MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
January 10, 2022
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 January 10, 2022
Mayor Harris called a Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 PM via teleconference, complete proceedings of which were electronically recorded. The meeting agenda was posted on the City Hall outdoor bulletin board at 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, CA on January 6, 2022, by Deputy City Clerk Juanita Davalos.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status
Michael G. Harris Mayor Present
Timothy M. Flaherty Vice Mayor Present
Ken Carlson Councilmember Present
Sue Noack Councilmember Present
Matthew Rinn Councilmember Present
3. PRESENTATIONS
3.1 Introduction of Interim City Treasurer Andrew Kalinowski Mayor Harris explained the reason for the vacancy of the City Treasurer position and described the process involved to retain Andrew Kalinowski as the Interim City Treasurer. Mr. Kalinowski commented on his professional background and thanked the City Council for the opportunity.
3.2 Proclamation Commending Mary Mc Carthy for Exemplary Service to the City of Pleasant Hill from 2005 to 2021.
Mayor Harris presented the proclamation commending Mary Mc Carthy, Finance Manager, for her exemplary service to the City of Pleasant Hill from 2005 to 2021. Mayor Harris commented on Ms. McCarthy’s accomplishments and expressed his appreciation for her service to the City.
Ms. McCarthy thanked the City Council and staff for working on the Budget Committee.
Each Councilmember expressed their appreciation to Ms. McCarthy for her hard work and guidance during difficult economic times.
June Catalano, City Manager, and Ross Yangwas, Administrative Analyst II, expressed their appreciation to Ms. McCarthy for her service to the City.
5. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
Item 5 taken was taken out of order.
5.1 Reports from Councilmembers on Meetings or Conferences Attended at City Expense
(A) Contra Costa Mayors Conference Hosted via Teleconference on January 6, 2022
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 January 10, 2022
Mayor Harris reported that he and Councilmember Noack attended the Contra Costa Mayors Conference.
Councilmember Noack provided a brief report on the conference discussion topics.
Vice Mayor Flaherty and Councilmember Carlson reported their attendance at the Contra Costa Mayors Conference.
(B) Other Meetings Attended at City Expense
None
5.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Mayor Harris commented on the passing of Lori Hefner, a longtime Pleasant Hill resident and spouse to Carol Wu, City Clerk Recorder.
4. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
June Catalano, City Manager, reported that:
The City Channel 29 is moving in February to Channel 1029, a higher level channel with better graphics and better reception;
A (virtual) Library Town Hall meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 13, 2022; and The (virtual) Community Conversation on LGBTQ issues is scheduled for Wednesday, January 12, 2022.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Harris opened public comment.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Harris closed public comment.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion (Noack/Carlson) to Approve all consent items, carried as follows:
AYES: Carlson, Flaherty, Noack, Rinn, Harris
7.1 Approve Minutes for the Special and Regular City Council Meetings of December 20, 2021
7.2 Approve Checks Dated: December 17, 2021; December 24, 2021; December 31, 2021
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 January 10, 2022
7.3 Accept Update on Contra Costa Transportation Authority and TRANSPAC
7.4 Affirm Resolution No. 63-21 Approving Continued Teleconferencing of the Meetings of All City Legislative Bodies Pursuant to the Provisions of AB 361
7.5 Approve Mayor’s Recommended Appointments of Councilmembers to Various Committees and Boards for 2022 and Ratification of Existing Committees
7.6 Adopt Resolution No. 1-22 Amending the Conflict of Interest Code and Rescinding Resolution No. 4-20
8. ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
8.1 Update on the Business Support Programs to Comprise the City's $500,000 Small Business Economic Stimulus Initiative Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act Zach Seal, Economic Development Manager, presented a slideshow on the Business Support Programs. Mr. Seal noted that the programs are funded entirely by Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds. Mr. Seal explained the Phase I programs to be launched to help small businesses, which include an e-Gift Card Program; the Website Technical Assistance Grants Program (Website Assistance Program); and the Downtown Pedestrian Business Signage Program (Downtown Signage Program).
Mayor Harris asked about the workings of the e-Gift Card Program, which Mr. Seal answered.
Councilmember Noack asked about the allocation of additional funds for the programs and commented on including the businesses across Crescent Drive to be a part of the downtown signage program. Mr. Seal explained that the $500,000 allocation was previous approved by the City Council. He reported that the Downtown Signage Program is currently only for downtown businesses. Mr. Seal said that the e-Gift Card and Website Assistance Programs are available for citywide small businesses.
Vice Mayor Flaherty asked about the timeline and implementation of the e-Gift Card Program and the Website Assistance Program. Mr. Seal responded to Vice Mayor Flaherty’s questions. Mr.
Seal commented that additional time is needed to conduct outreach to businesses to encourage them to sign up for the programs.
Councilmember Rinn said it was important to have the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce as a partner in order to encourage the local businesses to sign up for the programs.
Mayor Harris opened public comment.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Harris closed public comment.
Mayor Harris thanked Mr. Seal and the Economic Development Committee for their hard work.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 January 10, 2022
9. PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
9.1 Adopt Resolution No. 2-22 Authorizing a Request to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the Allocation of Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Transportation Development Act Article 3 Pedestrian/Bicycle Project Funding Ananthan Kanagasundaram, Acting City Engineer, delivered a presentation on the State Transportation Development Act (TDA) Grant Application in the amount of $100,000 for the construction of the Taylor Boulevard and Civic Drive Pedestrian Pathway Improvement Project.
Mr. Kanagasundaram explained the objectives of the TDA grant program, and reported on past grant applications. He explained the budget and proposed timeline for the project.
Councilmember Noack asked about the other roadway project at Taylor Boulevard and Civic Drive. Mr. Kanagasundaram responded that the preference would be to complete the two projects together.
Mayor Harris opened public comment.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Harris closed public comment.
Motion (Carlson/Noack) to Approve item 9.1, carried as follows:
AYES: Carlson, Flaherty, Noack, Rinn, Harris
9.2 Presentation on the Status of Construction of the New Pleasant Hill Library Ananthan Kanagasundaram, Acting City Engineer, reported that the library construction is progressing despite the economic impact and delays due to the pandemic. Mr. Kanagasundaram noted that there have been no shut down days. He explained the fiscal impact to date, including major change orders and usage of the contingency funds.
Vice Mayor Flaherty asked about unapproved pending change orders which were not included in the presentation. Mr. Kanagasundaram said that those pending change orders will be presented to the Budget Committee and the City Council shortly. He commented that the construction costs still fall within contingency amount.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Harris adjourned the meeting in memory of Lori Hefner at 8:31 P.M. The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, January 24, 2022, beginning at 7:00 PM.
CAROL W. WU, CITY CLERK RECORDER