Walnut Creek residents who want written comments before the City Council must submit them by 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, the same night the council votes on a proposed overhaul of city fees.

The council's first regular session since July 21 packs a full agenda: a public hearing on the FY27 Master Fee Schedule, an appeal of a denied short-term rental permit, a first look at the city's draft Electric Vehicle Strategic Plan and a closed-door negotiation involving a downtown restaurant property.

Fee schedule heads to formal vote

The council agenda shows the public hearing on the User Fee Cost Recovery Policy and updated Master Fee Schedule is the culmination of a months-long review. The city hired Matrix Consulting Group to study what it costs to deliver fee-based services, and Administrative Services Director Kirsten LaCasse first presented findings to the council on June 2.

The Finance Committee, led by Mayor Pro Tem Matt Francois and Councilmember Craig DeVinney, unanimously referred the proposed updates to the full council on June 23. At the July 21 session, the council reviewed the draft but took no formal action. Members signaled support for a residential discount limited to incorporated Walnut Creek residents and asked staff to return with more detail on a cost recovery target.

Tuesday's hearing is the formal adoption vote. Specific fee amounts have not been publicly itemized in the agenda.

Short-term rental appeal

Hector Krauss will ask the council to overturn the Planning Commission's denial of a conditional use permit for an unhosted short-term rental at 635 Mandarin Lane. The commission held a public hearing on May 28 and found the proposed operation did not satisfy required findings under the municipal code. It formally adopted Resolution No. 4014 denying the permit on June 11.

Krauss filed his appeal on June 4, after the hearing but before the commission's formal adoption of the denial. The property would operate without the owner on-site, relying on an off-site property manager. The council will hear the matter de novo, meaning it considers the case fresh rather than simply reviewing the commission's decision.

EV plan and closed session

Sustainability Manager Candice Rankin Mumby will present the draft Electric Vehicle Strategic Plan, which guides electrification of the city's vehicle fleet and management of city-owned EV chargers. The Transportation Commission reviewed an earlier version of the charger program analysis on May 21 before staff forwarded it to the council.

Before the 6 p.m. regular meeting, the council will convene in closed session at 4 p.m. to negotiate real property terms at 1352 Locust Street, the downtown location of 5 Tacos & Beers by Los Moles. City Manager Dan Buckshi and Public Works Director Rich Payne are the city's designated negotiators. The agenda lists the subject as "price and terms of payment" but discloses no further details, as required under state law for real property negotiations.

The closed session also includes a conference with legal counsel on one case of anticipated litigation.

How to participate

Written comments can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to the City Clerk's Office, 1666 North Main St., Walnut Creek, CA 94596. Residents can also provide oral comment at the meeting via Zoom or by calling 1-669-900-6833.

The meeting can be watched via livestream at walnutcreekca.gov, on Walnut Creek TV, YouTube or Zoom (Webinar ID: 843 0612 4990, Passcode: 019928).

The next regular council meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m.