MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
April 17, 2023
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 April 17, 2023
Mayor Flaherty called a Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 PM, complete proceedings of which were electronically recorded. The meeting was a hybrid of both in person and teleconferenced attendees. The meeting agenda was posted on the City Hall outdoor bulletin board at 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, CA on April 14, 2023, by Deputy City Clerk Juanita Davalos.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status
Timothy M. Flaherty Mayor Present
Matthew Rinn Vice Mayor Present
Sue Noack Councilmember Present
Allen Vinson Councilmember Present
Zac Shess Councilmember Present
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Mayor Flaherty stated that the City Council had adjourned from a closed session. Janet Coleson, City Attorney, reported that the City Council voted unanimously to authorize the City Manager to execute a settlement agreement with the nationwide opioid settlement involving Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, Teva, and Allergan.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Proclamations Recognizing Paula Barto as Police Professional Staff Member of the Year and Andrew Mundy as Police Officer of the Year 2022 Pleasant Hill Police Chief Scott Vermillion introduced Paula Barto and spoke of her accomplishments and contributions to the City and the Pleasant Hill Police Department.
Mayor Flaherty presented a proclamation recognizing Paula Barto as Police Professional Staff Member of the Year 2022.
Chief Vermillion introduced Officer Andrew Mundy and spoke of his successes in solving cases and of his contributions to the City and the Pleasant Hill Police Department.
Mayor Flaherty presented a proclamation recognizing Andrew Mundy as Police Officer of the Year 2022.
5.2 Proclamation Designating April as Arab American Heritage Month Mayor Flaherty presented a proclamation to Carson Sprott, Acting Chair for the Diversity Commission, declaring the month of April as Arab American Heritage Month.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 April 17, 2023
5.3 Contra Costa Fire Protection District Update
Chris Bachman, Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal, provided an update on new programs and initiatives at the Contra Costa Fire Protection District.
6. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
June Catalano, City Manager, reported that:
The City mailed postcards in various languages to all Pleasant Hill households regarding the hearings on the district-based elections;
The Commission on Aging is conducting an online survey regarding “Aging Well in the Community”; and
The City had meetings with the Pacific Coast Farmers Market discussing potential locations to hold a farmers market.
7. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
7.1 Reports from Councilmembers on Meetings or Conferences Attended at City Expense
(A) Contra Costa Mayors Conference Hosted by the City of Concord on April 6, 2023
Vice Mayor Rinn reported his attendance at the Contra Costa Mayors Conference with Councilmember Shess.
Mayor Flaherty reported his attendance at the Contra Costa Mayors Conference. (B) Other Meetings Attended at City Expense
None
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Councilmember Noack reported that she will attend a “test run” of autonomous vehicles at Bishop Ranch in San Ramon; meeting with Congressman Mark DeSaulnier on transportation challenges in the area; and participation in a webinar for California elected officials concerning online applications for solar permit processing.
Councilmember Vinson reported his participation at the Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District Easter Egg hunt; Rodgers Ranch Spring Expo and Plant Sale; GPAC Housing Element meeting; and Off the Grid.
Councilmember Shess reported his attendance at the Rodgers Ranch Spring Expo and Plant Sale.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 April 17, 2023
Vice Mayor Rinn reported his participation at the Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District Easter Egg hunt and the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce mixer.
Mayor Flaherty reported his participation at the Pleasant Hill Elementary School Spring Gala and fundraiser.
Mayor Flaherty recognized Danielle K. Navarro, City Clerk, who will be the new Assistant City Manager for the City of Oakley.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Flaherty opened public comment.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Flaherty closed public comment.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion (Rinn/Vinson) to Approve all consent items, carried as follows:
AYES: Noack, Rinn, Shess, Vinson, Flaherty
Mayor Flaherty announced that a correction to the minutes of April 3rd, regarding item 9.4 appointments to the Planning Commission, to show that it was Alex Greenwood who withdrew his application, and with Cindy Tunales still recommended for appointment to the Measure K Oversight Committee and David Field still recommended for appointment to the Planning Commission.
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of April 3, 2023
9.2 Approve Appointment Recommendations to the Commission on Aging, Diversity Commission and Planning Commission
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 Additional “Pre-Map” Public Hearing to Consider Composition of Districts for District-Based Elections and Schedule for Future Hearings Janet Coleson, City Attorney, introduced the item, the third “pre-map” public hearing, to receive input from the community concerning transitioning to by-district elections.
The following members of the public provided a written comment:
Michelle Simone
Xavier Gomez
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 April 17, 2023
The following members of the public appeared in person to provide a comment:
Susan Hedgpeth
Marian Shostrom
Quy Tran
The following members of the public participated via teleconference to make a comment:
Michelle Simone
Marshall Lewis
Andrei Obolenskiy
Jim Priest, Best Best & Krieger, was present via teleconference to answer questions asked by Councilmembers.
Mayor Flaherty closed the public hearing.
10.2 Adopt Resolution No. 26-23 Denying an Appeal and Upholding the Decision of the Planning Commission to Deny a Variance Request (PLN 22-0294) for a SixFoot-Tall Fence Within a Required Front Yard in an R-10 Residential Zoning District at 2029 Westover Drive
Mayor Flaherty explained proceedings and the order of hearing.
Andrew Shiflet, Assistant Planner, delivered a presentation regarding an appeal submitted by Christine and Kevin Finkas appealing the Planning Commission (“PC”) decision to deny a variance request to allow a non-permitted six-foot-tall fence to remain within the front yard setback area, where three feet is the maximum allowable height.
Kevin Finkas, Appellant, explained the reasons that a six-foot-tall fence was necessary for safety and livability purposes.
The following members of the public provided a written comment:
Brian Green
The family of Ken and Nancy Clark
Al Saadeh
Jerry & Cindy Lopez
Terry Schmitt
Myron Backhaus
Telzey Gourley
Joshua Welch
The Osterholt Family
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 April 17, 2023
The following members of the public appeared in person to provide a comment:
Trevor Gunnett
Sheila Weston
Joanna Kamburoff
Al Saadeh
Jason Willett (filled out a public comment card, but was unable to stay to make a comment)
Betsy Webb
The following members of the public participated via teleconference to make a comment:
Jennifer Ricketts
Marshall Lewis
Jessica Muldau
Troy Fujimoto, City Planner, Ananthan Kanagasanduram, City Engineer, and Ryan Cook, Senior Civil Engineer, were available to answer questions.
Motion (Noack/Rinn) to Continue item 10.2 and to direct staff to overturn the decision of the Planning Commission, failed to pass as follows:
AYES: Noack, Rinn
NOES: Shess, Vinson, Flaherty
Motion (Flaherty/Vinson) to Approve item 10.2, carried as follows:
AYES: Shess, Vinson, Flaherty
NOES: Noack, Rinn
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Flaherty adjourned the meeting at 9:38 p.m. p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, May 1, 2023, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
CAROL W. WU, CITY CLERK RECORDER