Pleasanton council holds multiple executive sessions, appoints public-works worker amid public allegations about staff departures

The Pleasanton City Council held a series of executive sessions during its May 18 meeting to discuss non-elected personnel and subsequently appointed James Eastwood to full-time public works and part-time animal-control.

Members of the public used the meeting’s public-comment period to raise personnel concerns. Theresa Miller told the council she had seen "rudeness and lies by council members" and voiced support for Chief of Police Tristan Snyder and City Administrator Becky Hegwald, saying Hegwald "was forced out"; Greg Stogsdill and Aaron Portman made similar public comments questioning closed-door meetings and expressing support for city staff.

Councilmembers repeatedly moved into executive session on personnel matters (motions named specific individuals for inclusion), and the minutes record returns with "no action taken" for several of those sessions. After one executive session Councilman John Bowley moved, Councilman Alex Wills seconded, and the council voted unanimously to make James Eastwood a full-time public-works employee and part-time animal-control officer.

Councilwoman Rochelle Schreckhise later moved for a 10-minute executive session concerning City Clerk Candy Houtman’s job performance; the motion passed unanimously and the meeting later adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

The meeting record shows public commenters asking for greater transparency about executive sessions and decisions involving the city attorney and administrators; the record does not show a formal council response to those allegations during the meeting.