City Council Special Meeting Study Session 4pm/ Regular Meeting at 6 pm Tuesday, July 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 August 18, 2026.
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AT 4:00 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 during the item identified below.
2. STUDY SESSION
a.
2050 GENERAL PLAN UPDATE CITY COUNCIL KICK OFF
Principal Planner Crystal De Castro provided the staff presentation. She reported that the purpose of this Study Session is to introduce the General Plan Update (GPU) process to the City Council and initiate discussion on key issues, opportunities, and community priorities that will shape the update. Principal Planner De Castro stated that the City Council is requested to share perspectives on Walnut Creek’s current issues and future priorities to help inform the GPU. The Study Session is intended to support early coordination and information sharing between the Council and project team.
Eric Yurkovich, Principal at Alta Planning + Design, provided an overview of the General Plan Update; engagement strategy and what has been heard to date; and discussed key issues and outcomes for the General Plan Update.
Council shared perspectives on the following discussion questions:
What is one word that should describe Walnut Creek today and one word that should describe Walnut Creek in 2050? What are the most pressing issues facing Walnut Creek today and in the future? How can Walnut Creek address those issues? How would you measure success for the General Plan Update? No public comments were received.
The City Council also identified additional issues they felt would be valuable for the consultant to consider.
No formal action was taken.
2a Study Session Agenda Report
3. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING at 5:02 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: Park and Recreation Month
d.
RECOGNITION: Odyssey of the Mind team from Buena Vista Elementary School
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Wilk pulled Consent Calendar Item 2g to ask a clarifying question. Councilmember Darling pulled Consent Calendar Item 2h to provide comments. No public comments were received for items on the Consent Calendar.
Motion by Darling, second by Silva,
carried unanimously
, to APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 2a-f as follows:
YEAS:
Darling, DeVinney, Silva, Mayor Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Francois. a.
APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES of June 16, 2026.
6.16.26 Minutes
b.
ACCEPTED WARRANT REGISTERS dated June 12, 2026 (3), June 19, 2026 (3), June 26, 2026 (3), July 2, 2026 (3), and July 10, 2026 (3), and DIRECT PAYROLL TRANSFERS dated June 12, 2026 (2), June 26, 2026 (2), and July 101, 2026 (2).
Warrant Registers
c.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 26-41 approving the Salary and Wage Plan dated and effective as of July 19, 2026. 2c Agenda Report
Attachment Draft Resolution with Exhibit A
d.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 26-42 approving the Subdivision 9698 Final Map and Subdivision Improvement Agreement for the 6-lot subdivision for single-family home residential purposes at 1948 3rd Avenue. 2d Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Draft Resolution
Attachment 2 Vicinity Map
Attachment 3 Final Map
Attachment 4 Subdivision Improvement Agreement
e.
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to enter into a 5-year Agreement with Agave Grill Corp DBA JR Catering & Events for the exclusive right to serve as the Lesher Center Beverage and Miscellaneous Food Items Concessionaire for a not-to-exceed amount of $750,000 starting August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2031, for services at private receptions. 2e Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Draft Agreement
Attachment 2 Bid Recap
f.
INCREASED CONSTRUCTION CONTINGENCY for Contract 26-01, Shadelands and Wiget Green Infrastructure Improvement project, with FJ&I Engineering, Inc., from $14,978 to $42,760 for an authorized total of $118,650; AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER to enter into the Contract Change Order in the amount of $43,760; ACCEPTED WORK for Contract 26-01, the Shadelands and Wiget Green Infrastructure project, as complete; and AUTHORIZED THE CITY CLERK to file a Notice of Completion with the County Recorder. 2f Agenda Report
g.
APPOINTMENT OF Mayor Kevin Wilk as the Voting Delegate and Councilmembers Cindy Silva and Craig DeVinney as the Alternate Voting Delegates for the purpose of voting at the League of California Cities Annual Conference Business Meeting.
Mayor Wilk pulled Consent Calendar Item 2g to ask a clarifying question. No public comments were received.
Motion by Mayor Wilk, second by Darling,
carried unanimously
, to APPOINT Mayor Kevin Wilk as the Voting Delegate and Councilmembers Cindy Silva and Craig DeVinney as the Alternate Voting Delegates for the purpose of voting at the League of California Cities Annual Conference Business Meeting.
YEAS:
Darling, DeVinney, Silva, Mayor Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Francois. 2g Agenda Report
Attachment Voting Delegate Information
h.
ADOPTION OF PROCLAMATION declaring July 17, 2026 Port Chicago Remembrance Day in the City of Walnut Creek.
Councilmember Darling pulled Consent Calendar Item 2h to provide comments. No public comments were received.
Motion by Darling, second by Mayor Wilk,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT THE PROCLAMATION declaring July 17, 2026 Port Chicago Remembrance Day in the City of Walnut Creek.
YEAS:
Darling, DeVinney, Silva, Mayor Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Francois. 2h Agenda Report
Attachment Proclamation
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Written comments were received, posted online as part of the meeting record, and provided at the meeting.
Public Comment Received Prior to Packet Publication
Public Comments Received After Publication
4. COUNCILMEMBER AND STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS, REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES OR REQUESTS a.
Closed Session announcement - none.
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. PUBLIC HEARING
a.
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION LEVYING ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS FOR THE WALNUT CREEK TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027 Mayor Wilk explained the public hearing process. He reported that in order for the City to levy assessments for the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID), the City Council must first conduct a public hearing at which it must hear and consider all protests against the levy of the assessments. If written protests are received from the owners of businesses in the proposed area which will pay 50 percent or more of the assessment proposed to be levied, no further proceedings to levy the assessment shall be taken for a period of one year from the date of the finding of a majority protest by the City Council. If there is no majority protest, then the Council may adopt the resolution confirming the assessment report submitted. Mayor Wilk reported that written protests must be received by the City Clerk at this time. No bid protests were received.
Economic Development Manager Mike Nimon provided the brief presentation. He reported that the City of Walnut Creek established the Walnut Creek Tourism Business Improvement District in December 2010 to promote tourism within the City by funding activities through a levy of assessments upon the hotels that will benefit from those activities. A public hearing and adoption of resolution is required to renew the assessments for the upcoming fiscal year.
No public comments were received.
Motion by Darling, second by DeVinney,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLTUION NO. 26-43 levying annual assessments for the Walnut Creek Tourism Business Improvement District for Fiscal Year 2027.
YEAS:
Darling, DeVinney, Silva, Mayor Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Francois. 5a Agenda Report
Attachment Draft Resolution
6. CONSIDERATION
a.
PROVIDE INPUT AND DIRECTION ON THE PROPOSED USER FEE COST RECOVERY POLICY AND PROPOSED FY27 MASTER FEE SCHEDULE UPDATES Administrative Services Director Kirsten LaCasse provided the staff presentation. She reported that the City recently completed a comprehensive user fee study to evaluate the cost of providing fee-supported services, assess existing cost recovery levels, and develop recommendations for a draft policy and updates to the City’s Master Fee Schedule. The City Council reviewed the study on June 2, 2026, and provided policy direction regarding cost recovery, affordability, community benefit, housing considerations, resident pricing, annual fee adjustments, market-based pricing, and implementation strategies. Staff prepared a draft User Fee Cost Recovery Policy (Policy) and refined proposed fee recommendations based on the fee study findings and City Council direction. The Finance Committee reviewed the draft Policy and proposed fee recommendations on June 23, 2026, and provided additional input and feedback. This report presents the updated draft Policy and proposed fee recommendations for City Council review, input, and direction prior to adoption of the Policy and Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Master Fee Schedule.
An Addendum was provided which included revisions to Attachment 2, the Draft FY27 Master Fee Schedule, pages 10 and 11.
No public comments were received.
No formal action was taken. The Council provided input and direction prior to the scheduled adoption of the Policy and Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Master Fee Schedule which will return in August. City Council feedback included support for a residential discount (incorporated Walnut Creek only) and returning during the next budget cycle with more information regarding a cost recovery target, amongst other items. 6a Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Proposed User Fee Cost Recovery Policy
Attachment 2 Proposed FY 27 Master Fee Schedule
6a Errata
The meeting was recessed from 8:12 p.m. to 8:25 p.m.
b.
RECEIVE THE ELECTIONS CODE 9212 REPORT REGARDING THE WALNUT CREEK SENIOR HOUSING TRANSIT VILLAGE INITIATIVE AND CONSIDER TWO ALTERNATIVE RESOLUTIONS TO EITHER PLACE THE INITIATIVE MEASURE ON THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT OR ADOPT THE INITIATIVE MEASURE AS PROPOSED City Attorney Steve Mattas provided a brief summary of the initiative.
Assistant City Manager Charles Ching provided the staff presentation. He reported that on March 18, 2026, the City received a request for a ballot title and summary related to a proposed initiative measure to modify the land use regulations in the City’s General Plan, North Downtown Specific Plan and Zoning Ordinance applicable to a 2.4 acre site located at the northeast corner of North California Boulevard and Ygnacio Valley Road. The initiative would create a new "Mixed Use - Residential Senior & Commercial" zoning district, referred to in the initiative to as the Walnut Creek Senior Housing Transit Village (Transit Village), to permit senior housing and commercial uses compatible with senior housing and establish accompanying development regulations. On April 21, 2026, City Council directed the City Manager to prepare an Election Code 9212 Report (9212 Report) on the initiative. At this meeting, staff will present the findings of the 9212 Report and City Council will be asked to adopt a resolution either placing the Transit Village Initiative on the November 3, 2026 ballot for voter consideration or adopting the Transit Village Initiative as presented.
Jim Simon, RSG, presented the 9212 Report.
An Errata was provided amending Attachment 3, the draft resolution placing the initiative on the ballot.
Public comment was received from Mark Hall.
Motion by Silva, second by Darling,
carried unanimously
, to ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-44 accepting the certified results of signature verification process related to Transit Village Initiative, establishing November 3, 2026 as the election date for the voters to consider an ordinance amending the Walnut Creek General Plan, North Downtown Specific Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map; ordering the submittal of the ordinance to the voters at the election; requesting that the Board of Supervisors consent to consolidation of this election with the statewide general election on the same date, directing the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis and, if desired, specifying procedures and processes related to ballot arguments, with the following two changes:
- Section 2 amended to read as follows:
“The amendments to the Walnut Creek General Plan including the Housing Element, the North Downtown Specific Plan, the Zoning Ordinance in the Walnut Creek Municipal Code, and the Zoning Map, to be approved by the voters pursuant to Section 1 is set forth in Exhibit A hereto. The Board of Supervisors of the County of Contra Costa is requested to order the County Registrar of Voters to set forth in the voter information portion of all sample ballots to be mailed to the qualified electors of the City the full text of the Initiative
a statement that a copy of the Initiative may be obtained by calling the Walnut Creek City Clerk’s Office at (925)-943-5818 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to the requesting voter, and to mail with the sample ballots to the electors printed copies of the full text of the Initiative, together with
the primary arguments and rebuttal arguments (if any) for and against the measure, and to provide voter ballots for the election for use by qualified electors of the City who are entitled thereto in the manner provided by law. The proposed Initiative shall be submitted to the voters on the ballot in the form of the following question, which question shall require the approval of a majority of qualified electors casting votes: …”; and - Section 8 of the resolution removed it in its entirety.
YEAS:
Darling, DeVinney, Silva, Mayor Wilk, Mayor Pro Tem Francois. 6b Agenda Report
Attachment 1 Initiative
Attachment 2 9212 Report
Attachment 3 Draft Resolution to Place Initiative on the Ballot Attachment 4 Draft Resolution to Adopt the Initiative
Attachment 5 Letter Regarding ADUs
6b Errata
7. ADJOURNMENT OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL in memoriam of Sue Rainey at 10:47 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