MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
December 15, 2025
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 December 15, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER
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 December 11, 2025, by City Clerk Lyone Conner.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Shess invited the Council and Public to join him in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
Mayor Shess invited Councilmember Szakats to explain her need for remote participation.
Councilmember Szakats requested to attend the regular meeting remotely under the Just Cause provision of AB 2449.
Motion (Noack/Obolenskiy) to Approve Councilmember Szakats’ remote participation, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
Attendee Name Title Status
Zac Shess Mayor Present
Andrei Obolenskiy Vice Mayor Present
Belle La District 1 Councilmember Present
Sue Noack District 2 Councilmember Present
Amanda Szakats District 5 Councilmember Present - remote
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Mayor Shess announced that there were no closed sessions to report.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Award of Appreciation to Phil Williamson for Service on the Diablo Vista Water System Advisory Board from 2014 to 2025
Mayor Shess provided remarks to recognize Phil Williamson for more than a decade of service on the Diablo Vista Water System Advisory Board.
Former Board member Williamson expressed his gratitude to the Council and offered comments of reflection regarding his service.
5.2 Introduction of Diablo Vista Water System Advisory Board Member Devon Reed City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 December 15, 2025
Mayor Shess introduced Devon Reed, the newly appointed member of the Diablo Vista Water System Advisory Board.
Board member Reed thanked the Council for the opportunity to join the Board.
5.3 Update from the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) East Bay Municipal Utility District Director Luz Gómez provided a presentation on the priorities, maintenance, and upcoming projects for water service in Ward 2, which includes sections of Pleasant Hill.
5.4 Update from the Contra Costa Water District
Contra Costa Water District Director John Burgh provided a presentation on the water sources, budget, and active projects for the sections of Pleasant Hill serviced by the district.
6. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, reported that:
• The City will partner with Temple Isaiah to host the second annual Menorah Lighting at City Hall on December 16, 2025.
• 18 homes were registered for the Holiday Glow Contest and are ready to be viewed by the community.
• The Police Department continues to enforce impaired driving laws, especially during the holidays.
• The City offers three sandbag stations at City Hall, near the Community Center, and across from Pleasant Oaks Park.
7. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
7.1 Reports from Councilmembers on Meetings or Conferences Attended at City Expense
Mayor Shess announced his and additional Councilmembers’ attendance at the Mayors Conference, hosted by the City of Pinole on December 4, 2025.
Councilmember Szakats reported her attendance at the Threads of Hope event, recognizing outstanding volunteers in the community. She also announced that Karen Douglas was an honorable mention at the event.
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 December 15, 2025
Councilmember Szakats provided remarks acknowledging recent tragedies in Australia against the Jewish community and invited the public to show support locally by attending the Menorah Lighting in Pleasant Hill.
Councilmember Szakats reported her attendance at the Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Appreciation event, Delphi Realty’s Christmas party and toy drive, the DVC Holiday Arts Fair, the City Hall Employee Luncheon, as well as the Craft Fairs at Roger’s Ranch and Mt. Diablo Adult Education. She also reported her attendance at Open Houses for Supervisor Carlson and State Senator Tim Grayson.
Councilmember Noack reported her attendance at the Mt. Diablo Adult Education Craft Fair, the City Hall Employee Luncheon, the Hospice Tree of Lights memorial, and the Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Appreciation event.
Councilmember Noack also reported that she spoke at a press conference in San Francisco with Senator Weiner and Mayor Lurie.
Councilmember La invited the public to donate coats to One Warm Coat and to donate new, unwrapped toys to the In and Around Pleasant Hill organization.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy shared remarks in solidarity with members of the Jewish community.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy reported his attendance at the Rotary Holiday Party, a District meeting at Magoo’s, and the City Hall Caroling event.
He also announced that on January 16, 2026, Senator Tim Grayson will attend a public meeting in Pleasant Hill.
Mayor Shess reported his attendance at the City Hall Caroling event, the Hospice Tree of Lights memorial, the Chamber Appreciation event, and the Delphi Toy Drive.
Mayor Shess announced that he will be in attendance at the Menorah Lighting. He also announced that he will be hosting a community forum on January 10, 2026 at the Pleasant Hill Library.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
The following member of the public provided a comment: George
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion (Noack/Obolenskiy) to Approve consent items 9.1 – 9.10, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of December 1, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 December 15, 2025
9.2 Approve Checks Dated: December 05, 2025
9.3 Adopt Resolution No. -25 Approving the 2026 City Council Regular Meeting Calendar
(This item was a memo for the City Council to approve and does not require a resolution number.)
9.4 Approve Mayor’s Appointments of Councilmembers to Various Committees and Boards for 2026; and Ratification of Existing Committees
9.5 Approve Appointment Recommendation to the Commission on Aging
9.6 Adopt Resolution No. 53-25 Authorizing a Request to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the Allocation of FY 2026/2027 Transportation Development Act Article 3 Pedestrian//Bicycle Project Funding for the Taylor Boulevard (Lucille Lane to Civic Drive) Sidewalk Installation Project
9.7 Adopt Resolution No. 54-25 Approving Use of Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) Access Fund to Purchase Broadcasting Equipment and Compensate Contra Costa Television for Shared Capital Expenses
9.8 Adopt Resolution No. 55-25 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Holistic Solutions, LLC for Consulting Services to Develop a Strategic Plan to be Employer of Choice
9.9 Adopt Resolution No. 56-25 Accepting AB 1600 Report on Development Impact Fees for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025
9.10 Accept Update on Contra Costa County Transportation Authority and
TRANSPAC
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 Accept the Audited Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, Measure K Fund Report, and the Management Letter for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025 Erick Cheung, Chief Financial Officer provided reports on the annual budget, the Measure K Fund, and the Management Letter for FY25.
CPA Auditors Jon Waller and David Bullock were available remotely to confirm the report information and respond to questions from Council.
No members of the public provided comments.
Motion (Noack/La) to Approve item 10.1, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 December 15, 2025
10.2 Adopt Resolution No. 57-25 Approving a Contribution to the Public Agencies Post Employment Benefits Trust Program with Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS) Section 115 Trust
Erick Cheung, Chief Financial Officer provided a report on the proposed contribution to the Public Agencies Post Employment Benefits Trust Program and responded to questions from Council.
No members of the public provided comments.
Motion (La/Noack) to Approve item 10.2, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
10.3 Public Hearing and Introduce and Adopt Urgency Ordinance No. Amending Section 18.05.010 of the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code Related to Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units and Determining the Action to be Exempt from CEQA
Andrew Shiflet, Associate Planner, provided a report on the need for an urgency ordinance and presented the changes to the Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units ordinance.
Andrew also responded to questions from Council.
The following member of the public provided a comment: George Motion (Noack/Szakats) to Approve item 10.3, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Shess adjourned the meeting at 9:17 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m. ______________________________
LYONE P. CONNER, CITY CLERK