Walnut Creek City Council Update From City Manager Dan Buckshi

WALNUT CREEK, CA — During a meeting Tuesday night, Aug. 1, the Walnut Creek City Council was expected to discuss the Housing Element Update and adoption of the Local Roadway Safety Plan, which commits to eliminating traffic deaths and severe injuries in the city by 2024. Also on the agenda was an agreement with the architects who will lead the design of the new pool and community center at Heather Farm Park.

In July, the City Council approved the City's updated Sustainability Action Plan and adopted a Climate Emergency Resolution. Councilmembers also received an update on community engagement touchpoints as the City kicks off work on the replacement of the pool and community center at Heather Farm Park.

The Heather Farm renovations will be paid for primarily from Measure O funds, the half-cent sales tax voters approved last November to pay for high-priority projects and programs. Although the balanced budget adopted by the City Council in June is fiscally healthy, the City's finances alone could not cover the cost of such a major infrastructure initiative, according to an update Tuesday from City Manager Dan Buckshi.

Measure O funds will be used over the next 10 years to finance a wide variety of projects, programs and services that residents said were high priorities, Buckshi said. In addition to the new pool and community center, the funds support public safety with a downtown police patrol, lights at Tice Park, and new synthetic turf for fields at Heather Farm Park. More initiatives will be considered during each budget cycle.

Meanwhile, recruitment will be underway shortly to create the Measure O Citizens Oversight Committee, which will be tasked with annually reviewing revenues and expenditures related to the temporary sales tax increase, Buckshi said.

Agenda material for all City Council meetings can be viewed on the City's Public Meetings Agendas and Videos webpage. The public is invited to attend City Council meetings in person or watch meetings live on YouTube, Walnut Creek TV, Zoom or the City website. The next meeting is set for Sept. 5.