MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
May 4, 2026
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 May 4, 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 April 30, 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 reported that there was a closed session and nothing to report.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Proclamation Designating the Month of May 2026 as Older Americans’ Month Commission on Aging Commissioners Vicky Pease and Nicole Crenshaw received an Older Americans’ Month proclamation and shared remarks about the observance.
5.2 Proclamation Designating the Month of May 2026 as AANHPI Heritage Month Diversity Commissioner Sunny Pannu accepted the AANHPI Heritage Month proclamation and read a statement regarding the observance.
5.3 Proclamation Designating the Month of May 2026 as Building Safety Month Geoff Simmons, Chief Building Official, received the Building Safety Month proclamation and highlighted ways the observance will be celebrated at City Hall.
5.4 Award of Appreciation to Brianna Shahvar for Service on the Diversity Commission from 2021 - 2026
Mayor Shess shared remarks honoring former Commissioner Shahvar’s terms with the Diversity Commission and impact as a founding member.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 May 4, 2026
Brianna thanked the Council and offered a reflection from her time as a Commissioner and words of encouragement to future Commissioners.
5.5 Introduction of Diversity Commissioners Jeanne Casey, Jennifer Llamas, and Stephanie Hill
Councilmember Szakats, who also serves as Chair of the Interview and Nominating Committee, shared introductory remarks regarding recently appointed Diversity Commissioners Jeanne Casey, Jennifer Llamas, and Stephanie Hill.
Commissioner Hill, who attended the meeting, provided the update that she goes by Stephanie Baker, and offered her gratitude for the opportunity.
6. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, reported that:
• The Safety Action Plan Workshop will be held on May 19. • Several Programs will begin, including the Night Market, Farmers’ Market, and Summer Concert Series.
• 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.
7. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
7.1 Reports from Councilmembers on Meetings or Conferences Attended at City Expense
Mayor Shess reported the Council’s attendance at the East Bay Division Meeting in Fremont on April 30, 2026.
Councilmember Szakats reported her attendance at the Cal Cities Leader Summit.
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Councilmember La announced opportunities to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month and also announced a Fireside Chat on May 14, 2026.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy reported his attendance at the East Bay Leadership Series, the Women’s Networking Group hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, the Neighborhood Nights event hosted by the Diversity and Education Commissions, the opening night of the Night Market, and the Community Health Foundation Retreat.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 May 4, 2026
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy announced that he will host a town hall on May 19 with Diana Hoying and Rebecca Barrett.
Councilmember Szakats reported her attendance at the Police Department’s Swearing in and Recognition ceremony, the Sequoia Elementary’s 5th grade IB Project meeting, and at the Contra Costa Labor Council’s May Day rally.
Councilmember Szakats announced the ‘A Day Without Childcare’ awareness event on May 11, 2026, the Sequoia elementary 5th grade class display of their completed projects on May 15, 2026, and the Coffee Chat with Supervisor Carlson on May 29, 2026.
Councilmember Noack reported her attendance at the Earth Day celebration, the Industrial Association Mayor’s Forum, the Night Market, and at the Farmers’ Market.
Councilmember Noack announced that the Contra Costa Transportation Authority will host public listening sessions on transportation needs in Contra Costa County.
Mayor Shess reported his attendance at the City’s Earth Day Celebration, the opening Day of the Night Market, the Neighbor Nights event, the Farmers’ Market, and the Pleasant Hill Elementary Gala.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
No members of the public provided a comment.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion (Obolenskiy/La) to Approve consent items 9.1 – 9.2, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy
ABSENT: Shess
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of April 20, 2026
9.2 Approve Checks Dated: April 10, 2026; April 17, 2026; April 21, 2026; April 24, 2026
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 Adopt Resolution No. 24-26, 25-26, and 26-26 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement for FY 2026/27-2028/29 with RSG, Inc. for Housing Element Implementation Programs & Financial and Administrative Services for the Redevelopment and Housing Successor Agencies Troy Fujimoto, City Planner, provided a report on the services offered by proposed contractor and responded to questions from Council.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 May 4, 2026
City Attorney, Janet Coleson, was available remotely to answer questions from Council.
Mayor Shess opened public comment. No members commented.
Mayor Shess closed public comment and invited additional discussion from Council.
The following motions were made with an amendment to the staff report, noting that the existing contract ends in 2026, not 2029.
Motion (La/Obolenskiy) to Approve item 10.1, Resolution No. 24-26 for the Redevelopment Successor Agency, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
Motion (Noack/Szakats) to Approve item 10.1, Resolution No. 25-26 for the Housing Successor Agency, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
Motion (Noack/Obolenskiy) to Approve item 10.1, Resolution No. 26-26 for the Housing Element Implementation Programs, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
10.2 Public Hearing and Adopt a Resolution to Approve a General Plan Amendment, Minor Subdivision, Development Plan Permit, and Architectural Review Permit, and Introduce an Ordinance for a Rezoning (PUD & Concept Plan) for the Habitat for Humanity FourUnit, Single-Family Housing Development at 85 Woodsworth Lane and Select Parcels Between 47 and 129 Woodsworth Lane CEQA: Categorically Exempt (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures)
Andrew Shiflet, Associate Planner, introduced the Habitat for Humanity Project and responded to questions from Council.
Laetitia Galeazzi, Senior Civil Engineer, was in attendance and responded to questions from Council.
Melanie Mintenko, Senior Project Manager with Habitat for Humanity, shared information about the history of the project and responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Shess opened public comment. No members commented.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 May 4, 2026
Mayor Shess closed public comment and invited additional discussion from Council.
Motion (Obolenskiy/La) to Approve item 10.2, Ordinance Introduction No.__ for the Rezoning (PUD & Concept Plan), carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
Motion (Noack/La) to Approve item 10.2, Resolution No.27-26, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Shess adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
______________________________
LYONE P. CONNER, CITY CLERK