Betsy Burkhart

The meeting included opening proceedings such as the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call. The Mayor addressed the officer-involved shooting from February 26, 2026, with an update provided by the Police Chief. A Proclamation for American Red Cross Month was presented, followed by administering the Oath of Office to newly appointed Commissioners across several commissions, including Arts, Appeals, Design Review, Park, Recreation and Open Space, and Transportation. Key actions taken under the Consent Calendar involved approving warrant registers, accepting work for the Sierra Storm Drain project, approving the Fiscal Year 2nd Quarter Budget Update report, and awarding Contract 26-01 for the Shadelands and Wiget Green Infrastructure Improvement project to FJ&I Engineering for $74,890 (totaling $89,868 with contingency). A public hearing was held regarding the Porsche Walnut Creek Dealership Project, resulting in the adoption of a resolution exempting the project from CEQA, introduction of a Planned Development (PD) Rezone Ordinance, and approval of associated entitlements (Design Review, Tree Removal, Dripline Encroachment, and Sign Ordinance Exception). During consideration, the Council approved staff recommendations for balancing the Fiscal Year 2027 budget by maintaining an 10-11% vacancy rate.

This document records the proceedings of a combined City Council Special Meeting and Regular Meeting. The Special Meeting, held first, focused on the interview and appointment of candidates for various commissions and committees. Actions included the appointment of Sheri Kurland to the Arts Commission and adding Joo (Hyuang Joo) Chase to its eligibility list; the appointment of Casey Case and Jeffrey Prose to the Design Review Commission; and the appointment of Art Oller and Matthew Brockhaus to the Park, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Commission, adding Russell Sterten and Christopher Walsh to its eligibility list. The Regular Meeting commenced afterwards and included a proclamation for Black History Month & African American Mental Health Awareness Week and an update on the A3 Crisis Response Program, alongside a presentation by the Walnut Creek Aquatic Foundation. Key actions on the Consent Calendar involved approving city council minutes from February 3, 2026, accepting warrant registers, adopting a resolution concerning the Municipal Pooling Authority Agreement, approving a resolution for a new street name ("Magnolia Lane"), renewing a Community Benefit Agreement for the Cityview Project, accepting work for the New Aquatic and Community Center Phase 1 project, and adopting a resolution to apply for TDA Article 3 grant funds for the Newel Avenue Improvement Project. The regular session also included accepting work for the Wiget Lane Rehabilitation project, public communications, and continuation of commission interviews, resulting in appointments to the Board of Appeals, the Iron Horse Corridor Advisory Committee, and the Transportation Commission. Finally, the Council accepted an update on the 2025 and 2026 City Council Priorities.

The proceedings included a Special Meeting at 4:30 p.m. which involved a closed session for conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation involving one potential case, concluding at 5:45 p.m. The subsequent Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. featured the reading of a Proclamation for American Heart Month and the administration of the Oath of Office for an Alternate member of the Board of Appeals and a Transportation Commissioner. The Consent Calendar approvals included awarding Contract 25-06 for the 2026 Slurry Seal project and accepting work for the 2025 Slurry Seal project. The Council also approved the appropriation and transfer of $1,250,000 of Recycle Smart Diversion Incentive Funds for parks projects. Discussions also covered public communications, City Manager reports on governance meetings and a potential sales tax ballot measure, and the selection of applicants to be interviewed for various Commission and Board appointments for 2026.

The meeting included the opening segment where the Director of Arts & Recreation was welcomed. Following the public comment period, the Consent Calendar was approved unanimously, which included receiving and filing the Center for Community Arts Annual Report for FY2025. The main consideration item involved the unanimous approval of the revised Public Art site location #2 for the Heather Farm Park Aquatic & Community Center, including the exterior wall of the community center, and the proposed selection panelists for the purposes of the RFP. The meeting concluded with reports on projects, staff announcements, and commissioners thanking an outgoing commissioner for their service.

The meeting included public communications, following which the Consent Calendar was approved. The approved items included re-approvals of the Minutes from April 7, 2025, and June 2, 2025, approval of the October 6, 2025, Minutes, approval of the 2026 PROS Regular Meeting Schedule, and approval of the Social Services Annual Report. Under Consideration, presentations were given by several community groups including the Walnut Creek Aquatic Foundation, Walnut Creek Soccer Club, Walnut Creek Historical Society, Gardens at Heather Farm, Walnut Creek Equestrian Center, and Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation. Staff provided updates on the Civic Park and the New Aquatic and Community Center Project at Heather Farm, the upcoming 2025 General Plan update, and announcements regarding local resource fairs.