREEK SENIOR HOUSING Assistant City Manager Charles Ching provided the staff presentation. He reported that the City Clerk’s Office received a Notice of Intent to Circulate Petition for the Walnut Creek Senior Housing Transit Village Initiative which would, among other things, amend the Walnut Creek General Plan, North Downtown Specific Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map to change existing land use regulations for a 2.4 acre parcel located at the northeast corner of North California Boulevard and Ygnacio Valley Road to replace currently approved office uses with senior housing and would increase the floor area ratio for commercial uses on the site from 0.3 to 0.6. Elections Code Section 9212 authorizes the City to prepare an informational report related to the proposed ballot measures. Friends of Walnut Creek Senior Housing has requested that the City prepare the report and has offered to reimburse the City for the costs incurred in preparing the report.
Public comments were received from Cecily Barclay, land use counsel for Friends of Walnut Creek Senior Housing; and Jan Warren.
Motion by Mayor Wilk, second by Mayor Pro Tem Francois, carried unanimously
,
to DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER to prepare the Elections Code 9212 Report on the Walnut Creek Senior Housing Transit Village Initiative and ENTER INTO A PAYMENT/REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT with Friends of Walnut Creek Senior Housing. The 9212 Report should include those items specified in Elections Code 9212 plus the following as identified by the City Council:(1) high level environmental analysis/impacts of the land use change, mainly focusing on potential traffic and view corridor impacts; (2) what additional discretionary or ministerial project approvals would be required for a project applicant to obtain for development on the 2.4-acre area with senior residential units and commercial development; (3) whether the initiative language precludes a project on the site from going through the City’s normal entitlement process; (4) whether the initiative precludes a subsequent project from using the community benefits provisions set forth in the North Downtown Specific Plan; (5) how do the proposed specific plan and zoning changes impact the City’s available sites as listed in the Housing Element and would the proposed residential units count towards the City’s current cycle RHNA requirements; (6) recognizing that any proposed senior housing residential project would be subject to the City’s inclusionary housing requirement, set forth the inclusionary requirements and analyze whether such units would be required to be constructed on site or whether a potential development could satisfy the inclusionary requirement through the payment of fees and only build market rate units on site; (7) are there CEQA exemptions that could apply to potential senior residential housing development proposed for the rezoned 2.4-acre site and if so summarize the potential exemptions; (8) what are the impacts on the Measure A height limits from potential development consistent with the proposed specific plan and zoning changes; (9) what is the potential demand for senior housing at the 2.4-acre site; (10) what is the demand for additional senior housing compatible commercial development on the 2.4-acre area identified in the initiative and the surrounding areas; and (11) does the initiative allow a project applicant to develop a 100% residential project with no commercial uses within the 2.4-acre area that is be rezoned? YEAS:
Darling, DeVinney, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Francois, Mayor Wilk. 5a Agenda Report
Attachment 1 NOI
Attachment 2 Draft Reimbursement Agreement
The meeting was recessed from 8:06 p.m. to 8:14 p.m.
6. PUBLIC HEARING
a.
WAIVER OF READING AND INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 7 OF THE WALNUT CREEK MUNICIPAL CODE ADDING CHAPTER 7-4 "ENTERTAINMENT ZONES," TO ESTABLISH AN ENTERTAINMENT ZONE IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY Economic Development Manager Mike Nimon provided the staff presentation. He reported that the California Senate Bill 969 (SB 969), signed into law in September 2024, enables cities to establish "Entertainment Zones," which allow patrons to purchase alcoholic beverages from licensed vendors and consume them in public spaces with the intent of activating these areas and supporting restaurants and bars. The proposed ordinance establishes guidelines for creating and operating Entertainment Zones as required under SB 969.
No public comments were received.
Motion by Silva, second by Mayor Wilk,
carried unanimously
, to WAIVE READING AND INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE amending Walnut Creek Municipal Code Title 7 adding Chapter 7-4 Entertainment Zones to establish an Entertainment Zone in the public right-of-way, with the following edit to Section 5 (Effective Date) of the Ordinance: Ordinance shall terminate on September 30, 2028 unless extended by the City Council.
YEAS:
Darling, DeVinney, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Francois, Mayor Wilk.
Attachment 2 Draft Management Plan
6a Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Draft Ordinance
7. CLOSED SESSION
There were no public comments received for the Closed Session items.
After an opportunity for public comment, the City Council will reconvene in closed session in the 2nd Floor Conference Room pursuant to at 8:47 p.m.:
a.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Agency Designated Representative: Steve Mattas
Unrepresented Employee: City Manager
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6)
b.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6)
Agency Designated Representative: Dan Buckshi
Unrepresented Employee: City Attorney
There was no reportable action from the Closed Session related to labor negotiations.
8. ADJOURNMENT OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL at 8:55 p.m. ________________________________________
Suzie Martinez, MMC
City Clerk of the City of Walnut Creek
Approved:
_______________________________________
Kevin Wilk
2025-26 Mayor of the City of Walnut Creek