City Council Meeting Minutes - 1 of 6 - Monday, July 13, 2026
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING- CITY COUNCIL
Monday, July 13, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER
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 July 26, 2026 as Disability Independence Day in the City of Pleasant Hill
Mayor Shess issued a proclamation to Commissioner Sunny Pannu, on behalf of the Diversity Commission, designating July 27, 2026 as Disability Independence Day in the City of Pleasant Hill.
Commissioner Pannu offered remarks regarding the importance of be inclusive to and aware of our disabled community.
5.2 Presentation of Certificates of Completion to Pleasant Hill Local Government Academy 2026 Participants
Mayor Shess shared congratulatory remarks and issued certificates of completion to the members of the 2026 Local Government Academy.
5.3 Presentation of the California Association of Local Economic Development (CALED) Awards of Excellence Program – Award of Merit for the Pleasant Hill Night Market Bret Sweet, Economic Development Manager, introduced Amalia Cunningham, CalEd Board Member, who presented the City with the merit award.
The City Council accepted the award, along with Sunny Pannu, Night Market Operator.
City Council Meeting Minutes - 2 of 6 - Monday, July 13, 2026
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING- CITY COUNCIL
Monday, July 13, 2026
5.4 Measure K Oversight Committee Annual Report - Fiscal Year 2024-2025 John Pollock, Measure K. Oversight Committee member, provided a report on the status of revenues and expenditures for 2025.
6. CITY MANAGERS COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, reported that:
• The Civic Action Commission is accepting Community Service Day project proposals through August 14, 2026
• The community is invited to provide input on proposed conceptual designs for the Oak Park Blvd and Coggins Dr. Corridors on July 29, 2026.
• Pleasant Hill events, workshops, and meeting information may be found via the City’s website, social media sites, the Bi-weekly e-newsletter, and the bi-monthly Outlook Newsletter.
7. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
7.1 Reports from Councilmembers on Meetings or Conferences Attended at City Expense Mayor Shess reported his and additional Council's attendance at the Mayor's Conference in San Pablo.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy reported his attendance at the Association of Bay Area Government’s General Assembly meeting.
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Councilmember La reported her attendance at the ribbon cutting for the Gamer's Guild, the 4th of July Parade, a Coffee Chat at the Farmer's Market, and a workshop panel for the Contra Costa Elections Division.
Councilmember La announced that the Government Affairs Committee is hosting an event at Back 40 BBQ.
Councilmember Szakats reported her attendance at the 4th of July Parade and at the Marathon Martinez Refinery to observe the strike.
Councilmember Szakats announced that the CEO of MCE has resigned, and a new search will soon begin. She also announced that she will be at the Farmer's Market on July 25 with guest Kiara Donato and August 18 with guest Cara DeJong.
Councilmember Noack reported her attendance at the 4th of July Parade, the Gamers' Guild ribbon cutting, the Farmer's Market, and the Local Government Academy session.
Councilmember Naock also announced that the 4th of July Commission is seeking members.
City Council Meeting Minutes - 3 of 6 - Monday, July 13, 2026
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING- CITY COUNCIL
Monday, July 13, 2026
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy reported his attendance at a meeting with the Gregory Gardens Elementary Principal, a meeting regarding the Sherman Recovery Center with Supervisor Ken Carlson, the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce Mixer with Councilmember Szakats, and the 4th of July Parade and Fireworks show.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy announced his newsletter, which the public may subscribe to.
Mayor Shess Reported his attendance at the Recreation and Park District’s 75 Anniversary celebration, where he was a guest speaker, the Cancer Support Community’s “Community is Stronger than Cancer” event, the Farmers’ Market, and at the 4th of July Parade.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
The following members of the public provided a comment:
• Eric Singson (in-person)
• Judy Barrientos (teleconference)
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy pulled items 9.3 and 9.5; Councilmember Szakats pulled item 9.6.
Motion (Noack/La) to Approve consent items 9.1, 9.2, and 9.4, carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of June 15, 2026
9.2 Approve Checks Dated: June 12, 2026; June 19, 2026; June 26, 2026; July 03, 2026.
9.3 Adopt Resolution No. 46-26 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Pleasant Hill and the Participating Agencies for the Interstate 680 Corridor Ramp Metering Projects
9.4 Adopt Resolution No. 47-26 Accepting the 2025 Street Resurfacing Project (NO. 03-25) as Complete and Authorizing the Public Works Director to Issue and Record a Notice of Completion
9.5 Adopt Resolution No. 48-26 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Mintier Harnish for Planning Services for the City of Pleasant Hill Update to the General Plan
9.6 Approve Letter of Opposition to Assembly Bill (AB) 1383 City Council Meeting Minutes - 4 of 6 - Monday, July 13, 2026
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING- CITY COUNCIL
Monday, July 13, 2026
Ann James, Public Works Director, provided a report regarding item 9.3, detailing the scope of the project, in response to questions from Vice Mayor Obolenskiy.
Consultant Stephanie Hu from CCTA, participated remotely and responded to questions from Council regarding the ramp metering projects.
Motion (Noack/La) to Approve consent item 9.3 carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
Haley Croffoot, Senior Planner shared context on the Mintier Harnish agreement, for item 9.5, and responded to questions from Council.
Motion (Szakats/La) to Approve consent item 9.5 carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Szakats, Obolenskiy, Shess
Councilmember Szakats requested the Council’s consideration to take a watch position, rather than a position of support or opposition for item 9.6.
Councilmembers Noack, La, Obolenskiy, and Mayor Shess expressed concerns with the timing and effects of the bill.
Motion (Obolenskiy/La) to Approve consent item 9.6 carried as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Shess
NOES: Szakats
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 Public Hearing and Adopt Resolution No. 49-26 Approving the Engineer's Report, Confirming Diagram and Assessments, and Ordering Levy of Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 in Assessment District No. 20
Mayor Shess first sought any Councilmembers who wished to recuse themselves.
No Councilmembers recused.
Ann James, Public Works Director, presented the Assessment District item and summarized the required actions and reporting associated with setting annual assessments.
Melanie Lee, with SCI Consulting Group, was available to respond to questions from Council.
Mayor Shess opened the public hearing. No members of the public provided comments.
Mayor Shess invited property owners who had not submitted a written protest to comment. No property owners commented.
City Council Meeting Minutes - 5 of 6 - Monday, July 13, 2026
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING- CITY COUNCIL
Monday, July 13, 2026
Mayor Shess closed the public hearing.
City Clerk, Lyone Conner, shared the findings of the written protest: there was no majority protest.
Motion (Obolenskiy/La) to Approve consent item 10.1 carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
10.2 Public Hearing and Adopt Resolution No. 50-26 Approving the Engineer's Report, Confirming Diagram and Assessments, and Ordering Levy of Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 in Assessment District No. 22
Mayor Shess first sought any Councilmembers who wished to recuse themselves.
No Councilmembers recused.
Ann James, Public Works Director, presented the Assessment District item and summarized the required actions and reporting associated with setting annual assessments.
Melanie Lee, with SCI Consulting Group, was available to respond to questions from Council.
Mayor Shess opened the public hearing. No members of the public provided comments.
Mayor Shess invited property owners who had not submitted a written protest to comment. No property owners commented.
Mayor Shess closed the public hearing.
City Clerk, Lyone Conner, shared the findings of the written protest: there was no majority protest.
Motion (Noack/Szakats) to Approve consent item 10.2 carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
10.3 Public Hearing and Adopt Resolution No. 51-26 to Approve the Appropriation of Available Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Funds in the Amount of $105,572.77 to Fund the Oak Park Boulevard Complete Streets Corridor Study and Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract Amendment with Kimley-Horn.
Ann James, Public Works Director, provided a report regarding the background of the study and its intended use. She also responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Shess opened public comment. No members of the public provided comments.
Motion (La/Obolenskiy) to Approve consent item 10.3 carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
City Council Meeting Minutes - 6 of 6 - Monday, July 13, 2026
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING- CITY COUNCIL
Monday, July 13, 2026
10.4 Public Hearing and Adopt Resolution No. 52-26, Declaring the Costs of Abatement to be a Special Assessment Lien on the Property and Authorizing the City Manager to Forward the Assessment to the Contra Costa County Tax Assessor/Collector for Placement of the Assessment on the Tax Rolls for the Property at 319 Gloria Drive.
Janet Coleson, City Attorney, provided a report, on behalf of the City Planner and Code Enforcement Officer, clarifying the history of the property under discussion and efforts made by the City to correspond and cooperate with the property owner.
City Attorney Coleson also responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Shess opened public comment. No members of the public provided comments.
Motion (Szakats/La) to Approve item 10.4 carried unanimously as follows:
AYES: La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Shess adjourned the meeting at 8:47 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, August 3, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
__________________________________________________
LYONE P. CONNER, CITY CLERK