Politics & Government

A Split Vote On Walnut Creek's Future

Council votes 3-2 for 10-year Capital Investment Program.

A split City Council voted Tuesday night for after a debate about potential future spending for Larkey Pool improvements or all-weather fields at Heather Farm Park.

The council voted 3-2 with Mayor Bob Simmons and Council member Kristina Lawson opposed.

Simmons said he thought the council should decide on either Larkey Pool improvements or installation of all-weather sports fields at Heather Farm Park instead of splitting $2.59 million of Measure WW funds between the two.

Simmons thinks the eggs should be put in the Larkey Pool basket, in view of staff projections that in three to five years the city will not have functioning pools for rec programs. The all-weather fields, on the other hand, "still represent a nice-to-have rather than a need-to-have," Simmons said.

Lawson said she couldn't support the CIP because, with $33 million in unfunded maintenance items listed in the staff report, many items amounted to "wish list" projects that the city cannot afford.

Mayor Pro Tem Kish Rajan said "it's time to put the CIP to bed," and then the council can get to real decision-making in appropriating money in the budget process next spring.

The Capital Investment Program also includes:

  • Use the In-lieu Parkland Dedication Fund for playground equipments — $500,000 to bring playground equipment up to safety and Americans with Disabilities Act standards, and $350,000 to build an all-abilities playground at some location.
  • Develop a more detailed plan for speed display signs on Ygnacio Valley Road and traffic improvements to accommodate a planned development at Civic Drive and Ygnacio Valley Road.

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