City Council Meeting Minutes - 1 of 4 - Monday, October 05, 2026
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 5, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Shess called a Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:18 PM
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
Ersa Finn Mayor for a Day Present
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Mayor reported that there was a closed session earlier in the evening and nothing to report.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Proclamation Designating October 12, 2026 as Indigenous People's Day in the City of Pleasant Hill
Lloyd Schine, Chair, on behalf of the Diversity Commission, received the proclamation designating October 12, 2026 as Indigenous People’s Day, and provided remarks to the Council.
6. CITY MANAGERS COMMENTS
Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager, reported that:
• The Pride Celebration is on October 8, 2026, in collaboration with Off the Grid. • The inaugural Harvest Festival is on October 10, 2026, in Downtown Pleasant Hill, on Crescent Drive.
• The Pleasant Hill Police Department encourages residents to join the Neighborhood Watch
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 Contra Costa Mayor's Conference in the City of Lafayette on October 1, 2026.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy and Councilmember La reported their and City Manager Ethan Bindernagel’s attendance at the Cal Cities Annual Conference.
City Council Meeting Minutes - 2 of 4 - Monday, October 05, 2026
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 5, 2026
7.2 Announcements from Councilmembers
Councilmember Szakats invited the public to join NUHW Workers for Hospice East Bay in their strike for good faith negotiation sessions and bargaining.
Councilmember Szakats reported her attendance at a meeting with Assembly Member Ávila Farías, the Good Roots ribbon cutting ceremony with Councilmember Sue Noack, the Farmers’ Market with BART Director Matt Rinn, the DVC Solidarity Gala, and the Contra Costa County Block Party.
Councilmember Noack reported her attendance at the Farmers’ Market, the Back 40 Ribbon Cutting for the new porch space, and the Contra Costa County Block Party.
Councilmember La reported her attendance at the Kiwani's Regional Training, the Back 40 Ribbon Cutting, and the Mid-Autumn Festival at the Blackhawk Museum.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy reported his attendance at the Relay for Life event, the World Fusion Festival, and met with Assemblywoman Farías.
Vice Mayor Obolenskiy also announced that the Hospice of East Bay nurses are in negotiation.
Mayor Shess Reported his attendance at the World Fusion Festival, the Contra Costa County Block Party, and the Back 40 Oak Porch Ribbon Cutting.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
The following member of the public provided a comment: Jorge
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Moved By Noack
Seconded By La
Ayes (5): La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
Motion Carried
9.1 Approve Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of October 21, 2026
9.2 Approve Checks Dated: September 18, 2026; September 25, 2026
10. ACTION CALENDAR
10.1 City Debt Financing Options
Erick Cheung, Chief Financial Officer, provided a presentation on the history of Measure K funds and the various options Council has regarding its use.
City Council Meeting Minutes - 3 of 4 - Monday, October 05, 2026
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 5, 2026
Mr. Cheung also responded to questions from Council.
Mike Meyer, Consultant with NHA Advisors, assisted with the presentation and responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Shess opened public comment.
The following members of the public commented: Jorge
This was an item for discussion, and no motions or adoptions were made.
10.2 Adopt Resolution No.62-26 Approving Use of Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) Access Fund for the Replacement of the Council Chambers Video Wall Ling King, Chief Technology Officer, provided a report on the functionality of the current Council Chambers video wall and conveyed the needs for purchase and feasibility of a replacement screen.
Mayor Shess opened public comment, and no members of the public commented.
Moved By Noack
Seconded By La
To Approve item 10.2 carried unanimously as follows:
Ayes (5): La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
10.3 Adopt Resolution No. 63-26 Awarding the Construction Contract for the Monument Bridge at Canal Trail Project No. 02-26 and Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Construction Contract with FJ&I Engineering, INC.
Shawn Hung, Associate Engineer, provided a presentation on the background and inspection findings for the Monument Boulevard Bridge, as well as a timeline of the bidding process for the project contract, and he responded to questions from Council.
Ann James, Public Works Director, was also present to respond to questions from Council.
Mayor Shess opened public comment, and no members of the public commented.
Moved By Szakats
Seconded By Obolenskiy
To Approve item 10.2 carried unanimously as follows:
Ayes (5): La, Noack, Obolenskiy, Szakats, Shess
City Council Meeting Minutes - 4 of 4 - Monday, October 05, 2026
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 5, 2026
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Shess adjourned the meeting at 9:18 p.m. The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, October 19, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
LYONE P. CONNER, CITY CLERK