MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
January 12, 2026
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 January 12, 2026
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 January 8, 2026, 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
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
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Mayor Shess announced that there were no closed sessions to report.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Recognition of the Tijero Family as Winners of the Holiday Glow Contest Civic Action Commissioner Hunter Roberts shared results of the contest and introduced the inaugural contest winners, the Tijero Family, who received a plaque from the City.
5.2 Diversity Commission Annual Report Update
Diversity Commissioners, Chair Lloyd Schine and Freda Weng-Chu, provided an annual report presentation on the Commissions activities and achievements, and responded to questions from the Council.
5.3 Award of Appreciation to Carson Sprott for Service on the Diversity Commission from 2021 to 2025
Mayor Shess invited former Diversity Commissioner Carson Sprott to the podium and shared remarks regarding his service and contributions while on the Commission.
Carson offered his thanks to the Council and provided comments in reflection of his service.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 January 12, 2026
6. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, reported that:
• The City is developing a Safety Action Plan that incorporates community input. • The Pleasant Hill Climate Action Plan (CAP) is on the City’s website, and the Planning Commission public hearing related to the CAP will be held on February 10, 2026. • Opportunities are available to volunteer on the Civic Action Commission and Diversity Commission.
• 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 all Councilmembers’ attendance at the Mayors Conference, hosted by the City of Pittsburg on January 8, 2026.
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Councilmember Szakats announced that she is hosting a Coffee Chat on January 30, 2026 with special guest, BART Director, Matt Rinn. She also announced that in response to questions from the public, concerns regarding ICE related activity may be reported to https://standtogethercontracosta.org/.
Councilmember Szakats reported her attendance at the Chamber of Commerce Holiday Mixer, the Volunteer & Staff Appreciation event, the Memorial gathering for Pleasant Hill volunteer Pam Mosher, and at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Hillcrest Congregational Church.
Councilmember Noack reported her attendance at the Chamber of Commerce Mixer and at the City of Pleasant Hill Volunteer Appreciation event.
Councilmember La reported her attendance at the City’s Volunteer Appreciation event.
Councilmember La announced that the Lions Club is hosting the 53rd annual Crab Feed on January 24, 2026. She also announced that she is hosting a Coffee Chat on January 30, 2026, with special guests Diversity Commission Chair Lloyd Schine and Diablo Valley College AANHPI Coordinator Dr. Andrea Medina. Lastly, Councilmember La shared remarks regarding volunteer Pam Mosher, who recently passed away.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy offered his condolences to the family regarding the loss of volunteer Pam Mosher.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 January 12, 2026
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy announced that he is hosting a Town Hall meeting on January 16, 2026 with special guest Senator Tim Grayson. He also announced that the Orthodox Old New Year is being celebrated through the January 15, 2026, and all are invited to participate.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy reported his attendance at the Yolka New Years performance and at most of the events his fellow Councilmembers attended.
Mayor Shess reported his attendance at the events mentioned by fellow Councilmembers, including at the Menorah Lighting. He also reported that he hosted a Community Forum on January 10, 2026 at the Library.
Mayor Shess provided remarks regarding soon-to-be retiring staff member Juanita Davalos, who coordinated the City’s Volunteer Appreciation reception.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
The following members of the public provided a comment:
• George
• Leslie Altman
• Phil Altman
• Ernest Kurk
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion (Noack/La) to Approve consent items 9.1 – 9.2, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of December 15, 2025
9.2 Approve Checks Dated: December 12, 2025; December 19, 2025; January 02, 2026
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 Adopt Resolution No. 01-26 Accepting the 2025 City Hall First Floor Offices and Police Department (PD) Dispatch Carpet Replacement Project No. 05-25 as Complete and Authorizing the Public Works Director to Issue and Record a Notice of Completion
Ann James, Public Works Director, provided a report on the history of the carpet conditions in City Hall and the Police Department, and she shared before and after pictures of the work completed.
No members of the public provided comments.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 January 12, 2026
Motion (Obolenskiy/La) to Approve item 10.1, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
10.2 Adopt Resolution No. 02-26 Accepting the 2025 Pothole Repair and asphalt concrete (ac) pathway overlay, Project No. 01-25 as Complete and Authorizing the Public Works Director to Issue and Record a Notice of Completion Danny Urrutia, Assistant Engineer, shared data regarding the number of pathways under repair and highlights from the construction project. He also responded to questions from Council.
No members of the public provided comments.
Motion (Noack/Obolenskiy) to Approve item 10.2, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
10.3 Adopt Resolution No. -26 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Design Professional Services Agreement with DKS for Engineering Design Services for the Pleasant Hill Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements Project Anthony Nuti, Associate Engineer, gave a presentation on the enhancement needs of certain Pleasant Hill crosswalks and shared information regarding the Engineering firm of choice.
Anthony also responded to questions from Council.
The following members of the public provided a comment:
• Cara Dejong
• Holly Hong
• Joacob Airola
Motion (La/Obolenskiy) to Approve item 10.3, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Shess adjourned the meeting at 8:34 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, January 26, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m. ______________________________
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 January 12, 2026
LYONE P. CONNER, CITY CLERK