Walnut Creek public meetings in 2021

Arts Commission Special Meeting

The Walnut Creek Arts Commission is meeting to approve the selection of artist Mona Caron to create two murals in the Simpson Family Courtyard at the Lesher Center for the Arts. The project, funded by the Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA), has a budget of approximately $55,000. The commission will also approve four alternate artists in case the primary artist cannot complete the work.

• Approval of artist Mona Caron for murals in the Lesher Center for the Arts Simpson Family Courtyard
• Project budget of approximately $55,000 funded by the Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA)
• Approval of alternate artists Muzae Sesay, Jet Martinez, Allison Torneros Hueman, and Rewina Beshue
• Murals to be painted on the LCA’s south-facing diagonal wall and the garage’s north-facing portal wall

The Walnut Creek Arts Commission unanimously approved artist Mona Caron to create murals for two walls of the Simpson Family Courtyard at the Lesher Center for the Arts. A motion to approve four alternate artists failed on a 2-2 vote, and a subsequent motion to limit the alternate list to one artist was not seconded. The murals are funded by the Diablo Regional Arts Association with no impact to the Public Art Fund.

• Approved Mona Caron to create murals for two walls of the Lesher Center Simpson Family Courtyard (unanimous)
• Rejected alternate artists Muzae Sesay, Jet Martinez, Allison Torneros Hueman, and Rewina Beshue (2-2)
• Motion to limit alternate list to Jet Martinez failed for lack of a second

Transportation Commission Meeting

The Walnut Creek Transportation Commission met to review the status of the South Main Street Bridge Replacement Project over Las Trampas Creek. The body also received an introductory presentation on traffic signal technology. No binding decisions were made, as the commission is an advisory body to the City Council.

• Update on the South Main Street Bridge Replacement Project Over Las Trampas Creek, including a Draft Type Selection Report
• Introduction to Traffic Signals (Part 1 of 3) technical presentation
• Approval of minutes from the July 15, 2021 meeting

The Walnut Creek Transportation Commission unanimously recommended the proposed bridge type selection for the South Main Street Bridge Replacement Project over Las Trampas Creek. The meeting was cut short due to technical difficulties, and a planned presentation on traffic signals was rescheduled.

• Approved minutes of July 15, 2021 (unanimous)
• Recommended bridge type selection for South Main Street Bridge Replacement Project (unanimous)

Arts Commission Regular Meeting

The Walnut Creek Arts Commission approved a $415,000 contract for artist Marc Fornes to create a public artwork for Rudney Plaza, and approved a mosaic tile mural concept for Ostro Restaurant/Ciela Terrace. It also recommended that the City Council allocate up to $230,000 to renovate Veterans Memorial Plaza, with a stipulation that the landscape design be reviewed by the Commission. The 2022 meeting schedule was approved, and the July 26, 2021 minutes were adopted.

• Approved $415,000 contract to artist Marc Fornes for Rudney Plaza public art (unanimous)
• Approved public art mosaic tile mural concept for Ostro Restaurant/Ciela Terrace (unanimous)
• Recommended up to $230,000 for Veterans Memorial Plaza renovation, with landscape design review (unanimous)
• Approved Arts Commission 2022 meeting schedule (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of July 26, 2021 regular meeting (unanimous)

Park, Recreation & Open Space Commission Special Meeting

The Park, Recreation & Open Space Commission is holding a special meeting to provide feedback on three potential locations for a new combined swim center and community center at Heather Farm Park. Staff will present the results of Phase 1 facility planning and a work plan for implementation, which was prioritized by City Council in 2021-2022. The commission's input will be used before staff presents the analysis to City Council on November 16, 2021.

• Review of three location options for the combined facility: existing Clarke Swim Center site, existing Heather Farm Community Center site, or the area between them
• Discussion of Phase 1 implementation work plan, including coordination with the Walnut Creek Aquatic Foundation regarding funding for a 50-meter lap pool
• Stakeholder feedback from groups including the Gardens at Heather Farm Park, Mt Diablo Audubon Society, and the Walnut Creek Aquatic Foundation
• Evaluation of cost factors such as new utilities, site grading, and pool excavation for each location option

The Park, Recreation & Open Space Commission held a special meeting on October 11, 2021, to consider the location of a future combined facility at Heather Farm Park. No formal decisions were made; the item was only discussed. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.

• Discussed location of future combined facility at Heather Farm Park (no action taken)

Park, Recreation & Open Space Commission Regular Meeting - CANCELLED

The Park, Recreation & Open Space Commission has cancelled its regular meeting scheduled for October 4, 2021. No agenda items were decided or discussed because the meeting did not take place. A special meeting is scheduled for October 11, 2021, at 6:00 p.m.

• Regular meeting on October 4, 2021, was cancelled
• Special meeting scheduled for October 11, 2021, at 6:00 p.m.

Transportation Commission Meeting - Cancelled

The Transportation Commission meeting scheduled for September 16, 2021, at 6:00 pm has been cancelled. No agenda items were decided or discussed. The document contains only standard procedural information regarding the advisory body's role and public testimony rules.

• Meeting scheduled for September 16, 2021, at 6:00 pm is cancelled.

Park, Recreation & Open Space Commission Regular Meeting

The Park, Recreation & Open Space Commission held a regular meeting with presentations on a youth seat on city commissions and the Walnut Creek Watershed. The commission received extensive public comments, including support for a triangle mountain bike course and concerns about a proposed flow trail near housing and endangered species. Staff provided an update on the 10-Year Parks Plan and approved capital projects.

• Presentation on Youth Seat on Every City Commission
• Public comments on proposed flow trail and triangle mountain bike course
• Parks update on 10-Year Parks Plan 2016-2026 and CIP projects
• Discussion of possible renovation of San Miguel Park
• Staff announcement on YPYF work plan focusing on Heather Farm facilities

The Park, Recreation & Open Space Commission met via tele/video conference and received informational presentations on adding a youth seat to city commissions and on the Walnut Creek watershed. Public comments were heard on topics including tennis court resurfacing, a proposed flow trail, and the Heather Farm Master Plan. No formal decisions or votes were recorded; the meeting was informational and procedural only.

• No formal decisions or votes taken during the meeting
• Heard presentation on Youth Seat on Every City Commission
• Heard presentation on Walnut Creek Watershed update
• Received public comments on tennis courts, flow trail, and other topics

Arts Commission Regular Meeting

The Walnut Creek Arts Commission unanimously approved the recommended location and artist, Collette Crutcher, for a public art mosaic at Ostro Restaurant, and requested the Design Review Commission explore extending the artwork to additional locations. The Commission also approved a mural project for the Simpson Family Courtyard at the Lesher Center for the Arts with a $55,000 budget, and approved the selection panel members for that mural. The Rebound Murals long-term status item was postponed to a later date.

• Approved public art site and artist Collette Crutcher for Ostro Restaurant (unanimous)
• Requested DRC explore extending artwork to additional locations (unanimous)
• Approved mural project for Simpson Family Courtyard with $55,000 budget (unanimous)
• Approved mural selection panel members (unanimous)
• Appointed Fritz Brunner to mural selection panel (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of April 26, 2021 meeting (unanimous)
• Accepted LCA/Center REP Annual Report for 2019-20 (unanimous)
• Postponed Rebound Murals long-term status item

Transportation Commission Meeting

The advisory Transportation Commission met on July 15, 2021, to approve minutes from March 18, 2021, and review a staff report on the Neighborhood Streets Program. No public hearings were held, and the body made no binding decisions as it advises the City Council.

• Approval of minutes from March 18, 2021
• Staff report on the Neighborhood Streets Program

Transportation Commission Meeting - Cancelled

The Transportation Commission meeting scheduled for May 20, 2021, at 6:00 pm has been cancelled. No decisions, proposals, or discussions took place at this meeting. The agenda contains only procedural information regarding the cancellation and standard meeting protocols.

• Meeting scheduled for May 20, 2021, at 6:00 pm was cancelled.

Arts Commission Regular Meeting (Video/Teleconference)

The Walnut Creek Arts Commission unanimously approved two mural projects: one by artist Brian Alfred for the Ygnacio Center and another by artist Berk Wallace for a privately owned wall at 1388 N. Main Street (Mel's Diner). The commission also approved the consent calendar, elected new officers, and announced liaison appointments.

• Approved consent calendar items 4a-4c (minutes, annual report, fee changes) unanimously
• Elected Commissioner Klauber as Arts Commission Chair unanimously
• Elected Commissioner Brunner as Arts Commission Vice Chair unanimously
• Approved murals by Brian Alfred for Ygnacio Center unanimously
• Approved mural by Berk Wallace at 1388 N. Main Street unanimously

Park, Recreation & Open Space Commission Special Meeting (Tele/Video Conference)

The Park, Recreation & Open Space Commission met via teleconference to review proposed changes to the Recreation Fees & Charges Schedule for FY22 and FY23. The body also considered providing a positive recommendation to the City Council on parks and open space projects within the 2022-2031 Ten-Year Capital Investment Program. Additionally, the commission heard an update from the Walnut Creek Trail Committee regarding proposed trail improvements in southern Lime Ridge.

• Review and comment on proposed Recreation Fees & Charges Schedule changes for FY22 and FY23
• Recommendation on parks and open space projects in the 2022-2031 Ten-Year Capital Investment Program (CIP)
• Walnut Creek Trail Committee update on Open Space improvements and proposed trail in southern Lime Ridge
• Approval of minutes from the Regular Meeting of February 1, 2021
• Review of the Recreation, Sports, & Facilities Annual Report

The Park, Recreation & Open Space Commission held a teleconference-only special meeting on April 19, 2021. They approved the minutes from the February 1, 2021 regular meeting, elected a new chair and vice chair, and voted to recommend the 2021-2022 Fees & Charges changes and the 2022-2031 Ten-Year Capital Investment Program (CIP) parks projects to the City Council. They also received a trail committee update on the proposed southern Lime Ridge trail and provided feedback.

• Approved minutes of February 1, 2021 regular meeting
• Elected Commission Chair and Vice Chair
• Recommended 2021-2022 Fees & Charges changes to City Council
• Recommended 2022-2031 CIP parks projects to City Council
• Provided feedback on southern Lime Ridge trail proposal

Transportation Commission Meeting - Video-Teleconference

The Walnut Creek Transportation Commission met via video conference to review its 2022-2031 Capital Investment Program (CIP). The body sought a recommendation on a list of transportation projects for the ten-year plan to forward to the City Council. The meeting also included the election of a Chair and Vice-Chair and the assignment of committee roles.

• Review of the 2022-2031 Capital Investment Program (CIP) for transportation projects
• Election of Commission Chair and Vice-Chair
• Assignment of Commissioner Committee appointments
• Approval of minutes from January 21, 2021

The Walnut Creek Transportation Commission unanimously approved and forwarded the 2022-2031 Capital Investment Program (CIP) transportation-related projects to the City Council. The commission also re-elected Danny Milks as Chair and Samantha Caygill as Vice Chair, and confirmed current committee assignments. No public comments were made during the meeting.

• Approved and forwarded 2022-2031 CIP transportation projects to City Council (unanimous)
• Re-elected Danny Milks as Chair (unanimous)
• Re-elected Samantha Caygill as Vice Chair (unanimous)
• Confirmed commissioners' current committee assignments (no changes)

Park, Recreation & Open Space Commission Regular Meeting

The Park, Recreation & Open Space Commission met via teleconference on February 1, 2021, to consider the 2022-2031 Ten-Year Capital Investment Program and updates from the Walnut Creek Trail Committee. The meeting also included the approval of minutes from the December 7, 2020 meeting. Public comment was accepted for the consideration items prior to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

• Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 7, 2020
• Walnut Creek Trail Committee Recommendations Update
• 2022-2031 Ten-Year Capital Investment Program (CIP)

Transportation Commission Meeting - Video-Teleconference

The Walnut Creek Transportation Commission met via video conference to review the 2022-2031 Capital Investment Program. Staff presented transportation-related projects for the next ten years and requested the Commission's input on priorities. The Commission is an advisory body to the City Council, so no final decisions were made on these projects.

• Presentation on 2022-2031 Capital Investment Program transportation projects
• Approval of minutes from November 19, 2020