MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
June 02, 2025
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 June 2, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Mayor Shess 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 30, 2025, by City Clerk Lyone Conner.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status
Sue Noack Mayor Present - remote
Zac Shess Vice Mayor Present
Belle La District 1 Councilmember Present
Andrei Obolenskiy District 2 Councilmember Present
Amanda Szakats District 5 Councilmember Present
Mayor Noack requested to participate in the City Council meeting remotely, in accordance with Assembly Bill 2449, under the causation of contagious illness.
Motion (La/Szakats) to Approve Mayor Sue Noack’s remote participation in the June 2, 2025 City Council meeting carried as follows:
AYES: La, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Vice Mayor Shess reported that there was no closed session and nothing to report.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Proclamation Designating the Month of June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual Plus (LGBTQIA+) Pride Month Vice Mayor Shess presented a proclamation to Sandra Blanco, Diversity Commissioner, declaring the month of June as Pride Month.
Commissioner Blanco thanked Council and shared remarks about the importance of celebrating Pride in Pleasant Hill.
One member of the Public provided a comment: District Supervisor Ken Carlson
5.2 Proclamation Recognizing the 25th Annual Civic Action Commission Summer Concerts Series
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 June 2, 2025
Vice Mayor Shess presented a proclamation to Barbara Thor, Chair of the Civic Action Commission, in recognition of the 25 years of the Summer Concert Series in Pleasant Hill.
Chair Thor expressed gratitude to the Council for the recognition and support of the Summer Concerts over the years. She also highlighted enhancements made to the 2025 concerts.
5.3 Acknowledgement of Cota Angulo as Honorary Mayor for a Day Vice Mayor Shess noted that due to the need for Mayor Noack’s remote participation, Mayor for a Day Cota Angulo’s visit will be postponed to a future City Council meeting.
5.4 Update from Contra Costa County District IV Supervisor Ken Carlson District IV Supervisor Ken Carlson shared a presentation highlighting the cities within his region and detailing the work and services offered to the City and public by the County Supervisor’s office.
5.5 Presentation on Home Match, a Front Porch Community Service Lorna Van Ackeren, Chair of the Commission on Aging, introduced Logan Robertson, Director of the Contra Costa Home Match program, who presented on the services and enrollment process of the program.
Director Robertson also responded to questions from Council.
6. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, reported that:
• The Commission on Aging will host a workshop about understanding Alzheimer’s on Monday, June 9, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
• The Public Works Department began sink hole repair work, which will occur daily through Friday, June 6.
• The Diversity Commission’s third annual Juneteenth Celebration is on June 19, 2025 at City Hall.
• In partnership with Off the Grid, the Diversity Commission will celebrate Pride on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at City Hall.
7. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
7.1 Reports from Councilmembers on Meetings or Conferences Attended at City Expense
There were no meetings or expenses to report.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 June 2, 2025
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Councilmembers La, Shess, and Szakats reported their participation in the Clayton Pride Parade.
Councilmember La reported her attendance at the Sequoia Elementary School International Baccalaureate, where she was interviewed, the Hidden Valley Elementary End of Year TK celebration, and at the Pleasant Hill Night Market.
Councilmember Obolenskiy reported his attendance at the Chamber of Commerce Mixer for DVC International Students, the retirement celebration for DVC President Susan Lamb, the Contra Costa Fire Academy graduation, and at the Summer Concert at City Hall. He also attended the Memorial Day Remembrance ceremony and the Government Affairs Committee meeting.
Councilmember Szakats acknowledged the Diversity Commission, Off the Grid, her Councilmember peers, and various agencies for their willingness to brainstorm and collaborate on the development of a Pride Celebration at City Hall.
Councilmember Szakats reported attendance at a College Park event, where she assisted in awarding Lions Club scholarships, and at a presentation provided by the Library and League of Women Voters entitled “What is DEI and Why is it Under Attack?” She also reported her attendance at the Gregory Gardens Fifth Grade Sleepover, Khulood’s Childcare Graduation Celebration, the Youth Home’s 60th Anniversary Gala, the Art and Wine Festival hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, the Pleasant Hill Summer Concert, and the BART Gate Opening.
Vice Mayor Shess reported his attendance at the first Bark in the Park event, the Pleasant Hill Summer Concert, the BART Ribbon Cutting and Gate Opening, the Art, Wine, and Music Festival, and the Memorial Day Remembrance ceremony.
Vice Mayor Shess recognized Councilmember Obolenskiy and additional local partners for making the remembrance ceremony possible this year.
Mayor Noack reported her attendance in Washington D.C. representing MTC. She also presented both at the Senior Retired Men’s Group (SRG) meeting and to Scout Troop 405. Mayor Noack was also in attendance at the BART Ribbon Cutting, and the memorial service for Federal Glover.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
No members of the public provided a comment.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
City Attorney Coleson requested that item 9.8 “Adopt Resolution No. 19-25 Declaring an Emergency, Authorizing the Transfer of Available Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Funds to the Police Department Roof Replacement Project, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Construction Contract with State Roofing, Inc.” be moved to the Action Calendar as item 10.1.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 June 2, 2025
Motion (Obolenskiy/Noack) to Approve agenda amendment, moving consent item 9.8 to the action calendar as item 10.1, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
Councilmember Szakats pulled item 9.4.
City Clerk Lyone Conner noted an amendment to item 9.2, correcting the spelling of the name of a public commenter. A memo explaining the amendment, as well as a copy of the amended minutes was made available for the public.
No members of the public commented
Motion (Obolenskiy/Szakats) to Approve consent items 9.1 – 9.9, with an amendment to 9.2, and excluding items 9.4 and 9.8, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of April 26, 2025
9.2 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of May 5, 2025
9.3 Approve Checks Dated May 02, 2025; May 09, 2025; May 16, 2025; May 23, 2025
9.4 Adopt Resolution No. 16-25 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a ThreeYear Agreement for Independent Auditing Services with Macias, Gini, & O’Connell, LLP
9.5 Accept Update on Contra Costa Transportation Authority and TRANSPAC
9.6 Adopt Resolution No. 17-25 Authorizing the Acceptance and Use of Funds from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services State Homeland Security Grant Program 2024 (SHSGP 2024)
9.7 Approve Appointment Recommendation to the Civic Action Commission
9.8 Adopt Resolution No. 19-25 Declaring an Emergency, Authorizing the Transfer of Available Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Funds to the Police Department Roof Replacement Project, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Construction Contract with State Roofing, Inc.
9.9 Adopt Resolution No. 18-25 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Fehr & Peers, Inc., for the Update to the City of Pleasant Hill Traffic Impact Fee 2023 Draft City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 June 2, 2025
Regarding item 9.4, Councilmember Szakats requested that in addition to meeting the auditor rotation requirements, the Finance Division consider completing an RFP for the following auditing cycle, to ensure the City is receiving the best rate and a fresh perspective, where applicable.
Chief Financial Officer Erick Cheung was available to respond to questions.
No members of the public commented on item 9.4.
Motion (Noack/Szakats) to Approve consent item 9.4, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 (Formerly item 9.8) Adopt Resolution No. 19-25 Declaring an Emergency, Authorizing the Transfer of Available Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Funds to the Police Department Roof Replacement Project, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Construction Contract with State Roofing, Inc.
Ann James, Public Works Director, clarified the state of emergency for the Police Department roof and provided a timeline regarding the project, as well as explained the budget request associated with the repair.
No members of the public spoke on the item.
Motion (Szakats/Obolenskiy) to Approve item 10.1, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
10.2 (Formerly item 10.1) Adopt Resolution No. 20-25 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement for Professional Services with Contra Costa Health Services, Health, Housing and Homeless Services Division to Provide Homeless Outreach Services Through the County's Coordinated Outreach, Referral, and Engagement (CORE) Program
Pleasant Hill Police Department Captain Matt Kristic provided a report on the benefits of the CORE program and responded to questions from Council.
No members of the public spoke on the item.
Motion (La/Szakats) to Approve item 10.2, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Obolenskiy Shess, Szakats, Noack
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 June 2, 2025
10.3 (Formerly item 10.2) Adopt Resolution No. 21-25 to Identify the FY 2025/2026 Street Resurfacing Project for the Expenditure of FY 2025/2026 Funds of Senate Bill 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017
Public Works Director Ann James provided historical information regarding paving in Pleasant Hill residential zones. She also shared the SB1 funding process and requirements, and she responded to questions from Council.
No members of the public spoke on the item.
Motion (Noack/La) to Approve item 10.3, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
10.4 (Formerly item 10.3) Adopt Resolution No. 22-25 Approving Intention to Levy and Collect Assessments and to Provide for Public Hearing and Notice in Assessment District No. 20 for Fiscal Year 2025/2026
Public Works Director Ann James presented on both items 10.4 and 10.5. She also introduced Melanie Guillory-Lee, Consultant with SCI Consulting Group, who explained the planned steps for part two of the assessment process.
Joanna Gin, BBK Law Associate, was available to respond to questions from Council.
No members of the public spoke on the item.
Motion (Obolenskiy/La) to Approve item 10.4, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
10.5 (Formerly item 10.4) Adopt Resolution No. 23-25 Approving Intention to Levy and Collect Assessments and to Provide for Public Hearing and Notice in Assessment District No. 22 for Fiscal Year 2025/2026
Melanie Guillory-Lee, Consultant with SCI Consulting Group, highlighted the differences and similarities in the process for Assessment District 22 compared to Assessment District 20 and responded to questions from Council.
No members of the public spoke on the item.
Motion (Szakats/Noack) to Approve item 10.5, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
ADJOURNMENT
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 June 2, 2025
Vice Mayor Shess adjourned the meeting at 9:43 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 16, 2025, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
LYONE P. CONNER, CITY CLERK