MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
June 16, 2025
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 June 16, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER
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 June 12, 2025, by City Clerk Lyone Conner.
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 Introduction of Education Commissioners Aaron Edell and Jeffrey Guido Vice Mayor Shess individually introduced Education Commissioners Aaron Edell and Jeffrey Guido. Each Commissioner shared remarks about their background and motivation for serving on the Commission.
5.2 Presentation from the Pleasant Hill Community Foundation Betty Geishirt-Cantrell, President of the Pleasant Hill Community Foundation, offered a presentation about the development of the fund, its beneficiaries, and upcoming projects sponsored by the fund.
5.3 Update from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Jeff Peter, Assistant Chief of the Contra Costa Fire Protection District gave a presentation about the regions within the district and shared data on fire and medical services provided in Pleasant Hill.
5.4 Update on Pleasant Hill Police Department Roof Repairs Pleasant Hill Police Chief Scott Vermillion updated the Council on the status of the Police Department roof repair.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 June 16, 2025
6. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, reported that:
• The City will host its third annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 19, 2025 at City Hall • The third Night Market event in Chilpancingo Park will occur on Friday, June 20. • The Summer Concert Series will be headlined by the band Dakila on Sunday, June 22. • The first ever Pride Night will take place in partnership with Off the Grid on Thursday, June 26.
7. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
7.1 Reports from Councilmembers on Meetings or Conferences Attended at City Expense
Vice Mayor Shess reported that he, along with Councilmembers La, Obolenskiy, and Szakats, attended the Contra Costa Mayor’s Conference in San Ramon.
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Councilmember Obolenskiy reported his and Vice Mayor Shess’ attendance at the Chamber of Commerce Mixer for young professionals and the Water Polo Junior Olympics Qualifications Tournament.
Councilmembers La expressed sentiments regarding the immigration enforcement happening in the Country.
Councilmember La also announced two upcoming events: the East Bay Artist Guild Exhibition at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center and her Coffee Recess Break on July 18.
Councilmember Szakats reported her and Councilmember Obolenskiy’s attendance at the No Kings Day Rally. She also reported her attendance at a Clergy Roundtable and at the League of Cities virtual Community Roundtable.
Vice Mayor Shess reported his attendance at various events, all which had already been noted by the Council.
Mayor Noack reported her attendance at the Transportation Awards Gala honoring Federal Glover, and she gave the commencement address for Carrington College at the Lesher Center.
Mayor Noack also reported her attendance at a meeting with Rachel Zenner, the District Director for Senator Tim Grayson and at the June 8 Summer Concert.
Finally, Mayor Noack read a statement regarding the importance of diversity, the right to free speech, and support for all residents, including the immigrant community, in Pleasant Hill.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 June 16, 2025
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
No members of the public provided a comment.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion (La/Obolenskiy) to Approve consent items 9.1 – 9.4, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of June 2, 2025
9.2 Approve Checks Dated May 30, 2025; June 06, 2025
9.3 Adopt Resolution No. 24-25 Establishing the Proposition 4 Appropriations Limit Pursuant to Article XIII B of the California Constitution for the Fiscal Year 2025/2026
9.4 Approve Appointment Recommendation from the Planning Commission to the Diversity Commission
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 Adopt Resolution No. ___-25 Denying the Appeal and Upholding the Planning Commission’s Decision to Approve a Reasonable Accommodation Request for an Attached Carport Structure for a Person with Disabilities at 135 Byron Court, Ent2023- 0058.
Haley Croffoot, Senior Planner, presented a summary of the request for a reasonable accommodation and shared updates that were made to the request.
The following members of the public provided a comment:
• Dean Wallahan
• Eugene Larkin
The applicant was invited to provide comments and also requested to show three video clips related to the request.
Council did not vote on this item, rather they requested that staff redraft the resolution to reflect their position on the three requests, following the discussion that occurred in the meeting. This item will be added to a future City Council meeting for review.
Mayor Noack called for a recess at 9:00 p.m.
Mayor Noack called the meeting back to order at 9:08 p.m.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 June 16, 2025
10.2 Adopt Resolution No. 25-25 Updating the Proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Master Fee Schedule
Erick Cheung, Chief Financial Officer, introduced Ross Yangwas, Administrative Analyst II, who presented the 2025/2026 Master Fee Schedule and highlighted proposed changes.
No members of the public spoke on the item.
Motion (Obolenskiy/Shess) to Approve item 10.2, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Obolenskiy Shess, Szakats, Noack
10.3 Adopt Resolution No. 26-25 Approving the Update to the Long-Term Financial Plan for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Through Fiscal Year 2028/2029 Erick Cheung, Chief Financial Officer, presented the updates of the Long-Term Financial Plan and answered questions from Council.
No members of the public spoke on the item.
Motion (Szakats/Shess) to Approve item 10.3, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Obolenskiy, Shess, Szakats, Noack
10.4 Adopt Resolution No. 27-25 Amending the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Adopted Budget Erick Cheung, Chief Financial Officer, introduced the changes made from the previously adopted budget and clarified differences between the budget and the Long-Term Financial Plan.
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
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Noack adjourned the meeting at 10:30 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, July 7, 2025, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
______________________________
LYONE P. CONNER, CITY CLERK