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 PMTuesday, December 9, 2025
CLOSED SESSION - 6:00 P.M.; REGULAR MEETING - 7:00 P.M
In-Person in Council Chambers or Via Zoom:
Zoom ID: 865 7349 5338 Zoom Passcode: 496277
Zoom Phone Number: 1-669-900-6833
I. SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION – CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL - 6:00 P.M. 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
Mayor D. Bailey, Vice Mayor C. Kelley, Council Member A. Walker-Griffin, and Council Member T. Grimsley
Present: 4 -
Council Member Dilli BhattaraiAbsent: 1 -
II. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION - CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
NONE
III. CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION
The Hercules City Council will meet in Closed Session regarding the following:
Ed Low, Assistant City Attorney, read the title of the item to be discussed in Closed Session. Council and Staff convened into Closed Session.
1. 25-331 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) - Bruce v. City of Hercules, et al.; United States District Court, Northern District, Case No. 4:25-cv-01297.
Meeting went into Recess
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Meeting Reconvened
IV. REGULAR MEETING – CONVENE TO OPEN SESSION - ROLL CALL - 7:00 P.M.
Mayor D. Bailey, Vice Mayor C. Kelley, Council Member A. Walker-Griffin, and Council Member T. Grimsley
Present: 4 -
Council Member Dilli BhattaraiAbsent: 1 -
V. REPORT ON ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
The Assistant City Attorney, reported out that there was no reportable action taken in Closed Session.
VI. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by Hercules Boy Scout Troop 76.
VII. MOMENT OF SILENCE
NONE
VIII. INTRODUCTIONS/PRESENTATIONS/COMMISSION REPORTS
1. 25-316 Herculean Mile Recognition Program - 2025 Award Winners RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council receive an update on the Herculean Mile recognition program and present awards to the winners for the 2025 calendar year.
Staff Report - Herculean Mile Recognition Program
Attach 1 - Herculean Mile Award Winners 2025
Attachments:
Christopher Roke, Parks and Recreation Director, presented the Staff Report. Council provided remarks and recognized the recipients. Pictures were taken.
IX. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
NONE
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X. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Public Comments were provided by Alison Peters, Kristie Castilow, Tyler Hayes, Joseph Eugene Hunter, Evan Mclaughlin.
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
Mayor Bailey pulled Agenda Items 3 and 4 from the Consent Calendar and provided further clarification. These items were placed back on the Consent Calendar for approval. Action was taken on this item.
MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Walker-Griffin, seconded by Vice Mayor Kelley, to adopt the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor D. Bailey, Vice Mayor C. Kelley, Council Member A. Walker-Griffin, and Council Member T. Grimsley
4 -
Absent: Council Member Dilli Bhattarai1 -
1. 25-323 Meeting Minutes for the Regular Meeting of November 12, 2025 Meeting Minutes for the Regular Meeting of November 12, 2025Attachments:
APPROVED
2. 25-318 Meeting Minutes for the Special Meeting of November 18, 2025 Meeting Minutes for The Special Meeting of November 18, 2025Attachments:
APPROVED
3. 25-321 Approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Hercules and the Hercules Police Officers’ Association
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution Approving:
1. A 2025-2027 Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Hercules (“City”) and the Hercules Police Officers’ Association (“HPOA”);
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and
2. A Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Master Salary Schedule pursuant to California Public Employees Retirement System (“CalPERS”) effective July 6, 2025 (last updated on November 17, 2025).
Staff Report
Attach 1 - Resolution
Exhibit 1- Hercules HPOA MOU 2025-2027
Exhibit 2 - FY 2025-26 Salary Schedule
Attachments:
APPROVED RESOLUTION 25-075
4. 25-322 Approve a One-Time Non Pensionable Payment of 3% of Total Gross Salary for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year for Employees Covered Under the Executive Level, Mid-Management, and Non-Represented Employee Pay and Benefit Plans
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a Resolution approving a three percent (3%) one-time non-pensionable payment for employees covered under the Executive Level, Mid-Management, and
Non-Represented Pay and Benefits Plans and authorize the City Manager to execute any related amendments to the approved 2025-2027 Pay and Benefits Plans.
Staff Report
Attach 1 - Resolution
Attach 2 - Revised 2025-2027 Executive Level Pay and Benefits Plan Attach 3 - Revised 2025-2027 Mid-Management Pay and Benefits Plan
Attach 4 - Revised 2025-2027 Non-Represented Pay and Benefits Plan
Attachments:
APPROVED RESOLUTION 25-074
XIII. DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION ITEMS
1. 25-317 Commission and Committee Appointments
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Consider making appointments to the Hercules Commissions, Regional Boards and Committees to fill vacancies and expired terms.
2. Following Council appointments, direct Staff to prepare and publish the local appointments list pursuant to Government Code 54972 Staff Report - Commission AppointmentsAttachments:
City Clerk, Eibleis Melendez, introduced the item and presented the Staff Report. Mayor Bailey thanked the applicants for applying. Council Member Grimsley noted that she did not attend the Special Meeting that
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was held for Commission Interviews. No public comment. Council Members asked questions and provided comment. City Attorney, Christie Crowl, provided a response. Council Members voted on the Commission applicants. Action was taken on this item. The following applicants were appointed to Commissions:
Planning Commission:
Dennis Esselsagoe
Hector Rubio
Finance Commission:
Neeru Giri
Sandra Castaneda
Community & Library Services Commission:
Wylendia Eastman
Student Commissioner- Sofia Seiden
Contra Costa Mosquito &Vector Control Board
Mariati Messinger
MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Walker-Griffin, seconded by Vice Mayor Kelley, to approve the newly appointed Commissioners and to prepare and publish the local appointments list per the Maddy Act. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor D. Bailey, Vice Mayor C. Kelley, Council Member A. Walker-Griffin, and Council Member T. Grimsley
4 -
Absent: Council Member Dilli Bhattarai1 -
XIV. CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION
1. 25-315 Proclamation Commending the Leadership and Service of Mayor Dion Bailey
ProclamationAttachments:
Vice Mayor Kelley presented the proclamation commending the service of Mayor Bailey. Council Members made remarks. Mayor Bailey made remarks. Pictures were taken.
2. 25-320 Selection of Mayor and Vice Mayor
RECOMMENDATION:
City Council to Nominate and Appoint a Mayor and Vice-Mayor.
Staff Report - Selection of Mayor and Vice Mayor
Attach 1 - Council Rules of Procedure
Attachments:
City Clerk, Eibleis Melendez, presented the Staff Report. No public
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comment. No discussion by Council. Action was taken on this item. Mayor Kelley made remarks. A brief recess was taken for photos and refreshments.
MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Grimsley, seconded by Mayor Bailey, to nominate Chris Kelley for Mayor. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor D. Bailey, Vice Mayor C. Kelley, Council Member A. Walker-Griffin, and Council Member T. Grimsley
4 -
Absent: Council Member Dilli Bhattarai1 -
MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Grimsley, seconded by Mayor Bailey, to nominate Alex Walker -Griffin as Vice Mayor. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor D. Bailey, Vice Mayor C. Kelley, Council Member A. Walker-Griffin, and Council Member T. Grimsley
4 -
Absent: Council Member Dilli Bhattarai1 -
RECESS AND REFRESHMENTS
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XV. DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION ITEMS
1. 25-319 City Council Regular Meeting Dates for 2026
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Council review the schedule of City Council Regular Meeting Dates in 2026 and consider canceling one or both regular meetings in August.
Staff Report - Meeting Schedule 2026
Attach 1- DRAFT - 2026 Meeting Calendar
Attachments:
Mayor Kelley reconvened the meeting. Mayor Kelley presented the item.
No public comment. Council discussed the item. Action was taken on this item.
MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Bailey, seconded by Council Member Grimsley to approve the 2026 meeting calendar with no meetings planned for the month of August. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor D. Bailey, Vice Mayor C. Kelley, Council Member A. Walker-Griffin, and Council Member T. Grimsley
4 -
Absent: Council Member Dilli Bhattarai1 -
XVI. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
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.
NONE
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XVII. 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
City Manager Hall highlighted the Hercules Tree Lighting event. Parks and Recreation Director Christopher Roke provided an update of the event.
City Manager Hall also announced other upcoming December events. No announcements from City Attorney Crowl.
1. Regional Committees
Vice Mayor Walker-Griffin reported out on the League of Cal Cities- East Bay Division meeting and the Monthly Contra Costa Mayors Conference.
Council Member Grimsley mentioned that the WestCat December meeting was cancelled. Council Member Bailey reported out on the last WestCat and Marin Clean Energy meeting. Mayor Kelley reported out on the West County Integrated Waste Management and Contra Costa Transportation
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Authority meeting as well as the Mayor Conference.
2. City Council Committees and Subcommittees
No reports were provided
3. Commission Liaisons
No reports were provided
Council Members also reported out on events they attend throughout the City and County, which included the Hercules Tree lighting event.
City Manager Hall provided an update on the Republic Services rebate There were no Future Agenda Item Requests by Council.
XVIII. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Kelley adjourned the meeting at 8:36pm.
_________________________________
Chris Kelley, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
Eibleis Melendez, City Clerk
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