Commission recommends council priorities: transportation, general plan update, resiliency, DEI and technology

During a broad discussion on priorities for City Council, Walnut Creek’s Transportation Commission on Jan. 16 identified a set of themes it will forward to the council for consideration. Commissioners repeatedly framed transportation as an integrative priority that ties to economic development, sustainability, safety and livability.

Commissioners asked that the council consider a near‑term General Plan update so the city’s policy framework matches current conditions and long‑range goals. Members also urged that public safety and infrastructure resilience — specifically hydrant performance, water availability for firefighting and evacuation planning — be elevated as priorities given recent large wildfires elsewhere and the city’s wildfire risk.

Commissioners recommended maintaining diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as a council priority and using inclusive language that explicitly covers accessibility and mobility needs for people with disabilities. Several commissioners proposed a new, stand‑alone priority for technology and innovation — including piloting AI and other tools — to improve municipal operations, transportation safety and civic services. Commissioners also encouraged staff and council members to host neighborhood town halls as part of engagement tied to the General Plan and specific projects.

There was general agreement among commissioners to package the input to council around a short prioritized list: (1) Transportation (integrative focus on safety, multimodal access and economic connections); (2) General Plan update; (3) Public safety/infrastructure resilience (water/hydrants/evacuation preparedness); (4) DEI (including accessibility); and (5) Technology and innovation (pilots, AI where appropriate, and digital equity considerations). Staff indicated they would compile the commission’s feedback and forward it to City Council.