Dan Buckshi

The City Council conducted a special meeting to discuss existing litigation in a closed session. In the subsequent regular meeting, the council addressed several items, including proclamations for International Transgender Day of Visibility and Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month, and a review of the 2025 annual report. Actions taken included the rezoning of a parcel for a dealership project, the adoption of a resolution regarding the Stormwater Utility Area fee, and authorization for a Prohousing Incentive Program application. Additionally, the council awarded contracts for pedestrian improvements and aquatic center construction, approved design services for safe routes to school, and accepted work on multiple city projects. Other business involved selecting a consultant for the General Plan Update, approving assessment reports and setting public hearing dates for business improvement districts, and approving the 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report.

The Walnut Creek General Plan 2025 is a comprehensive revision that serves as a roadmap for the city's physical, social, economic, cultural, and environmental development over a 20-year period from 2005 to 2025. Key strategic areas include enhancing the quality of life, preserving the natural environment and public spaces, guiding the built environment and growth management, improving transportation, ensuring safety and managing noise, and promoting effective governance.

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.