111 Civic Drive
Hercules, CA 94547City of Hercules
Meeting Minutes
City Council
Mayor Dion Bailey
Vice Mayor Chris Kelley
Council Member Alex Walker-Griffin
Council Member Dilli Bhattarai
Council Member Tiffany Grimsley
Dante Hall, City Manager
Christie Crowl, City Attorney
Eibleis Melendez, City Clerk
6:00 PMWednesday, November 12, 2025
CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 PM ; REGULAR MEETING - 7:00 P.M
In-Person in Council Chambers or Via Zoom:
Zoom ID: 812 6323 1485 Zoom Passcode: 763120
Zoom Phone Number: 1-669-900-6833
I. SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION – CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL - 6:00 PM 1A. 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 AB 2449
Vice Mayor Kelley opened the meeting. Mayor Bailey was not in attendance for Closed Session but did attend the regular meeting.
Council Member Dilli Bhattarai, Vice Mayor C. Kelley, and Council Member A.
Walker-Griffin
Present: 3 -
Mayor D. Bailey, and Council Member T. GrimsleyAbsent: 2 - II. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION - CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
NONE
III. CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION
The Hercules City Council will meet in Closed Session regarding the following:
City Attorney, Christie Crowl, read the title of the item to be discussed in Closed Session. City Council and Staff recessed into Closed Session.
1. 25-298 Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 Conference With Labor Negotiators - City Negotiators: Dante Hall, City Manager; Edwin Gato, Director of Finance; relative to the following employee groups:
a. Hercules Police Officers Association
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IV. REGULAR MEETING – CONVENE TO OPEN SESSION - ROLL CALL - 7:00 P.M.
Council Member Dilli Bhattarai, Mayor D. Bailey, Vice Mayor C. Kelley, and Council Member A. Walker-Griffin
Present: 4 -
Council Member T. GrimsleyAbsent: 1 -
V. REPORT ON ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
The City Attorney stated that there was no final or reportable action taken in Closed Session.
VI. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Walker-Griffin.
VII. MOMENT OF SILENCE
NONE
VIII. INTRODUCTIONS/PRESENTATIONS/COMMISSION REPORTS
1. 25-303 Proclamation - Veterans Day and the Conclusion of the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War
Veterans Day ProclamationAttachments:
Mayor Bailey presented the proclamation. Council provided remarks.
Hercules Police Volunteer and Veteran, Paul Cardaropoli, accepted the proclamation and said a few words after Senator Arreguin's presentation.
Pictures were taken.
2. 25-296 Presentation from Senator Jesse Arreguín
Presentation - State Legislative Update - City of Hercules.pdfAttachments:
Senator Arreguin presented the State Legislative Update. Council provided comments and asked questions. Senator Arreguin responded.
Pictures were taken. This was an informational item.
IX. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
NONE
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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
XII. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Bhattarai, seconded by Vice Mayor Kelley, to adopt the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Council Member Dilli Bhattarai, Mayor D. Bailey, Vice Mayor C. Kelley, and Council Member A. Walker-Griffin
4 -
Absent: Council Member T. Grimsley1 -
1. 25-297 Meeting Minutes for the Regular Meeting of October 28, 2025 Meeting Minutes for the Regular Meeting of October 28, 2025Attachments:
APPROVED
2. 25-302 Agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. for State Legislative Advocacy Services
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. (“TPA”) to provide lobbying and advocacy services. Additionally, it is recommended that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Budget be amended to allocate funds from the General Fund Reserve in an amount not to exceed $47,000.
Staff report - Lobbying and Advocacy Services Agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc
Attach 1 - Resolution
Attach 2 - TPA Proposal
Attachments:
RESOLUTION 25-071, APPROVED
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3. 25-292 Updated Records Retention Schedule and Records and Information Management (RIM) Program Policy
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution adopting the updated Records Retention Schedule and Records and Information Management Program Policy and rescinding Resolution 18-028.
Staff Report- Update of Records Retention Schedule and Policy Attach 1 - Resolution
Exhibit A - Final Draft of Updated Records Retention Schedule 2025 Exhibit B - Draft Hercules Citywide RIM Program Policy - 2025 Attach 2 - Resolution 18-028
Attach 3 - 2018 Records Retention Schedule
Attachments:
RESOLUTION 25-072, APPROVED
4. 25-300 Acceptance of a Grant Award From the State of California Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program(STEP)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution to accept the State Office of Traffic Safety grant award of $75,000 on behalf of the CIty of Hercules
Staff Report - Office of Traffic Safety Grant Award
Attach 1 - Resolution
Attach 2 - Signed Grant Agreement
Attachments:
RESOLUTION 25-073, APPROVED
5. 25-294 Accept the Investment Report for the Quarter Ending September 30, 2025 RECOMMENDATION:
Accept the Investment Report for the Quarter Ending September 30, 2025.
Staff Report
Attach 1 - Quarterly Investment Report
Attachments:
APPROVED
XIII. DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION ITEMS
1. 25-268 FY 25-26 Co-sponsored Special Events Update
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive an update on special events co-sponsored by the city and the Bay Front Chamber of Commerce during the current FY 25-26.
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Staff Report - Special Events Update. rev1
Attach 1 - 2022-23 - Cultural Festival - recap
Attach 2 - 2023-24 - Cultural Festival - recap
Attach 3 - 2024-25 - Cultural Festival - recap
Attachments:
Parks and Recreation Director, Christopher Roke, presented the Staff Report. No public comment. Council asked questions and provided comments. City Manager, Dante Hall and Director Roke provided a response. No action was taken on this item.
2. 25-295 Fourth of July Celebration for 2026
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive an update on the planning for the Fourth of July 2026 Celebration and provide direction to staff on whether to proceed with fireworks on a barge, a drone show, or pursue a co-sponsored parade and 5K Fun Run with community partners.
Staff ReportAttachments:
Parks and Recreation Director, Christopher Roke, presented the Staff Report. Council asked questions and provided comments. No public comment. City Manager Hall and Director Roke provided a response.
Council provided direction to Staff. Action was taken on this item.
MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Walker-Griffin, seconded by Vice Mayor Kelley, for staff to move forward with a parade and 5k run in lieu of a fourth of July event. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Council Member Dilli Bhattarai, Mayor D. Bailey, Vice Mayor C. Kelley, and Council Member A. Walker-Griffin
4 -
Absent: Council Member T. Grimsley1 -
3. 25-293 FY 25-26 1st Quarter Budget Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Review and accept the First Quarter Budget Report for the fiscal period concluding on September 30, 2025.
Staff Report
Attach 1 - General Fund Year-To-Date Revenue Report
Attach 2 - General Fund Year-To-Date Expenditure Report Attach 3 - All Funds Year-To-Date Revenues and Expenditures Report Attach 4 - Active Capital Projects Report
Attachments:
Finance Director, Edwin Gato, presented the Staff Report. Council asked questions and provided comments. Director Gato provided a response.
No public comment. This was an informational item. No action was taken.
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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 Committee
a. Contra Costa Mayors Conference
b. Hercules/ Pinole - WasteWater Management
c. League of Cities
d. Water Emerg. Transportation Authority
e. WCCIWMA
f. WCCTAC
g. West Co. Mayors & Supervisors Assoc. Meeting
h. WestCat
I. MCE
j. CCTA
k. East Bay Wildfire Coalition of Governments
2. City Council Committees and Subcommittees
a. Econ. Dev. Subcommittee
b. Traffic and Public Safety Committee
c. East Bay Economic Development Alliance
d. Education Subcommittee
3. Commission Liaisons
a. Community & Library Services Commission
b. Finance Commission
c. Planning Commisison
No announcements from City Manager and City Attorney
1. Regional Committees
Mayor Bailey reported out on the Contra Costa Mayors Conference
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2. City Council Committees and Subcommittees
Vice Mayor Kelley reported out on the California Council of Governments Board meeting
3. Commission Liaisons
No reports were provided
Council Members also reported out on events they attended throughout the City and County.
There were no future agenda items requests.
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bailey adjourned the meeting at 8:40pm.
_________________________________
Dion Bailey, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
Eibleis Melendez, City Clerk
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