MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
April 4, 2022
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 April 4,
2022 , 2020
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 March 31, 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 Proclamation Designating April 3 - 9, 2022 as Library Week Mayor Harris read and presented the proclamation to Patrick Remer, Senior Community Library Manager, and Laurel Burns, Teacher Librarian at Strandwood Elementary and Gregory Gardens Elementary. Mr. Remer thanked the City Council for the proclamation. Mr. Remer delivered a presentation that reported on the digital usage of library resources throughout Contra Costa County, and on virtual library events for all age groups.
Ms. Burns commented on what school libraries mean to students and the community. She expressed her support for libraries to act as safe havens for students.
Councilmember Noack commented that her son had attended Strandwood Elementary and commended Ms. Burns for her work as a teacher librarian. Councilmember Noack expressed her appreciation to Mr. Remer and Ms. Burns for their work in keeping libraries vibrant.
Councilmember Rinn requested that a copy of the proclamation be sent to the Mt. Diablo School District office to support funding for libraries.
Mayor Harris thanked Mr. Remer and Ms. Burns for their hard work.
3.2 Introduction of New Civic Action Commissioner Anthony Garcia Vice Mayor Flaherty introduced Anthony Garcia as the new Civic Action Commissioner and thanked him for volunteering to serve on the Commission. Mr. Garcia thanked the City Council for the appointment.
3.3 Update on Police Services in Pleasant Hill by Bryan Hill, Chief of Police Pleasant Hill Police Chief Bryan Hill presented a slide show on the Police Department’s 2021 Annual Report. Chief Hill summarized each of the subjects in the annual report including, “Crime City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 April 4, 2022
& Response,” “Professional Standards & Accountability,” “New in 2021,” and “Community Engagement.”
Chief Hill reported that property crimes and crimes against persons have decreased over a fifteenyear period. Chief Hill said that property crimes outpace violent crimes in the community. Chief Hill reported on use of force incidents and deployment of non-lethal weapons over a five-year period. He said that the Police Department is being as transparent as possible and also reported on complaints and administrative investigations. Chief Hill summarized new initiatives and programs, and community engagement events.
Mayor Harris thanked Chief Hill for the presentation and for the Police Department’s efforts in keeping the community safe and engaged.
Councilmember Carlson asked about the camera registry response rate which was answered by Chief Hill.
4. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
June Catalano, City Manager, commended Chief Hill for his leadership and commitment to transparency. Ms. Catalano thanked the Pleasant Hill Police Department for their work.
Ms. Catalano expressed her appreciation to Patrick Remer, Senior Community Library Manager, and the library staff for making the temporary library relevant and useful to the community.
Ms. Catalano reported that:
the Off the Grid food trucks will return to Pleasant Hill on Wednesday, April 6, 2022; the 18th Annual Art, Wine & Music Festival sponsored by the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce will be held on May 21 & 22, 2022; and
the Summer Concerts by the Lake will begin on May 29, 2022.
5. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
5.1 Reports from Councilmembers on Meetings or Conferences Attended at City Expense
Councilmember Rinn reported that he, along with Councilmember Carlson and Mayor Harris, attended the League of California Cities East Bay Division meeting.
Mayor Harris reported on the content of the League of California Cities East Bay Division meeting.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 April 4, 2022
5.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Mayor Harris reported his attendance at the Candidate Forum for Contra Costa District 4 Supervisor; the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce mixer held at the Homewood Suites; and the Planning Division retirement reception for employees Diane Bentley and Lori Radcliffe.
Mayor Harris reminded the public that the Mayor’s State of the City Breakfast will be held on April 5, 2022 at the Pleasant Hill Community Center.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Harris opened public comment.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Harris closed public comment.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion (Flaherty/Noack) to Approve all consent items excluding item 7.4, which was pulled for further discussion, carried as follows:
AYES: Carlson, Flaherty, Noack, Rinn, Harris
7.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of March 21, 2022 and the Special City Council Meeting of March 28, 2022
7.2 Approve Checks Dated: March 18, 2022; March 25, 2022
7.3 Accept Update on Contra Costa Transportation Authority and Transpac
7.5 Adopt Uncodified Ordinance No. 954 Establishing Pleasant Hill Police Department Guidelines for the Acquisition, Funding, Use and Reporting of Special or "Military Equipment" Pursuant to Assembly Bill 481
7.6 Adopt Ordinance No. 955 Adopting Amendments Related to the Citywide Residential Objective Design Standards
7.7 Adopt Ordinance No. 956 Adding Section 9.45.125 (Minimum Package Size for Little Cigars and Cigars) to Article I (Regulation of Smoking) of Chapter 9.45 (Tobacco Products and Electronic Smoking Devices) of the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code
7.8 Adopt Resolution No. 20-22 Approving Continued Participation in the Stormwater Pollution Management Utility District and Authorizing the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to Adopt the Fiscal Year 2022/23 Stormwater Utility Area Fee for the City of Pleasant Hill City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 April 4, 2022
7.9 Adopt Resolution No. 21-22 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement for FY 2020/21-2022/23 with RSG, Inc. for Financial and Administrative Services for the Redevelopment and Housing Successor Agencies
7.4 Adopt Resolution No. 19-22 Approving Continued Teleconferencing of the Meetings of All City Legislative Bodies Pursuant to the Provisions of AB 361 and Repealing and Replacing Resolution No. 63-21- Item Pulled from Consent Vice Mayor Flaherty expressed the need to discuss the possibility of returning to in-person City Council meetings.
Janet Coleson, City Attorney, explained the guidelines for meeting attendance for the City Council, and the City’s various boards and commissions. Ms. Coleson noted the factors to consider for resuming in-person meetings including social distancing protocol and allowances for persons who do not feel comfortable with in-person meetings.
Councilmember Noack asked for clarification if the City’s boards and commission must follow the City Council’s decision regarding meeting attendance. Councilmember Noack said that if the resolution is not adopted, then all future meetings would be held in person.
Councilmember Rinn asked about the consequences of not adopting item 7.4. Ms. Coleson responded that all in person meetings would resume on April 7, 2022.
Vice Mayor Flaherty recommended that hybrid meeting options should be further explored at the next meeting.
Motion (Carlson/Flaherty) to Approve item 7.4, carried as follows:
AYES: Carlson, Flaherty, Noack, Rinn, Harris
8. ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
8.1 Adopt Resolution No. 22-22 Approving an Amendment to the Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2021/22 for Pleasant Hill Recreation and Parks District Special Event Sponsorships
Zach Seal, Economic Development Manager, summarized the request for event sponsorship submitted by the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District (Rec & Park District). Mr. Seal said that the total amount requested is $10,250 and would be paid from the General Fund. He said that the sponsorship would include six ongoing events and three new events. Mr. Seal reported that the Budget Committee heard the presentation on March 15, 2022 and the Committee recommended that the sponsorship request be heard by the City Council.
Jennifer Thoits, Rec & Park District Marketing & Communications Manager, and Sheila Cotruvo, Rec & Park District Special Events Coordinator, delivered a joint presentation. Ms. Thoits and Ms. Cotruvo discussed the importance of hosting local events to build a stronger community. They City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 April 4, 2022
reported on the past events sponsored by the City and asked for support for new sponsorship opportunities. Ms. Thoits and Ms. Cotruvo noted that the community is eager to resume in person activities.
Vice Mayor Flaherty thanked the Rec & Park District for their work and expressed his support for the collaborative partnership.
Councilmember Noack reported that she heard the presentation at the Budget Committee meeting and noted the importance to get the community back together. Councilmember Noack said that the Budget Committee approved the recommendation.
Mayor Harris opened public comment.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Harris closed public comment.
Motion (Noack/Carlson) to Approve item 8.1, carried as follows:
AYES: Carlson, Flaherty, Noack, Rinn, Harris
9. PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
9.1 Adopt Resolution No. 23-22 Approving, Authorizing, and Directing Execution of:
(1) Affordable Housing Regulatory Agreement Between the City of Pleasant Hill and The Post Preservation LP (the “Developer”) to Preserve 50% of the Units at The Post Apartments (1460 Contra Costa Blvd; APN 127-050-070-3) (the “Project”) for Low-Income Households Earning 80% or Less of Area Median Income for a Period of 10 Years; (2) Loan to the Developer in the Amount of $10,000 to Facilitate Acquisition of the Project
Ethan Bindernagel, Community Development Director/Assistant City Manager, summarized the history of The Post Apartments complex project. Mr. Bindernagel explained that the goal of the proposed project would be to preserve existing, naturally occurring affordable housing for lowincome residents of The Post Apartments. Mr. Bindernagel provided an overview of the proposal and the fiscal impact to the City. He noted that the proposal would not satisfy the terms of AB 787 for the City to receive Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) credits.
Councilmember Noack, Vice Mayor Flaherty, and Mr. Bindernagel discussed the rental rates and future increases, pre and post-closing and tenant qualifications.
Ethan Walsh, Best Best & Krieger, discussed possible rent increase scenarios.
Iman Novin, President of Novin Development Corporation and Applicant, addressed Councilmember Noack’s questions regarding rents. Mr. Novin said that the intent would be to only increase the rent modestly and at below market rates. Mr. Novin said that his company would take property off the speculative market in order to keep the nature of affordability.
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Vice Mayor Flaherty and Mr. Novin discussed the ability to obtain reliable income information from current tenants and the need for capital reserves for repairs and upgrades.
Councilmember Carlson asked about partnership with the Trinity Center which was answered by Mr. Novin.
Leslie Gleason, Trinity Center, explained the Trinity Center’s role as the nonprofit partner.
Mayor Harris opened public comment.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Harris closed public comment.
Vice Mayor Flaherty, Mr. Bindernagel, Mr. Novin, and Mr. Walsh engaged in a discussion about revising the housing element and the deed restriction to qualify for RHNA credits.
Suzy Kim, RSG Consulting, said that it would be difficult to get RHNA credit for preservation projects. Ms. Kim explained the various ways to apply for RHNA credits.
Motion (Carlson/Noack) to Approve item 9.1, carried as follows:
AYES: Carlson, Flaherty, Noack, Rinn, Harris
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Harris adjourned the meeting at 9:27 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, April 18, 2022, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
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CAROL W. WU, CITY CLERK RECORDER