MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING- CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 21, 2026
City Council Meeting Minutes - 1 of 3 - Monday, September 21, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Shess and Mayor for a Day, Otto Ballinger, called a Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 PM.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor for a Day Ballinger 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
Otto Ballinger Mayor for a Day Present
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Mayor Shess reported that there was a closed session meeting regarding Labor Negotiations, and there is nothing to report.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Acknowledgement of Otto Ballinger as Honorary Mayor for a Day Mayor Shess noted that Otto Ballinger was joining the City Council to conduct the meeting and that he would share additional information about Otto later in the meeting.
5.2 Proclamation Designating September 15 - October 15, 2026 as Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Pleasant Hill
Jeanne Casey, Diversity Commissioner, accepted the Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation and shared remarks with the City Council.
Following the proclamation, Mayor Shess took a moment to reintroduce the Mayor for a Day, Otto Ballinger. Mr. Ballinger shared information about himself and his family and posed for a picture with Mayor Shess.
6. CITY MANAGERS COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager reported that:
• Community Service Day was a success with increased participation • The Civic Action Commission is seeking feedback regarding the upcoming season • Contra Costa County will host a Block Party on September 29 at the Pleasant Hill Library
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING- CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 21, 2026
City Council Meeting Minutes - 2 of 3 - Monday, September 21, 2026 • Information regarding City business and events is available online, via social media, the bi-weekly eNewsletter, 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 that there were no meetings attended at the City's expense
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Councilmember Szakats offered congratulations to Walk and Roll for their Sustainability Award and to resident Patrick Mitchell for being a Recycled Water Citizen Champion. She recognized the Civic Action Commission and volunteers for a successful Community Service Day and thanked the Lions Club for serving pancakes at the event.
Councilmember Szakats reported her attendance at the MCE meeting. She also announced that she will attend the upcoming Farmers Market with BART Director Matt Rinn on September 26, 2026.
Councilmember Noack acknowledged the first day of Yom Kippur. She also invited the public to attend the pancake breakfast ahead of Community Service Day moving forward.
Councilmember Noack reported her attendance at the Contra Costa Transportation Authority event, the Women's Power Luncheon honoring Nancy Pelosi, as Congressman DeSaulnier’s guest.
Councilmember La thanked the Civic Action Commission for Community Service Day, with an especial thanks to the Public Works and Police Department for preparing the Creek Cleanup. She also thanked the following organizations for their partnership: Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, Contra Costa Flood Control and Water District, Friends of the Pleasant Hill Creek, the Recreation and Park District, Rapid Recycle, and the Pleasant Hill Night Market.
Councilmember La reported her attendance at the Kiwanis Charter celebration.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy expressed gratitude to the Pleasant Hill Co-Housing for hosting the Town Hall.
Mayor Shess reported his attendance at the Sustainable Contra Costa Gala and at Community Service Day.
Mayor Shess offered his congratulations to the formation of the Kiwanis Club in Pleasant Hill.
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING- CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 21, 2026
City Council Meeting Minutes - 3 of 3 - Monday, September 21, 2026
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
The following member of the public provided a comment:
• Kevin Dowling
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Moved By Noack; Seconded By Szakats to approve items 9.1 (with amendments) - 9.3 carried unanimously as follows:
Ayes (5): La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of September 14, 2026
9.2 Approve Checks Dated: September 11, 2026
9.3 Adopt Resolution No. 61-26 Designating Vice Mayor Andrei Obolenskiy as Voting Delegate and Councilmember Belle La as an Alternate at the League of California Cities Annual Conference, from September 23-25, 2026, in Anaheim, California
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 Study Session to Review a Preliminary Draft of the Pleasant Hill Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Comprehensive Safety Action Plan and Concept Drawings Laetitia Porta, Senior Civil Engineer, presented a report on the scope of the Safety Action Plan, its necessity in Pleasant Hill, and the ways in which it will be utilized by the City. She also gave background information on the public outreach for the SS4A program.
Engineer Porta responded to questions from Council.
This item was introduced for Council’s input and did not require adoption.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Shess adjourned the meeting at 8:51 p.m. The next City Council will be held on October 5, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
LYONE P. CONNER, CITY CLERK