MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
SPETEMBER 14, 2026
City Council Meeting Minutes - 1 of 4 - Monday, September 14, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Shess called a Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 PM
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Shessinvited 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
Ersa Finn Mayor for a Day Present
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Mayor Shess reported that there was no closed session and nothing to report.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Introduction of New Commissioners Renee Croteau and Ted Welch Councilmember Szakats, Chair of the Interview and Nominating Committee, introduced Renee Croteau of the Education Commission and Ted Welch of the Civic Action Commission.
6. CITY MANAGERS COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, reported that:
• Community Service Day is on September 19, 2026.
• The Foodbank of Contra Costa and Solano is partnering with the City to collect donations via the Fill a bus program and the Community Service Day food drive. • The Civic Action Commission is seeking input on the 2026 Summer Concert Series • The County is hosting a Block Party on September 29, 2026 at the Pleasant Hill Library.
7. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
7.1 Reports from Councilmembers on Meetings or Conferences Attended at City Expense Mayor Shess Reported his and Council's attendance at the Mayor's Conference in the Town of Moraga on September 3, 2026.
Councilmember Szakats reported her attendance at the East Bay Leadership Awards Event.
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
SPETEMBER 14, 2026
City Council Meeting Minutes - 2 of 4 - Monday, September 14, 2026
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Councilmember La expressed gratitude to those who organized the Valhalla ride to the Bike Family Fest and to the public for their support during a bike incident. She also recognized her intern, Bella Fusco, who recently presented to the Civic Action Commission. Councilmember La also announced a new Creek Cleanup location for Community Service Day and the formation of a new Kiwanis Chapter Club, for which she is an advisor. Finally, Councilmember La invited the public to the Kiwanis Club’s upcoming fundraiser.
Councilmember La reported her attendance at the League of California Cities Tri-caucus Equity Event.
Councilmember Szakats expressed gratitude to the Civic Action Commission for their efforts hosting the 2026 Summer Concert Series and to the concert sponsors. She also thanked the organizers of the Bike Family Fest for helping to grow the event annually.
Councilmember Szakats reported her attendance at the Nurture Path’s ribbon cutting and at the Labor-to-Labor dinner. She also led a bike train to the Bike Family Fest.
Councilmember Szakats announced the Party with a Purpose fundraiser on September 19, 2026, and the League of Women Voters Information Session on September 22, 2026, both which will occur at Church of the Resurrection. Lastly, Councilmember Szakats announced that she will host the City’s booth at the Farmer's Market on September 26, 2026 with guest Matt Rinn, BART Director.
Councilmember Noack highlighted the turnout at the final summer concert and expressed gratitude to the Civic Action Commission for the successful season.
Councilmember Noack reported her attendance at the Mayor's Conference and the Bike Family Fest.
Councilmember Noack also encouraged families to stop by the Pancake breakfast before beginning their Community Service Day projects.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy shared that he was out of town, having traveled across ten states. He reported his attendance at the Nurture Path ribbon cutting and at the Chamber's Mixer event.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy also participated in the Fair Oaks Elementary School's first ride-out to the Bike Family Fest.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy announced that he will host a Townhall meeting on September 15, 2026 at the Pleasant Hill Cohousing Community Room with guests from Connect Bay Area.
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
SPETEMBER 14, 2026
City Council Meeting Minutes - 3 of 4 - Monday, September 14, 2026 Mayor Shess reported his attendance at the Chamber Board Installation Dinner, the Chamber Mixer Event, and at the Bike Family Fest at Diablo Valley College. Mayor Shess also reported that he was out of the country for ten days.
Mayor Shess encouraged the public to participate in Community Service Day. He also commended the Councilmembers who lead bike rides to the Bike Family Fest event.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
The following members of the public provided a comment:
• Laural Ayala
• Albert Franco
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Moved By Noack
Seconded By Obolenskiy
Ayes (5): Noack, La, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
Motion Carried (5 to 0)
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of August 17, 2026
9.2 Approve Checks Dated: August 14, 2026; August 21, 2026; August 28, 2026; September 04, 2026
9.3 Approve the Planning Commission Appointment to Diversity Commission
9.4 Accept Update on Contra Costa Transportation Authority and TRANSPAC
9.5 Adopt Resolution No. 60-26 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with LCC Engineering and Surveying (LCC) for Monument Preservation Services for the 2026 Street Resurfacing Project No. 01-26.
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 Discussion on City of Pleasant Hill Revenue Options Erick Cheung, Chief Financial Officer presented a report on the history of the General Fund, its current status, and future projections.
Mr. Cheung also responded to questions from Council.
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
SPETEMBER 14, 2026
City Council Meeting Minutes - 4 of 4 - Monday, September 14, 2026 The following members of the public provided a comment:
• Albert Franco
This item was for informational purposes and to receive direction from Council. No vote was required.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Shess adjourned the meeting at 9:12 p.m. in honor of Jack Weir, former City Council member who passed away earlier this summer.
The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, September 21, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
LYONE P. CONNER, CITY CLERK