City Council Closed Session 5:00pm/ Concurrent Regular Meetings: City Council and Parking Authority at 6 pm Tuesday, May 5, 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 19, 2026.
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AT 5:00 PM
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; therefore, public comments would be received at this time for the item identified below. No public comments were received.
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
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Name of case: Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board - Case No. ADJ19891598 b.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2))
Significant Exposure to Litigation - One case
3. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING - CLOSED SESSION at 5:49 p.m. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CONCURRENT REGULAR MEETINGS: CITY COUNCIL AND PARKING AUTHORITY AT 6:00 PM Council Chamber, 1st Floor
1. OPENING
There was a brief recess from 6:03 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. as there were some technical issues with the broadcast.
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: Bike to Work Week
d.
PROCLAMATION: National Police Week
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Wilk reported that Consent Calendar Items 2g and 2h relate to compensation payable to the City Attorney and City Manager. If these items are approved, a rate increase of four percent effective July 1, 2026 and an additional rate increase of three percent commencing on July 1, 2027 contingent upon the City Attorney receiving a satisfactory or better evaluation in Spring 2027, would be implemented for Redwood Public Law for general legal services, labor and employment services, cost recovery and litigation services. (Item 2g). For the City Manager, Item 2h, it would amend the City Manager Employment agreement to increase Mr. Buckshi’s salary by four percent effective with the pay-period including June 30, 2026, and, to further increase Mr. Buckshi’s salary by an additional three percent effective with the pay-period including June 30, 2027 following a satisfactory or better performance evaluation by the City Council in the Spring of 2027. The amendment to Mr. Buckshi’s contract also extends the time frame to not involuntarily terminate Mr. Buckshi from 90 days to 180 days following the seating of a new Council after an election, and increases the severance payout provided for in the contract from nine months to twelve months and includes health benefits as part of the severance benefits. State law, specifically Government Code Section 54953, requires a verbal announcement of the compensation change prior to action by the City Council.
Public comments were received from Jan Warren for Consent Calendar Item 2i. Housing Analyst Jennifer Llamas answered questions for Consent Calendar Item 2i. Written public comments were received for Consent Calendar Item 2i, provided to the City Council and posted online as part of the meeting record. Councilmember Silva pulled Consent Calendar Items 2c and 2d to ask questions of staff. Mayor Wilk pulled Consent Calendar Item 2f to ask questions of staff and Consent Calendar Items 2g and 2h to provide comments.
Motion by Silva, second by Mayor Wilk,
carried unanimously
, to APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 2a, 2b, 2e and 2i-m as follows:
YEAS:
Darling, DeVinney, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Francois, Mayor Wilk. a.
APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES of April 21,2026 (see Parking Authority Minutes for action on October 7, 2025 Parking Authority Minutes).
CC Minutes 4.21.26
PA Minutes 10.7.25
REDLINE Errata 4.21.26 Minutes
b.
ACCEPTED WARRANT REGISTERS dated April 17, 2026 (2) and April 24, 2026 (2), and DIRECT PAYROLL TRANSFERS dated April 17, 2026 (2).
Warrant Registers
e.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 26-20 accepting the Walnut Creek Police Department Annual Military Equipment Report for 2025, renewing Ordinance No. 2215, and renewing the Department's Military Equipment Policy No. 708. 2e Agenda Report
Attachment 1 WCPD 2025 Annual Report
Attachment 2 Draft Resolution
Attachment 3 Ordinance 2215
Attachment 4 WCPD Policy 708
i.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 26-21 authorizing a $2,900,000 loan from affordable housing funds to Satellite Affordable Housing Associates for the redevelopment of Sierra Garden at 150-170 Sierra Drive.
Public comments were received from Jan Warren for Consent Calendar Item 2i. Housing Analyst Jennifer Llamas answered questions for Consent Calendar Item 2i. Written public comments were received for Consent Calendar Item 2i, provided to the City Council and posted online as part of the meeting record 2i Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 FY 26 Affordable Housing Development RFP
Attachment 3 CCH Proposal
Attachment 4 SAHA Proposal
Attachment 5 Comparison Chart
Attachment 6 4.16.26 Affordable Housing RFP Presentation 2i Correspondence
j.
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to enter into a Master Consultant Services Agreement with Noll & Tam Architects for architectural and engineering design support services for the New Aquatic and Community Center at Heather Farm Park Phase 2, in the amount not to exceed $1,100,000. 2j Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Master Consultant Services Agreement
Attachment 2 Task Order 1 with Exhibits A and B
k.
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER THE CITY MANAGER to enter into a five-year service agreement (FY27-FY31)with Accella for a Development Services Permitting System in an amount not to exceed $871,883. 2k Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Five Year Agreement
Attachment 2 Software as a Services Agreement
l.
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to enter into a one-year extension agreement with Versaterm not to exceed $222,025 for a Police Computer-Aided Dispatch and Records Management System. 2l Agenda Report
Attachment 1 2002 Agreement
Attachment 2 2021 Amendment 1
Attachment 3 2026 Amendment No. 2
Attachment 4 Exhibit F Application Software License Agreement Attachment 5 Exhibit G Application Software Support Agrement m.
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to enter into a three-year Enterprise Agreement with Environmental System's Research Institute, Inc. for Expanded Cloud Based GIS Software Subscription and Licenses in an amount not-to-exceed $190,500. 2m Agenda Report
Attachment 1 ESRI Renewal Quote For ARCGIS Business Analyst Subscription Attachment 2 ESRI Quote for Enterprise Agreement Subscription Councilmember Silva pulled Consent Calendar Items 2c and 2d to ask questions of staff. An Errata Sheet was provided for the Ordinance (Item 2c) correcting a typo. Assistant City Manager Charles Ching answered questions and presented additional revisions to the Management Plan (Item 2d), including:
Section II.1.g - Sanitation measures
: add at the end of g. "Project Sponsor to provide restroom facilities required under the City's Special Events Permit."; Section IV.4.b. - Hours of Operation
: add at the end of 1st paragraph: "(which is less than what is allowed under the Walnut Creek Municipal Code.)"; and Section IV.7 - Permits
: add at the end of section, "Project Sponsor is responsible for ensuring that all business establishments have all the permits and licenses necessary to participate in the event including but not limited to ABC permits and City Business Licenses." Councilmember Silva proposed one additional edit to the the Management Plan:
Section II.1.b Permissible Hours
- instead of saying weekends and weekdays, change to be day specific: say Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Thursday.
Motion by Silva, second by Darling,
carried unanimously
, to APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 2c (ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 2256 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 (introduced April 21, 2026), including the typographical correction in the Errata Sheet presented; and CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 2d (ADOPT THE MANAGEMENT PLAN for Walnut Creek Downtown to establish an Entertainment Zone in the Public Right of Way in downtown Walnut Creek pursuant to Walnut Creek Municipal Code Chapter 7-4.) with, the changes presented at the meeting and specified above.
YEAS:
Darling, DeVinney, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Francois, Mayor Wilk.
Kathy Hemmenway, Executive Director to Walnut Creek Downtown, provided comments about the Entertainment Zone. c.
ADOPTION 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 (introduced April 21, 2026).
Entertainment Zone Ordinance
2c Errata Sheet
d.
ADOPTION OF A MANAGEMENT PLAN for Walnut Creek Downtown to establish an Entertainment Zone in the Public Right of Way in downtown Walnut Creek pursuant to Walnut Creek Municipal Code Chapter 7-4. 2d Agenda Report
Attachment WCD Management Plan
f.
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION listing projects for Fiscal Year 2026-27 proposed to be funded by SB1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
Mayor Wilk pulled Consent Calendar Items 2f to ask questions of staff and highlight some of the road repair projects.
Motion by Mayor Wilk, second by Darling,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-22 listing projects for Fiscal Year 2026-27 proposed to be funded by SB1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
YEAS:
Darling, DeVinney, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Francois, Mayor Wilk. 2f Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 Paving Plan
Mayor Wilk pulled Consent Calendar Items 2g and h to provide comments.
Motion by Mayor Wilk, second by Mayor Pro Tem Francois, carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-23 approving Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement between the City and Redwood Public Law, LLP related to general legal services, litigation and labor negotiations provided by the City Attorney during Fiscal Year 2027 and Fiscal Year 2028; and to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-24 approving Amendment No. 8 to the City Manager Employment Agreement between the City and Daniel P. Buckshi.
YEAS:
Darling, DeVinney, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Francois, Mayor Wilk. g.
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION approving Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement between the City and Redwood Public Law, LLP related to general legal services, litigation and labor negotiations provided by the City Attorney during Fiscal Year 2027 and Fiscal Year 2028. 2g Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 Amendment No 2
h.
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION approving Amendment No. 8 to the City Manager Employment Agreement between the City and Daniel P. Buckshi 2h Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 Amendment No 8
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Public comments were received from Joe Warren (handout); Jan Warren; and Lisa Blanco.
Mayor Pro Tem Francois requested staff return at a future meeting with information including rules and requirements for short-term rentals. The City Council concurred.
Handout at Dais- 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 recognized Municipal Clerks Week and acknowledged the City Clerk’s Office staff. 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. PUBLIC HEARING
a.
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT 2026-27 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, FISCAL YEAR 2027 COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM FUNDING PLAN, AND AUTHORIZING ASSOCIATED CONTRACTS EXCEEDING $125,000 Housing Analyst Jennifer Llamas provided the staff presentation. She reported that as an entitlement jurisdiction under the federal Community Development Block Grant program, the City of Walnut Creek is required to submit an Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development each year, outlining the proposed use of funds. Staff requested that the City Council review and adopt a resolution approving the 2026-27 Annual Action Plan including the corresponding FY 2027 funding plan, and authorize the City Manager to enter into Community Grant Program contract amendments for agreements exceeding $125,000.
Public comments were received from Molly P. Clopp and Matt Hulse, Contra Costa Senior Legal Services. Written public comments were received, provided to the City Council and posted online as part of the meeting record.
Motion by Darling, second by Silva, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-25 approving the 2026-27 Annual Action Plan, including the FY27 funding plan, and authorizing the City Manager to execute Community Grant Program contract amendments for five agreements exceeding $125,000.
Councilmember Silva amended the motion to include directing staff to explore alternative service delivery models for outreach services. Councilmember Darling accepted the amended motion.
Motion by Darling, second by Silva,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-25 approving the 2026-27 Annual Action Plan, including the FY27 funding plan; authorizing the City Manager to execute Community Grant Program contract amendments for five agreements exceeding $125,000; and DIRECTING STAFF to explore alternative service delivery models for outreach services.
YEAS:
Darling, DeVinney, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Francois, Mayor Wilk. 5a Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 FY27 Annual Action Plan
Attachment 3 FY27 Funding Plan
Attachment 4 Core Full-Time Team Funding Scenario
Attachment 5 Agreement Amendment Template
5a Correspondence
b.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS ADOPTING A NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND APPROVING A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT TO UPDATE THE SAFETY ELEMENT TO COMPLY WITH STATE LAW Associate Planner Allison Rustick provided the staff presentation. She reported that California State law (Government Code Section 65302(g)(6)) requires jurisdictions to update the Safety Element whenever the Housing Element or Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) is revised, or at least every eight years. With updates completed in 2023 and 2024, respectively, the City must now update its Safety Element. The Safety Element Update (SEU) strengthens the City’s policies on natural hazards, climate adaptation, emergency preparedness, and public safety. Staff requested the City Council adopt a Negative Declaration and approve a General Plan Amendment to implement the SEU, through separate resolutions, consistent with the Planning Commission’s recommendation, finding both documents in substantial compliance with State law.
An Errata Sheet was provided making edits to Attachment 2, the Draft Safety Element of the City of Walnut Creek’s General Plan. The revisions consist of minor modifications and clarifications and do not alter significant policies or conclusions. The Errata Sheet was provided to the Council and posted online as part of the meeting record.
Darin Neufeld, Harris & Associates, discussed the key highlights of the Safety Element update.
No in-person public comments were received. Written public comments were received, provided to the City Council, and posted online as part of the meeting record.
Motion by Silva, second by Mayor Wilk,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-26 adopting a Negative Declaration for the General Plan Amendment to update the Safety Element; and to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-27 adopting a General Plan Amendment to implement the Safety Element Update. INCLUDING AMENDMENTS IN ERRATA YEAS:
Darling, DeVinney, Silva, Mayor Pro Tem Francois, Mayor Wilk. 5b Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Draft Resolution for Negative Declaration with Exhibit A Attachment 2 Draft Resolution General Plan Amendment with Exhibits A and B Attachment 3 Planning Commission Resolutions
Attachment 4 Summary of State Safety Element Laws
Attachment 5 Matrix of goals, policies, and actions in Safety Element Update 5b Correspondence
5b Errata
The meeting was recessed briefly from 7:56 p.m. to 8:03 p.m. c.
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION MAKING REQUIRED FINDINGS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 4217 ET SEQ. APPROVING SOLE SOURCE ENERGY SERVICES CONTRACTS AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SUCH CONTRACTS WITH ECOGREEN SOLUTIONS, INC. FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS FOR CITY OWNED FACILITIES AND AUTHORIZING ASSOCIATED PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC’S ON-BILL LOAN FINANCING Public Works Director Rich Payne provided the staff presentation. He reported that the 2026-2027 Capital Budget includes funding for LED lighting replacements at City facilities, including the Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek Library, and Clay Arts Guild. Staff recommends adopting a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Energy Services Agreements with EcoGreen Solutions, Inc. to provide turnkey services for lighting improvements and enter into financing agreements with Pacific Gas & Electric’s On Bill Financing program.
No public comments were received.
For the record, Councilmember Silva noted her recusal from voting on this item due to a potential financial conflict of interest from her husbands retirement earnings from PG&E.
Motion by DeVinney, second by Darling,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-28 making required findings pursuant to Government Code Section 4217 et. seq. approving Sole Source Energy Services Contracts and authorizing the City Manager to execute such Contracts with EcoGreen Solutions, Inc. for Energy Efficient Lighting Improvements for City-owned facilities and uthorizing associated PG&E On-Bill Loan Financing.
YEAS:
Darling, DeVinney, Mayor Pro Tem Francois, Mayor Wilk. 5c Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Public Hearing Notice
Attachment 2 Draft Resolution with Exhibits A and B
6. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CONCURENT REGULAR MEETINGS: CITY COUNCIL AND PARKING AUTHORITY at 8:23 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