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City Council Meeting 10/5/21

# Attendees: 12

• Agenda was posted 72 hours in advance?   Yes        On-Line:  Yes              
• Agenda clearly stated items to be discussed? Yes
• Provided background information to the public via links in the agenda or otherwise? Yes
• Maintained civil conduct: attentive, courteous and open to varied opinions? Yes
• Provided adequate time for public input? Yes
• Appeared members were prepared? Yes
• Appeared that an action item, not put on agenda for closed session, was discussed in closed session vs. in public session?           No                     
• Discussed any controversial topic?   No                        
• Took any unusual action?  No                                              
• Unacceptable behavior? No

• Buffer zone around Planned Parenthood at Oakland Blvd
• Protestors are blocking the sidewalk at least two times per week.
• The Council requested additional info and options from the City Attorney and will consider the options at a future meeting
• Cannabis retail sales regulations
• Some of the sales tax would go to the city.
• An additional cannabis tax would have to be approved by voters
• The Council will consider different options at a later meeting.

• Did the agency promote rules publicly and enforce them? Yes
• Any recommendations for local League action on issues or on behaviors observed? None

Next meeting: October 19, 2021 @ 6:00

Adjourned:  10:11pm                

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City Council Meeting 9/21/21

# Attendees: 12

• Agenda was posted 72 hours in advance?   Yes             On-Line:  Yes              
• Agenda clearly stated items to be discussed? Yes
• Provided background information to the public via links in the agenda or otherwise? Yes
• Maintained civil conduct: attentive, courteous and open to varied opinions? Yes
• Provided adequate time for public input? Yes
• Appeared members were prepared? Yes
• Appeared that an action item, not put on agenda for closed session, was discussed in closed session vs. in public session?           No                    
• Discussed any controversial topic?   No                        
• Took any unusual action?  No                                              
• Unacceptable behavior? No

• City Council priorities 2021-2022
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Task force formed with residents
• Creating a 90-day action plan
• Economic development and COVID recovery
• Potential downtown scenarios will be considered in November
• Evaluating commercial and retail cannabis options
• Environmental sustainability and climate action
• Infrastructure and facilities
• Parks, pools, and funding mechanisms
• Social wellness and public safety
• Testing non-police department response for mental health related calls
• Regional crisis intervention team established with Martinez and Pleasant Hill police department 

• The City’s stance on SB 9 was against.

Any recommendations for local League action on issues or on behaviors observed? None

Next meeting: October 5, 2021 @ 6:00

# Attendees: 12

• Agenda was posted 72 hours in advance?   Yes             On-Line:  Yes              
• Agenda clearly stated items to be discussed? Yes
• Provided background information to the public via links in the agenda or otherwise? Yes
• Maintained civil conduct: attentive, courteous and open to varied opinions? Yes
• Provided adequate time for public input? Yes
• Appeared members were prepared? Yes
• Appeared that an action item, not put on agenda for closed session, was discussed in closed session vs. in public session?           No                     
• Discussed any controversial topic?   No                        
• Took any unusual action?  No                                              
• Unacceptable behavior? No

• Discussion of allowing Police Officers to work overtime at Nordstrom as security. The city is still liable when Police are working at Nordstrom. The Officer can be called off of Nordstrom security for WC issues.
• Accessory dwelling unit ordinance discussion, Title 3 and 10 of municipal code
• Aligning City regulations with new State laws
• Motion passed unanimously
• Heather Farm facility planning and funding
• Replace $50M-$175M in community facilities
• City Council requests polling of residents be done regarding funding options

Did the agency promote rules publicly and enforce them? Yes

Any recommendations for local League action on issues or on behaviors observed? None

Next meeting: August 21, 2021 @ 6:00

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City Council Meeting 7/20/21

by Scott Zubrzycki, LWVDV Observer

All members were present.

• Contra Costa County Fire Protection District presentation by Deputy Chief Aaron McAlister:
• Station 4 in unincorporated Walnut Creek will reopen in the 2022-2023 fiscal year at 700 Hawthorne St.
• Drought, resource availability, and illegal fireworks are the main concerns for 2021.
• Day to day staffing levels are normal but additional resources are already stretched thin throughout the County and the State.
• 2020 fires in Walnut Creek = 150
• 2021 fires in Walnut Creek = 85
• New tools for the County:
• 2 new helicopters, 1 with water dropping capability
• 1 new bulldozer for vegetation removal
• New evacuation planning software.
• ALERTWildfire network cameras for monitoring open space and vegetation areas
• Previously 2 cameras for the entire County
• 10 cameras now in the County and more coming this year

• Arts around August
• Multiple comments on the Seven Hills development, which is on County land next to Heather Farms.

• City Manager Dan Buckshi:
• County health recommendation that masks should be worn by everyone, vaccinated and unvaccinated due to rising Covid cases.
• 99.93% of California Covid cases are now among the unvaccinated.
• Jamie Knox is the new Police Chief starting Monday.
• Tracy Reese (acting Police Chief) gave a report for a shooting on N. Main St near the Spoontonic Lounge. 3 injured from gunshot wounds, 1 killed. The investigation is currently active.

• Councilmember Cindy Darling:
• Homeless task force meeting: Regional water control board is working to get water and sanitation supplies to local homeless
• Marin clean energy (MCE): If any resident is having trouble paying their electric bills there is a $1 billion program that is managed by MCE. The moratorium on shutoffs for not paying bills is coming to end. There is a similar program on the water side as well.
• Councilmember Cindy Silva:
• Board of Recycle Smart, the recycle company that currently has a monopoly on recycling 
• Franchise agreement (contract) negotiation is going to begin next week
• Currently a 10-year contract
• Board of League of California Cities
• Senate Bill 7 for local land use zoning standards: position is to watch carefully. Currently State law overrides local laws. This bill would reverse that.

• Mayor Kevin Wilk:
• Continuing outdoor dining downtown through the end of October. Discussions are ongoing to decide on what to do in the future.

• Micro-home village presentation
• Housing solution for unhoused residents and those at a high risk of homelessness
• Accommodating micro home villages on faith-based properties
• Changing zoning so that it would be “by right”
• Pastor Jake Medcalf presentation:
• 80% of the homeless shelter population is local
• 5,000 acres of land is owned by faith-based properties in the Bay Area
• Current cost for a tiny home is about 20% of the cost of a studio unit
• Units are HUD and HCD approved an eligible for Federal housing vouchers
• Organization is the Firm Foundation Community Housing
• The units have a kitchen, bathroom, and can be wheelchair compatible. Laundry facilities would be communal and onsite.
• There is a current project in San Leandro
• These units are not well suited for the current zoning in Walnut Creek
• Special use permit is currently required which is a multi level process which can take at least 3 months
• These are not considered ADU’s
• New land use classification
• This would establish development standards and zoning districts. It would be a 12–18-month process to complete
• Once established it would be a faster process than the special use permit
• These units could be built on any non-profit property.
• No votes on this issue were proposed or taken. City staff and the Council will continue to consider the issue.

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City Council Meeting 6/15/2021

by Scott Zubrzycki, LWVDV Observer

All members were present.

• Testing of the call center and different response tiers.
• Tier 1:   1 mental health clinician
• Tier 2:   2 mental health clinicians
• Tier 3:   1 Police officer and 1 mental health clinician
• Goal is 5 teams up and running by August 1.
• Estimated 32 teams needed for 24/7 support throughout the County.
• The program is attempting to get Measure X funding

• Required by State law to update every 8 years the City’s housing supply vs demand with a plan to meet new demand at all income levels
• Housing Element is the City’s plan
• 2010-2020:
• Only 1 new dwelling unit built for every 4.6 new residents in the Bay Area compared with 1 new unit built per 1.8 new residents during 2000-2010
• Estimated 4441,176 new home units needed during 2023-2031 in the Bay Area
• 101 Cities and 9 Counties
• 5,805 new home units is Walnut Creek’s allocation for 2023-2031
• It is the city’s responsibility to plan for the development of these units
• For 2007-2014 the city met 71% of the goal for new units
• For 2015-2023 the city met 84% of the goal for new units
• New housing zoning emphasizes West and North Downtown, ADU’s and Senior housing.
• Additional housing potentially in the South downtown and Shadeland areas

City Council Meeting 2/16/2021

by Izzy Martinez, LWVDV Observer

Click here to see the full agenda and minutes.

On February 16th, 2021 the Walnut Creek city Council convened for a meeting– all members were present.

• Council Member Cindy Darling reported that there was no housing and development meeting this month, but looking forward to meeting in March.
• Council Member Cindy Silva reported that CA League of Cities, took an “Oppose unless amended” position on SB-9 Housing Development, introduced by Senator Atkins, regarding duplex zoning in all single-family neighborhoods. They have about 5 or 6 amendments they would like to add to the bill.
• ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES FUNDING APPLICATION FOR 699 YGNACIO VALLEY ROAD
• Housing Analyst & Sustainability Coordinator Cara Bautista-Rao, presented the agenda report. She reported that nonprofit housing developer Resources for Community Development (RCD) is applying for the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) state funding program. The AHSC program’s purpose is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through projects that implement land-use, housing, transportation, and agricultural land preservation practices to support infill and compact development and support related state policy objectives. If awarded, the AHSC grant and loan funds will help fund construction of a 100% affordable, 96-unit, mixed-use development at 699 Ygnacio Valley Road and associated transportation and transit improvements near the project. The AHSC grant will provide approximately $19 million in grant funds for the project, including up to $1,400,000-$2,350,000 that will be passed through to the City to directly implement transportation improvements.

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City Council Meeting 02/02/2021

by Izzy Martinez LWVDV Observer

Click here to see the full agenda and minutes.

On February 2nd, 2021 the Walnut Creek city Council convened for a meeting– all members were present.

• New Community Development Director Mark Wardlaw will oversee the Community Development Department. 
• Council Member Haskew reported that she attended the Legislative Committee for Cal Cities and has secured state and federal funding for affordable housing and homeless services.
• Council Member Cindy Silva reported that she attended Cal City Housing Committee on January 29th, to look at two bills of interest:
  • SB-55 which is related to wildfires and land use in high wildfire zones. Two competing pieces of legislation:
    • One is problematic because it is an outright prohibition on building on any section that is a high wildfire zone, that could include half of Lafayette, half of Orinda. It would not change their renovation requirements, but it would make it get compressed. 
    • Alternative Bill is being brought by Senator McGuire out of Santa Rosa/ Sonoma, and that bill approach is that it is not an outright prohibition but a prohibition unless fire hardening will be required in buildings. (This is how Australia does it and other communities do it around the country.) Cal Cities is supporting this alternative.
• The second bill that Council Member Cindy Silva discussed: 
  • SB-09 which is duplex zoning by right, a lot of amendments to discuss with the author Senate Pro Tem, Tony Atkins from San Diego. The amendments offered are substantive, but hopefully the bill will be workable at the local level. 

• Mayor Pro Tem, Matt Francois reported that he attended the Recycle Smart meeting on 1/28. The board adopted a new rate for rate year 7. Those will include a slight increase in all garbage rates, $1.18 a month. This increase is due to the cost that the board is incurring and paying now for processing of recycling materials. That is no longer a free item as it once was. 
• Council Member Cindy Silva, added on that Recycle Smart increase begins March 1st, 2021-February 28, 2022. Our rates are the lowest in 23 other communities in East Bay.

• City Manager Dan Buckshi reported, as of Feb. 2nd, 130 thousand residents have been vaccinated— just under 12% have received the 1st vaccination, 2.5% have received the 2nd dose. Number of vaccines per day keeps on increasing from 4,000-6,000 per day. The goal is to get to 7,000 a day. As of January 24th, 2021, the Tice Valley Gymnasium opened as a vaccination site. 
• Council Member Haskew reported that she attended the Legislative Committee for Cal Cities and has secured state and federal funding for local COVID expenses.

• Proclamation from Mayor: Black History month and 2nd week of February African American Mental Health Awareness Week
• Restaurant Grant Program Fund Allocation — opened two weeks ago. 70 applications received so far. Expect to be cutting checks the week of Feb. 8th.Application section HERE.
• Council Member Haskew reported that she attended the Legislative Committee for Cal Cities and has secured state and federal funding for strengthening coordination to help with disaster resiliency and recovery.  
• Mayor Kevin Wilk is giving a State of the City Address on February 9th, 2021, viewable HERE.
• Proposed 2021 Legislative Agenda (from Sacramento) was presented during this meeting and was adopted. 
• Community Benefits Program presented revisions from the December meeting. 

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City Council Meeting 01/19/21

by Izzy Martinez LWVDV Observer 

Click here to see the full agenda and minutes.

Affordable Housing/Homelessness

• Recognition for Contra Costa County Council on homelessness.
• Walnut Creek Homeless Task Force provides educational forums that serve as an example of community engagement.
• Walnut Creek presented with Outstanding Jurisdiction from the Council on Homelessness.

• Leslie Gleason presented the update on the Trinity Center: Development of 44 units of affordable housing near Downtown, known as St. Paul’s Commons.
• Council Member Cindy Darling reported that she had a meeting with Housing & Community Development where they looked at a grant application that the city of Walnut Creek is looking into with a local affordable housing developer that will have both transit and housing components to it.
• Council Member Cindy Silva reported about a few housing bills that they are watching. (Policy Committee) A bill they are concerned about is SB-6 Caballero, which would give owners of property and developers the right to convert commercially zoned or office retail service commercial to residential without the City to weigh in. Council Member Cindy and others in the policy committee have created a document that lists their concerns to be able to amend to SB-6. There are other bills as well, duplex zoning and another one related to fire and hazardous zones. More to follow in the future.
• Continuation from Council Member Cindy Silva, The Association of Bay Area Governments to meet week of 1/19/2021 to finalize their proposal for plan Bay Area for 2050, allocation should be finalized this week.

• Mayor Kevin Wilk is a member of CA League of Cities Environmental Quality policy committee and they discussed priorities for this year which includes:
• Solid Waste & Recycling
• Climate Change Mitigation
• Energy & Utilities (PG& E issues)
• Emergency Disaster Preparedness

• City Manager, Dan Buckshi, recommended its citizens to check Contra Costa website for updates regarding COVID-19 and vaccine eligibility.
• 52,000 vaccines administered. 3.5% of Contra Costa County have been vaccinated with first dose. .07% have received the 2nd dose. 
• Health Care Workers and 65+ are eligible to receive vaccination.
• Next tier 1B, is police department, essential workers, city workers.(Some winter and others spring.)
• Once we are 20% of vaccination, looking to be Spring or Summer, society will be re-opening. Important milestone. 70% is the goal.

• Community Response Initiative— Top priorities have been identified for a 24/7 response mental team. Four key areas or initiatives were created:

1. Single phone number to call for help, alternative to 911, those who need help with mental health crisis
2. Mobile 24/7 response
3. Non-PD mobile response crisis team
4. Alternative locations where patients can be taken if there is a crisis. (Not many alternatives at present. Currently, patients go to psychiatric patient center in Martinez where they can be held for up to 72 hrs. and then transferred elsewhere. Not enough capacity elsewhere.

• Next phase is meeting with the design team composed of several employees from the county, 6 representatives from the 19 cities, and users of the system, to prioritize the four key initiatives and develop a project plan.

Meeting Basic Human Needs

• Mayor Kevin Wilk is on the Rebound committee with Council Member Cindy Silva, the Restaurant Grant Program was discussed. Mayor Kevin Wilk met with representative Rebecca-Baur Kahn to discuss important issues regarding Walnut Creek and the region when it comes to public transit.
• Restaurant Grant Program Fund Allocation - Moving target from $500,000 to $1,000,000 to support businesses. This will be a city-wide program.
• Two grant categories:
• $5,000 - Bars, Limited Services
• $10,000 - Full-Service Restaurants
• Proposed Uses: Rent, payroll, PPE, outdoor dining winterizing Improvements, COVID-related interior improvements, physical improvements for take-out window.
• Criteria: In business in Walnut Creek since June 2019, active business license, no outstanding city debt or liens, independently owned, submission of financial documents.

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City Council Meeting 12/1/20

by Izzy Martinez LWVDV Observer

Click here to see the full agenda and minutes.

On December 1, 2020 the Walnut Creek city Council convened– all members were present.The newly elected members were sworn in:  

• Loella Haskew, City Council
• Kevin Wilk, City Council (Mayor)
• Cindy Darling, City Council
• Selection of Mayor Pro Tem- Matt Francois

No discussion of new agenda or concurrent items. 12/15/20 will be the next meeting. 

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City Council Meeting 10/6/20

 by Izzy Martinez LWVDV Observer

Click here to see the full agenda and minutes.

Mayor Loella Haskew opened with the retirement of Chief Thomas Chaplin.

• Fire Protection District Update on new wildland fire “normal.” Fires are becoming more frequent, the new normal. Growing threats: fireworks (increase in firework usage), transient camp sparked wildfires.
• City Manager Update- Dan Buckshi:
• Global Pandemic- State of CA tiered system, Contra Costa moved from Purple to Red. Masks and social distancing should still be followed. Rebound program continues. Consent Agenda: council amended the resolution related to coronavirus pandemic to incorporate more business to be added to the Rebound Program. 
• Police Chief Recruitment- Hired a recruiter, have extensive outreach in community. Several stakeholders have been contacted to provide input. Open recruitment mid October- mid November. Intend to have a full community survey where any member of Walnut Creek can offer their input, intended to open in mid October. Will have an open forum sometime in November. Having interviews in December- January. Have someone on board in February.  Summary will be posted on website later this week. 
• Voting- People can start turning ballots in as of yesterday 10/5/2020. County manages voting. There are 3 ballot drop offs in Walnut Creek: City Hall, Ygnacio Valley Library, Grace Presbyterians Church. All outdoors. 

• Council Member Reports:
• Justin Wedel: MCE has been rated, fairly good rating. Transitioning into GH Free Power Generation in the near future. 60% of energy is rated by non-GH Free emitting sources. Next 5-10 years move to 85%. 
• Matt Francois: Recycle Smart board meeting: School program - several schools awarded Waste Buster Awards, diverted 75% or more from landfill. Rate setting for next year. Town Homes will see a slight increase in rates due to state law, mandating organic recycling that is applicable to town homes. Increase in rates in recycling.
• Cindy Silva: League of CA Cities: In terms of fire, thinking of how we change our general plans in what we allow to be built in zones. Defeat DA’s attempt to sweep up all the opioid lawsuits that were percolating under different cities. Governor signed AB 1506 requires AG to investigate officer involved shootings.
• Kevin Wilk (Mayor Pro-Tem): Diversity Task Force - positive conversation about where they would like to go. Due to the Brown Act, can’t act on Public Comments from Miles Hall. However, he acknowledged the comments and stated that they are doing everything they can to enact change, 24/7 mental health response. 

• Implementing SB 743 in Walnut Creek
• Balance desire for local congestion management with state’s goals for
  • Encouraging infill development
  • Improving Public Health through active transportation
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions 
    • Reducing number of vehicle trips
    • Reduce Length of vehicle trips
• City adoption process- Summer 2020 (Fall)

Shadelands: Ordinance Amending Title 10 of the Walnut Creek Municipal Code to extend Shadelands Business Park Art Fee Exemption until Dec 31st, 2021. Motion carries and is extended.