City Council Meeting Minutes - 1 of 5 - Monday, June 15, 2026
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING- CITY COUNCIL
June 15, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Shess called a Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:02 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 June 11, 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, District 2 Councilmember Present Belle La District 1 Councilmember Present
Sue Noack Councilmember at Large 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 June 28 as Community is Stronger than Cancer Day in the City of Pleasant Hill
Mayor Shess issued a proclamation to Lucinda Bazile, CEO of the Cancer Support Community for the San Francisco Bay Area, designating June 28, 2026 as Community is Stronger than Cancer Day.
Ms. Bazile thanked the Council and shared information regarding the history of the organization and the services they offer.
6. CITY MANAGERS COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, reported that:
• The City offers a Technical Assistance Grant to small business owners in Pleasant Hill. • The Senior Van Service has been operating for 25 years to Pleasant Hill residents. • City news and updates may be found on the City’s website, social media, by subscribing to the Bi-weekly updates, and via the bi-monthly Outlook Newsletter.
City Council Meeting Minutes - 2 of 5 - Monday, June 15, 2026 City Manager Bindernagel also responded to questions from Council regarding the Senior Van Service.
7. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
7.1 Reports from Councilmembers on Meetings or Conferences Attended at City Expense Mayor Shess reported his and the Council’s attendance at the Contra Costa Mayors’ Conference hosted by the City of Walnut Creek on June 4, 2026.
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy reported his attendance at the World Cup kick-off party hosted by Visit Pleasant Hill.
Councilmember La reported her attendance at the Central Sanitary Districts 80th Anniversary event, the East Bay Leadership Council Series meeting, and at the Juneteenth celebration at the Pleasant Hill Night Market.
Councilmember Szakats announced that there is a Food Hero App, offered by the White Pony Express, which allows easy access to food donation opportunities.
Councilmember Szakats reported her attendance at the Construction and Building Trades Networking Lunch, the League of Cities Environmental Policy Committee Meeting, the Juneteenth Celebration, and the Wise Girl’s benefit for Slow Hand BBQ.
Councilmember Noack announced that White Pony Express also provides clothing donation opportunities.
Councilmember Noack reported her attendance at the Juneteenth Celebration, the Wise Girl fundraiser, the Central Sanitary District 80th anniversary event, and the Farmer’s Market.
Mayor Shess reported his attendance at the Wise Girl fundraiser for Slow Hand BBQ.
Mayor Shess extended thanks to the Councilmembers for attending City events on his behalf, while he was unavailable.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
The following member of the public provided a comment:
Kayla Turnage, on behalf of Assemblymember Anamarie Avila Farias, presented a Certificate of Commendation to Councilmember Sue Noack for outstanding leadership and dedicated public service.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Szakats pulled item 9.8
Motion (Obolenskiy/Noack) to Approve consent items 9.1 – 9.7, carried unanimously as follows:
City Council Meeting Minutes - 3 of 5 - Monday, June 15, 2026 AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of June 1, 2026
9.2 Approve Checks Dated: May 29, 2026; June 05, 2026
9.3 Approve Appointment Recommendations to the Civic Action Commission and Education Commission
9.4 Adopt Resolution No. 3 6 - 26 to Identify the FY 2026/2027 Street Resurfacing Project for the Expenditure of Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Funds of Senate Bill 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017
9.5 Adopt Resolution No. 37-26 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Amended and Restated Contra Costa Clean Water Program Agreement (2026-2041)
9.6 Adopt Resolution No. 38-26 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Group Program Inspection Agreement Between the City of Pleasant Hill and Central Contra Costa Sanitary District and the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
9.7 Adopt Resolution No. 39-26 Establishing the Proposition 4 Appropriations Limit Pursuant to Article XIII B of the California Constitution for Fiscal Year 2026/2027
9.8 Adopt Resolution No. 40-26 Adopting a Revised Schedule Pertaining to Penalties for Parking Violations
Pleasant Hill Police Chief, Scott Vermillion, responded to questions from Councilmember Szakats and Vice Mayor Obolenskiy regarding item 9.8.
Motion (Szakats/Obolenskiy) to Approve consent item 9.8, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 Adopt Resolution No. 41-26 Rejecting All Bids for the City Hall Pond and Fountain Rehabilitation Project, Project NO. 01-24; and Directing Staff to Modify the Bid Documents and Re-bid the Project Using Design Option 1.
Ann James, Public Works Director, provided a report on the RFP process for the pond design bids and the pond history leading to the staff recommendation and responded to questions from Council.
City Council Meeting Minutes - 4 of 5 - Monday, June 15, 2026 Mayor Shess opened public comment, and the following members of the public provided a comment:
Alan Bade
Wendy Gollop
Motion (Noack/Obolenskiy) to Approve item 10.1, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
Mayor Shess called a recess at 8:07 p.m.
Mayor Shess called the meeting back to order at 8:14 p.m.
10.2 Adopt Resolution No. 42-26 Approving the City of Pleasant Hill Biennial Budget for Fiscal Years 2026-2027 and 2027-2028
Erick Cheung, Chief Financial Officer, provided a report on the proposed biennial budget, in relation to the City Council goals, and responded to questions from Council.
Chief Scott Vermillion was available to respond to questions from Council regarding impacts to the Core program.
Mayor Shess opened public comment. No members of the public commented.
Motion (La/Noack) to Approve item 10.2, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
10.3 Adopt Resolution No. 4 3 -26 Approving the FY 2026/2031 Capital Improvement Plan and Expenditures for FY 2026/2027 and FY 2027/2028
Ann James, Public Works Director, provided a report on the financial status of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and the schedule of projects under the plan.
Director James also noted a correction to the to the main language of the CIP, updating that the annual allotment is $5.5 million, rather than $4 million.
Erick Cheung, Chief Financial Officer, was available to respond to questions from Council.
Mayor Shess opened public comment. No members of the public commented.
Motion (Noack/La) to Approve item 10.3, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
City Council Meeting Minutes - 5 of 5 - Monday, June 15, 2026
10.4 Adopt Resolution No. 44-26 For the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Master Fee Schedule
Ross Yangwas, Administrative Analyst II, provided a report on the changes to the 2026-2027 Master Fee Schedule and responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Shess opened public comment. No members of the public commented.
Motion (La/Obolenskiy) to Approve item 10.4, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
10.5 Adopt Resolution No. 4 5 -26 Concerning Disruption of Remote Participation During a City Council Meeting
Janet Coleson, City Attorney, provided context on the state mandated disruption policy and responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Shess opened public comment. No members of the public commented.
Motion (La/Szakats) to Approve item 10.5, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Shess adjourned the meeting at 9:43 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, July 13, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m.