MINUTES OF THE
SPECIAL MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
February 09, 2026
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 February 09, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Zac Shess called a Special Meeting of the City Council to order at 6:00 PM, in the Large Community Room, 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, CA, complete proceedings of which were electronically recorded. The meeting agenda was posted on the outdoor bulletin board at the above address on February 5, 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
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, introduced the Executive Team present at the meeting:
Ann James, Interim Public Works Director
Erick Cheung, Finance Manager
Ericka Mitchell, Chief Human Resources Manager
Geoff Gillette, Community Relations Manager/Public Information Officer (PIO) Geoff Simmons, Chief Building Official
Janet Coleson, City Attorney
Ling King, Chief Technology Officer
Lyone Conner, City Clerk
Scott Vermillion, Chief of Police
Troy Fujimoto, City Planner; and
Bret Sweet, Economic Development Director (Absent)
4. AGENDA ITEMS
4.1 Update on the Achievement of Fiscal Years 2024/25 and 2025/26 City Council Goals and Discussion of City Council Goals, Objectives, and Activities for Fiscal Years 2026/27 and 2027/28
City Manager Bindernagel provided an overview of the prior biennial goals and current achievement process. He also noted that the Update on the Achievements of FY 2024/25 and 2025/26 City Council Goals were included in the agenda packet.
Lyone Conner, City Clerk, explained the presentation process for the meeting and invited staff to present on their key accomplishments.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 February 09, 2026
All staff presenters discussed achievements of goals and responded to questions from Council in the following order:
Chief Vermillion presented on key achievements within Goal One.
Ann James Public Works Director presented on key achievements of the Engineering Division within Goal One.
Erick Cheung, Chief Financial Officer, presented on key achievements within Goal Two.
City Manager Bindernagel, on behalf of Economic Development Manager Bret Sweet, presented on key achievements within Goal Two.
Mayor Shess called for a recess at 7:25 p.m.
Mayor Shess called the meeting back to order at 7:36 p.m.
Troy Fujimoto, City Planner presented on key achievements within Goals Three and Four.
Ann James, Public Works Director also presented on key achievements of the Maintenance Division within Goals Three and Four.
Geoff Gillette, Community Relations Manager/PIO presented on key achievements within Goal Four.
Geoff Simmons, Chief Building Official, presented on key achievements within Goal Four.
Ling King, Chief Technology Officer, presented on key achievements within Goal Five.
Ericka Mitchell, Chief Human Resources Officer, presented on key achievements within Goal Five.
Mayor Shess called for a recess at 8:41 p.m.
Mayor Shess called the meeting back to order at 8:48 p.m.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Shess opened public comment.
The following members of the public appeared in person to provide a comment:
• Albert Franco
• Amanda Booth
• Cindy Walker-Sayles
• George
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 February 09, 2026
Mayor Shess closed public comment.
6. DISCUSSION
City Manager Bindernagel facilitated a detailed review with the Council of all Goals and Objectives and received input and recommended amendments from them.
Mayor Shess called for a recess at 11:25 p.m.
Mayor Shess called the meeting back to order at 11:29 p.m.
The City Councilmembers determined updates to the goals, objectives, and action items for FY 2026/27 and FY 2027/28 with input from staff.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Shess adjourned the meeting at 11:35 p.m. to a Special Joint Meeting with the Recreation and Park District Board on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, February 23, 2026 beginning at 7:00 PM.
_______________________________
LYONE CONNER, CITY CLERK