City commissions comprise five to seven members. Commission members must be registered voters and must also live within the City of Walnut Creek, with the exception of the two architects and one landscape architect serving on the Design Review Commission, and up to two Arts Commission at-large members. These commissioners must be registered voters, but need not reside in Walnut Creek. All commissioners serve without compensation and are limited to two consecutive terms.

Selection Process

Commissioners are appointed by a majority vote of the City Council and serve staggered terms. Commission recruitment occurs biennially in January through the City Clerk’s office. The process begins with the City Council interviewing current commissioners who are up for reappointment for a second term. After reappointments are complete, the City Clerk recruits for open seats utilizing multiple types of advertising, the media and networking opportunities to present qualified candidates to the City Council for consideration.

The interview and selection of candidates is an open process. The City Council reviews the applications and votes to select the most qualified applicants to interview. The full City Council conducts interviews in February. Following the interviews, the City Council ballots and appoints the applicant(s) receiving the highest number of votes.

Attendance, Unscheduled Vacancy & Resignation

If an unscheduled vacancy occurs on a commission, the City Council either appoints from the pool of applicants on file (the eligibility list) or opens up the position to new applications where the above process is followed.

The City Council receives an attendance report for all commissioners and may remove a commissioner for excessive absences. Commission members who are unable to continue their service, for whatever reason, should submit a formal letter of resignation to the City Council. A commission member may be removed from office at any time by majority vote of the City Council.

The City of Walnut Creek has multiple opportunities for youth to serve on City commissions and boards:

• Youth Leadership Commission
• Youth seats on the Arts, PROS, and Transportation commissions
• Youth seats on the Chief's Community Advisory Board

Youth Requirements to Serve on a Commission

• Must be a Walnut Creek resident. 
• Must be in grades 9-12 during the term of the position.
• Must have permission from a parent or guardian to participate.
• Must be between the ages of 12 and 19 years old during the term of the position (Arts, PROS, and Transportation commissions).

Selection Process

Applicants for youth seats first complete a written application, from which the most qualified candidates will be selected to participate in the interview process. Applicants will then interview before a panel comprised of City staff, commissioners, and/or representatives. Based on the feedback from the interview panel, the Youth Leadership Commission Staff Liaison appoints new commissioners and representatives to the vacant youth seats. Commissioners and representatives filling youth seats are appointed for a 2-year term. However, rising seniors may apply and serve a 1-year term. 

The open youth seats on City commissions and boards are advertised utilizing multiple types of advertising, the media, and networking opportunities. 

Youth Member Responsibilities and Expectations

• Youth members are expected to attend all meetings, except for cases of emergency or other excused absence, in which case the youth member should alert the commission or board of their absence prior to the meeting. 
• Youth members are expected to stay for the entirety of the meeting of their commission or board.
• Youth members are expected to read through all materials and stay updated on current topics. 
• Youth members are expected to read and/or respond to all internal communication received from City staff and their fellow commissioners or representatives. 
• Youth members are required to attend all events in which their respective commissions or boards are concerned.
• Youth members will remain respectful, professional, and engaged while serving as representatives of their commission or board. 
• Youth members will be on time to all meetings and events. 
• Youth members are expected to clearly communicate.
• Youth members will accurately represent their peers to the best of their ability. 
• Youth members will give opinions on topics and have a preferential vote (Arts, PROS, and Transportation Student Commissioners only).

Attendance, Unscheduled Vacancy & Resignation

If an unscheduled vacancy occurs during the term for a youth seat on a commission or board, City staff may appoint from the list of applicants on file.

The City Council receives an attendance report for all commissioners. The Youth Leadership Commission Staff Liaison may remove a commissioner or representative in a youth seat for excessive absences or other cause. Commission or board members who are unable to continue their service, for whatever reason, should submit a formal letter of resignation to the Youth Leadership Commission Staff Liaison. 

The City Council appoints a Walnut Creek representative to serve on the following bodies: Contra Costa Library Commission; Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging; Contra Costa Mosquito, the Vector Control Board, and the County Connection Citizens Advisory Committee. Commission members must be registered voters living within the City of Walnut Creek boundaries. The appointment of these representatives is handled in conjunction with the  biennial commission recruitment process. The appointed Walnut Creek representatives should provide annual updates to the City Council.

2026 Local Appointments List (Maddy Act)

At the end of each calendar year, the City Clerk publishes a list of upcoming vacancies to be filled by the City Council in the following year. This is done pursuant to the Maddy Act, Government Code Section 54970. Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Walnut Creek will be considering appointments to the boards, commissions and committees in 2026 as provided below.

 

Note : The above list is subject to change based upon term expirations and resignations that may occur during the year. For a current list of members, please contact the City Clerk’s office at 925-943-5818.

 

The City of Walnut Creek complies with the Maddy Act (GC 54970). As such, all scheduled vacancies on the City's Boards and Commissions for the following year are listed and posted annually by December 31st.