MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
April 7, 2025
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 April 7, 2025
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 April 3, 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 Absent
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 Acknowledgement of Anton Bogorad as Honorary Mayor for a Day Mayor Noack introduced Anton Bogoard, a student from Sequoia Elementary School, as the Mayor for a Day. Anton assisted Mayor Noack in conducting the meeting.
5.2 Proclamation Designating April 6 - 12, 2025 as Library Week Patrick Remer, Pleasant Hill Library Manager, received the proclamation and shared a brief presentation on the County’s readership data, the Pleasant Hill Library’s patronage, and programs the library offers.
5.3 City of Pleasant Hill Economic Development Update
Zach Seal, Economic Development Manager, provided a presentation on the new and continuing businesses in Pleasant Hill and some of the resources the City has provided to support their sustainability.
Following the last presentation, Mayor Noack further acknowledged the visit from the Mayor for a Day, Anton Bogorad, and highlighted his accomplishments. She also invited him to share information about himself and his guests.
Mayor Noack presented Mayor for a Day Bogorad with gifts from the City and a certificate of recognition.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 April 7, 2025
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 Night Market will commence on May 2, 2025 and continues on the first and third Friday of each month through November
• The Building Division will participate in International Building Safety Month in May 2025. Information about the month is available at www.buildingsafetymonth.org.
7. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
7.1 Reports from Councilmembers on Meetings or Conferences Attended at City Expense
Mayor Noack reported her and Council member Szakats’ attendance at the Contra Costa Mayors Conference in Clayton, CA on April 3, 2025.
Council member La reported that she, Vice Mayor Shess, and Council member Obolenskiy attended the East Bay Innovation Award ceremony presented by the East Bay Economic Development Alliance.
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Council member La reported her attendance at the Pleasant Hill Police Department Swearing in and Recognition Award Ceremony and the “Hands Off” peaceful protest. She also announced that she held her first Coffee Break open to the public on April 4, 2025.
Council member Szakats reported attendance at the Gregory Gardens Boots and Bling Auction Dinner, the Strandwood Elementary World of Color Auction Dinner, Pleasant Hill Elementary’s Walk and Roll program, the Pleasant Hill Baseball Association’s Poker Tournament, and the “Hands Off” protest event.
Mayor Noack reported her attendance at the Pleasant Hill Police Department Swearing in ceremony and the “Hands Off” protest in Gualala, CA. She also shared that she gave a speech at the Industrial Council of Contra Costa County.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
No members of the public commented.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 April 7, 2025
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Council member Szakats pulled item 9.3 from the Consent Calendar.
Motion (Shess/La) to Approve consent items 9.1 and 9.2, carried as follows:
AYES: La, Shess, Szakats, Noack
ABSENT: Obolenskiy
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of March 17, 2025
9.2 Approve Checks Dated March 14, 2025; March 18, 2025; March 21, 2025; March 28, 2025
Addressing item 9.3, Pleasant Hill Police Chief Scott Vermillion responded to questions from Council.
Council member Szakats requested that, where applicable, a notation of town halls held be included in the AB 481 staff report moving forward.
Motion (Szakats/La) to Approve consent item 9.3 carried as follows:
AYES: La, Shess, Szakats, Noack
ABSENT: Obolenskiy
9.3 Reintroduce Ordinance No. 954 Regarding the Special or Military Equipment Use Policy Pursuant to AB 481 and Accepting the Annual Report for all Specialized or Military Equipment Available for Use by the Pleasant Hill Police Department
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 Adopt Resolution No. 13-25 Approving Continued Participation in the Stormwater Pollution Management Utility District and Authorizing the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to Adopt the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Stormwater Utility Area Fee for the City of Pleasant Hill Ann James, Public Works Director, introduced Laetitia Galeazzi, Senior Civil Engineer.
Due to technical difficulties, at 8:01 p.m., Mayor Noack called for a recess.
At 8:07 p.m. Mayor Noack reconvened the meeting.
Senior Civil Engineer Galeazzi provided a presentation on stormwater utility services and fees.
Frank Kennedy, Consulting Sr. Engineer with Kennedy and Associates answered questions from Council.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 April 7, 2025
No members of the public spoke on the item.
Motion (La/Szakats) to Approve item 10.1, carried as follows:
AYES: La, Shess, Szakats, Noack
ABSENT: Obolenskiy
10.2 Adopt Resolution No. 14-25 Repealing and Replacing Resolution 33-18 Regarding the 2017 Contra Costa Hazard Mitigation Plan Update and Adopting the 2024 Contra Costa County Hazard Mitigation Plan Volume 1 and the City of Pleasant Hill's Annex in Volume 2
Ann James, Public Works Director, provided a presentation on the cycle, requirements, impacts, and jurisdictions involved in the Hazard Mitigation plan.
She also responded to questions from Council.
No members of the public spoke on the item.
Motion (La/Shess) to Approve item 10.2, carried as follows:
AYES: La, Shess, Szakats, Noack
ABSENT: Obolenskiy
10.3 Public Hearing to Introduce Ordinance No. __ Amending Section 18.20.095 of the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code (Accessory Dwelling Unit), and Find the Ordinance Exempt from the Provisions of CEQA
Andrew Shiflet, Associate Planner, provided a presentation on proposed changes to the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance.
Troy Fujimoto, City Planner, was available via teleconference for questions.
Motion (La/Szakats) to Approve item 10.3, carried as follows:
AYES: La, Shess, Szakats, Noack
ABSENT: Obolenskiy
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Noack adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, April 21, 2025, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
LYONE P. CONNER, CITY CLERK