Council renews Bridal Railroad Society and Wine Hardware leases, accepts commission attendance reports

The Walnut Creek City Council on Jan. 21 approved multiple consent‑calendar items including a 10‑year lease renewal for the Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society, a five‑year extension of Wine Hardware’s lease and the acceptance of 2024 advisory‑commission attendance reports with direction for staff to inquire about one commissioner’s nonattendance.

During the consent discussion, about 15 members of the Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society (WCMRS) attended the meeting and several members spoke in support of the lease renewal.

Woody Hodge, introduced himself as the club chairman and described the society’s history and public programming: “The club has been around since 1947…we continued to maintain that building at no expense to the city.” He said the group provides low‑cost family entertainment through monthly shows and multi‑weekend exhibitions and listed the club website (wcmrs.org) and Facebook page as places for the public to find schedules.

George Georges, a club member, told council the society fosters community involvement and the club hosts tours and public shows.

Council members moved and seconded the consent approvals. A motion to approve items a, b, c, d and g (other consent items) passed unanimously by roll call. The council then voted unanimously to approve item 2f, renewing the railroad society lease for ten years “along with the changes and red lines” presented in the staff report. The council later approved item E to extend Wine Hardware’s lease for five years. Council also accepted the 2024 advisory‑commission attendance reports and directed staff to inquire into the reasons for a single commissioner’s lack of attendance.

Each of the consent votes recorded roll call affirmations from Mayor Pro Tem Wilk, Council members Francois, De Viney, Silva and Mayor Darling.