MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
October 16, 2023
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 October 16, 2023
Mayor Flaherty called a Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 PM, in the Council Chambers, 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, CA, 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 October 12, 2023, by Acting 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 reported that the City Council held a closed session this evening regarding labor negotiations and there is nothing to report.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Acknowledgement of Eli Feerer as Honorary Mayor for a Day Mayor Flaherty introduced Eli Feerer as the Honorary Mayor for a Day. Honorary Mayor Feerer assisted Mayor Flaherty at the City Council Meeting.
5.2 Award of Appreciation to Kesha Hitchrick for Service on the Diversity Commission 2021 – 2023
Mayor Flaherty presented an award of appreciation to outgoing Diversity Commission Commissioner Kesha Hitchrick. Ms. Hitchrick was not present to accept the award.
5.3 Introduction of Freda Chu and Reintroduction of Carson Sprott, Diversity Commissioners
Mayor Flaherty introduced Freda Chu, the new Diversity Commission Commissioner. Mayor Flaherty introduced Carson Sprott, the reappointed Diversity Commission Commissioner.
5.4 Civic Action Commission Update on Summer Concert Series Barbara Thor, Chair of the Civic Action Commission introduced the item.
Anthony Garcia, Commissioner of the Civic Action Commission, delivered a presentation on the 2023 Summer Concert at the Lake Series and activities planned for 2024.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 October 16, 2023
6. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, reported that:
Light Up the Night will be held on December 2, 2023 in Downtown Pleasant Hill; Off the Grid will be held for the next two weeks before going on hiatus until Spring 2024;
The Commission on Aging hosted an Intergenerational Ice Cream Makerspace at the Tinkers & Thinkers Innovation Faire; and
The Pleasant Hill Police Department is participating in the Pink Patch Initiative in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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 Pleasant Hill on October 5, 2023
Mayor Flaherty, Vice Mayor Rinn, and Councilmember Noack reported their attendance at the Contra Costa Mayors Conference. Mayor Flaherty and Councilmember Noack provided brief remarks of the discussion topics.
(B) Other Meetings Attended at City Expense
Councilmember Vinson reported his attendance at the Diablo Valley Tech Institute at Diablo Valley College.
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Councilmember Noack reported her participation in the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament. Councilmember Noack reported her attendance at the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce mixer and at an open house at Contra Costa County Supervisor Ken Carlson’s new offices. Councilmember Noack reported that AB645 was signed into law by Governor Newsom to allow speed safety camera pilot programs in the cities of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Flaherty opened public comment.
The following members of the public appeared in person to provide a comment:
Alan Bade
Nine members of the public participated via teleconference to provide a comment.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 October 16, 2023
Mayor Flaherty closed public comment.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion (Rinn/Noack) to Approve all consent items, carried as follows:
AYES: Noack, Rinn, Shess, Vinson (Abstain from item 9.1), Flaherty
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of October 2, 2023
9.2 Approve Checks Dated: September 29, 2023; October 06, 2023
9.3 Accept Update on Contra Costa Transportation Authority and TRANSPAC
9.4 Approve Appointment Recommendation to the Architectural Review Commission
9.5 Adopt Ordinance No. 965 Amending Pleasant Hill Municipal Code Section 18.20.095, Accessory Dwelling Units
9.6 Adopt Ordinance No. 966 Amending Pleasant Hill Municipal Code Chapter 18.67, Wireless Telecommunications Facilities, and Related Amendments to Section 18.85.010, Zoning Permit Purpose and Applicability, Section 18.95.020, Use Permit Approval Authority, and Chapter 18.140, Definitions
9.7 Adopt Resolution No. 71-23 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Change Order with Franco Engineering, Inc. for the Oak Park Boulevard Sidewalk Gap Closure Project No. 04-23
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 Adopt Resolution No. 72-23 Accepting Proposal and Awarding the Contract for the City of Pleasant Hill Police Department Underground Storage Tank Replacement Project No.
PSC-01-23 and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Construction Contract with Petro-Analytical, Inc.
Ann James, Public Works Manager, delivered a presentation on the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Replacement Project PSC -01-23 that provides for the removal and replacement of the existing UST located at the Police Department rear parking lot. Ms. James reported that the lowest responsive, responsible bid was from Petro-Analytical, Inc. Ms. James summarized the financial impact to the City
No one from the public spoke on the item.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 October 16, 2023
Motion (Rinn/Noack) to Accept item 10.1, carried as follows:
AYES: Noack, Rinn, Shess, Vinson, Flaherty
10.2 STUDY SESSION on Revisions to the City of Pleasant Hill Adopted Housing Element (2023-2031)
Troy Fujimoto, City Planner, introduced the item.
Ryan Lester, Mintier Harnish, delivered a presentation on the revised 2023-2031 Housing Element in response to the comments made by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Mayor Flaherty called for a recess at 8:31 p.m.
Mayor Flaherty reconvened the meeting at 8:43 p.m.
The following members of the public provided a written comment:
Jack Prosek
Catherine Shulz
The following members of the public appeared in person to provide a comment:
Ward Wogsland
Matthew Kennedy
Susan Barlettadi
Valerie Sloven
Maria Banghart
Joanne Durkee
Mr. Lester responded to Mr. Wogsland’s question.
The following members of the public participated via teleconference to make a comment:
Max Davis, East Bay for Everyone
Marshall Lewis
Jack Prosek
Mark Lubcheski
Mr. Lester answered questions from Councilmembers.
No action was taken on this item.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 October 16, 2023
10.3 Adopt Resolution No. 73-23 Adopting a City Policy Regarding the Receipt and Distribution of Tickets and/or Passes in the Furtherance of the City's Reasonably Defined Public Purposes Janet Coleson, City Attorney, delivered a presentation on the necessity for the City Council to adopt a policy governing the City’s distribution, use, and reporting of tickets and passes as defined by the Fair Political Practices Commission.
No one from the public spoke on the item.
Motion (Noack/Rinn) to Approve item 10.3, carried as follows:
AYES: Noack, Rinn, Shess, Vinson, Flaherty
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Flaherty adjourned the meeting at 9:34 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, November 6, 2023, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
CAROL W. WU, CITY CLERK RECORDER