11 Walnut Creek Commissioners Take Oath Of Office

WALNUT CREEK, CA —Eleven Walnut Creek residents took the oath of office Tuesday to serve as representatives on a variety of commissions.

Every other year, the city recruits candidates to serve on advisory bodies for issues including transportation, planning, design review, arts and the city's parks, recreation and open space.

"The latest recruitment we performed to encourage residents to apply resulted in the largest turnout of candidates in years," City Manager Dan Buckshi said. "We are grateful for the level of interest in serving Walnut Creek, and look forward to hearing from our new Commissioners."

Here is a list of the new commissioners, who were sworn in at Tuesday night's City Council meeting:

• Peter Magnani, Arts Commission, a 27-year resident and member of Walnut Creek Library Foundation
• Netsanet Tesfay, Arts Commission, illustrator, designer and mother of two young children
• Harpreet Hansra, Board of Appeals, civil structural engineer
• Christopher Wong, Board of Appeals, biotech professional
• Sharon Pinkstaff, Park, Recreation and Open Space Commission, a 22-year resident who raised two children here
• Molly P. Clopp, Planning Commission, retired health care leader
• Steven Kwok, Planning Commission, an auditor with Contra Costa County
• Charles Kreling, Transportation Commission, an auditor; he served on the Design Review Commission for 4 years
• Laura Patch, Transportation Commission, National Sierra Club staff member
• Peggie Howell, Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District
• Peter Weingarten, Design Review Comission

Advisory commissions and committees serve an important role in the city and give residents a first-hand perspective and involvement in shaping the city’s future.

Here are the main duties the new commissioners will take on.

• Arts Commission: advises the City Council on facilities, programs and policies that enhance the artistic, aesthetic, and cultural quality of life in the City and contribute to the economic vitality of the City. The Arts Commission guides the implementation of the public art program and Public Art Master Plan.

• Design Review Commission: develops and enforces design standards, policies, and practices that promote aesthetics, encourage economic vitality, and enhance the design of the City’s built environment.

• Park, Recreation and Open Space (PROS): advises the City Council on the general direction and emphasis of park, recreation, creek, trail and open space needs, facilities and programs.

• Planning Commission: reviews projects for compliance with the City’s land use and zoning regulations, and has approval authority for subdivision maps, use permits and variances. Another key role for Commissioners involves the City’s General Plan and various Specific Plans; the Planning Commission prepares and recommends adoption of those plans to the City Council. The innovative projects and developments taking shape around Walnut Creek first go through the public hearing process at the Planning Commission.

• Transportation Commission: advises on all issues affecting parking and transportation in Walnut Creek.

• Board of Appeals: established to hear and decide appeals of notices, orders, decisions, or determinations made by the Building Official regarding the application and interpretation of the California Building Standards Code and the Municipal Code.
• Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control Board: the Board of Trustees governs the Mosquito and Vector Control District which is dedicated to the health and welfare of the county’s residents.