STAFF REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: Regular Meeting of March 25, 2025
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Dante Hall, City Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Christopher Roke, Parks and Recreation Director SUBJECT: City-Chamber Co-sponsored Kids Expo
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive this report and provide direction to staff.
BACKGROUND:
This item is presented in response to the City Council’s request for a “Welcome Baby” event to help families build resources and access activities that improve the well-being, development, and care of their children. Staff is proposing the return of the Kids Expo, originally started in 2016, which was organized by the Hercules Chamber of Commerce at the Community Swim Center.
The last Kids Expo event was held in 2019 but was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event has not returned. The Expo featured local partners and vendors who provided resources for youth development, childcare needs, and general family services. The event was traditionally held in early March to help families make decisions for their children's summer plans.
ANALYSIS:
In response to the Council’s request to host a “Welcome Baby” event, staff held an exploratory conversation with the Bayfront Chamber of Commerce to gauge interest in reviving the Kids Expo event for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year. The Chamber of Commerce agreed that the community would benefit from a return of the Kids Expo event with some expanded features that would incorporate the Council’s desire for activities that improve the well-being and development of small children.
Staff proposes collaborating with the Bayfront Chamber of Commerce to revive a City-Chamber Co-sponsored Kids Expo event for the community in a reimagined format, meeting the Council’s request.
The Chamber has expressed potential interest in this event and suggests that the best time to hold it is in early March before families finalize their summer plans. This proposed Co-sponsored event would be held in March of 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Should the Council wish to pursue a City-Chamber Co-sponsored Kids Expo event in March of 2026, it would be necessary to allocate $5,000 in funding from the General Fund during the upcoming budget process.
ATTACHMENTS:
None