111 Civic Drive
Hercules, CA 94547City of Hercules
Meeting Minutes
City Council
Mayor Alex Walker-Griffin
Vice Mayor Dan Romero
Council Member Dion Bailey
Council Member Chris Kelley
Council Member Tiffany Grimsley
Dante Hall, City Manager
Patrick Tang, City Attorney
Eibleis Melendez, Acting City Clerk
7:00 PMTuesday, March 14, 2023
In-Person in Council Chambers or
Zoom ID: 881 2554 7635
Zoom Passcode: 141370
Zoom Phone Number: 1-669-900-6833
I. CLOSED SESSION – CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL
NO CLOSED SESSION
II. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION - CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
NONE
III. CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION
The Hercules City Council will meet in Closed Session regarding the following:
NO CLOSED SESSION
IV. REGULAR MEETING – CONVENE TO OPEN SESSION - ROLL CALL [7:00 P.M.] Mayor A. Walker-Griffin, Vice Mayor D. Romero, Council Member D. Bailey, Council Member C. Kelley, and Council Member T. Grimsley
Present: 5 -
V. A. REPORT ON ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
NO CLOSED SESSION
B. CONSIDER AND TAKE ACTION ON ANY REQUEST FROM A COUNCIL MEMBER TO
PARTICIPATE IN A MEETING REMOTELY DUE TO JUST CAUSE OR EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES PURSUANT TO AB2449
VI. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by Council Member Bailey.
DocuSign Envelope ID: AC289E1A-71A7-4C81-BFC8-6A2D83DFD2DF March 14, 2023City Council Meeting Minutes
VII. MOMENT OF SILENCE
There was no Moment of Silence.
VIII. INTRODUCTIONS/PRESENTATIONS/COMMISSION REPORTS
1. 22-473 Acknowledgement of the Lupine Hills Elementary School Spelling Bee Participants
City Manager, Dante Hall introduced the Lupine Hills Elementary School Principal, Poppy Sheldon. Ms. Sheldon announced and introduced the Spelling Bee Participant. She recognized the one student that won the Spelling Bee. Certificates were handed out and pictures were taken.
Council Members provided comment.
2. 22-482 PROCLAMATION DECLARING MARCH 2023 PRESCRIPTION DRUG
ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH
PDA Month ProclamationAttachments:
Mayor Walker-Griffin presented the Proclamation to the Contra Costa County Meds Coalition. Callie Cranfill, member of the coalition, accepted the proclamation via Zoom. The Council Members provided comment.
IX. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
City Manager Dante Hall had no additions or deletions.
X. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
NONE.
This time is reserved for members of the public to address issues not included in the agenda. In accordance with the Brown Act, Council will refer to staff any matters brought before them at this time, and those matters may be placed on a future agenda.
Individuals wishing to address the City Council are asked to complete a form indicating the name and address of the speaker and the general topic to be addressed. Speakers must make their comments from the podium and will be allowed 3 minutes to discuss their concerns. All public comments are recorded and become part of the public record. A limit of 30 minutes will be devoted to taking public comment at this point in the agenda. If any speakers remain at the conclusion of the initial 30 minute period, time will be reserved at the conclusion of the meeting to take the remaining comments.
XI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
NONE.
DocuSign Envelope ID: AC289E1A-71A7-4C81-BFC8-6A2D83DFD2DF March 14, 2023City Council Meeting Minutes
XII. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Grimsley, seconded by Council Member Kelley, to adopt the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor A. Walker-Griffin, Vice Mayor D. Romero, Council Member D. Bailey, Council Member C. Kelley, and Council Member T. Grimsley
5 -
1. 22-481 Meeting Minutes for the Regular Meeting on February 28th, 2023 Meeting Minutes for the Regular Meeting on February 28th, 2023Attachments:
APPROVED.
2. 22-469 2022 Annual Housing Element Progress Report
RECOMMENDATION: Accept via minute action the annual Housing Element Progress Report for the 2022 calendar year and direct staff to submit the report to the appropriate state and regional agencies.
Staff Report- 2022 Housing Element Annual Report
Attach 1- 2022 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
Attachments:
APPROVED.
3. 22-472 Resolution Approving the Continuance of an Annual Parcel Assessment to be Adopted by the County Flood Control District for the Contra Costa Clean Water Program for FY 23-24
RECOMMENDATION: Approve a resolution approving the continuance of the parcel assessment rate of $35.00 per Equivalent Runoff Unit (ERU) for FY 2023-2024 and requesting the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District adopt this annual parcel assessment for drainage maintenance and the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program.
Staff Report- FY 23-24 Annual Stormwater Assessment
Attach 1- Resolution - 2023-20242 Annual Stormwater Assessment Attach 2- County Request for Assessment Resolution
Attach 3- Clean Water Program Cost Allocation by City
Attachments:
Resolution 23-012 was APPROVED.
DocuSign Envelope ID: AC289E1A-71A7-4C81-BFC8-6A2D83DFD2DF March 14, 2023City Council Meeting Minutes
4. 22-474 Tripepi Smith Contract Amendment
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the first amendment to an agreement with Tripepi Smith for $29,000 to continue to provide professional services described in Attachment A of the original contract.
Staff Report- Tripepi Smith Contract Amendment
Attach 1- Resolution
Attach 2- 22-051_Tripepi Smith_General Communication Amendment 1 Attach 3-
22-051_Tripepi_Smith_General_Communications_Agreement
Attach 4-
22-013_-_Tripepi_Smith_-_Election_Opinion_Poll_Services_Agreemen t
Attachments:
Resolution 23-013 was APPROVED.
XIII. DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION ITEMS
1. 22-475 Direction to Staff Regarding Community Choice Energy and MCE RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive a presentation from City and MCE staff;
2. Ask any questions;
3. Take public comment; and
4. Provide direction to staff on whether to pursue joining MCE in 2023 Staff Report- Community Choice Energy and MCE
Att 1- PG&E-MCE Joint Rate Comparisons
Att 2- MCE Rate Sheet
Att 3- MCE JPA Agreement
Att 4- MCE Voting-Shares
Presentation- MCE Presentation
Attachments:
Community Development Director Tim Rood introduced the agenda item.
MCE Representatives Sebastian Conn and Jenna Famular presented the information. Public comment was taken both in person and via Zoom.
Council Members provided comment and asked questions. Council Member Romero requested some follow up information. The MCE representatives provided a response. A vote was taken on this agenda item.
MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Kelley, seconded by Council Member Bailey, to provide direction to staff to pursue joining MCE in 2023 with the Light Green option as the default option. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor A. Walker-Griffin, Council Member D. Bailey, Council Member C. Kelley, and Council Member T. Grimsley
4 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: AC289E1A-71A7-4C81-BFC8-6A2D83DFD2DF March 14, 2023City Council Meeting Minutes
Nay: Vice Mayor D. Romero1 -
2. 22-476 EV Charging at City Facilities
RECOMMENDATION:
1.Receive an informational update from staff and Electric Vehicle Charging Services, Inc. (EVCS) regarding their Charging as a Service model and Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Charge! grant application;
2.Ask any questions;
3.Take public comment; and
4.Provide any direction to staff regarding next steps.
Staff Report- EV Charging
Attach 1- EV Charging Grants
Presentaition- EVCS Presentation
Attachments:
Community Development Director Tim Rood introduced the agenda item.
Jessie Guo from Electric Vehicle Charging Services, Inc.(EVCS) presented. No Public comment was provided. Council Members provided comment. Jessie Guo and Tim Rood provided a response. No action was taken.
3. 22-477 Renewal and Amendment of a Maintenance and Reimbursement Agreement with San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Western Contra Costa Transit Authority (WestCat) for the Hercules Transit Center
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council adopt a resolution approving a Maintenance and Reimbursement Agreement with San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Western Contra Costa Transit Authority (WestCat) for the Hercules Transit Center and authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City Council.
Staff Report- HTC Maintenance Agreement
Attach 1 - Resolution - HTC Maintenance Agreement
Attach 2- 17-068 - BART & WCCTA - Maintenance and
Reimbursement Agreement
Attach 3- 2023 Maintenance and Reimbursement Agreement
Attachments:
Public Works Director Mike Roberts introduced the agenda item. BART Representatives, Bob Franklin and Henry Symons, provided further detail and were there to answer questions. No public comment was taken.
Council members provided comment. Action was taken on this item.
MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Kelley, seconded by Council Member Grimsley, to adopt Resolution 23-014. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor A. Walker-Griffin, Vice Mayor D. Romero, Council Member D. Bailey, Council Member C. Kelley, and Council Member T. Grimsley
5 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: AC289E1A-71A7-4C81-BFC8-6A2D83DFD2DF March 14, 2023City Council Meeting Minutes
5. 22-478 Fourth of July Celebration Show
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receive information on the status of the Fourth of July Celebration scheduled for July 4, 2023, and approve a fireworks celebration with or without partnership of the City of Pinole.
Staff Report- Fourth of July CelebrationAttachments:
Recreation Director Christopher Roke introduced the agenda item. There was no public comment. Council Members provided comment and Director Roke provided a response. Action was taken on this item.
MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Mayor Romero, seconded by Council Member Bailey, to direct staff to do Fire works for the July fourth event. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor A. Walker-Griffin, Vice Mayor D. Romero, Council Member D. Bailey, Council Member C. Kelley, and Council Member T. Grimsley
5 -
6. 22-479 Special Events Update
RECOMMENDATION: In July of 2022, the Hercules City Council approved an agreement with the Bayfront Chamber of Commerce to produce (4) four special events during the 2022-23FY including National Night Out Bay Front Festival and Run, Bottles and Bites, and the Hercules Cultural Festival. The agreement specified the City would contribute $35,000 to assist the Chambers efforts to run these events. Staff is providing an update to the City Council on the status of these events.
Staff Report- Special Events Update
Attach 1- Proposal - Special Events FY22-23 - 7-19-22
Attach 2- National Night Out Recap -8-12-22
Attach 3- Bay Front Festival and Run-10-13-22
Attach 4- Bottles & Bites flyer- 3-26-23
Attach 5- Cultural Festival flyer- 6-4-23
Attachments:
Recreation Director Christopher Roke presented. There was no public coment. Council Members provided comment. Director Roke and Dante Hall provided a response. No Action was taken on this item.
7. 22-471 Members of the City Council Compensation Report Recommendation: Receive a report on total City compensation for the Council members (Attachment 1).
Staff Report- City Council Compensation Report
Attach 1- City Council Monthly Pay & Benefits
Attach 2- Res 11-119 Terminate PERS Benefit
Attach 3- Res17-054 Reinstating Limited Health Care Benefits Attachments:
DocuSign Envelope ID: AC289E1A-71A7-4C81-BFC8-6A2D83DFD2DF March 14, 2023City Council Meeting Minutes
Finance Director Edwin Gato presented. There was no public comment.
Council Members provided comment and direction. City Manager Dante Hall clarified direction from Council. Council would like staff to come back with information on equity of pay among Council Members including City contributions towards retirement, and possible pay increase. Health benefits are still available if Council Members want to opt in, however this does not appear to be an issue with Council. Staff will consult legal to find out what the options are for possible retroactive pay. Council Member Bailey requested that Staff research what other Council Members in the surrounding Cities are being paid and to come back to Council with a summary of benefits. No action was taken.
XIV. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
NONE.
This time is reserved for members of the public who were unavailable to attend the Public Communications period during Section X of the meeting, or were unable to speak due to lack of time. The public speaker requirements specified in Section X of this Agenda apply to this Section.
XV. CITY COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY ANNOUNCEMENTS,
COMMITTEE, SUB-COMMITTEE AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
This is the time for brief announcements on issues of interest to the community. In accordance with the provisions of the Brown Act, matters which do not appear on this agenda but require City Council discussion may be either (a) referred to staff or other resources for factual information or (b) placed on a future meeting agenda.
1. Regional Committees
2. City Council Committees and Subcommittees
3. Commission Liaisons
City Manager, Dante Hall reminded the Council and wanted to let the public know, that staff will be taking the first step to address the budget at the March 28th City Council Meeting. Starting with Capital Projects and looking at a ten year perspective of what we can afford. City Manager Hall reported on how public engagement has been received. He introduced Parks and Recreation Director, Roke to talk about the Senior Food program and included an update on other events that took place in the past month. City Manager Hall continued with a storm update. City Attorney, Patrick Tang had no announcements.
Regional Committees:
The Contra Costa Mayors Conference was attended by all five City Council Members. Nothing to report.
DocuSign Envelope ID: AC289E1A-71A7-4C81-BFC8-6A2D83DFD2DF March 14, 2023City Council Meeting Minutes
Council Member Bailey gave an update on WestCat rider-ship: Local route is about 80%, Express is about 50-55% and Lynx is around 55-60%, which is better than BART. They offered a free month during October and will offer more free months in the future. He encouraged the public to use WestCat.
Council Member Romero reported that the March meeting for West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Mgmt Authority (WCCIWMA) was postponed.
Community Events:
Council Members attended a variety of events locally and throughout Contra Costa County. Which included; Opening of Fire Station 74 in Pinole, The Health and Wellness Senior Fair and Lupine Hills Elementary School Readathon.
Future Agenda Items:
NONE
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Walker-Griffin at 10:34 P.M. _________________________________
Alex Walker-Griffin, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
Eibleis Melendez, Acting City Clerk
DocuSign Envelope ID: AC289E1A-71A7-4C81-BFC8-6A2D83DFD2DF