111 Civic Drive
Hercules, CA 94547City of Hercules
Meeting Minutes
City Council
Mayor Chris Kelley
Vice Mayor Alex Walker-Griffin
Council Member Dilli Bhattarai
Council Member Tiffany Grimsley
Council Member Dion Bailey
Patrick Tang, Interim City Manager
Christie Crowl, City Attorney
Eibleis Melendez, City Clerk
7:00 PMTuesday, May 26, 2026
REGULAR MEETING - 7:00 P.M
In-Person in Council Chambers or Via Zoom:
Zoom ID: 821 1751 7161 Zoom Passcode: 525829
Zoom Phone Number: 1-669-900-6833
I. SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION – NONE
NONE
II. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION - NO CLOSED SESSION
NONE
III. CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION - NO CLOSED SESSION
NONE
IV. REGULAR MEETING – CONVENE TO OPEN SESSION - ROLL CALL - 7:00 P.M.
Council Member Dilli Bhattarai, Council Member D. Bailey, Mayor C. Kelley, Vice Mayor A. Walker-Griffin, 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 AB 2449
NONE
VI. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by Council Member Bailey.
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VII. MOMENT OF SILENCE
Mayor Kelley requested a Moment of Silence for Anthony Rahgozar and Mel Banagan who were residents of the Hercules community that recently passed away.
VIII. INTRODUCTIONS/PRESENTATIONS/COMMISSION REPORTS
1. 26-139 Introduction of Public Works Superintendent, Chris Morris Public Works Director, Glenn Dombeck, introduced the new Public Works Superintendent, Chris Morris. Superintendent Morris made remarks.
Council welcomed Superintendent Morris and made remarks.
IX. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
NONE
X. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Public Comment provided by Sarah Creeley via Zoom.
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.
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XI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. 26-129 Approval of an Addendum to the Hercules New Town Center Environmental Impact Report, Design Review Permit (DRP) 25-04, Vesting Tentative Map (VTM) 25-02, and Planned Development Plan (PDP) 25-02 for the Emblem Hercules Apartments - 1601 Willow Avenue (The Loop Site) Assessor Parcel Number (APN) 406-070-042-6
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council hold a public hearing, receive the staff report and presentation, receive comments from the public and interested parties and adopt a Resolution (Attachment 1) finding that the Addendum to the Hercules New Town Center Environmental Impact Report (State Clearing House No. 2007062002) has been prepared in compliance with CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines and reflects the independent judgment of the City of Hercules as Lead Agency, and approving Design Review Permit (DRP) 25-04, Vesting Tentative Map (VTM) 25-02, and Planned Development Plan (PDP) 25-02 for a 180-apartment unit housing development.
Staff report
Attach 1 - Resolution
Exhibit A - Emblem Hercules Project Conditions of Approval Exhibit B - Development Plans dated 2.13.2026
Exhibit C - Addendum to the Hercules New Town Center EIR (State Clearing House No. 2007062002)
Appendix A Emblem MMRP Applicability Matrix
Appendix B1 Biological Survey
Appendix B2 Biological Assessment Report
Appendix B3 Wetland Delineation
Appendix C Phase 1 ESA
Appendix D Preliminary Geotechincal Investigation
Appendix E Preliminary Noise and HVAC Study
Appendix F - Emblem Hercules Residential Development
Transportation Study
Attach 2 - Planning Commission Resolution No. 26-01
Presentation - City of Hercules
Presentation - Applicant
Attachments:
Community Development Director Tim Rood presented the Staff Report.
The applicant team, Quarterra Multifamily Communities, also presented.
Council asked questions and provided remarks. Director Rood, Public Works Director, Glenn Dombeck, and members of the applicant team provided a response. Mayor Kelley opened the Public Hearing. Public comment was provided by Jeremy Lochirco, Michael Kohler, Christina
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Hermens(Zoom) and Susan Keefe(Zoom). Written public comment was provided by Douglas. Mayor Kelley closed the public hearing. The discussion was brought back to council. Action was taken on this item.
MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Mayor Walker-Griffin, seconded by Council Member Grimsley, to continue the Public Hearing to June 23rd. Council directed staff to work with the applicant team to clarify the two conditions of approval, 38 and 56, and include a larger design exhibit from the traffic engineer, a better exhibit of the crosswalk and more information regarding the health, safety and noise impacts. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Council Member Dilli Bhattarai, Council Member D. Bailey, Mayor C. Kelley, Vice Mayor A. Walker-Griffin, and Council Member T. Grimsley 5 -
2. 26-130 Compliance with Assembly Bill 2561 (Government Code Section 3502.3):
Public Agency Vacancies, and Recruitment and Retention Efforts RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file the staff report and presentation regarding workforce vacancies, and recruitment and retention efforts in accordance with Government Code Section 3502.3
Staff Report
Presentation
Attachments:
Human Resources Manager, Kristi Carter, presented the Staff Report.
Council made remarks. No public comment. Action was not taken on this item.
XII. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Bailey, seconded by Vice Mayor Walker-Griffin, to adopt the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Council Member Dilli Bhattarai, Council Member D. Bailey, Mayor C. Kelley, Vice Mayor A. Walker-Griffin, and Council Member T. Grimsley 5 -
1. 26-136 Meeting Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 12, 2026 Meeting Minutes for the Regular Meeting on May 12, 2026Attachments:
APPROVE
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2. 26-135 Update on the Chief’s Advisory Board (CAB)
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive an update on the Chief’s Advisory Board (CAB)
Staff ReportAttachments:
APPROVE
XIII. DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION ITEMS
1. 26-128 Housing Asset Funding Recommendation to Community HousingWorks for Bayline
RECOMMENDATION:
By minute action, direct staff to enter into negotiations with Community HousingWorks for the award of $5,000,000 in Housing Asset Funding to support affordable housing development.
Staff Report
Attach 1 - RSG Memo
Presentation
Attachments:
Interim City Manager, Patrick Tang, made initial remarks on the agenda item. Community Development Director, Tim Rood, presented the Staff Report. RSG also presented. Council asked questions and provided comment. Community HousingWorks(CHW) provided an introduction and background of their company. Public comment was provided by Michael Kohler, Araceli Velasquez, Ron Montoya, Rob Schaufenbil, Jeremy Lochirco, Jonathan Astmann, Adeline Chen, Weija Song, Terrel Kingwood, E.J. Schloss(Zoom), Susan Keefe(Zoom), Jefferey Nagafuji(Zoom), Jim(Zoom) and Kevin Leichner(Zoom). Written public comment was provided by Rob Schaufenbil, Nancy Arms, Ann li and Terrell Kingwood.
Council provided comment and asked questions. Director Rood and CHW provided a response. Action was taken on this item.
MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Bailey, seconded by Vice Mayor Walker-Griffin, to continue this item to the July 28th City Council meeting.
Council directed Staff to schedule a community meeting that would allow residents to ask the applicants questions about their proposed developments.
Prior to the community meeting, mailers will be sent to residents living in Promenade, Victoria By the Bay, Aventine and Bayside. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Council Member Dilli Bhattarai, Council Member D. Bailey, Mayor C. Kelley, Vice Mayor A. Walker-Griffin, and Council Member T. Grimsley 5 -
2. 26-125 Approve participation in the Contra Costa County Regional Alternative Compliance Joint Powers Authority to perform city stormewater obligation and authorize execution of the Joint Powers Agreement
RECOMMENDATION:
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1. Adopt the attached Resolution approving and authorizing execution of the Joint Powers Agreement for the City’s participation in the Regional Alternative Compliance Joint Powers Authority.
2. Appoint a Board Member to the RAC JPA and an Alternate.
3. Authorize staff to collaborate with the Regional Alternative Compliance Joint Powers Authority Administrator to support Regional Alternative Compliance System implementation.
4. Direct staff to revise the City’s stormwater ordinance to incorporate participation in the Regional Alternative Compliance System as an approved alternative compliance for meeting applicable stormwater treatment requirements.
5. Authorize staff to assign funds already allocated in the fiscal year (FY) 2026-27 Capital Improvement Plan and FY 2026-27 Capital Budget to the Green Infrastructure Project - Public ROW Bioretention for use in RAC JPA participation and purchase of Green Stormwater Infrastructure credits.
Staff Report
Attach 1 - Resolution
Attach 2 - RAC JPA Joint Powers Agreement
Attachments:
Public Works Director, Glenn Dombeck, presented the Staff Report. No public comment. Council asked questions and made remarks. Director Dombeck provided a response. Action was taken on this item.
MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Mayor Walker-Griffin, seconded by Council Member Grimsley, to adopt Resolution 26-029. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Council Member Dilli Bhattarai, Council Member D. Bailey, Mayor C. Kelley, Vice Mayor A. Walker-Griffin, and Council Member T. Grimsley 5 -
3. 26-123 Military Equipment Use and Acquisition
RECOMMENDATION:
By minute order, (1) accept the annual military equipment report, (2) determine that the Police Department’s use of military equipment for the past year complied with the Department’s Policy 706 and the requirements of state law, and (3) renew Policy 706 and Ordinance No. 547 (Military Equipment) and confirm that both will remain in effect without change.
Staff Report
Attach 1 - Military Equipment Policy 706
Attach 2 - Annual Military Equipment Report 2025
Attach 3 - AB 481
Attach 4 - Ord. 547- Military Equipment
Presentation
Attachments:
Acting Police Chief, Dwayne Collard, had to attend to a police matter. This item got postponed to the 6/9 City Council meeting.
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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
3. Commission Liaisons
a. Community & Library Services Commission
b. Finance Commission
c. Planning Commisison
Interim City Manager Tang provided promoted upcoming city events. City Attorney Crowl had no announcements. Vice Mayor Walker Griffin said a few words about his friends and members of the Hercules Community, Anthony Rahgozar and Mel Banagan, that recently passed away.
1. Regional Committees
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Council Member Bailey reminded residents that WestCat is in the process of updating bus service. Mayor Kelley reported out on a CCTA workshop that attended. The mayor also reported out on the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee(WCCTAC) meeting
2. City Council Committees and Subcommittees
No reports were provided
3.Commission Liaisons
No reports were provided
Future Agenda Item Requests:
Vice Mayor Walker-Griffin requested the following items to be discussed at a future City Council meeting:
Wage Theft Ordinance, a Pesticide Ordinance and an Art fee for developers
Council Member Bailey requested staff provide an update on the DR Horton money and to bring back the discussion of the a Monument Sign(including master sign plan for the city) and include it on the July 28th agenda.
Council agreed unanimously to discuss all the future agenda item requests at a future City Council meeting.
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Kelley closed the meeting in honor of Anthony Rahgozar and Mel Banagan. The meeting was adjourned at 11:06p.m.
_________________________________
Chris Kelley, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
Eibleis Melendez, City Clerk
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