I'm Kevin Wilk, Mayor of the City of Walnut Creek, and welcome to the regular meeting
of the Walnut Creek City Council.
The City Council was conducting this meeting from the City Council Chamber.
This meeting is being video streamed and can be viewed live or later on the City's website.
As some attendees may be participating in their first Walnut Creek City Council meeting,
I wanted to welcome everyone and talk briefly about the public comment process.
For each agenda item, there will be an opportunity for public comment on the item.
Thus, if you desire to speak to an item on the agenda this evening, please hold your
comments until the City Council considers that item.
Additionally, we have a section on the agenda titled Public Communications, which is for
public comments for items not on the agenda.
Any comments during public communication should not relate to an item that is on the agenda
this evening.
with section 9.5 of the City Council Handbook, 30 minutes will be initially
allocated for public communications for items not on the agenda. Additional time
for public communications for items not on the agenda will be provided at the
end of the open session portion of the meeting if necessary. If you desire to
provide a public comment please complete a speaker identification card and line
up behind the lectern at the appropriate time. Wait your turn and then when you
approach the lectern please state your name and city of residence for the
record. You will have two minutes to address the City Council. Pursuant to
California Government Code section 54953.4 SB 707 members of the public may
also participate remotely via zoom. If you are participating via zoom and would
like to make a public comment please use the raise hand feature or press star 9
if you're calling by phone during the agenda item on which you wish to comment.
Again, you will have two minutes to address the City Council.
Please keep in mind that this is a City Business Meeting.
The City Council has adopted rules of decorum to ensure that meetings are conducted efficiently
and effectively, and that all members of the public have a full, fair and equal opportunity
to be heard.
The City Council Handbook outlines decorum expected in the Council Chamber and can be
found on our website.
All remarks should be addressed to the City Council.
do not use threatening, profane, or abusive language, which disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise
impedes the orderly conduct of the council meeting.
Again, each speaker will have two minutes to make your remarks.
Written comments submitted and received up to two hours before the meeting have been
posted to the city's website for public review and are included in the meeting record, but
will not be separately read into the record.
Walnut Creek and welcome to the Tuesday September 15th 2026 regular meeting of
the Walnut Creek City Council and if you'd all please join me in the pledge
of allegiance and city clerk Susie Martinez would you please call the roll
council member darling I'm here council member Davini here council member Silva
Mayor Pro Tem Francois? Here. Mayor Wilk? Here.
All right, first we have a proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month. We did have
somebody lined up to accept this. Unfortunately the recipients for tonight's
proclamation are unable to join us in person, but I'd like to take a moment to
read a few statements of the proclamation for the record. Hispanic
Heritage Month is an official celebration of American citizens whose
ancestry can be traced back to Spain, Mexico, Central, and South America and
and the Caribbean, a recognition that started as a week-long celebration in 1968 by the
federal government and is now celebrated across the United States.
The start of Hispanic Heritage Month on September 15th is significant as several Latin Americans
countries celebrate their independence from Spain on this day, including Costa Rica, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence on September 16th and 18th, respectively.
Heritage Month uplifts a cultural legacy that shares values deeply rooted in rich traditions
that harbor a deep commitment to family and community, an enduring work ethic and perseverance
to succeed and contribute to society.
And whereas in the City of Wall and Creek, Hispanic and Latino community members, business
owners, residents and students continue to foster the culture and tradition as a whole,
while also advocating and ensuring a voice on behalf of the Hispanic and Latino community
with recent focus on immigration, education, health, wellness, financial stability, economic
and civic engagement and social justice.
Hispanic and Latinos continue to enrich our nation's character and contribute to our common
future.
And together, we honor the invaluable ways Hispanics and Latinos contribute to our common
goals and work toward a stronger, more inclusive, more prosperous society for all.
And therefore, I, Kevin Wilk, mayor of the city of Walnut Creek, on behalf of the Walnut
Creek City Council, do hereby proclaim September 15th,
2026 through October 15th, 2026 as Hispanic Heritage Month
and encourage all members of the community
to recognize the significance of Hispanic and history
in our nation and city.
So, well, I'm gonna start this.
And if I could ask the city clerk to please make sure
that the recipients do receive this.
Thank you.
Next, we have a presentation by the Diablo Valley
Giving Partners. I invite Julie Braun-Martin, President of Diablo Valley
Giving Partners, up to the lectern to present. Thank you for having us tonight
and we appreciate this time. Diablo Valley Giving Partners is a volunteer
driven, Walnut Creek based, nonprofit and we're trying to serve the unmet needs of
children, individuals and family in Contra Costa. So we started at this
organization in 1967 in the Walnut Creek area under the National Assistance League
and we were known as the Assistance League of Diablo Valley. And then for the
past 60 years we have enjoyed working with the community and providing a
variety of services and programs that address unmet needs or resources that
people would appreciate having. And then of course in June 2026 we decided to
become an independent organization and at that time we named ourselves Diablo Giving
Partners and we started a new organizational structure. But we are the same people with
the same commitment and desire to serve our neighbors and be part of our community.
So we want to begin by talking about the fact that our organization recognizes there are
varying needs within our community and so we are looking at addressing those needs,
insecurity, clothing issues, literacy, and the idea that all citizens should feel connected
to their city and feel that they have a community connection. So we work on those issues. And
we're also available in crisis of difficult times to help pitch into.
So how do we do this? We have 15 programs, as we said, and they fell into four areas.
we meet basic needs through food and clothing.
We support education with preschool programs,
elementary programs, high school programs, and college.
And we provide community support to people
at different stages of their life,
from infants to families, from foster youth to older adults.
In addition to the three areas of food and clothing,
education, and community needs, the last one
was that there is volunteer service.
And I want to make the point there that not only do we
find ways to raise money for clauses,
but our people create the programs.
They run the programs.
They're interacting with the clients.
So we are a human resource, not just a money fund.
So here's a few highlights, things we're proud of,
that happened during the last year.
We raised over $913,000 that went directly back
to the community and was used by them
in various sources of our programs.
We know we serve 10,000 individuals.
We know we clothed 3,400 children with clothing.
We distributed 5,400 food boxes, and we raised $300,000
that went to 73 scholarship recipients.
So that's just a few highlights of this year.
So what we do is the Walnut Creek residents
give to the giving partners, and then Walnut Creek residents
receive the benefit of the giving partners programs.
And we're really clear that we're not just
trying to meet the current community needs,
but we're trying to build a community service model that
serves Walnut Creek and the adjoining areas for the future.
And so adults bring their energy, their time,
and their talents to create that community investment
and to encourage the next generation.
And one of the ways we do that, if you
look at that cute little picture,
that's one of our volunteers.
And that's our teen auxiliary.
And these are young people who volunteer.
They don't just simply volunteer.
They organize leadership projects.
They raise funds and they take on leadership roles with help from the adult volunteers
in our organization.
And so they're developing leadership skills, organizational skills and communication skills.
And so we see that we hope that we are part of building a community service model and
civic responsibility.
So what's been going on right here in Walnut Creek?
If you look at that picture on the left, that cute little lady there, that's our telecare
program and she's one of the seniors that we serve in our phone program where
we check in with seniors every day. We have about seven Molnick Creek
residents plus some adjoining people in adjoining community areas. And this
client told us, you know, I live alone and these calls provide some connection to
the community and some reassurance and if something happened to me there's no
one else that would know so we really appreciate the check by your
organization. If you look over the other corner you can see smiling faces of
people that got our scholarships.
And we had five Walnut Creek recipients this past year.
Two from Los Lomas, one from Ignacio Valley,
one from College Park and UBC.
And so they were thrilled.
And up in the right hand corner, the puppets
were giving a lesson to the elementary students.
So we have what we call the kids on the block program.
And they talk to the kids about challenges
that they face, like bullying and so forth,
and how they can handle those challenges.
Okay, what else is happening right here in Walnut Creek?
Well, we reached the residents of Walnut Creek
through the county agencies, the schools,
and the non-profits that exist here,
and we really do have a model that we work with
partner organizations, and by doing that,
we avoid duplication, and we're working with
the structures that exist that are the ones that people know
and the ones they go to for help,
so we feel like our efforts are really efficient
and focused that way.
We also have community partners to help us out,
And so the Rotary Club is up there
helping us bag the uniforms to send out to the school.
So that's what you're seeing in that picture.
OK.
We wanted to mention that Giving Partners Thrift Shop
is located in downtown Lafayette.
It generates nearly half of our revenue,
but it's very conveniently located.
It's right on the border.
So all the Walnut Creek residents
can come over and shop and donate things.
And we have them coming from Walnut Creek,
but also La Verrinda and the other adjoining areas.
when someone makes a purchase or makes a donation,
those are dollars coming right back
to the residents of Walnut Creek and the adjoining areas.
So that's part of our model also.
So, hmm, did it go off?
Here we go.
All right, so I'd like to close by saying
that for nearly six decades,
our organization has been part of this community.
We're really proud to call Walnut Creek home,
and we're really grateful
for the city's long standing partnership with us,
your mayor and your city manager came to our May meeting
when we announced our new name
and they joined in the celebration with us,
which we were appreciative of.
So we're hoping that today gives you a little bit of update
about what's been happening
and how we're trying to serve the community.
And we thank you for letting us be part
of your meeting tonight also.
Thank you so much.
Do we have any questions here?
Council Member Silva.
Julie, thank you so much for your work with the community
and all of your colleagues,
and congratulations on the naming change.
Just a reminder, I'm on the board
of the Civic Pride Foundation.
Yes.
And we have been giving small grants
to your organization for about 30 years
for Operation School Bell. Yes, you have.
And we're deeply grateful to you.
October 1st is the deadline for 2026.
Okay.
You'll remember, thank you very much.
Any other questions? Well, thank you for coming.
And it wouldn't be an official presentation
unless we got a picture with all of you.
So let's do that.
Oh, okay.
Okay, next on the agenda is the consent calendar.
Does any council member wish to pull
any item for discussion?
Move to approve the consent calendar items to A3A.
Hold on, we have to still...
I'll hold my motion.
So we have nobody here that's going to pull.
Do we have any staff member,
city manager want to pull any?
Does any member of the public
wish to speak on any item on the consent calendar?
Do we have anybody online that would like to speak
to an item on the consent calendar.
Council Member Silva.
Well, it may now.
I move to approve consent calendar items 2A through E.
Second.
We have a motion and a second.
Susie, could you call the roll, please?
Council Member Silva.
Aye.
Mayor Pro Tem Francois.
Aye.
Council Member Darlene.
Aye.
Council Member Devinee.
Aye.
Mayor Willk.
Aye.
Motion carried.
All right.
Next on the agenda is public communications.
This portion of the meeting is reserved for comment on items
not on the agenda.
All remarks should be addressed to the City Council.
Please do not use profanity during your comments.
Under the Brown Act, the Council cannot act
on items raised during public communications
but may respond briefly to statements made
or questions posed, request clarification,
or further item to staff.
Consistent with section 9.5, the City Council Handbook,
30 minutes will be allocated at this time
for public communications for items not on the agenda.
Additional time for public communications
for items not on the agenda will be provided
at the end of the meeting if necessary.
Written comments submitted have been posted
to the City's website for public review
and are included in the meeting record
but will not be separately read into the record.
And this time we'll note that the time is 6.21
and we'll take public comments and items
not on the agenda until approximately 6.51
and then the remainder of any such comments
at the end of the open session portion of the meeting.
Please use the raise hand feature
or press star nine if you're calling in
if you'd like to provide a remote public comment.
And this person will take in-person comments
and then will ask the City Clerk
if there are any members of the public
who would like to provide remote comments.
So please step forward and provide your name and city.
Thank you, council, thank you, mayor.
I'm Glenn McBee, live in Walnut Creek,
and I'm a member of the Walnut Creek Racket Club,
as I've spoken to you before about lights
at our Heather Farms tennis courts.
And I'm not here to complain,
I'm just a reminder that I know what we're working on.
I met with Rich and Mike before,
and I'm confident that we'll get there.
But the lights that were out last month,
they're still out this month,
and there's more that are out.
And it's nobody's real fault.
It's equipment failure.
It's supply line.
It's our vendor.
So our partner's lifetime are working hard
to get these things replaced.
It just doesn't happen because of the age of our equipment
and the supplies, the replacement.
So I'm just a reminder, I'm not doing anything more than that.
And we'll probably be back until we get those done.
And so you mentioned that you've spoken with public director
Rich Payne, so Rich is aware of that.
You directed the two of us to get together.
He told me about the process.
It's going to be presented to pros in October.
That's the plan and we're grateful for that.
We've got a great club.
We've got a great partner in the lifetime,
but we got bad lights.
So, appreciate you coming forward, letting us know.
Do me a favor and it's mid-September.
If it hasn't improved by, let's say,
the first week of November, come back and let us know.
Yeah, I will, thank you all.
My name's Tristan, President of Walnut Creek,
here again about flock cameras.
In the last month alone, over 100 cities,
counties and jurisdictions have canceled their floc contracts.
Accounts are coming out now of people being misidentified
through flocs use of AI or providing
wrong incorrect searches.
People are spending weeks in jail
before they're being let go.
Just yesterday, The Boston Globe reported
that when Boston, who also like the city of Walnut Creek
does, has their contract that other jurisdictions cannot look
at the footage in their pilot program that was ignored.
They brought that to Flock's attention.
The Boston Globe reported, it's still being ignored.
The city is not, the local police are not being notified
when other people have access, which is something
that I know you have all told me we have here.
So I would like that, again, we get this as an agenda item
and possibly Chief Hibbs's own suggestion
of making all the reasons entered into the Flock app
for requesting to search the footage,
have those made public,
which is something he suggested two meetings ago.
Thanks.
Thank you.
And I'll just say that at our last meeting,
Chief Hibbs spoke on this in detail,
gave some indication of the procedures that we take
and implement, and it was Council's decision
to have Chief Hibbs come back during the annual report
and let us know an update on everything
when it relates to flock cameras.
So we will not be taking on action on this until then
as per as the council decision.
Sorry, when is that?
I believe that is in springtime of next year.
So you can, that'll be agendized.
Okay, thank you.
Thank you.
Hello, my name is Barbara Genes.
I've been a resident of Walnut Creek since 1996.
Realized today, that's 30 years.
I wanna thank you all for asking for input
on the city council's priorities for 27-28.
And I have just a couple comments on them.
In City Council's 23-24 priorities
for environmental sustainability and climate action item,
they listed open space protection.
Now that climate change is upon us,
and there needs to be more of an emphasis
on environmental sustainability and climate action.
However, in the 2025-2026 priorities,
city council left off open space protection in their environmental sustainability goal.
The sustainability action plan does not have certain contained goals for open space protection.
As we all know, the city owns about 3,000 acres of open space land.
This land was purchased by the citizens of Walnut Creek by a bond issue in the 1970s.
So it just paid off early in 2004, I believe.
Because of citizens' actions, Walnut Creek became a pioneer in municipal open space funding.
Ask any resident what they value or what they find special about Walnut Creek, and many
people will say open spaces.
It will be at the top or near the top of their list.
Creek residents have pushed for that open space bond issue to preserve and
conserve the open space lands. Therefore it should be a city council priority to
include open space protection, conservation, preservation into their 27,
28 city council priorities. Thank you for your support in conserving, preserving
and protecting our treasured open spaces.
Thank you Barbara.
Hello, Kevin Galling.
I work for Habitat for Humanity East Bay Silicon Valley
and I'm a proud resident of Walnut Creek.
Here to support Prop 1.
Prop 1 is an $11 billion bond on the November ballot.
It would support 40,000 shovel-ready homes
waiting for funding our project in Esperanza Place
next to the Contra Costa Center Station
which the city's been great in supporting.
was delayed because we were not able to get funding from the state. The funds we
accessed in the state is called Cal Homes funding and it's been zeroed out of the
budget the last two years. This measure would provide five hundred million
dollars in those funds. Supporters of the bond of the Prop 1
include League of California Cities, the Democratic Party, Bay Area Council, which
are the large employers in the Bay Area, and California Professional Firefighters.
So, I hope when you go along the way, I don't know if the council does propositions, but
if you do, I hope you consider Prop. 1.
We're also starting our second phase of Esperanza Place.
And we have a three-day build-athon coming out, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
Mayor is coming out on Thursday, the service is off, about 100 volunteers each day.
If you're open or willing to come for lunch, we would love to have you, give you a tour,
and we have about 100 volunteers coming out per day, so hope to see you out there.
We're also looking for homeowners for that project.
So thank you.
I have a flyer, I'll give this to the clerk.
Thank you.
Good evening, Mayor Pro Tem and Council.
My name is Lisa Chow.
I'm Chief of Staff for Supervisor Ken Carlson.
And Mayor, maybe we'll see you there on Thursday morning
at Esperanza Place as well.
I'll be there.
I'm here tonight to introduce you to Samantha Lennon.
She is our newest district representative
here for the supervisor.
She'll be taking over, acting as a liaison for the city.
And so I hope we'll also leave some business cards with you
as well.
But in addition to the city of Walnut Creek,
she'll also be taking on staffing the supervisor
at the Bay Area Air District, our Veteran Services Office,
Animal Services, and the library as well.
So we just wanted to take a moment to introduce you.
So you see a name and a face.
And of course, if you need anything,
you all know how to reach us.
Thank you.
Thank you.
And actually, Sam, a pleasure to meet you.
would you or somebody from the office
send out your information to all of the council members here
so that we have it too?
Yeah, absolutely.
Thank you.
Absolutely, thank you.
Do we have any more public comments here?
Do we have any remote?
No remote public.
And no remote.
Okay, so we will close our public comment then and.
Excuse me Mayor, I have a question for the city manager.
Yes.
It seems that our general plan overarching statement
open space and continuing open space protection there seems to be an
impression that because it didn't hit a priority in one year it isn't a
priority can you remark on that or provide remarks? Certainly that the
preservation and use of the open space remains a priority for the council even
it may not be stated as such it has been identified in prior priorities it
continues to be important as you noted it's covered in other documents such as
the general plan and other recreational related documents as well so yeah it's
very important to the city any further comments by council no all right so
we'll move on to council member and staff announcements reports and activities
or requests and we have any closed session announcements mayor there are no
closed session announcements this evening City Manager reports I do not
have an update this evening there and City Councilmember reports on 81 2 3 4
activities councilmember Simon's various activities and upcoming events start with councilmember Silva
Thank you very much
The Walnut Creek sister cities international program is very excited because the 23 youth ambassadors for 2026 27
Will be leaving for our sister cities of she of folk and no Cheto in the next two to three weeks
They're actually not traveling at the same time this year
there one group is going the group that is going to no CEDO is leaving in two
weeks and the group that is going to Shia focus leaving a week after that but
that just was a reflection of the I'm scheduling and those two sister cities
but the kids will be back and they're looking forward to coming and
presenting their thoughts to the council on Tuesday October 20th the other thing
is that they've started a new program which is an alumni ambassadors program
So any youth ambassador that has participated in previous years can and their families can join the youth ambassador alumni program
and there are 31
youth ambassador families that have now joined and they're working on things such as mentoring programs for the new class of
students that will be traveling so that's very exciting and for them and then as the liaison to the
Diablo Regional Arts Association I will remind everyone that Saturday October 3rd is the annual on-Broadway
Event and it should be a great event
Bedford Gallery closed the kaleidoscope
Exhibition this last Sunday, but the new exhibition which is called high pile concepts in tufting is
Opening on September 26th and will be available for viewing by the public through December 13th
And last weekend was the opening session for Center Rep's production of Glass Menagerie and it will run at the Center Rep through September 27th, which I think is a Sunday, if my math is working correctly.
And tickets are available by contact looking up online at leisureartscenter.org and they're presenting Glass Menagerie, which is the famous Tennessee Williams play.
And that's what I have to present.
think that's the first play that ever ran when I was in high school in theater
arts. Councilmember Darling? They had theater back then. Well you know it was vaudeville.
And councilmember Silva and I did the housing and community development
workgroup and that was great when we walked through the request for
proposals coming out to allocate city funds for affordable housing this year. A
A couple MCE highlights, the Executive Committee met and reviewed their budget for the end
of the year from FY26, which closed last April.
We did manage to increase our net position, which is a great place to be.
But more importantly, we were able to refill our rate stabilization fund.
That is what we had used over the last year to provide rebates for families facing affordability
problems with the elevated prices of electricity, and so we used our rate stabilization fund
and we were able to completely refill that based on our year's budget closing.
A couple interesting highlights.
In May, California became the first major grid system in the world to generate over
half of its electricity from solar for an entire month.
It was 51% for the month, and it was a pretty amazing accomplishment when you think about
how much power California uses.
In addition, I think many of us remember the rolling blackouts that used to happen during
heat waves, and the battery storage that's been developed in this state has really shifted
how California handles the 4 o'clock to 9 o'clock time period in the evening.
In 2020, just six years ago,
we had 500 megawatts of battery storage.
Now we have 16 gigawatts.
It's a more than 30-fold increase
in the amount of battery storage,
and that has allowed most of the ramping in the evening
when the sun stops shining and our solar stops working,
we can use the energy stored earlier in the day
to provide the resources that people need
to keep the lights on at night.
So those are two nice accomplishments for California,
And MCE has been very proud to be part of that success story.
Great.
All right.
Thank you.
And let's move to Council Member Davini.
OK, thank you, Mayor.
I sit on our Regional Transportation Planning
Committee, called Trans PAC.
And we met this past week and talked
about how to spend the Line 21A funds that
that were approved for transportation to schools, kids safe travel to schools.
And so we approved the funding for four programs.
One of them is a walk and roll that has become very successful in elementary schools and
junior highs.
And so we're seeing a lot more kids walking and riding their bicycles to school.
As a result of that, the schools have identified that there are some multifamily areas that
have adequate places to store or lock up their bikes and some schools that don't have sufficient
storage so we approved bike racks for those facilities and for the schools that need them.
In addition we approved funds for the student transportation, student transit pass program
which essentially provides a clipper bay pass to students that have significant challenges
is getting to school or getting transportation
to and from school, for example, kids in the foster program
or meeting other challenges.
So we approved up to about 2,000, I believe,
passes that will go out to help those students get
to and from school.
In addition, we approved funding for the Bike Family Fest,
which took place this past Sunday in Pleasant Hill
and the DVC parking lot.
That's basically a family bike safety and skills event
and it's been very successful and growing each year
and I was not able to be there this weekend
but I heard it was a big success
and those were the four programs that we approved
and that's my report.
Thank you and let's move to Mayor Pro Tem Francois.
Okay, thank you Mayor.
Had a relatively light last few weeks
but I'll make up for it in the last two weeks of September.
There were two items that I wanted to raise
for the good of the order and may result in a motion
after we finish the discussions.
One was a few months ago, we had a discussion
about potentially changing our council handbook
to address the 30-day certification
of the election results, given that the elections generally
happen not on November 1st but like November 3rd and November 7th and they
have to be certified within 30 days in our first council meeting this year for
instance will be on December 1st. In light of the fact that it's not a
contested council race this year this seems to be less of a priority item and
so my recommendation would be that we table this to a date uncertain and let
the future Council consider that when and if the need for it arises. That's
item number one and the second item is in regard to the Akalani's Union High
School District. They have a measure on on the ballot. I believe probably all of
us have individually endorsed it at this point. They have requested, they sent a
written request that the council formally endorse Measure W which is which
is a parcel tax measure and would raise much-needed funds for teacher pay, class
size reduction, important career training, and AP classes, counseling, and the like.
And so my ask would be that we I'd also point out that I believe Orinda and
Moraga councils have already endorsed this measure and Lafayette is probably
not far behind. So I would ask that we
agendize this for our next meeting in
October to take a formal action on
endorsement. So it the next meeting in
October is the same day that people will
be getting their ballots so an
endorsement by us at that point in time
is almost like the horse is out of the
barn. Is there a way for us city attorney
to be able to endorse as a group in some
other way without having to wait until
October 6th. No, this would need to be an agenda item and so if the council
wanted to call a special meeting you could do that. If the council does
have a legislative committee that you could refer the matter to the
legislative committee but it really for it to be a statement that the city
council endorses the measure that needs to be a council action and that would
have to take place in whatever next meeting you hold whether that's a
a special meeting or your next regular meeting.
When did the ballots actually come?
Or when are the ballots mailed?
The fifth, 29 days prior to the election date.
So if we meet on the sixth, there'll
be indication within a day.
People will be voting while we're doing this.
I feel like they should have been here and asked us earlier,
but I just want to figure out if there's a way for us.
We have to convene a special meeting.
Obviously the council can all individually endorse
a measure if you want before then,
but if it's gonna be a collective council endorsement,
that really does need an agenda item for consideration.
You know, and I appreciate the effort.
I don't think it's worthy of a special meeting.
I think I had relayed what the likely timeframe would be
to the committee proponents and they were okay with that.
I think it would still hit at an appropriate time.
And I can't remember the date they sent the letter,
but it was at least a couple weeks ago now.
So if I had jumped on it faster, perhaps we
could have got it on this agenda.
But it was tight in terms of the timing.
All right.
Thank you.
As long as we're doing that, could I
recommend that we also add measure T, which
is our treasure measure, for consideration
at that same meeting, along with measure RTM, which
is the regional transit measure that is being put out as well.
recommend that maybe we agendize all three of those at our next meeting. So is
that a motion? Sure I'll make that motion. Second. Susie, we have a motion in a
second could you call the roll please. Mayor Weld. Aye. Mayor Pro Tem Francois. Aye. Council Member Darling. Aye. Council Member Daveney. Aye. Council Member Silva. Aye. Okay. And then I probably should formally make the
motion to continue to a date uncertain the potential modification to the handbook to
address the election certification results? I'll second that. That's really
just in the form again that's not on your agenda tonight but that's in the
form of direction to staff not to work on the issue right now. Yes. We understand
that. Thank you. We have motion to second. Mayor Pro Tem Francois. Aye.
Councilmember Darling. Aye. Councilmember Diveny. Aye. Councilmember Silva. No. Mayor Wilk. Aye.
I'm actually curious, four to one.
What else have you been up to?
That's all I got.
All right.
OK.
So I did have a few things over the last couple of weeks, one
of which was truly something that I hope everybody takes
advantage of at some point in the next few years.
The Walnut Creek Aquanauts showcase this year over Labor
Day was Viva Las Vegas.
And these are future Olympians, current Olympians,
coached by Olympians for what was synchronized and is now
artistic swimming.
And if there is ever a sport that doesn't do justice from
watching it on TV versus being right there on the side of
the pool to watch it, it is this.
This is amazing.
When you think about these athletes being flipped, doing
complete somersaults in the air, where the people below
them that have flipped them are in 12 to 14 feet of water.
And the only way they're getting that thrust is by athletes
below them pushing up their feet.
And they're not stepping on the ground either.
You've got to see it to believe it.
So they do this show every Labor Day for four nights.
And hopefully people will come next year
if they haven't seen it before.
And of course, if they have seen it before, then go again.
I was also at the Walnut Creek Band Civic Park for Labor Day.
Terrific performance by the band, as always.
I think they'll be, when is the next time they're performing?
Is that on Veterans Day, I think Veterans Day?
So on November 11th, we'll talk about that in October.
I was also at the Employee Institute kickoff
where we had a couple dozen employees
and this is an annual program,
coming and learning about all the aspects of the city
that they are not involved in
on their own departments necessarily.
So Public Works will learn about the police department
and planning and people in Arts and Rec
learn about the city manager's office so anyway kick that one off was also at
the Walnut Creek I'm in liaison to the Walnut Creek downtown board of directors
October fest is on September 25th and 26 it's a huge event lots of people will
come out I encourage people the residents and visitors to come in out
for this something for the whole family with kids games and rides and petting
zoo, face painting, balloon artists, magicians, live music and costumes, all
sorts of performances and dance performances and and yeah there'll be a
beer garden too. So anyway come out for that. Was had the opportunity to go to
the Contra Costa Senior Legal Services Dinner last week with a lot of our
partners for senior care services in attendance. Seniors are the fastest
growing demographic in the city, probably in the state actually, so it was great to
see that level of involvement there. I did do a ride along or I guess more of a
walk along with the Walnut Creek Police Department and Officer Lengueke this
past Saturday night. Thank you Chief Hebs for setting the whole thing in motion
there. We hear that there's a lot of activity that's happening in downtown on
the weekend nights of course and it's active and Walnut Creek is definitely
the place to be on the weekends for pretty much anybody within about a 10 to
15 mile radius, so Walnut Creek PD presence is there to ensure safe practices for businesses
and residents and visitors to downtown. Great to see the knowledge and experience of our
police department in handling any downtown issues that came up. There were a few, nothing
major, but I do encourage my fellow council members, if you get a chance, just set that
up for a couple of hours on a weekend night. It's really interesting to see how they're
engaging with the public, the managers of the different night places, and just a chance
to see the downtown at night if you haven't been out past let's say 8 p.m.
Right, no judgment. So again, thank you very much to Officer Lengue for
chaperoning me around for that. As a liaison of the county connection for the
school year 2022-23, 511 Contra Costa will fund the purchase of unlimited
right passes for students that will be valid throughout August and September.
Applications are now available, and the pass is valid on all county connection
fixed route buses or services. Also county connection will be providing free
rides on county connection throughout October for everyone. Federal stimulus
funds will be used for this to help encourage more ridership, and last year
saw a 30% increase in ridership for the month that this was offered. So take
advantage. And lastly I just want to mention that we are right now in the
High Holidays of Judaism in Rosh Hashanah was last week,
and next week is Yom Kippur,
which is the holiest day of the year in Judaism.
That begins on Sunday night,
and are, again, the designated High Holy Days.
The Hebrew greeting of Leshanah Tovah means Happy New Year.
Whatever one's religion may be,
may the year ahead be a sweet one for us all.
And with that, we will close our council member comments
and move on to our public hearing.
So the next item on the agenda is the public hearing
for consideration of zoning text amendments
for accessory dolling units, public hearing notices,
and implementation of housing element programs.
And I invite Associate Planner Alison Rustic
forward to provide the presentation.
Thank you.
Good evening, Mayor Wilk and members of the Council.
I'm Alison Rustic, Associate Planner
in the Community Development Department.
And this evening, Council is being asked
to consider zoning text amendments
relating to accessory dwelling units, hearings and notices,
and our housing element program H4I,
which we will get into shortly.
Tonight's presentation will briefly cover
the proposed amendments and more importantly,
why we're making each change.
We will then wrap up with the considered,
the recommended council action.
First, we have accessory dwelling units.
The proposed changes refine our regulations
to make them easier to understand and navigate.
The addition of a definition of state exempt ADU
per state law clarifies which development standards
are applicable to different types of ADUs.
Additionally, the revision of the number of allowed ADUs
on single family lots has been updated from three to four,
which is consistent with the state housing
and community development department's
recently updated guidance.
And finally, updates to our junior ADUs
make kitchen deed restrictions
and I'm sorry,
and owner occupancy requirements
consistent with state law and our local practices.
Next, we'll highlight the proposed changes
for notices and hearings,
which are administrative in nature.
It's important to note we are not changing
which projects require public hearings
or notices.
As mentioned for the ADU amendments, the proposed changes for public hearing notices are intended
to make it easier for readers to navigate the ordinance while maintaining compliance
with state law.
They clarify planning commission notices, reorganize existing provisions, and provide
a summary table of notice requirements for a particular action or project.
The last set of amendments are related to the implementation of housing element program
H4I.
One of the goals in our housing element is to reduce governmental constraints on housing
development.
Program H4I recognizes that the plan development permit, which is required for projects in
the MU and MHD zoning districts, adds a discretionary approval for residential development along
with design review.
These amendments would remove the plan development permit requirement for new residential development
in these two districts.
Instead, residential projects that comply with objective design standards and existing
development standards would just proceed through the city's existing design review process.
The PDP requirement would remain in place for non-residential development.
But importantly, the amendment does not change what can be built or increased development
capacity.
It lessens the level of discretionary review for residential projects.
In conclusion, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the proposed amendments on August
13, 2026.
Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council find the project exempt from CEQA,
waive the first reading, and introduce the amended zoning ordinance.
I'm happy to answer any questions.
Any questions?
Yes.
Okay.
Councilmember Silva.
I did have a couple of questions and I sent them late this afternoon and I apologize for
failing to do, but it's a technical question.
The first one is in the Exhibit A of the Accessory Article 5 of the Accessory Dwelling Units
where it defines in section 503 allowable accessory dwelling units, and it says 480
used may be allowed on a single family residential lot.
Oftentimes, sometimes a single family residential unit can be on two parcels.
Is there any issue with the term lot that's being used by the, presumably by the state
versus the term parcel?
I don't believe so.
We don't typically see a home that
straddles a lot line or a parcel line.
So in this case, we're just considering the lot
as the parcel.
And a parcel that's residential that's
zoned for single family housing would have typically
one primary residence on that lot or that parcel.
OK, so there's no issue that we're using to term
a lot versus parcel?
No.
OK.
The second part is related to in the same section,
says on lots with existing multiple family dwelling
structures, multiple conversions, da da da da da,
not to exceed 25% of the total number of existing multifamily
units or at least one unit.
That would presume the way they've written that,
because I assume this come from the state,
that multifamily can be three or two, which would not get 25.
Is that the way the state is defining multifamily?
Yes.
I believe we interpret multifamily
as two or more units.
OK.
And that's also the interpretation
in the state ADU handbook.
My last question.
Well, actually, I forgot to ask this one.
There's a definition of the junior accessory dwelling
unit in terms of the kitchen facilities
that must be included.
So a room with a hot plate is a room with a hot plate,
not a JADU is the way I would inverse interpret what they're requiring.
The junior ADU must have an efficiency kitchen and so we've clarified it by
defining what an efficiency kitchen contains. Okay so this doesn't preclude
somebody from renting a room and providing a hot plate they just don't
have a JADU on the property when they do. Yeah that's correct. And my last
question is in the noticing. It refers to that the community development director
is responsible for noticing the hearings of the Planning Commission. Does the
design review commission no longer do any hearings that you would be noticing
or is this so restrictive to housing law? We don't recommend a change to that
section in part. The Design Review Commission is advisory but the design
Design review activity is actually done sometimes by the planning commission, sometimes by the
zoning administrator, sometimes by the CDD director, and that may require hearing.
So it's a design review hearing, it's just not a design review hearing before the design
review commission.
So we recommend it stay as it is.
What about commercial property?
We didn't change their role in the commercial.
Don't they still have some authority?
Oh, okay.
Thank you.
Questions?
one about the PDP process to try to kind of flesh it out a little bit. I know
it's in our housing element as a goal that we're going to remove that
requirement and so what that means then is for a residential project in a
specific plan area all residential no subdivision it just then will not now it
would have to go to the Planning Commission for approval of a PDP. Is
that correct? For a PD. For a PD. After this change it would only go to the
Design Review Commission for design review approval. The process for the PDP
which is not a PD zoning district, it's a permit, is applied to these two specific
zoning districts. There are PD zoning districts, if you will, so the mixed use
plan development district and the multi-family high density plan
development district they're long names these are the two only two areas in the
city that this PDP applies to and it was created for these districts so when our
the way we've set it up in our specific plans remains unchanged because I was
thinking about community benefits and that seemed tied to the we call that a
PD permit too don't we? Can we call something else? So I'm not really sure
exactly where you're headed with this but what I can say is that Design Review
Commission doesn't have any decision-making authority anymore with one
exception there so they're recommending body to Planning Commission and one
exception to that is with regard to signs and that will be a discussion at a
future council meeting about the sign ordinance. Okay I'm gonna let it
percolate a little more. Okay all right well I see no further questions do we
have any comments public comments and we'll now open that up if any member of
the public wish to provide public comments at this time please come
forward use the raise hand feature press star 9 if you are calling if you'd like
to provide a remote public comment if you're attending in person please
complete a speaker identification card if you already completed a card don't
worry about committing a second one and line up behind the lectern at this time
written comments submitted have been posted to the city's website for public
review and are included in the meeting record but will not be separately read
into the record as a reminder a speaker will have two minutes to make the
remarks and all remarks should be addressed to the City Council and we
have a speaker. Hi Kevin Dowling Walnut Creek I was also on the Hayward City
Council for 12 years I'm a very big supporter of ADUs in people's backyards
like granny units, extra units, but in the high density districts, what does
that mean? Well a friend of mine called me about a year ago, he lives in San
Jose, he's in a three-story above parking development in San Jose right on
the Campbell border, he said they're putting an ADU in my garage. I'm like
what? You can't be right. I called, I found the city council members district,
They're like, oh, yeah, that was approved.
And it's being built.
And so they're putting two units of ADU in his parking garage.
And I can pass around a picture of the parking garage.
It has a lovely window with a bar on it.
It looks like something you'd see in a prison.
So when you talk about high-density residential,
that's what they're talking about,
is putting ADUs in parking garages.
He's also having his laundry rooms replaced.
they're getting washers on their balconies,
and then they're putting units in like all three of the,
how, imagine living in a former laundry facility.
So I don't know who's,
if anybody in Walnut Creek is thinking about that,
but that's what apartment buildings are doing in San Jose.
And then I don't know if this would apply to Rossmore.
I mean, could I convert my,
if I get rid of my car, can I convert my parking space?
And Rossmore does have garages.
Would, could people in Rossmore, you know, do an ADU?
Playing director saying yes
That would also depend on what the Rossmore regulations are as well. Yeah. Yeah, I know you don't have a lot of say anymore
but you use but
That might be what's coming the Walnut Creek. Thanks
Council if I may I'll just offer a little bit on that
I think what the gentleman is referring to there are state law provisions that allow
If you will underutilize or no longer utilize portions of multifamily developments to be converted into
additional units to ADUs.
But the state would allow an ADU to be built in a garage,
I mean, who's to say if it's being used or underused?
Well, the state law would allow that,
and remember also on single family,
you can already convert garages to ADUs as well too.
But this is, it's still gonna have to meet building standards
for safety and code requirements,
but it's allowing them to utilize portions
of the building that are no longer being used
for their intended purposes.
So you can think about, I mean, the most obvious thing
that one might start to think about
is the kind of ground floor retail in buildings
that are not being utilized right now
for ground floor retail, whether they start
to convert some of that as well, too.
Okay, thank you.
Any more public comments in the room?
Doesn't look like it.
Anybody online?
All right, we will then close the public comment,
bring it back to council for any further comments or motion. Move to wave first
reading and introduce an ordinance amending various sections of Title 10
chapter 2 zoning of the Walnut Creek Municipal Code to implement housing
element program H-4.1 to update regulations regarding accessory
dwelling units and public hearing notices and making CEQA exemption
findings under section of the CEQA guidelines. Second. We have a motion to
Can you call the roll please.
Councilmember Silva.
Aye.
Mayor Will.
Aye.
Councilmember Darling.
Aye.
Councilmember Davini.
Aye.
Mayor Potram Francois.
Aye.
All right.
Next, the agenda is a public hearing for the consideration of an adoption of a resolution
approving the Community Development Block Grant, 2026-27 annual action plans, substantial
amendment and appropriation for an amount up to $210,000 to support CDBG activities, and
I invite administrative analyst Jennifer Yamas forward to provide the presentation.
Hello.
Hello.
Good evening, Mayor Wilt, Council Member, City staff.
My name is Jennifer Yamas, Housing Analyst in the Community Development Department.
For tonight's second public hearing, I will be presenting on the proposed substantial
amendment to the 2026 through 2027 annual action plan for the CDBG grant.
To provide a little background, the city is an entitlement jurisdiction for the federal
CDBG program.
Each year the city prepares an annual action plan that identifies how CDBG funds will be
used to implement the goals and priorities established in the city's five-year consolidated
plan.
The 2026-2027 annual action plan was adopted by City Council on May 5th and it was submitted
to HUD on June 3rd.
Following the fiscal year and reconciliation, staff identified approximately $210,000 in
unallocated CDBG program income.
This program income was generated primarily
through the repayment of city home rehabilitation loans.
Because these funds are CDBG program income,
they must be used for eligible CDBG activities.
A substantial amendment is required
because the proposed use of these CDBG funds
represents an addition to the annual action plan.
Under the city's citizen participation plan,
A substantial amendment is required
when a proposed change or addition to the use of CDBG funds
exceeds $25,000 or 10% of a project's total funding,
whichever is greater.
Staff is proposing to use the approximately $210,000
in program income for ADA accessibility improvements
to downtown sidewalks.
The proposed project is an eligible CDBG infrastructure
and public facilities activity.
Specifically, the project would improve accessibility for older adults and adults with severe disabilities
by addressing accessibility barriers along the sidewalk.
The City's Public Works Department identified a project located along the west side of North
Main Street between Bonanza and Lincoln Avenue.
The work would include replacing ADA curb ramps and damaged sidewalk sections, as well
as removing and replacing several trees where roots have lifted the sidewalk and created
obstructions and potential tripping hazards.
The proposed substantial amendment
would allow the city to formally incorporate
this project and funding into the annual action plan.
Following council approval of the amendment,
it would be submitted to HUD, and the CDBG funds
would be transferred into the capital budget
at a later council date so that Public Works can proceed
with project design and the construction process.
With that, staff is requesting that the city council
adopt the resolution approving the substantial amendment
to the 2026 through 2027 annual action plan.
Staff is also requesting an appropriation of up to 210,000
from CDBG fund 160 to support ADA accessibility improvements
to downtown sidewalks.
Thank you and I'm happy to answer questions.
Great, thank you.
And I believe this is the first time
that you have presented to city council, is that right?
I actually presented the annual action plan on May 5th.
So this is my second time on the same item.
Sorry.
Now you're a true veteran.
Thank you very much.
We have any questions?
Yes.
Thank you very much, Jennifer, for the presentation.
Just out of curiosity, were there
any other projects discussed by staff for the $210,000?
And we did receive a public comment letter
suggesting an idea which would probably not
be feasible for the amount of money.
But were there any other projects discussed?
and why was this one laudable, but why?
Yeah.
So when we brought it forth to our public works department,
we asked them, hey, do you have any projects
that you think would be a good fit for the CDBG funds?
And this project specifically is ready.
And also, it's a good fit for the CDBG funds
for the scope of work and for the cost that we have.
That's why it kind of became a priority.
And I might have to ask Public Works this question.
There are two outdoor dining patios that are sitting adjacent
to the public sidewalk.
Are there any concerns with the engineering
around replacing the sidewalk?
And it's not a no.
I just am curious.
Rich Payne, Public Works Director.
The question, is there an outdoor dining area?
There are two of them, one at 1515 and one at a what's the?
Yes, this area has no conflicts with those other two areas.
Even though they're adjacent to it?
Yeah, it's in a little bit different area.
This is a corner of Maine and Bonanza.
And if you are familiar with that area, there's some uplift.
I can see the outdoor dining spot.
They're not on the sidewalk.
They're set back.
Yeah, in that area, yes.
There's no conflict with the subtext.
They're no engineering conflicts.
OK, thank you.
You're welcome.
Rich, before you go.
So just this project's in the capital budget already.
This is one that has been on our list.
In fact, this whole intersection
needs to be redesigned.
And so this is a piece of that entire intersection.
I'm just curious.
How much does the 210 cover of the cost
of this component of the project?
So my understanding is this project
is going to be fully covered by that amount.
It includes some drainage some tree removals and some uplifted sidewalks. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Don't go anywhere
With the tree removals
I do know that 1515 has a big patio there and the trees are a big part of the neighborhood have we talked to the
Businesses along there and talk to them about the tree removals
It's funny. You should say that I think the businesses along this area are happy to see the trees
Okay, they've outgrown their area the space there
Pretty mature and they cause some other issues related to the buildings. Okay, great. Thanks
Actually, the owner is said a few times. He'd like the trees remove. So I think he's probably very happy. That's that's correct mayor
Any okay. No further questions here. Let's open it up to any public comment
There's no public comment for the public hearing here if we have anybody that's online nobody online
All right, let's bring about council for any further comments or a motion
Let me move to adopt the resolution approving the substantial amendment to the FY 26 27
annual action plan and appropriation for an amount of
210,000 in the community development block grant fund
Fund 160 to support CDBG activities second
Wait motion the second Susie could call the roll, please
Aye.
Mayor Wilk.
Aye.
At 7.10, we are adjourned.