Meet Walnut Creek Council Candidate Brendan Moran

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Patch reached out to all the candidates for Walnut Creek City Council.

Two candidates are running for two at-large seats on the Walnut Creek City Council.

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We sent out questionnaires and reprinted their answers verbatim. Below, read the responses of Brendan Moran, a candidate for a seat on the Walnut Creek City Council.

Brendan Moran, 50, is running for a seat on the Walnut Creek City Council. In the questionnaire, Moran identified mobility, affordability, and livability and public safety as priorities.

What is your educational background?

I earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Working as a television news producer during college taught me to research complex issues, verify facts, listen to different perspectives, and communicate clearly. I continue to use those skills in business and public service.

What is your professional background?

I began my career in television production before becoming a licensed real estate broker and small business owner. As the founder of 5 Star Real Estate, I have spent years helping people make important decisions about their homes and investments. That experience has given me a practical understanding of housing, local businesses, and the impact city decisions have on residents.

Have you ever held public office, whether appointive or elective?

Yes. I currently serve on the Walnut Creek Planning Commission, where I work on housing, transportation, land use, and long-term planning. I previously served on the city's Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission. Both are volunteer positions appointed by the City Council.

What are the top three issues facing your district right now?

1. Mobility: Traffic affects residents every day. We need better signal coordination, safer intersections, less neighborhood cut-through traffic, and transportation improvements that keep pace with growth.

2. Affordability: Walnut Creek needs thoughtful housing options so families, seniors, workers, and the next generation have more opportunities to remain here while we protect neighborhood character.

3. Livability and public safety: We must keep our neighborhoods, downtown, parks, and public spaces safe, clean, welcoming, and well maintained as the city grows.

What is one specific policy you would implement in your first 100 days?

In my first 100 days, I would bring forward a Mobility Implementation and Accountability Program focused on turning Walnut Creek's existing transportation plans into visible results.

The program would identify the highest-priority projects, establish timelines, identify funding, and set measurable goals. It would focus on practical improvements that reduce congestion and make it safer and easier to move around the city.

Walnut Creek does not need another plan that sits on a shelf. Residents deserve to know which improvements are moving forward, when they will be completed, what they will cost, and whether they are working.

What is your plan to enact this plan and how would you measure success after one year?

I would ask the City Council to direct staff to review existing transportation plans and create a focused list of projects that can be completed or started within the next year. I would work with city staff, the Transportation Commission, regional agencies, and residents to set priorities and identify funding. After one year, I would measure success by whether priority projects were delivered on schedule, whether traffic flow and safety improved, and whether residents noticed a meaningful difference. Progress would be published in a simple public report so the community could see what had been completed and what still needed attention.

What is one specific change you would make to improve livability in your district?

I would make it easier for residents to get action on speeding, unsafe crossings, and cut-through traffic in their neighborhoods. The city should have a clear process for reviewing concerns, explaining what can be done, and providing a realistic timeline.

Residents should not have to repeatedly contact City Hall just to find out whether a problem is being addressed. A more responsive and transparent process would improve safety, reduce frustration, and make neighborhoods more livable.

How would you improve transparency or accountability in your local government?

I would make city decisions easier to understand and follow. Major proposals should include a plain-language explanation of the costs, tradeoffs, timeline, and effect on residents.

I would also support a public dashboard showing the status of major projects and council priorities. If the city commits to studying, funding, or building something, residents should be able to see who is responsible, what the timeline is, and whether the commitment was met.

What makes you a better choice than your opponents?

There are two candidates running for two open seats, so my fellow candidate and I are running uncontested. I support her candidacy and look forward to working with her. For me, this is not about claiming to be the better candidate. It is about the perspective and experience I will bring to the role.

I am a working professional, a small business owner, and a father raising three young children in Walnut Creek. I understand firsthand the challenges families face as they balance work, housing costs, traffic, and the demands of everyday life.

I also bring years of experience serving the city. That combination of public service, professional experience, and life as a parent gives me a practical understanding of the community. I will bring that perspective to the council, listen carefully, and stay focused on decisions that help Walnut Creek remain a place where families can build a future.