MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
February 26, 2024
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 January 22, 2024
Mayor Rinn 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 agenda was posted on the City Hall outdoor bulletin board at 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, CA on February 23, 2024, by City Clerk Lyone Conner.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status
Matthew Rinn Mayor Present
Sue Noack Vice Mayor Present
Timothy M. Flaherty Councilmember Present
Allen Vinson Councilmember Absent
Zac Shess Councilmember Present
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Mayor Rinn reported that there was no closed session this evening, and there is nothing to report.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Introduction of Traffic Safety Commissioner Paul Maxwell Councilmember Flaherty introduced Paul Maxwell, who was reappointed to the Traffic Safety Commission for a second term.
Commissioner Maxwell expressed appreciation to the Council and City Staff.
5.2 Proclamation Designating March 2, 2024 as Pleasant Hill Baseball Association (PHBA) Day
Mayor Rinn presented a proclamation to Melisa Barrett, President of the Pleasant Hill Baseball Association, declaring March 2, 2024 as Pleasant Hill Baseball Association Day.
5.3 Proclamation Designating the Month of February as Black History Month Mayor Rinn presented a proclamation to Lloyd Schine, Diversity Commissioner, declaring the month of March 2024 as Black History Month.
5.4 2024 Summer Concert Series Update
Commissioner Hunter Roberts of the Civic Action Committee delivered a presentation summarizing the history of the Summer Concert Series and the 2024 performer lineup.
Commissioner Roberts responded to questions from the Council.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 February 26, 2024
6. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, reported that:
Pleasant Hill experienced a cyber intrusion of the infrastructure on February 22, 2024, which police are actively investigating. There was no compromise or impediment of City Services. City Manager Bindernagel recognized the City of Pleasant Hill IT Professionals for their quick and decisive action.
Off the Grid returns beginning Wednesday, April 23, 2024 and is offered through October 2024.
7. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
7.1 Reports from Councilmembers on Meetings or Conferences Attended at City Expense
None
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Vice Mayor Noack reported her attendance at the Pleasant Hill Elementary School Safety meeting; Choice in Aging Crab Feed with Mayor Rinn; Concord tour of the Clipper 2.0 soon to launch; and the Government Affairs committee of the Chamber of Commerce.
Councilmember Shess reported his attendance at the PSG Ribbon cutting with Mayor Rinn.
Mayor Rinn reported his attendance at the School Site Council meetings for Fair Oaks, Strandwood Elementary, Valley View, Gregory Gardens, and College Park; the Choice in Aging Crab Feed; Concord Chamber of Commerce Crab Feed; Pleasant Hill Choir Showcase; ribbon cutting of PSG with Councilmember Shess; and ribbon cutting of Body Bar Pilates.
Mayor Rinn also attended the Government Affairs Committee with BART to discuss the budget crisis; he welcomed the East Bay International Jewish Film Festival to Downtown Pleasant Hill; and he toured the Contra Costa Animal Shelter with County Supervisor Ken Carlson and additional elected officials.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Rinn opened Public Comment.
There were no comments from the public.
Mayor Rinn closed Public Comment.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 February 26, 2024
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion (Noack/Shess) to Approve all consent items, excluding item 9.5, which was pulled for further discussion, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: Flaherty, Noack, Shess, Rinn
ABSENT: Vinson
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of February 5, 2024
9.2 Approve Checks Dated: February 02, 2024; February 09, 2024; February 16, 2024
9.3 Approve Appointment Recommendations to the Civic Action Commission and Diversity Commission
9.4 Accept Update on Contra Costa Transportation Authority and TRANSPAC
9.5 Adopt Resolution No. 17-24 Approving an Additional Contribution to the Public Agencies Post-Employment Benefits Trust Program with Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS) Section 115 Trust – Item Pulled from Consent
9.6 Adopt Resolution No. 18-24 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Change Order With Kerex Engineering, Inc. for the Taylor Boulevard Improvements Project (Civic Drive To Ruth Drive), Project No. 01-23
9.7 Adopt Resolution No. 19-24 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Side Letter of Agreement Between the City of Pleasant Hill and the Management Pay Plan (MPP) Adding the Classification Public Works Director to the Plan Vice Mayor Noack clarified actions taken to address unfunded pension liability.
Councilmember Flaherty clarified that investment options were made possible by setting up a Trust.
Motion (Noack/Flaherty) to Approve item 9.5, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: Flaherty, Noack, Shess, Rinn
ABSENT: Vinson
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 Adopt Resolution No. 20-24 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Harris & Associates for Assessment Engineering Services for a Proposed Assessment Rate Increase for Assessment District 20 and Assessment District 22
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 February 26, 2024
Ann James, Public Works Manager, introduced Rick Clark of Harris & Associates, Engineer of Record, who delivered a presentation on the proposed rate increase for Assessment Districts 20 and 22.
Mr. Clark answered questions posed by Councilmembers.
Joanna Gin, Finance Specialist at Best Best & Krieger, LLP also answered questions posed by Council.
No one from the public spoke on the item.
Motion (Flaherty/Noack) to Approve item 10.1, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: Flaherty, Shess, Noack, Rinn
ABSENT: Vinson
10.2 Accept the Audited Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, Measure K Fund Report, and the Management Letter for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 Erick Cheung, Finance Manager, delivered a presentation on the Measure K Fund report.
David Bullock of Macias Gini & O’Connell LLP (MGO) summarized the results of the 2023 audit.
Mayor Rinn opened public comment for item 10.2
The following member of the public appeared in person to provide a comment:
Marshall Lewis
Mr. Cheung answered questions posed by Councilmembers, addressing the public comment.
Mayor Rinn closed public comment.
Motion (Noach/Flaherty) to Approve item 10.2, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: Flaherty, Noack, Shess, Rinn
ABSENT: Vinson
10.3 Receive Conceptual Design Options and Provide Direction to Staff for the City Hall Pond, Fountain, Plaza Paving, and Donor Memorial Rehabilitation Project Ananthan Kanagasundaram, City Engineer, introduced Robert Nebolon of Robert Nebolon Architects, who delivered a presentation on the conceptual design options and ten-year plan of the City Hall Pond.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 February 26, 2024
Mr. Kanagasundaram and Mr. Nebolon answered questions posed by Councilmembers.
Mayor Rinn opened public comment for item 10.3
The following member of the public appeared in person to provide a comment:
Wendy Gallop, resident
Mayor Rinn closed public comment.
The City Council provided direction to staff.
10.4 Adopt Resolution No. 21-24 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Funding Agreement Between The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and the City of Pleasant Hill for Cost Sharing Commitments to Design and Construct the CCTA Countywide Smart Signals Project Exempt pursuant to Sections 21080.20 and 21080.25 of the California Public Resources Code
Ryan McClain, Sr. Civil Engineer and Transportation Manager, delivered a presentation on the overview and goals of the Countywide Smart Signals project.
Mr. McClain answered questions posed by Councilmembers.
No one from the public spoke on the item.
Motion (Noack/Flaherty) to Approve item 10.4, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: Flaherty, Noack, Shess, Rinn
ABSENT: Vinson
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Rinn adjourned the meeting at 9:41 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, March 18, 2024, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
LYONE P. CONNER, CITY CLERK