MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
May 16, 2022
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 May 16, 2022
Mayor Harris called a Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:08 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 May 12, 2022, by Deputy City Clerk Juanita Davalos.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Harris reported that there was a Closed Session City Council meeting before the Regular meeting and that there was nothing to report.
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 Award of Appreciation to David Mascaro for Service on the Planning Commission 2002-2022
Mayor Harris presented the Award of Appreciation to David Mascaro for his service on the Planning Commission from 2002-2022. Mayor Harris highlighted Commissioner Mascaro’s accomplishments during his tenure on the Planning Commission. Councilmembers each thanked Commissioner Mascaro for his service and contributions to the community. Commissioner Mascaro made brief remarks and thanked the City Council for its support.
3.2 Introduction of Jihawna Johnson, Planning Commissioner; and Reintroduction of Lydia Gali, Education Commissioner
Vice Mayor Flaherty introduced Jihawna Johnson and Lydia Gali. Commissioner Johnson made brief remarks about the opportunity to serve the community. Commissioner Gali was not present at the meeting. Vice Mayor Flaherty encouraged the public to apply for vacancies on the various City commissions. Mayor Harris thanked Commissioners Johnson and Gali for their willingness to serve.
3.3 Update on Contra Costa Transportation Authority Programs and Projects by Timothy Haile
Timothy Haile, Executive Director of Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), delivered a presentation on CCTA’s mission, vision and initiatives. Mr. Haile described the transportationrelated improvements made by Measure J funds and by leveraging local funding. Mr. Haile discussed the changes in transit habits due to the pandemic, climate change, and a growing remote work force. He reported on the studies conducted along the Interstate 680 corridor, which led to the “Vision Zero” approach to safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Mr. Haile said that CCTA is City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 May 16, 2022
looking for ways to improve transit within the major corridors. He reported on the goals of the Innovate 680 Program.
Councilmember Noack said that she sits on the boards of TRANSPAC and the County Connection and commented on the importance of Mr. Haile’s presentation due to housing element numbers and traffic concerns. Councilmember Noack thanked Mr. Haile for his leadership.
Mr. Haile said that CCTA is interested in becoming more involved in the community and would be willing to host an information booth at Pleasant Hill events.
3.4 Proclamation Designating May as Mental Health Awareness Month Mayor Harris read and presented the proclamation to Lloyd Schine, Chair of the Civic Action Commission Diversity Subcommittee. Commissioner Schine made brief remarks regarding mental health and thanked the City Council for its support.
4. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
June Catalano, City Manager, reported that:
over 500 people attended Off the Grid on May 11, 2022 and watched the Golden State Warriors game on a large screen television;
the Pleasant Hill Art, Wine & Music Festival will be held on May 21-22, 2022; the official vote by mail ballots were sent out last week, and a drop off ballot box is provided at City Hall;
the Pleasant Hill Perks e-Gift card program supporting local businesses was launched that day; and
the College Park High School Glass and Ceramics students will display their artwork at City Hall on May 18, 2022.
5. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
5.1 Reports from Councilmembers on Meetings or Conferences Attended at City Expense
(A) Contra Costa Mayors Conference held via Teleconference on May 5, 2022 Mayor Harris and Councilmember Noack reported their attendance at the Contra Costa Mayors Conference.
(B) Other Meetings Attended at City Expense
None
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 May 16, 2022
5.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Mayor Harris reported that the City Council had adjourned from a Closed Session and there was nothing to report. Mayor Harris also reported a Closed Session was held on Monday, May 9, 2022 and there was nothing to report.
Vice Mayor Flaherty reported his participation at Relay for Life sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Vice Mayor Flaherty reported his attendance at Off the Grid, and at a Pleasant Hill Rotary Club event the prior weekend.
Mayor Harris reported his attendance at Off the Grid, and at a Pleasant Hill Rotary Club event last weekend.
Councilmember Carlson reported his attendance at the Family Justice Center Alliance BBQ with Councilmember Noack.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Harris opened public comment.
Scott Brama, requested to speak on the Mangini-Delu site plans.
Mayor Harris responded that the Mangini-Delu site would be discussed as agenda item 8.1 and requested that Mr. Brama make his comment at that time.
Mayor Harris reported that the City Council received written public comment regarding Consent Calendar item 7.3 from Bruce Irion.
Donald Waters, Pleasant Hill, called in asking for the City Council’s support in keeping the Friends of the Library Bookstore in Downtown Pleasant Hill.
Mayor Harris responded that the City is actively looking for another location in Downtown Pleasant Hill to house the bookstore.
Bruce Irion called in to recognize Danielle Habr, Principal Management Analyst/City Clerk, for her constructive comments on the video conferencing process. Mr. Irion expressed his frustration about certain aspects of the video meeting format and asked for expanded options to conduct video meetings.
Mayor Harris responded that a “hybrid” in-person/video format City Council meeting will begin on June 6, 2022.
Mayor Harris closed public comment.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 May 16, 2022
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion (Flaherty/Noack) to Approve all consent items, carried as follows:
7.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of May 2, 2022
7.2 Approve Checks Dated: April 29, 2022; May 6, 2022
7.3 Reaffirm Resolution No. 33-22 Approving Continued Teleconferenced, Hybrid or In-Person Meetings of All City Legislative Bodies Pursuant to the Provisions of AB 361
7.4 Adopt Resolution No. 35-22 Approving Intention to Levy and Collect Assessments and to Provide for Public Hearing and Notice in Assessment District No. 20 for Fiscal Year 2022/2023
7.5 Adopt Resolution No. 36-22 Approving Intention to Levy and Collect Assessments and to Provide for Public Hearing and Notice in Assessment District No. 22 for Fiscal Year 2022/2023
7.6 Approve the Mayor Sending a Letter of Support for the Contra Costa Transportation Authority 680 Forward Grant Application
8. PUBLICWORKS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
8.1 Public Hearing and Adopt Resolution No. 37-22 Approving a Preferred Land Use Alternative for the Preparation of the Update of the General Plan and Housing Element
Troy Fujimoto, City Planner, provided a brief overview of item 8.1 and introduced Brent Gibbons and Ryan Lester of Mintier Harnish. Mr. Gibbons delivered the presentation on the General Plan Update. He summarized the recommendations made by the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) and the Planning Commission (PC), which were memorialized in the Preferred Alternative Memo (Memo). Mr. Gibbons defined each of the Focus Areas and Housing Element Opportunity Sites, which are the subjects of the Memo.
Ryan Lester summarized the Mangini-Delu site plans and the General Plan buildout statistics.
Vice Mayor Flaherty asked about the parcels on the north side by Focus Area 8, but were not included in Focus Area 8. Mr. Fujimoto responded to Vice Mayor Flaherty.
Councilmember Noack thanked Mr. Gibbons and Mr. Lester for the presentation. Councilmember Noack clarified that the City is only focused on zoning. She explained that the Mangini-Delu site would be considered in the Master Plan thus allowing the opportunity for public input and discussion at a later date.
Mayor Harris called for a recess at 8:47 p.m.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 May 16, 2022
Mayor Harris reconvened the meeting at 8:57 p.m.
Mayor Harris opened public comment.
Mayor Harris reported that the City Council received written public comment regarding item 8.1 from the following:
Catherine Boccellari (2)
Karen O’Brien (2)
Leo Vardas
Annette Gelinas
Paul Boccellari
Eileen Mascaro
Jenice Tanphanich
Bruce Irion
Karen Lee
Russ Meyer
Karen Panico
Kimberley Werkentin
Judy and Bob Geringer
David and Jennifer Blau
Danielle Dier
Karen Luckhurst
Patricia Howard
Friends of Pleasant Hill Creeks
Pat Asvitt
Cathy Teegardin
William Warkentin
Norma H. Flaskerud
Ellen Javete
Nancy Anderson
John S. Walter
Kelly St. Germain
Shereen Motarjemi
Renee Walter
Serdar and Shannon Copur
Darcy Mathews
Figen Copur
Sallie Hausler
Lynnea Wiratunga (2)
Kumar Wiratunga
AnnaKate Lopez
Timothy Lee
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Cynthia Lopez
The following members of the public called in regarding item 8.1:
David Blau
Bruce Irion
Shereen (no last name given)
Scott Brama
Annette Gelinas
Josh Stevens
Renee Walter
Jennifer Ricketts
Mayor Harris closed public comment.
Councilmember Carlson commented that he sits on the GPAC and acknowledged the public’s concerns regarding the Mangini-Delu site plans.
Councilmember Noack remarked that she has no problem with limiting the Mangini-Delu site to no more than 210 units, but the Housing Element has not yet been approved by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Councilmember Noack provided additional information regarding the Focus Areas.
Mayor Harris thanked Councilmembers Carlson and Noack for serving on the GPAC. He also thanked Mintier Harnish and staff for their work.
Vice Mayor Flaherty said that the north side parcels should be included in Focus Area 8. Vice Mayor Flaherty also thanked Councilmembers Carlson and Noack for serving on the GPAC. Vice Mayor Flaherty acknowledged the public’s wish for a written confirmation of limiting the Mangini-Delu site to no more than 210 units. He asked Janet Coleson, City Attorney, for her opinion on issuing a written restriction. Ms. Coleson responded that it is not appropriate to do so at this time.
Mayor Harris expressed his agreement that the north side parcels should be included in Focus Area
8. Mayor Harris remarked that the City has an obligation to the public to confirm the ManginiDelu site restriction to 210 units, unless the State precludes the City from doing so.
Councilmembers Noack and Carlson both agreed that flexibility is needed regarding the ManginiDelu unit restriction since the HCD has not approved the housing element. Mr. Gibbons said that the HCD review will begin this summer.
Councilmember Carlson asked Mr. Gibbons about including the north side parcels in Focus Area
8. Mr. Gibbons responded that the parcels can be included.
Vice Mayor Flaherty made a motion to approve item 8.1 with the inclusion of adding the north side parcels to Focus Area 8. A vote was taken and Mayor Harris voted “No” on item 8.1.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 May 16, 2022
Mayor Harris, Vice Mayor Flaherty, and Councilmembers Carlson and Noack continued discussing the impact of a written confirmation of restricting the Mangini-Delu site to no more than 210 units.
Mayor Harris changed his vote on item 8.1 from “No” to “Yes”.
Motion (Flaherty/Carlson) to Approve item 8.1 as amended, carried as follows:
AYES: Carlson, Flaherty, Noack, Rinn, Harris
8.2 Adopt a Resolution No. 38-22 Authorizing a Request to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the Allocation of 2023 Active Transportation Program (Cycle 6) Funds
Ananthan Kanagasundaram, City Engineer, described the transportation challenges along the Monument Boulevard corridor. Mr. Kanagasundaram explained that the Active Transportation Program grant funds would fund the Monument Boulevard/I-680 Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Project (Project). He provided information regarding the Project’s goals, design concepts, public outreach efforts, and fiscal impact.
Councilmember Noack expressed her support for the Project.
Vice Mayor Flaherty thanked Mr. Kanagasundaram and Deirdre Castillo, Senior Civil Engineer, for their work on the Project. Vice Mayor Flaherty asked about potential plans to improve the underpass area, which was answered by Mr. Kanagasundaram.
Councilmember Rinn expressed his support for the Project and said he was pleased that no General Funds would be expended on the Project.
Councilmember Carlson asked if CalTrans intends to proceed with major work on the freeway overpass, which was answered by Mr. Kanagasundaram.
Mr. Kanagasumdaram said that the Project design was created by Ryan McClain, Chairperson of the Pleasant Hill Traffic Safety Commission.
Mayor Harris opened public comment.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Harris closed public comment.
Mayor Harris thanked Councilmember Noack for her work in addressing transportation issues.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 8 May 16, 2022
Motion (Noack/Carlson) to Approve item 8.2, carried as follows:
AYES: Carlson, Flaherty, Noack, Rinn, Harris
9. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Harris adjourned the meeting at 10:01 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, June 6, 2022, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
CAROL W. WU, CITY CLERK RECORDER