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December 2017
Every December, the City Council reconstitutes itself by selecting a new mayor and mayor pro tem (similar to vice mayor).
This Tuesday, Dec. 5, the City Council unanimously selected Justin Wedel
to serve as mayor in 2018, and Cindy Silva to serve as mayor pro tem.
Mayor Wedel was first elected to the City Council in 2012 and re-elected in 2016. An
interesting fact: he started his career in information technology as a
computer technician with the City of Walnut Creek.
Questions, comments about this Update or anything else? Email me at CMUpdates@walnut-creek.org.
 Take our housing affordability survey
Improving the affordability
and availability of housing is a top priority for the Walnut Creek City
Council.
As part of this work, we are
seeking public input on affordable housing – is there enough? What are the
benefits of affordable housing? What are the concerns?
If you haven't taken
our quick 5-minute survey yet, here's your chance to share your
thoughts about these questions and more.The survey will be available
through Dec. 31.
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Council to hear appeal of homeless support center relocation
On Tuesday, Dec. 19, the City
Council will hear an appeal related to Trinity Center’s plan to temporarily move
into a vacant building at 1271 S. California Boulevard (formerly the site of
Kentucky Fried Chicken). Trinity Center, which provides day services to persons who are homeless,
needs to relocate while St. Paul’s Commons, a 45-unit affordable apartment
project, is being built at the center’s current Trinity Avenue location. When St.
Paul’s Commons is complete in mid-2018, Trinity Center will occupy the ground
floor. The Planning Commission on Oct. 26 approved a Conditional Use Permit to
allow Trinity Center to operate in the California Boulevard building; the appeal asks the Council to overturn the Commission's approval. For video of the Planning
Commission hearing on the Conditional Use Permit, click here. To learn more about Trinity
Center, click here.
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Meet our new Communications Manager
New Communications and Community Relations Manager Betsy Burkhart, left, joins the City on Dec. 18. Betsy has extensive experience in
civic communications, most recently as Contra Costa County’s Director of
Communications and Media. During the recent North Bay fires, she was tapped to establish and train Sonoma County's emergency public information team. She replaces Gayle Vassar, who is retiring at the end
of this year. Betsy may be reached at Burkhart@walnut-creek.org after Dec. 18.
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New director to oversee Finance, IT
Amy Cunningham, left, will be our new Administrative Services Director, overseeing finance and information technology.
Most recently, Amy was Administrative Services Director for the Town of Moraga; she also served in a similar role for the Town of Dublin.
Amy's first day with the City of Walnut Creek will be Jan. 2. She replaces Jeff Mohlenkamp, who retired earlier this year.
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 Lesher Center holiday highlights
The Lesher Center offers a vast array of holiday-themed performances this month. For kids, there's Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble's "The Biggest Gift" on Dec. 14-17. Center Rep's luminous production of "A Christmas Carol" runs Dec. 7-17. Music lovers will enjoy the inventive "A Lemony Snicket Holiday" by the California Symphony on Dec. 23, or "A Christmas Fantasia" by the Diablo Symphony Orchest on Dec. 17. For tickets, and additional holiday offerings, go to lesherartscenter.org.
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 Grand Menorah Lighting
The annual Menorah Lighting at Broadway Plaza takes place Sunday, Dec. 17 from 4-6 p.m. in the Broadway Plaza Promenade across from Nordstrom. Festivities include a live concert with Jewish Blues by Saul Kaye; hot latkes and doughnuts; crafts, face painting and more!
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Holiday Puppet Show & Fun With Santa
Join Walnut Creek Recreation at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at
the Heather Farm Community Center for the holiday “Animal Trainer”
puppet show performed by Jungle Joe. Take a picture with Santa, enjoy a
holiday treat and make a holiday craft to take home. Register
on-line or call 943-5858.Class 1672: $15 fee for ages 0-12.
Siblings under 1 are free.
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New Year’s Strolling Dinner Party
Watch the ball drop at the Clubhouse at Boundary Oak and ring in the New Year! The New Year’s
Eve festivities start at 6 p.m. December 31, and last through midnight. Enjoy numerous
culinary delights and an evening of dancing. Tickets are $70 per person and
include wine, beer and soft drinks. For reservations, call 925-934-4775 ext.
20 or visit playboundaryoak.com
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