[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6546947,"mediaKeyId","3411627-42cc4b3c1c5b1c4e8fb0f0ae5b4c3cb4","parentId",3411627,"title","Walnut Creek council approves consent calendar, awards $2 million in affordable-housing grants","audioSeconds",383,"startMs",4393000,"endMs",4776000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411627-42cc4b3c1c5b1c4e8fb0f0ae5b4c3cb4&start=4393&end=4776","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411627-42cc4b3c1c5b1c4e8fb0f0ae5b4c3cb4/thumbnail_4393000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6546947/Walnut-Creek-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/Walnut-Creek-council-approves-consent-calendar-awards-2-million-in-affordable-housing-grants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546947-7f78cfe9d38c3302042f6b92282a1e65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157173&Signature=OWnKZxANWnK0tbXuM4litap62iCe0rSCbgYAqrMinErZTmdrU6M2C6ygAvLB2fAwZ1iAHtkJfwetmKQqmoeIFy2NjSpP~tGwTnYR-cEdTLCeX05o1MBxqi-BqAgE6wpippihqJBU54CNw9~aZBMfLZTrRpAOCT0cP~CJjhEj3YbUs-2rSS4TpwY1qhmmIlqhGVG8yD0ycftxe62ms7VXtvLViGHGqLGsxADgeRWORs2dO-32DBZ0aWAhO4Zw7YY7WhpH~0QozxlG8yxSSOM-dcfIRYkbRrbQZLc0u2rxFBObD9Lg06miPXy-s7vj0Vy706p6LncxWvyIQYnlmkZQKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Walnut Creek City","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Walnut Creek City Council unanimously approved the consent calendar and separately authorized two $1 million awards to affordable-housing developers at its May 20, 2025 meeting.

The council voted 5–0 to approve the consent calendar items 2A–2D and 2F, then later approved item 2E, which awards $1,000,000 to Habitat for Humanity for Esperanza Place Phase 2 and conditionally awards $1,000,000 to Resources for Community Development (RCD) for Civic Crossing (formerly 699 YVR).

Council members and staff described the change this year from a rolling application process to a single annual request for proposals (RFP). Jennifer Amas, Housing Analyst in the Community Development Department, told the council the city issued its first annual RFP in November 2024, received three proposals, and is recommending funding two of them. She said Esperanza Place Phase 2 is an ownership project that would provide 19 low- and moderate-income homes and Civic Crossing is a rental project proposed to deliver 93 affordable units.

Why it matters: council members pressed staff about the source of the funds and the broader fiscal context. The awards will be paid from two local fee sources — the affordable housing in‑lieu fee and the commercial linkage fee (identified in the city finance system as funds 173 and 175). Staff said the city has averaged about $500,000 per year in affordable-housing fees over the last three years and that after the $2 million in awards the remaining balance in the affordable housing fund will be about $2,000,000.

State budget risk: the council also discussed potential state funding cuts. Jennifer Amas said RCD’s project has already secured state funding through No Place Like Home and the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) grant programs and therefore is not expected to be affected. Habitat for Humanity is pursuing a CalHome grant and continues to advocate for restoration of that program in the state budget, she said.

Votes at a glance
- Consent calendar (Items 2A–2D, 2F): Motion to approve; outcome: approved unanimously (Ayes: Councilmembers Silva, Francois, Deveney; Mayor Pro Tem Wilk; Mayor Darling). The motion was moved and seconded on the record and approved by roll call.
- Item 2E — Affordable housing awards: Motion to award $1,000,000 to Habitat for Humanity for Esperanza Place Phase 2 and conditionally award $1,000,000 to Resources for Community Development for Civic Crossing; outcome: approved unanimously (Ayes: Silva, Francois, Deveney, Wilk, Darling). The award to RCD is conditional on the project meeting its financing contingencies.

What council asked staff to track: staff confirmed the award sources (in‑lieu and linkage fees), described the new annual RFP process, and said they will continue monitoring state funding as the governor’s May budget revision and legislative negotiations proceed. Councilmember Francois asked staff to report regular annual totals for affordable-housing fees; staff said the recent three‑year average is about $500,000 per year.

Next steps: staff will finalize the agreements and return for any necessary contract or administrative approvals required to disburse the funds; the conditional award to RCD remains contingent on the project meeting secured financing and grant conditions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Walnut Creek City Council: 5/20/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Walnut Creek City Council unanimously approved the consent calendar and authorized two $1 million awards to affordable-housing projects at its May 20 meeting.","taxTitle","Walnut Creek City, Contra Costa County, California","taxId",5541,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546929,"Walnut Creek council outlines five priorities for 2025–26: general plan, economic development, sustainability, parks and public safety",1792,8180000,9972000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411627-42cc4b3c1c5b1c4e8fb0f0ae5b4c3cb4&start=8180&end=9972","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411627-42cc4b3c1c5b1c4e8fb0f0ae5b4c3cb4/thumbnail_8180000.jpg","/articles/6546929/Walnut-Creek-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/Walnut-Creek-council-outlines-five-priorities-for-202526-general-plan-economic-development-sustainability-parks-and-public-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546929-5372a3c77216f401a5b7023f5c05b090/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157173&Signature=LtX7433wjysrWSV6~zL1mRZjiP27X7AD1-NRAEtujDXliLqfdJfkNmXd48A0A1OiYgq9Pcyh9TsJt2O3Qc0qkRuPckPgMQX3CaQz3ZV-RG9d7LHB3ZQFseyS59uLMAanBuZH9KBhMpoqeTH3D1IKZVFIL-04eDRSL0694W1U2QW21sQeoA6nNv4lxHx2KnYIDkYbjxKLXOOMe6H06gZNy5a-Xckruaj9cbgm3y56VKFpmEVsmBQ5mI3H4villR4W~w9~LH1itamIw0K4CmeaoOleGe9F2shZqHvpUzlcCZoWf0Ho-wZe3UjGKH~u2eWy8jUrFa17l0834ChnuW3WTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Walnut Creek city staff presented the recommended scopes of work on May 20, 2025 for the City Council’s five priorities covering calendar years 2025–26: economic development and downtown vitality; environmental sustainability and climate action; a multi‑year general plan update; parks and recreation facilities; and public safety and social wellness.

Economic development: Mike Neiman, Economic Development Manager, said staff will continue the downtown action plan, focus on business retention and targeted recruitment of higher‑paying jobs, explore a “wellness corridor” near health‑care employers, and promote downtown experience and tourism. Staff proposed a concierge permitting service and improvements to the permitting and outreach process to reduce friction for businesses and homeowners.

Sustainability and climate action: Candace Rankin Mumbi, Sustainability Manager, said the Sustainability Action Plan (adopted July 2023) guides measures to decarbonize buildings and transportation, expand EV chargers and fleet electrification, improve water conservation, increase waste diversion with RecycleSmart partners and evaluate a community-wide policy on gas‑powered leaf blowers. Staff reported an EV‑charging strategic plan is under development.

General Plan update: Erica Vandenbrand, Community Development Director, outlined a four‑year update to the city’s general plan, intended to define Walnut Creek’s vision to 2050 and document tradeoffs across land use, infrastructure, environmental and economic outcomes. Staff plans robust community engagement, scenario analysis and an RFP for consultant support later this summer.

Parks and recreation / Heather Farm Aquatics and Community Center: Rich Payne, Director of Public Works, reported progress on capital projects. Phase 1 of the Heather Farm aquatics/community center—realignment and expansion of the lake/pond edge—has received required environmental permits and is out to bid; staff expects to award and begin construction on the lake work this year. Phase 2 (the new aquatic and community center building) will be prequalified and then bid, with construction targeted to begin in early 2026 and substantial completion targeted in late 2027, pending bids and scheduling. Additional park projects include synthetic turf at Heather Park, field-lighting at Tice Park, tennis/basket court resurfacing at Rudgear and Arbolado Parks, and planning study funding for reuse of the Clark Pool site after the new center opens.

Public safety and social wellness: Chief Jamie Knox described priorities to modernize department technology, maintain community policing and targeted crime‑prevention programs (including a new crime‑prevention specialist), coordinate responses to homelessness and mental health, and advance Vision Zero and traffic‑safety work. Staff proposed a traffic‑safety working group and renewed emphasis on emergency preparedness and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) revitalization.

Council feedback and next steps: Councilmembers asked for more detail about funding sources and timelines, stressed the need for strong public outreach for the general plan and Clark Pool reuse, and urged cross‑department coordination on pedestrian, bicycle and transit improvements that cut across multiple priorities. Staff will return quarterly with timelines, budgets and progress updates and will begin the RFP for the general plan this summer.
","City staff outlined workplans for five council priorities — economic development, sustainability, a general plan update, parks/facilities and public safety — and reported progress on major capital projects including the Heather Farm lake permitting and the planned new aquatics and community center.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546934,"Las Lomas wellness center reports 500+ students used mental-health supports last year; school highlights substance‑use prevention and peer programs",701,798000,1499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411627-42cc4b3c1c5b1c4e8fb0f0ae5b4c3cb4&start=798&end=1499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411627-42cc4b3c1c5b1c4e8fb0f0ae5b4c3cb4/thumbnail_798000.jpg","/articles/6546934/Walnut-Creek-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/Las-Lomas-wellness-center-reports-500-students-used-mental-health-supports-last-year-school-highlights-substanceuse-prevention-and-peer-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546934-4a1f09623d14845b1d7315043d8b9c3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157173&Signature=b5pMGKJocE6rs8V4fmwCvaWdnNustQKQbEGftQC93pmgU5WVGxrF1WoJywDqTRf2xBoj87XZsbMpQno7mXNOFPb-pnffnp4N9mpwWLk56nCFuCGo~lIL~EsrcveG1L-7v873EvnyGO7ToCddpndCvSgaVjAeIhA~aBE0QWVtqtOqkhO2DwedyEqlv-jmLA9S2qRWFP066ZvbVW3-pNLO5MQAU-Vo3lsQGFDfVdSlMFHoxJarj4EG~SB4f06P6iH5wCJCdi54Vd6UJmtbkDCqURfpUQqJNn-H4jP1vwa~e5GEHxu8Hegq1OnWvQcgh4vN~m-ntN-pG~F9F55eyaxn5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staff from Las Lomas High School presented the wellness center’s programs and usage to the Walnut Creek City Council on May 20, 2025, highlighting mental‑health supports, peer education and fentanyl awareness work.

Amelia Whalen, Wellness Coordinator at Las Lomas High School, told the council the school serves about 1,600 students and the wellness center logged roughly 2,870 visits for mental‑health support last school year. She said more than 500 unique students accessed services on their own in addition to referrals, and 275 unique students were referred to the center. Services include intake triage, ongoing individual and group counseling delivered by licensed clinicians and interns, drop‑in support during the school day, case management and referrals to community resources.

Whalen described student-led programs such as Bring Change to Mind (a national anti‑stigma program), a leadership wellness committee, a Tobacco Use and Prevention Education partnership, a Protect Your Game program for student‑athlete substance‑use prevention, and peer‑educator efforts focused on counterfeit pills and naloxone awareness developed with the nonprofit Song for Charlie.

On fentanyl and Narcan, Whalen said Las Lomas trained teachers in naloxone administration and that the school has distributed Narcan to interested staff. She said the school has hosted parent education nights featuring community partners and survivor testimonials and has run student academies and peer‑led awareness campaigns. A flyer co‑created by peer educators explains where Narcan is stored on campus and how students can alert a trusted adult.

Council members praised the center’s proactive emphasis on mental wellness rather than a purely reactive crisis model. Several council members related personal or family experience with the center’s services and noted its role as a community resource; council members asked about scale and staffing. Whalen said clinicians include the wellness coordinator (a licensed clinical social worker), an intake specialist and interns pursuing graduate‑level clinical training; many return to continue at the center after graduation.

Next steps: Whalen and board member Stacy Schweppe thanked the council for ongoing city support; staff said the city’s mental‑health partnerships and funding have supported operations and outreach. Council did not take formal action on the presentation.","Las Lomas High School wellness center staff told city council the center recorded about 2,870 mental‑health visits and served over 500 unique students in the prior school year. Services include drop-in support, individual and group counseling, substance‑use education, fentanyl/Narcan awareness, and partnerships with community nonprofits.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546939,"Lesher Center lays out strategic plan gains, marks 35th anniversary year with expanded festivals and partnerships",1322,1782000,3104000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411627-42cc4b3c1c5b1c4e8fb0f0ae5b4c3cb4&start=1782&end=3104","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411627-42cc4b3c1c5b1c4e8fb0f0ae5b4c3cb4/thumbnail_1782000.jpg","/articles/6546939/Walnut-Creek-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/Lesher-Center-lays-out-strategic-plan-gains-marks-35th-anniversary-year-with-expanded-festivals-and-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546939-be8f26e414d2e460f9297d134fb9653e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157173&Signature=NSVhbFic0FP0l2UGJm0iexnT71SAOGJ556xucd~93~YGUFXSyF91dX4JPsyw~NPl0PZLK9Z1sj3NaS~coDRTHA0bXMqpGmQqZbArH2dL-S95mW3j3slNAXm5OOtVzaLNiDHTSLqGqOexQLBPRKZE7nkEoeCzQbtrf9SY-Riw7l~jsMYNPN10TEMoLU7ca-ZUfcrNvpgfDbhIydp4SgVyKlPesWhFjYQXW5EjEG-Fb2mfuWWBAcB6xSpzGTlXf2mwExKEt909BdZiGPj5biVujQAErZj1oDv2oJ5iep6eGDUFYWZR3iJsHeWdKdX0Ayr0va0LWLOLBZy~YkSj2i0lqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lesher Center for the Arts reported audience growth, expanded programming and new partnerships at the Walnut Creek City Council meeting May 20, 2025, and invited the public to a year of anniversary events.

Carolyn Jackson, Lesher Center general manager and interim arts and recreation director, told council the center implemented recommendations from a strategic plan adopted in 2022. Jackson said the center shifted from being primarily a rental venue to presenting national and international artists, launched the Lesher Center in Your Neighborhood outreach program, established a marketing department and unified branding across the Lesher Center and its nonprofit partner, the Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA).

DRAA Executive Director Peggy White and Bedford Gallery Curator Emily Enders described recent successes. White said the headliner series has drawn more than 32,000 attendees to date and that pay-what-you-can and outreach programs have expanded arts access. Enders said Bedford Gallery is expanding its national traveling exhibition program and highlighted current and upcoming shows that increase representation, including Rediscovering Native America: Stories in Motion.

Supporters and donors addressed council in support of the strategic plan and upcoming events. Steve Lesher, chair of the Lesher Foundation, urged council to safeguard artistic freedom and said the foundation will continue supporting the center’s programming. Angie Coffey, chair of the DRAA board, and other local supporters including Sandeep Kajalgi and Mike Weintraub described new programs and a planned Diwali festival in October, which will include music, food and cultural programming.

Council members praised the programming and outreach and asked about COVID-era recovery. Jackson said audience levels are near pre‑pandemic totals for many presenters, though production management still faces occasional illness-related cancellations. Steve Lesher emphasized that programming decisions should be driven by curators and patrons, not political intervention.

What to expect: the Lesher Center will celebrate its 35th anniversary year with a full season of headliners — including a partnership with SF Jazz — two new weekend festivals (Improv and Diwali) in October, launches of community outreach programs and continued capital improvements. Staff told council planned capital work includes replacement of stage floors for the Lesher and Hoffman theaters this summer and future upgrades to theater sound, fire systems and HVAC.

Next steps: the center will continue to report metrics to the city, including subscription and first-time buyer rates; staff noted Center Rep subscriptions are up 11% over last year and recent productions have drawn a consistent share of first‑time Lesher attendees.
","Lesher Center and Diablo Regional Arts Association reported growth in audience, new productions and partnerships, a unified brand and a marketing team, and plans for a busy 35th anniversary season including SF Jazz, Improv and Diwali festivals, and capital upgrades.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Walnut Creek council approves consent calendar, awards $2 million in affordable-housing grants

Walnut Creek council outlines five priorities for 2025–26: general plan, economic development, sustainability, parks and public safety

Las Lomas wellness center reports 500+ students used mental-health supports last year; school highlights substance‑use prevention and peer programs

Lesher Center lays out strategic plan gains, marks 35th anniversary year with expanded festivals and partnerships