MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
November 6, 2023
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 November 6, 2023
Mayor Flaherty called a Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:01 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 November 2, 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 and there is nothing to report.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Acknowledgement of Haley LaFlamme as Honorary Mayor for a Day Mayor Flaherty introduced Haley LaFlamme as the Honorary Mayor for a Day. Honorary Mayor LaFlamme assisted Mayor Flaherty at the City Council Meeting.
5.2 Introduction of Traffic Safety Commissioner Rob Arias Mayor Flaherty introduced Rob Arias, the new Traffic Safety Commissioner.
5.3 Proclamation Designating November 12 - 18, 2023 as "United Against Hate Week"
Mayor Flaherty presented a proclamation to Freda Chu, Diversity Commissioner, declaring the week of November 12-18, 2023 as United Against Hate Week.
6. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, reported that:
The Commission on Aging is hosting a free workshop on “Coping with Grief During the Holidays” on November 16, 2023;
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Light Up the Night will be held on December 2, 2023 in Downtown Pleasant Hill; Safer Intersections Project is focusing on the intersection of Gladys Drive and Helen Road near Strandwood Elementary School; and
The Government Finance Officers Association has awarded the City a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
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 Brentwood on November 2, 2023
Mayor Flaherty and Councilmember Shess reported their attendance at the Contra Costa Mayors Conference.
(B) Other Meetings Attended at City Expense
None
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Councilmember Vinson reported his attendance at the Rodgers Ranch Harvest Festival, and at the Pleasant Hill Parks & Recreation District Haunted Trail. Councilmember Vinson reported his participation at the Rotary Club Veterans Day celebration at the Back Forty Texas BBQ restaurant.
Councilmember Shess reported his attendance at the Rodgers Ranch Harvest Festival; the Haunted Trail; the Rotary Club Veterans Day celebration; and at Hops for Hospice in Concord.
Councilmember Noack reported her attendance at the Rotary Club Veterans Day celebration; Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce mixers; and the City’s Halloween Employee Appreciation Luncheon. Councilmember Noack reported that she hosted a Girl Scout troop from Valhalla Elementary School at City Hall.
Vice Mayor Rinn reported his attendance at the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce member appreciation BBQ; Pleasant Hill 4H Club event at the Pleasant Hill Library; ribbon cutting for Sourdough & Co., and the Rotary Club Veterans Day celebration. Vice Mayor Rinn reported his participation at an Eagle Scout event.
Mayor Flaherty reported his attendance at the Contra Costa Association of Realtors elected officials reception; Hops for Hospice; Aegis Living Pleasant Hill 25th anniversary celebration; Haunted Trail; Rodgers Ranch Harvest Festival; and the Rotary Club Veterans Day celebration.
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8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Flaherty opened public comment.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Flaherty closed public comment.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion (Rinn/Noack) to Approve all consent items, carried as follows:
AYES: Noack, Rinn, Shess, Vinson, Flaherty
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of October 16, 2023
9.2 Approve Checks Dated: October 13, 2023; October 27, 2023
9.3 Accept Update on Contra Costa Transportation Authority and TRANSPAC
9.4 Approve Appointment Recommendations to the Architectural Review Commission, Diablo Vista Water System Advisory Board, and the Education Commission
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 Adopt Resolution No. ___-23 Executing an Amendment to an Affordable Housing Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) for 85 Woodsworth Lane (APN 150-150-071) and Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Execute Amendment Documents
Councilmember Shess disclosed that his employer, Simpson Strong-Tie, contributes to Habitat for Humanity, and has a rotating unpaid position on its Board of Directors classified as noninterested.
Troy Fujimoto, City Planner, introduced the item and provided an overview of the agreement with Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley to develop four housing units on a parcel of vacant land at 85 Woodsworth Lane.
Suzy Kim, RSG Consulting, delivered the presentation regarding the results of the site survey on the 85 Woodsworth Lane parcel and the impact on the housing development project. Ms. Kim explained the option of reducing the project’s unit count from four to three units.
Mr. Fujimoto, Ms. Kim, and Rob Simons from Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley answered questions from Councilmembers.
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No one from the public spoke on the item.
Janet Coleson, City Attorney, advised Councilmembers on options.
Vice Mayor Rinn made a motion to continue the item to a date to be determined with directions to staff.
Motion (Rinn/Vinson) to Continue item 10.1, carried as follows:
AYES: Noack, Rinn, Shess, Vinson, Flaherty
10.2 Adopt Resolution No. 74-23 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with BMI Imaging Systems, Inc. for Digitization Services and Indexing of City Archives and Appropriate $350,000 in ARPA funds for Related Project Expense Ling King, Chief Technology Officer, delivered a presentation on digitizing the City’s archives and storing of electronic records. Mr. King explained the benefits of digitizing the City’s physical documents.
The following members of the public appeared in person to provide a comment:
David Calder
Freda Chu
Motion (Noack/Rinn) to Approve item 10.2, carried as follows:
AYES: Noack, Rinn, Shess, Vinson, Flaherty
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Flaherty adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, November 20, 2023, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
CAROL W. WU, CITY CLERK RECORDER