MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
April 20, 2026
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 April 20, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy 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 April 16, 2026, by City Clerk Lyone Conner.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy invited the Council and Public to join him in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status
Zac Shess Mayor Absent
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
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy reported that there was no closed session and nothing to report.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Proclamation Designating April 22, 2026 as Earth Day Vice Mayor Obolenskiy invited Geoff Gillette, Community Relations Manager to the podium.
Mr. Gillette introduced Tyler Snortum-Phelps, Sustainable Contra Costa Operations Manager, who received the proclamation designating April 22, 2026 as Earth Day in the City of Pleasant Hill.
Mr. Snortum-Phelps offered remarks of gratitude for the City’s continued support over many years.
5.2 Presentation and Proclamation for National Library Week Patrick Remer, Senior Community Library Manager of the Pleasant Hill Library, provided a presentation on programs offered by the County libraries and on readership data for Pleasant Hill.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy issued a proclamation to Mr. Remer, on behalf of the Pleasant Hill Library, designating April 19-25, 2026 as National Library Week in the City of Pleasant Hill.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 April 20, 2026
5.3 Update from College Park High School
Dr. Ronald Richardson, Principal of College Park High School, provided an update presentation on the school’s academic and behavioral success.
Dr. Richardson also responded to questions from Council.
Chief Scott Vermillion of the Pleasant Hill Police Department also shared remarks regarding Dr.
Richardson’s impact on the campus, staff, and students.
5.4 Introduction of Civic Action Commissioner Cherie Salonga Councilmember Szakats, who is also Chair of the Interview and Nominating Committee, introduced Cherie Salonga, who was newly appointed to the Civic Action Commission.
Commissioner Salonga shared remarks with the Council regarding her appointment.
6. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, reported that:
• The second annual Earth Day celebration is scheduled for April 23, 2026. • The Education and Diversity Commissions will host a community Neighbor Nights event at College Park High School on April 29, 2026.
• Information regarding City events and activities are available on the City’s social media channels, via the Bi-weekly e-Newsletter, the bi-monthly Outlook Newsletter, and the City’s website.
• The City of Pleasant Hill’s PIO and Community Relations Manager, Geoff Gillette, is retiring in April, 2026.
Members of the Council offered remarks of thanks to retiring City staff member Geoff Gillette.
7. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
7.1 Reports from Councilmembers on Meetings or Conferences Attended at City Expense
Nothing was reported.
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Councilmember Szakats reported her and Vice Mayor Obolenskiy’s attendance at the ribbon cutting for the Boot Barn, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, as well as her and Councilmember Noack’s attendance at the Strandwood school Auction.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 April 20, 2026
Councilmember Szakats also reported her attendance at Tinkers and Thinkers, hosted by the Library.
Councilmember Noack reported her attendance at Tinkers and Thinkers and at the American Association of University Women, where she was a guest speaker.
Councilmember La announced her attendance at Diablo Valley College’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Learning Community Mixer.
Councilmember La announced that the City’s Earth Day celebration and the Diversity Commission’s Neighbor Nights event were happening soon. She also announced that the Night Market opening is on May 1, 2026, and the Farmer’s Market opening is on May 2, 2026.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy reported his attendance at the Chamber Business Mixer at Proactive SLP, the California Assembly and State Committees on Military and Veterans Affairs Roundtable, the Government Affairs Committee hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, and at Tinkers and Thinkers, hosted by the Pleasant Hill Library.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
No members of the public provided a comment.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion (La/Noack) to Approve consent items 9.1 – 9.7, carried as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy
ABSENT: Shess
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of April 6, 2026
9.2 Approve Checks Dated: April 03, 2026; April 10, 2026
9.3 Approve Appointment Recommendation to the Diversity Commission, Commission on Aging, Education Commission and Planning Commission
9.4 Adopt the Renewal of Ordinance 954 Regarding Specialized or Military Equipment Available for use by the Pleasant Hill Police Department Pursuant to AB 481.
9.5 Adopt Resolution No. 21-26 Designating City Officials and Employees Required to Receive Fiscal and Financial Training
9.6 Adopt Ordinance No. 983, Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance (ADU & JADU) Amendment
9.7 Adopt Resolution No. 22-26 Approving the City of Pleasant Hill Investment Policy Effective July 1, 2026
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 April 20, 2026
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 ENT-2024-0032, Habitat for Humanity 4-Unit Single-Family Housing Development - General Plan Amendment, Rezone (PUD and Concept Plan), Minor Subdivision, Development Plan Permit, Architectural Review Permit, at 85 Woodsworth Lane and Select Parcels Between 47 and 129 Woodsworth Lane This item was continued, without discussion, to the May 4, 2026 City Council meeting, when the public hearing will be held.
10.2 Adopt Resolution No. 23-26 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract with Imperial Maintenance Services, Inc.
Ann James, Public Works Director, introduced Kris Carr, Maintenance Superintendent.
Mr. Carr provided a presentation on the bidding and selection process for the recommended Maintenance Services contract.
Mr. Carr also responded to questions from Council.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy opened public comment. No members commented.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy closed public comment and invited additional discussion from Council.
Motion (Noack/La) to Approve item 10.2, carried as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy
ABSENT: Shess
ADJOURNMENT
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m. ______________________________
LYONE P. CONNER, CITY CLERK