MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
January 13, 2025
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 December 2, 2024
Mayor Noack 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 January 9, 2025, by City Clerk Lyone Conner.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Following the pledge, Mayor Noack called for a moment of silence to recognize the victims affected by the Southern California fires.
3. ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status
Sue Noack Mayor Present
Zac Shess Vice Mayor Present
Belle La District 1 Councilmember Absent
Andrei Obolenskiy District 2 Councilmember Present
Amanda Szakats District 5 Councilmember Present
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Mayor Noack reported that there was no closed session.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Annual Update from the Pleasant Hill Library
Patrick Remer, Pleasant Hill Library Manager, presented on membership enrollment, activities, and overall annual updates of the Library.
5.2 Proclamation Designating January 27, 2025 as International Day of Holocaust Remembrance
Mayor Noack presented a proclamation to Vice Chair Brianna Shahvar, on behalf of the Diversity Commission, declaring January 27, 2025 as International Day of Holocaust Remembrance.
Vice Chair Shahvar thanked the Council and also highlighted the success of the City’s first Menorah Lighting.
Councilmember Obolenskiy shared a statement regarding the devastation of the Holocaust and its impact on Pleasant Hill residents.
5.3 Proclamation Designating January 20, 2025 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 January 13, 2025
Mayor Noack presented a proclamation to Commissioner Lloyd Schine, on behalf of the Diversity Commission, declaring January 20, 2025 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Commissioner Schine thanked the Council and shared a reflection on the observance.
5.4 Introduction of Diversity Commissioner Dr. Candice Arora Mayor Noack introduced Dr. Candice Arora who was appointed to the Diversity Commission.
Commissioner Arora shared comments with Council expressing gratitude to her appointment.
6. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, reported that:
• Republic Services will offer tree collection and recycling services in January to Pleasant Hill residents.
• A Google Translate widget has been added to the City’s website to allow users to view the website in their native language.
• On February 20, 2025, the Commission on Aging is offering an expert panel discussion for seniors on planning for the future and knowing your rights. • BART will replace track components and remove vegetation on tracks over the weekend of January 18 and 19, 2025. Free buses will replace train service between Walnut Creek and Concord stations.
• The Pleasant Hill Police Department is seeking volunteer committee members for the 2025 National Night Out event.
7. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
7.1 Reports from Councilmembers on Meetings or Conferences Attended at City Expense
Mayor Noack reported her attendance, along with that of Vice Mayor Shess, Councilmembers Obolenskiy and Szakats, and City Manager Bindernagel at the Contra Costa Mayors Conference in the City of Oakley on January 9, 2025.
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Councilmember Szakats reported her attendance at the December 26, 2024 Menorah Lighting at City Hall.
Vice Mayor Shess reported his attendance at the City of Pleasant Hill Volunteer Appreciation Celebration, at the Visit Pleasant Hill Luncheon, and the Pleasant Hill Hawks second annual 5K fundraiser.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 January 13, 2025
Councilmember Obolenskiy reported his attendance at the Yolka Holiday Performance and the Visit Pleasant Hill Luncheon.
Mayor Noack also reported her attendance at the City’s Menorah Lighting, the Volunteer Appreciation Celebration, and at the Visit Pleasant Hill Luncheon.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Noack opened Public Comment.
No members of the public commented.
Mayor Noack closed Public Comment.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion (Shess/Obolenskiy) to Approve consent items 9.1 and 9.2, carried as follows:
AYES: Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
ABSENT: La
Mayor Noack pulled items 9.3 and 9.4 for further discussion.
Mayor Noack shared updates to the Mayor’s Appointments on item 9.3.
Motion (Shess/Obolenskiy) to Approve consent item 9.3, carried as follows:
AYES: Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
ABSENT: La
Mayor Noack shared an amendment to item 9.4 to maintain the Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee (GAC) Chairperson position on the Economic Development Committee, in addition to the proposed Visit Pleasant Hill President/CEO position, resulting in a seven member composition.
Motion (Szakats/Obolenskiy) to Approve consent item 9.4, carried as follows:
AYES: Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
ABSENT: La
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of December 16, 2024.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 January 13, 2025
9.2 Approve Checks Dated: December 13, 2024; December 16, 2024; December 20, 2024; January 03, 2025
9.3 Approve Formation of Ad Hoc Subcommittee for the Climate Action Plan and Mayor’s Appointments of Councilmembers to Various Committees and Boards for 2025; and Ratification of Existing Committees
9.4 Adopt Resolution No. 1-25 Amending the Composition of the City of Pleasant Hill Economic Development Committee
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 Adopt Resolution No. 2-25 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Design Professional Services Agreement with LCC Engineering & Surveying, Inc. for Engineering Design Services for the Shelly Drive and Ruth Drive Storm Drain Rehabilitation Project
Ryan McClain, Transportation Manager delivered a presentation on the design services needed for the Storm Drain Rehabilitation Project on Shelly Drive and Ruth Drive.
Ann James, Public Works Director was available for questions.
Mayor Noack opened public comment for item 10.1.
No members of the public commented.
Mayor Noack closed public comment.
Motion (Shess/ Szakats) to Approve item 10.1, carried as follows:
AYES: Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
ABSENT: La
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Noack adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, February 3, 2025, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
LYONE P. CONNER, CITY CLERK