Pleasant Hill’s fiscal outlook a priority in district council races

PLEASANT HILL, CA (Oct. 7, 2024) — The fiscal health of the community is on the minds of the candidates for two seats on the Pleasant Hill City Council during the city’s first by-district elections in November.

Two candidates each are vying for the District 1 and 5 spots. The vacant seat in District 2 was settled in August, when the council decided to make an appointment and save the city’s coffers $15,500 for an election involving Andrei Obolenskiy, who was running unopposed. The council voted 3-2 for Obolenskiy, who previously ran unsuccessfully for the council.

Here’s a look at the other candidates:

District 1

Marshall Lewis. The funding director’s priority is public safety, with an emphasis on redefining safety holistically and integrating strategies to save lives, improve quality of life and rebuild livelihoods.

While maintaining police staffing, training and resources to prevent crime, he also wants to ensure streets are safe for both drivers and pedestrians.

Addressing a looming severe fiscal crisis in Pleasant Hill that could lead to bankruptcy as early as 2029 is another priority for Lewis, who wants to focus on fiscal stability and sustainability while protecting services residents deserve.

“We need to fill the gaps until 2032, then we must rebuild our reserves. And we have to accomplish these goals without making cuts, because cuts will most impact public safety,” said Lewis. “By filling local business vacancies, building our tax base and making prudent financial decisions, such as interfund transfers, we can maintain our services for the long run and work toward a more sustainable future.”

Belle La. The senior financial analyst has called Pleasant Hill home for 12 years, raising her children in Pleasant Hill schools and being involved in local projects, which included establishing the first Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) event in the community to enhance cultural awareness and strengthen community bonds.

Addressing a significant budgetary deficit, reducing expenses, boosting tourism to generate additional revenue, and obtaining affordable housing through reevaluating zoning regulations and repurposing available land or buildings are main issues La noted must be addressed in Pleasant Hill.

“This dual approach – leveraging both our existing resources and expanding our tourism efforts – will be instrumental in addressing our budgetary deficit and fostering long-term financial stability for Pleasant Hill,” La said.

“Elect me, and you’ll have a representative who will advocate for you with a deep understanding of public sector operations and a strong commitment to building a thriving, equitable community for everyone,” she said.

District 5

Oliver Greenwood. The estate planning attorney has lived in Pleasant Hill for the past eight years and previously from 1997 to 2002. He brings a well-rounded set of experience.

Budget sustainability and community development are two main issues he sees as priorities for Pleasant Hill.

Ensuring that the city’s financial health remains stable through diversifying revenue streams, a focus on responsible investments in infrastructure and finding ways to make public spending more efficient are goals Greenwood says will maintain long-term fiscal stability.

He also cited enhancing the city’s character and quality of life as important and pledged his commitment to be an advocate for smart development that revitalizes underutilized areas, encourages local businesses and improves public spaces for residents to enjoy.
“I am committed to keeping Pleasant Hill a safe, welcoming and vibrant place to live, and I believe I can contribute positively to the council’s efforts in doing so,” he said.

Amanda Szakats. An educator and resident since 2001, Szakats cites skills nurtured in education, including communication, collaboration, organizational skills, and a willingness to set priorities and adapt. She has also served on four community boards, where she gained experience in budgeting, fundraising and goal setting.

The top two issues Szakats identified facing Pleasant Hill are expanding the tax base and increasing housing options. She specifically pointed to two large blocks of retail space downtown that have stood vacant for many months and are impacting city revenue through the loss of sales tax.

“It’s important that the City Council work closely with the agent, the economic development team at the city and the chamber to fill this space. This is especially important given that we have a projected increase in pension liability for retiring city employees in the upcoming years,” Szakats said.

On the housing front, she noted that prices have gone up 110% in the last 10 years, per the city’s Housing Element.

“I would like to promote smart redevelopment of underutilized areas near transportation for workforce housing for early career teachers, police officers and working-class citizens,” she said.

District 2

Andrei Obolenskiy. Stemming petty theft and shoplifting is one priority Obolenskiy voiced as he looks to begin his four-year term on the council.

“There has to be some change there,” said Obolenskiy, who manages two small businesses and owns Main Street Automotive in Walnut Creek, “If we don’t stem this, we are going to lose stores.”

Bridging the divide that I-680 creates in separating residents of Pleasant Hill is another objective for Obolenskiy. He noted work to identify two Iron Horse Trail spots that will enable pedestrians and bicyclists to safely transverse that barrier.

“We have the plan in place; we just need to find the money,” he said.