MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
March 17, 2025
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 March 17, 2025
, 2020
Mayor Noack called a Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:02 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 March 13, 2025, by City Clerk Lyone Conner.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status
Sue Noack Mayor Present
Zac Shess Vice Mayor Present
Belle La District 1 Councilmember Present
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 and nothing to report.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Supporting Cities at the Federal Level - Presentation from Congressman DeSaulnier
Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, California’s 10th Congressional District Representative, highlighted the cities within the district’s region and presented on achievements of the District. He also shared funding opportunities available for the City of Pleasant Hill, and he responded to questions from Council.
5.2 Commission on Aging Annual Report
Linda Fisher, Chair of the Commission on Aging, introduced Commissioner Quy Tran, who gave a report on the 2024 activities and outreach from the Commission. Commissioner Tran also shared improvements to the website and plans for 2025.
City Clerk Lyone Conner was available to respond to questions regarding the Senior Van Service.
5.3 Introduction to Commission on Aging Commissioner Nicole Crenshaw Vice Mayor Shess, Chair of the Interview and Nominating Committee, introduced Commissioner Crenshaw and shared information regarding their background.
Commissioner Crenshaw provided remarks about the appointment and expressed gratitude to Council.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 March 17, 2025
5.4 Measure K Oversight Committee Annual Report - Fiscal Year 2023/24 Paul Maxwell, Chair of the Measure K Oversight Committee, shared context on the role of the committee and the most recent review and audit of the fund.
6. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, reported that:
• The City is hosting a Local Government Academy open to Pleasant Hill residents and business owners. Applications are available on the City’s website and enrollment is limited to 20 entries.
• The City is in the process of drafting its first Climate Action Plan. Residents may sign up for updates and participate in a survey related to the Plan on the City’s website. • The City of Pleasant Hill is hosting a series of Earth week activities scheduled for April 21 – 27.
• Off the Grid will host another season of weeknight food truck events on Trelany Rd., near City Hall. The weekly event has moved to Thursdays and is scheduled for April – October 2025.
7. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
7.1 Reports from Councilmembers on Meetings or Conferences Attended at City Expense
Mayor Noack reported her and Vice Mayor Shess’ attendance at the Contra Costa Mayors Conference in Lafayette, CA on March 6, 2025.
Council members La, Obolenskiy, and Szakats reported their attendance at the League of California Cities Planning Commissioners Academy.
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
All Council members reported their attendance at the Rotary Club Annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner.
Council member Szakats reported attendance at the Coalition on Jobs event.
Vice Mayor Shess reported his attendance at the East Bay Leadership Council.
Council member Obolenskiy announced that his alma mater, Saint Mary’s College of California, will participate in Selection Sunday for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
Council member La announced that an inaugural Night Market will take place on May 2, 2025 in Pleasant Hill and will continue on the first and third Fridays through November.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 March 17, 2025
Mayor Noack reported her attendance serving on a panel for the League of Women Voters. She also attended the Network of Care Crab Feed and the California Alliance for Jobs Forum for Transportation Transformation.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
No members of the public commented.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Council member La pulled item 9.4 from the Consent Calendar.
Motion (Obolenskiy/Szakats) to Approve consent items 9.1 through 9.3, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of February 24, 2025
9.2 Approve Checks Dated February 21, 2025
9.3 Accept Update on Contra Costa Transportation Authority and TRANSPAC Council member La expressed a preference for visual aids to be added to the General Plan and Housing Element Progress Report on an ongoing basis.
Motion (Obolenskiy/Shess) to Approve consent item 9.4 carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
9.4 Adopt Resolution No. 10-25 Authorizing Transmittal of the Annual General Plan and Housing Element Progress Report to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and the State Department of Housing and Community Development
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 Adopt Resolution No. 11-25 Authorizing the Mayor to Execute and Submit the Biennial MEASURE J Growth Management Program Compliance Checklist for Calendar Years 2022 and 2023 for Allocation of Fiscal Years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 Local Street Maintenance and Improvement Funds to the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA)
Ann James, Public Works Director, introduced item 10.1 and provided a presentation regarding the Measure J Growth funding.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 March 17, 2025
No members of the public spoke on the item.
Motion (Obolenskiy/La) to Approve item 10.1, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
10.2 Adopt Resolution No. 12-25 Approving the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District Event Sponsorship Proposal for Calendar Year 2025
Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District staff Jennifer Thoits, Marketing, Communications, & Event Manager, and Liz Harrison, Special Events Coordinator, introduced item 10.2 and provided a presentation regarding the success of the previous sponsorship agreement and changes to the new proposal.
Michelle Lacy, Recreation and Park District General Manager, responded to questions from the Council.
No members of the public spoke on the item.
Motion (Shess/Obolenskiy) to Approve item 10.2, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
ADJOURNMENT
Prior to adjourning the meeting, Mayor Noack provided remarks in memory of Ted Winslow, former Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District Board Member, General Manager, and Pleasant Hill Community member.
Mayor Noack adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
LYONE P. CONNER, CITY CLERK