MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
May 18, 2026
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 May 18, 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, and 806 15th Street NW. Washington, DC 20005, 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 May 14, 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 - Remote
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 Award of Appreciation to Dave Mascaro for Service on the Planning Commission from 2002 to 2026
Mayor Shess shared remarks regarding Dave Mascaro and his length of service on the Planning Commission.
Mr. Mascaro thanked the Council and reflected on the history of service in his family.
5.2 Introduction of Planning Commissioner Will Nelson
Councilmember Szakats, who serves as Chair of the Interview and Nominating Committee, introduced Commissioner Will Nelson who was appointed to the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Nelson referenced his experience and expressed appreciation for the appointment.
5.3 Pleasant Hill Police Department Annual Report
Police Chief Scott Vermillion provide a report on the staffing, achievements, and updates for the Police Department. He also responded to questions from Council.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 May 18, 2026
6. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, reported that:
• The Safety Action Plan Workshop will be held on May 19, 2026. • The Sunset by the Lake Summer Concert Series begins on May 24, 2026 • A Memorial Day Ceremony will be held on May 25, 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.
• City Clerk Lyone Conner was recognized as the 2025 Oliver Holmes award recipient
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 Orinda on May 7, 2026.
Councilmember Noack announced that additional Board members are needed.
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
All Councilmembers reported their attendance at the Art, Wine, and Music Festival.
Councilmember Noack expressed regrets for attending remotely; she was in Washington D.C. representing MTC.
Councilmember Noack announced her attendance at the Regional Transportation Planning Committee meeting, the Mayors Conference, and the Farmers’ Market.
Councilmember La reported her attendance at a fireside chat with California State Treasurer Fiona Ma and Chamber of Commerce Chair Alex Khodadad and the Farmers’ Market.
Councilmember Szakats announced that she will be hosting a coffee chat with Supervisor Ken Carlson on May 29, 2026 and the Farmers Market booth on May 30, 2026 with representatives from Growing Healthy Kids. She also invited the public to support Martinez USW Local 5 during their rally on Mondays.
Councilmember Szakats reported her attendance at the Twin View Home Hardening Party and the Pleasant Hill Community Service Awards Ceremony.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy reported his attendance at the 2026 Economic Outlook and Membership meeting in San Ramon and the Visit Pleasant Hill Wine Week Kickoff.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 May 18, 2026
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy announced that he will host a town hall with Contra Costa Community College District employee Jennifer Ortega. He also expressed congratulations to all of the local high school graduates.
Mayor Shess reported his attendance at the Art, Wine, and Music Activation at the Hyatt House and at the fireside chat with Fiona Ma.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
No members of the public provided a comment.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion (La/Szakats) to Approve consent items 9.1 – 9.5, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of May 4, 2026
9.2 Approve Checks Dated: May 01, 2026; May 08, 2026
9.3 Approve Appointment Recommendations to the Education Commission, Contra Costa County Library Commission, County Connection Advisory Committee, Architectural Review Commission, Concord/Pleasant Hill Health Care District Grant Committee.
9.4 Adopt Ordinance No. Approving a Planned Unit Development PUD Zoning and an associated PUD Concept Plan (ENT-2024-0032) for the Habitat for Humanity Four-Unit Affordable Single-Family Home Development, including an Amendment to Planned Unit Development PUD-347
CEQA: Categorically Exempt (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures)
9.5 Accept the March 31, 2026, Treasurer’s Report and the quarterly investment transactions from Chandler Asset Management
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 Public Hearing on Vacancy Report in Compliance with Assembly Bill 2561 and Government Code Section 3502.3
Ericka Mitchell, Chief Human Resources Officer provided a report on the data of vacant City positions .
Mayor Shess opened public comment. No members commented.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 May 18, 2026
Mayor Shess closed public comment and invited additional discussion from Council.
Council received the report and no vote was necessary.
10.2 Adopt Resolution -26 Accepting Bid and Awarding a Construction Contract for the Shelly Drive and Ruth Drive Storm Drain Improvement Project 02-25 to FJ and I Engineering
Danny Urrutia, Assistant Engineer, provided a report on the project location, improvements needed, and contract process.
Mayor Shess opened public comment. No members commented.
Mayor Shess closed public comment and invited additional discussion from Council.
Motion (Obolenskiy/Noack) to Approve item 10.2, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
10.3 Traffic Impact Fee Nexus Study
Laetitia Porta, Senior Civil Engineer, provided a report on the fee calculation variations and guidelines related to the resolution and ordinance for the Traffic Imipact Fee Nexus Study and responded to questions from Council.
10.3.a Adopt Resolution No. -26 Adopting the Traffic Impact Fee Nexus Study and Fee Calculation Guidelines
Motion (La/Obolenskiy) to Approve item 10.3.a, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
10.3.b Introduce Ordinance No. for the Revised Traffic Impact Fee Ordinance Motion (Szakats/La) to Approve item 10.3.b, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
10.4 Preliminary General Fund Biennial Budget for Fiscal Years 2026-2026 and 2027- 2028
Erick Cheung, Chief Financial Officer, provided a report on the status of the biennial budget and responded to questions from Council.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 May 18, 2026
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Shess adjourned the meeting at 9:44 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
______________________________
LYONE P. CONNER, CITY CLERK