MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
May 05, 2025
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 May 5, 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 May 1, 2025, by City Clerk Lyone Conner.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Noack invited Josh Simmons, Senior Patrol Leader, along with the Scouts of Troop 405, to lead the City Council in the 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 Proclamation Designating the Month of May as Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Mayor Noack presented a proclamation to Freda Weng-Chu, Diversity Commissioner, declaring the month of May as Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Commissioner Weng-Chu thanked Council and shared remarks about the impact of the proclamation.
5.2 Awards of Appreciation to Quy Tran for Service on the Commission Aging from 2018 - 2025 and Camie Hansen for Service on the Commission on Aging from 2021 – 2025 Mayor Noack shared history of their service and presented awards of appreciation to two outgoing Commissioners:
Camie Hansen for four years of service and Quy Tran for seven years of service, both with the Commission on Aging.
Each Commissioner thanked the City Council and shared sentiments about their time serving as Commissioners.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 May 5, 2025
5.3 Introduction of Commission on Aging Commissioners Gail Egbert and Terri Hill Vice Mayor Shess introduced Gail Egbert, who returned to the Commission on Aging, and Terri Hill, who is new to the Commission on Aging.
Commissioners Egbert and Hill each expressed their gratitude and shared context behind their interests in serving on the commission.
5.4 Proclamation Designating the Month of May as Older Americans Month Mayor Noack presented a proclamation to Vicky Pease, Commission on Aging Commissioner, declaring the month of May as Older Americans Month.
Commissioner Pease shared remarks about the observance and highlighted programs the Commission offers to support the older community.
5.5 Annual Report from the Coordinated Outreach, Referral and Engagement (CORE) Program
Jenny Robbins, Contra Costa Health’s Homeless Services Chief of Programs, and Fadi Elhayek, CORE Outreach Program Director, shared a presentation on the services offered through the County and in Pleasant Hill specifically, including the data associated with needs of their clients.
They also discussed the outcomes of the CORE services in Pleasant Hill and responded to questions from the City Council.
6. There was an error on the agenda, and this item was left blank.
7. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, reported that:
• Pleasant Hill experienced its first Night Market on May 2, 2025. The Night Markets will continue on the first and third Friday of each month through November. • The Civic Action Commission is hosting its 25th anniversary Summer Concerts series from May 25 – August 31.
• The Civic Action Commission is also recruiting to fill the vacancy of a commission position. Applications are available on the City’s website and due May 7, 2025. • The Diversity Commission is seeking sponsors for the third annual Juneteenth event on June 19, 2025.
8. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
8.1 Reports from Councilmembers on Meetings or Conferences Attended at City Expense
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 May 5, 2025
Mayor Noack reported her and all Councilmember’s attendance at the May 1, Contra Costa Mayor’s Conference, which was hosted in Pleasant Hill at the Library.
Mayor Noack also recognized the staff and local organizations who contributed to the event.
8.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
All Councilmembers reported their attendance at the Night Market, which opened on May 2, 2025.
Councilmember Szakats reported attendance at Diablo Valley College’s Joint Apprenticeship Training Program Information Night and Tour. She also reported her attendance at the East Bay Artist Guild Reception and at the East Bay Leadership Council’s Contra Costa Transportation Leadership Reception, where Mayor Noack was honored.
Councilmember Szakats additionally shared an invitation to join her at the Police Department Community Meeting regarding Assembly Bill 481 and the equipment used.
Vice Mayor Shess reported his attendance at the Pleasant Hill Earth Day Celebration and at the reception for Mayor Noack in her role as MTC Chairperson. He also reported his attendance at the Chamber of Commerce’s and Pleasant Hill Community Foundation’s Casino Night, and at the Pleasant Hill Hawks Golf Tournament Fundraiser.
Vice Mayor Shess additionally shared remarks in observance of Mother’s Day, both in honor of mothers presently, and in memory of mothers who are no longer with us.
Councilmember Obolenskiy reported his attendance at the Pleasant Hill Earth Day Celebration, at the Mount Diablo High School Campus and Careers event, and at the LGBTQ+ Solidarity event at Club 1220. He also shared that he was a sponsor of the Chamber of Commerce’s and the Pleasant Hill Community Foundation’s Casino Night.
Councilmember Obolenskiy concluded his remarks by highlighting various members of the Theater Skazka who performed at the Night Market and by encouraging the citizens of Pleasant Hill to reflect in solidarity regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. He also recognized Scout Troop 405 who was in attendance at the City Council meeting.
Councilmember La reported her attendance at Diablo Valley College’s Joint Apprenticeship Training Program Information Night and Tour and at the Pleasant Hill Earth Day Celebration.
Councilmember La announced that the Climate Action Plan Survey is still available for submission on the City’s website, and she highlighted the observance of AANHPI Heritage Month, which was celebrated during the Night Market’s opening. She also announced the Bark in the Park Event hosted by the Recreation and Park District.
Mayor Noack shared her regrets for missing the Earth Day event, due to the scheduling conflict of the East Bay Leadership Council’s celebration that was in her honor. She also expressed that she had to miss Casino Night as a result of a family emergency that occurred.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 May 5, 2025
Mayor Noack lastly reported her attendance at the Senate Transportation Committee meeting in Sacramento, where she had the privilege of testifying.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT
The following two members of the public provided a public comment:
Lenore Krause
Darcy Matheus
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion (La/Obolenskiy) to Approve consent items 10.1 and 10.2, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of April 21, 2025
9.2 Approve Checks Dated: April 18, 2025; April 25, 2025
11. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 Public Hearing on Vacancy Report in Compliance with Assembly Bill 2561 and Government Code Section 3502.3
Ericka Mitchell, Chief Human Resources Officer presented workforce information for the City of Pleasant Hill, clarifying vacancy data and highlighting the recruitment and retention processes in the Human Resources Division.
Ericka also responded to questions from Council.
The report was heard by the City Council, and no vote or adoption was required.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Noack adjourned the meeting at 8:29 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 2, 2025, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
LYONE P. CONNER, CITY CLERK