STAFF REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE:
Regular Meeting of March 28, 2023
TO:
Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Dante Hall, City Manager
SUBJECT: Update on the FY 2022-2023 Hercules Strategic Plan and Multi-year Workplan RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive a report on the Hercules City Council Strategic Plan and Multi-Year Workplan and provide direction as needed.
BACKGROUND:
On May 24, 2022, the Hercules City Council adopted a resolution establishing the FY 2022-2023 Hercules Strategic Plan. The plan was based on the City Council goal-setting workshop held on Saturday, April 30, 2022.
During the workshop, City Council members established priorities for FY 2022-23 and several multi-year goals, as listed below:
Goals for FY 2022-23
Regional Intermodal Transit Center (RITC – Renamed the Hercules Hub) Financial sustainability
Multiyear Goals
Multimodal station (RITC - Renamed the Hercules Hub)
Grow retail and commercial development to serve the community Long-term financial plan
The purpose of this agenda item is to provide the Council with a status report on the adopted Strategic Plan.
ANALYSIS:
Overall, the City has made significant progress on each of the adopted strategic priorities. The City has adopted a balanced budget, successfully implemented business assistance programs, and made strides to further the vision of the Hercules Hub.
To align Council’s priorities, ongoing programs, projects, and activities with the budget, and staff resources, we have developed a workplan of activities that work together to accomplish Council goals. The workplan consists of five categories, Prudent Financial Management, Traffic, Transportation & Infrastructure, Public Safety, Quality Of Life, and Future Planning & Policy Initiatives. The following section provides a high-level description of each category and related programs, initiatives, and activities.
Prudent Financial Management
Develop a Structurally Balanced and Sustainable Operating Budget and Forecast – This element includes adopting a balanced budget that supports financial sustainability for multiple years into the future. This is accomplished by carefully managing recurring and non-recurring revenues, recurring and non-recurring expenditures, and reserves.
Develop a Robust Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) – This element seeks to improve the capital financial planning tool for short- and long-range funding for the maintenance, improvement and building of new infrastructure assets to benefit our residents, businesses, property owners, and visitors. The CIP links the General Plan, various master planning documents, and available resources to provide a means for planning, scheduling, and implementing capital projects over the next ten years. The CIP offers a long-term approach to prioritizing and selecting new projects in the City.
Economic Development – Continue business attraction/business retention activities that increase support for our local economy. These activities include continued business assistance programs and the Yiftee Community Digital Gift Card program.
Explore New Revenue Opportunities – This element includes the potential development of a new hotel, an evaluation of infrastructure and development-related fees, and other opportunities as directed by the City Council.
Traffic, Transportation & Infrastructure
Hercules Hub – As one of the City’s top priorities, the Hercules Hub will achieve the vision of the Hercules Bayfront as a model transit-oriented community for the Bay Area and beyond. The Hub will connect thousands of homes with a new train stop along the Capitol Corridor, bicycle and pedestrian pathways, bus routes, carpool options, and a future ferry service. The Project would relieve congestion on I-80 and reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gas emissions. As reported at the January 24, 2023, City Council meeting, the City submitted a joint TIRCP grant application with CCJPA and a grant application for the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Rail for design phase funding. We are currently awaiting word on awards from these grant applications.
Major Sewer system Improvements – This element includes continuing to make progress on the City’s adopted Sewer Master Plan. The activities include improvements to Sycamore Ave. Lower Trunk Main and Upper Trunk Main, among others.
Pavement and Road System Improvements - This element includes the Pedestrian Sidewalk Improvement Willow and Palm, an annual street repair project, an annual sidewalk repair program, and an annual restriping project.
Deferred Maintenance of City Facilities – This element includes assessing the condition of all city-owned facilities and developing a prioritized schedule of maintenance and repairs over the next several years.
Public Safety
Community Policing – This element includes strategies to build better relationships between the Police Department and residents, and employing strategies to decrease high levels of calls for service Code Enforcement – Continue to work with owners, and property managers to enforce established City codes. The desired outcome is fewer visible hazards, fewer code complaints, and improvement in conditions in most severe cases (e.g. cluttering, illegal habitation).
Urban Forest Management – This element includes developing a strategy to manage trees in City’s open space and arterials along the wildland/urban interface to prevent damage to adjacent public and private properties. The strategy will monitor and mitigate hazardous trees along Refugio Valley Park between Sycamore Avenue and Patridge Drive, San Pablo Avenue between Tsushima and Hercules Avenue, and throughout various City Parks, and other areas in the City.
Emergency Preparedness – This element focuses on the City’s Emergency Operation Plan in order to provide the community with effective preparation should an emergency occur. The City coordinates City facilities, assigning specific tasks to personnel, while specifying the policies and general procedures that are relative to emergency preparedness. While we all realize it is virtually impossible to prevent disasters, a plan engineered by knowledgeable and well-trained personnel can help ensure that any losses in an emergency situation will be at their most minimal.
Quality Of Life
Community Engagement – This element includes continuing to implement effective strategies, plans, and tactics to better engage and communicate with our community, including town hall meetings, newsletters, social media, and other methods.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – This element intends to renew the City’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The activities include the continuation of a community Cultural Festival and community conversations about diversity.
Environmental Sustainability – This element includes continuing to explore and implement policies and projects that reduce harmful greenhouse gasses and comply with state environmental mandates. The activities include installing electric vehicle charging stations on City property, increased purchase and use of clean energy, consideration of a Climate Action plan, and others.
Future Planning & Policy Initiatives
Land Use Planning – This element includes reviewing and amending City General Plan Elements, zoning codes, and policies as needed, including the adoption of the new Housing Element.
Parks Systems Master Plan - The Parks Master Plan will provide the information for the City that is needed to take a proactive approach over the next decade in addressing aging park facilities, responding to the need for inclusive parks, and anticipating the future recreation needs of the community. It will capture the infrastructure and facility needs as well as community priorities for the future. This information will support informed discussion and decision-making related to park needs and opportunities. This will allow the City to strategically allocate resources and leverage grant opportunities to ensure the needs of the community are met in the future
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report update. Funding for programs and projects described in the City Council 2022-2023 and Multi-year Priorities document will become part of the City’s normal annual and long-term planning and budgeting processes.
ATTACHMENTS
1. FY 2022-2023 Hercules Strategic Plan Based on City Council Priorities