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
5:00 PMTuesday, July 14, 2026
CLOSED SESSION - 5:00 PM REGULAR MEETING - 7:00 PM
In-Person in Council Chambers or Via Zoom:
Zoom ID: 838 0884 0203 Zoom Passcode: 438779
Zoom Phone Number: 1-669-900-6833
I. SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION – CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL - 5:00 PM A. 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
Council Member Grimsley was not present during roll call but did attend Closed Session.
Council Member Dilli Bhattarai, Council Member D. Bailey, Mayor C. Kelley, Vice Mayor A. Walker-Griffin, and Council Member T. Grimsley
Present: 5 -
II. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION - CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
NONE
III. CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney, Christie Crowl, read the title of the item to be discussed in Closed Session. Council and Staff convened into Closed Session.
The Hercules City Council will meet in Closed Session regarding the following:
1. 26-176 Pursuant to Government Code section 54957: Public Employment (City Manager)
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 -
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V. REPORT ON ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
No final or reportable action was taken in Closed Session.
VI. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Grimsley VII. MOMENT OF SILENCE
Mayor Kelley requested a Moment of Silence for Pinole resident and Council Member, Mary Horton, who recently passed away.
VIII. INTRODUCTIONS/PRESENTATIONS/COMMISSION REPORTS
1. 26-171 Presentation - East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) PresentationAttachments:
Representatives from East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) presented. Council asked questions.
IX. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
NONE
X. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Christine Hermes provided Public Comment.
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
1. 26-172 Public Hearing Regarding the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 Sewer Service Charges to be Collected on the County Tax Roll
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council conduct a public hearing and if protests are not made by a majority of the affected parcels, adopt a resolution approving the Written Report for the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Sewer Service Charges and authorizing the collection of Sewer Service Charges on the tax roll in the same manner, by the same persons, and at the same
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time as, together with and not separately from, general taxes.
Staff Report
Attach 1 - Resolution
Attach 2 - Written Report
Attach 3 - Resolution No. 25-044 - Sewer Rate Increase
Attachments:
Interim Public Works Director, Mike Roberts, introduced the item.
Francisco and Associates presented the Staff Report. Council asked questions and made comments. Mayor Kelley opened the Public Hearing.
No Public Comment. Mayor Kelley closed the Public Hearing. Interim Public Works Director Roberts and Interim City Manager Tang, provided a response. Action was taken on this item.
MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Grimsley, seconded by Vice Mayor Walker-Griffin, to adopt Resolution 26-047. 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. 26-169 Mandatory Garbage/Solid Waste Disposal - Delinquent Accounts RECOMMENDATION:
Conduct a Public Hearing and upon conclusion, consider adopting a Resolution confirming the report of delinquent accounts and placing liens on said properties and special assessments upon property taxes pursuant to City of Hercules Municipal Code Section 5-2.01 to 5-2.16, Mandatory Garbage/Solid Waste Disposal.
Staff Report
Attach 1 - Resolution
Attach 2 - Lien List
Attachments:
City Clerk, Eibleis Melendez, presented the Staff Report. Council asked questions and made comments. City Clerk Melendez provided a response. Mayor Kelley opened the Public Hearing. No public comment.
Mayor Kelley closed the Public Hearing. Action was taken on this item.
MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Mayor Walker-Griffin, seconded by Council Member Bhattarai, to adopt Resolution 26-048. 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 -
XII. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: A motion was made by Council Member Bailey, seconded by Vice Mayor Walker-Griffin, to adopt the Consent Calendar as is. 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 -
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1. 26-170 Meeting Minutes for the Regular Meeting on June 23, 2026 Meeting Minutes for the Regular Meeting on June 23, 2026Attachments:
APPROVED
2. 26-173 Quarterly Review of Future Agenda Items
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive the staff report on the quarterly review of future City Council agenda items.
Staff Report
Attach 1 - Future Agenda Items List
Attachments:
Council Member Bailey requested to move the Monument Sign discussion from the 7/28 City Council meeting to the 9/8 City Council meeting Staff confirmed the date change for the item.
XIII. DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION ITEMS
1. 26-167 Waterfront Directional Signage
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive a report on waterfront directional signage, take public comment, and provide any direction to staff.
Staff Report
Presentation
Attachments:
Community Development Director, Tim Rood, presented the Staff Report.
Council asked questions and provided comments. Director Rood provided a response. Public Comment was provided by Oscar Adams. Discussion came back to Council. Direction was provided by Council for Staff to do the following: The Directional Signage and Monument Sign discussion items will go to the next Economic Development Subcommittee meeting for review. The discussion will also take into consideration branding and the determination of whether the area near the water will be referred to as the "Bayfront" or the "Waterfront". The Economic Development Subcommittee will then come back to City Council with their recommendation.
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.
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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 promoted upcoming city events and meetings.
Interim Public Works Director, Mike Roberts, provided a parks improvement and department update. Council asked follow up questions.
Staff provided a response. City Attorney Crowl had no announcements.
1. Regional Committees
Council Member Grimsley reported out that WestCat did not meet this past month. Council Member Bailey reported out on the Marin Clean Energy(MCE) meeting. Vice Mayor Walker Griffin and Mayor Kelley attended the Contra Costa Mayors Conference.
2. City Council Committees and Subcommittees
Council Member Bhattarai will be attending the Wastewater Subcommittee
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meeting
3. Commission Liaisons
No reports were provided
Council also reported out on events that they attended both locally and regionally. Which included the Foxboro Park ribbon cutting.
Future Agenda Item Request -
Council Member Grimsley had two agenda item requests:
1. A presentation from Bisa French, Executive Director on the Family Justice Center. The council unanimously agreed to have this item come back at a future council meeting.
2. A discussion on a concept similar to 'city stroll' to highlight Hercules small businesses. The council agreed to have this item go to the Economic Development Subcommittee first and then have it come back to council at a future date.
Mayor Kelley called up item: Conditional Use Permit (CUP 26-01) and Design Review Permit (DRP 26-01) for a Retail Store with Drive-Up Donation Operations at 1551 Sycamore Avenue. The Mayors reason for the Call Up was regarding the drive up donation operations and the potential for illegal dumping. The Council unanimously agreed to have the item come back to council at the 7/28 City Council meeting. Council Member Bailey made a motion, seconded by Council Member Grimsley.
The Motion passed 5-0.
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Kelly closed the meeting in Mary Horton's honor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 P.M.
_________________________________
Chris Kelley, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
Eibleis Melendez, City Clerk
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