Hercules
California
City Of Hercules Herald Issue No. 3 - December 2, 2022
Government and Politics
December 5, 2022
From: City Of HerculesHercules Herald
Message from the City Manager
Measure N Enacted. Thank you, Hercules Voters
On November 8th, Hercules voters adopted Measure N, which renews funding previously approved by Hercules voters in two prior elections. These funds will allow the City to continue down the path to fiscal stability and maintain City services such as police patrols, 9-1-1 emergency response times, keeping public areas and parks safe and clean, and retaining and attracting local businesses, among other city services the community has identified as important.
Measure N maintains the current Utility Users Tax rate at 8 percent (8%.) Funds generated by Measure N will stay local in Hercules and cannot be taken by the County, State, or Federal governments. Measure N requires independent citizen oversight and financial audits of these funds. It was an important decision for the community to make in this unique election year.
We look forward to continuing to work with the community to maintain services that residents clearly value.
Happy Holidays
City Hall Offices will be closed for the Holiday Season from December 22nd to December 31st. City Hall will re-open on January 3rd. For non-emergency questions, please dial (510)724-1111. For emergency services, please call 911. On behalf of the City Council and City staff, we would like to wish the Hercules community a Happy Holiday Season and send our sincere thanks for making Hercules a special place to live work, and play. I hope you all get the opportunity to rest, spend time with loved ones, and recharge for the next year.
We are stronger together!
Sincerely,
Dante Hall
City Manager
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Library - The Fratello Marionettes'
December 3 @ 3:30 p.m.
Holiday Tree Lighting
December 4 @ 3:30 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting
December 5 @ 7 p.m.
Open House - THE SPOT
December 6 @ 4 p.m.
Library - Parol Making Workship
December 10 @ 11 a.m.
Holiday Pop Up Shop
December 11 @ 1 p.m.
Community & Library Services Meeting
December 12 @ 7 p.m.
City Council Meeting
December 13 @ 6 p.m.
Breakfast with Santa
December 17 @ 8 a.m.
Planning Commission Meeting
December 19 @ 7 p.m.
Senior Holiday Luncheon
December 20 @ 11:30 a.m.
Winter Holiday Office Closures
community Swim Center Closed
December 19 - Jan 2
Senior Center Closed
December 21 - Jan 2
City Hall Offices Closed
December 22 - Jan 2
For non-emergency questions, please dial (510)724-1111. For emergency services, please call 911.
The Mayor's Minute
See what's happening this December!
In the News
The City of Hercules received the GFOA Distinguished Budget Award and CSMFO Operating Budget Excellence Award!
Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22
The City of Hercules received its first Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Award and the California Society of Municipal Finance Officer’s (CSMFO) Operating Budget Excellence Award for the FY2021-22 budget. These awards is the highest form of recognition in government budgeting. Its attainment represents a significant achievement by this organization.
ARPA Small Business Assistance Grants
Now Pre-screening Applications
The Hercules City Council approved the implementation of the Business Grant Assistance and Business Rental Assistance programs using allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds ...
Hercules Connect
Looking for an easy way to report non-emergency issues?
Download Hercules Connect today! Our new citizen request app allows residents to report issues, access city information, view City Council agendas and more!
Download the app today!
Shop Local
Live Local I Support Local I Shop Local
The e-gift card makes it fun and easy to shop locally and support local businesses. By supporting local businesses, more money continues circulating through the local community!
Current Projects
Baywood Tree Replacement Project
Sycamore Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation
Sycamore Avenue Sewer Trunk Main Replacement
Village Parkway Traffic Calming
Swing set for Children with Disabilities
Ohlone Dog Park Tree Removal & Pruning
Baywood Tree Replacement Proj.
Completed!
This recently completed project replaced 34 nuisance trees in the Baywood neighborhood, the vast majority of which were on Baywood Lane, whose roots were damaging sewer laterals, ..
Village Parkway Traffic Calming
Installation of First Phase Underway!
Please be advised installation of the first phase of the traffic calming plan for Village Parkway and Hercules Avenue is scheduled to begin as soon as next week, depending upon the weather...
For more Construction Projects and updates, visit our Website!
We are Hercules
Happy Holidays from the City of Hercules!
City Staff decorating City Hall to bring in some holiday cheer.
Hercules Police Department Citizen's Academy Graduation
November 4, 2022
Congratulations to the 2022 Hercules Police Department Citizen's Academy who graduated last Saturday, November 4, 2022. These folks dedicated the last eight Saturdays of their personal time to get an inside look at how their local police department functions. During this time we shared lifelong experiences, built friendships, shared laughs, and created a partnership. This was the first Citizen's Academy in three years and it was evident just how special and valuable these programs are! Thank to everyone who attended, and we look forward to the 2023 academy next fall. For more photos, visit our Facebook Page!
RAP Kidz
The RAP Kidz Centers celebrated our monthly theme of Fall harvest with a fun Festival.
Aquatic Staff Training
November 19, 2022
Mandatory aquatic staff training. Practicing and repetition helps the aquatic staff stay vigilant and rescue ready.
Stay in the loop, visit our Facebook Page!
The Chief's Corner
Facebook
City Website
Police Blotter
Police Work Going Above and Beyond
[Photo Above: Sergeant Tafesse, Officer Lazo, Sergeant Barazoto]
On November 4, 2022, Sergeant Tafesse was informed of an elderly transient male who was associated with a large trailer containing all his belongings on the shoulder of Sycamore Avenue near Claey’s Ranch. The subject had traveled a great distance on a bicycle with a large trailer but broke the hitch on his trailer. He was attempting to get to the Central Valley area, but was unable to move his trailer, leaving him an extremely dangerous situation vulnerable to traffic.
Sergeant Tafesse immediately acted and moved the subject and his belongings to a safe location, out of traffic. Afterwards, Sergeant Tafesse contacted the owner of Claey’s Ranch to inform him of the situation. Sergeant Tafesse, Sergeant Barazoto and Officer Lazo improvised a plan to fix the subjects’ trailer, provided him with meals, and utilized their resources to have a trunk with a large enough trailer to transport the subject several hours away to his intended destination.
This was exceptional teamwork, decision making, and above and beyond the normal duties of our scope of employment. The subject was extremely grateful for the service our department provided him and expressed his vast amount of gratitude. It is my privilege, to recognize Sergeant Tafesse, Sergeant Barazoto, and Officer Lazo for their empathy, compassion, and the level of service they provided.
-Chief Joseph Vasquez
Upcoming Events
Holiday Tree Lighting
Hercules Community Swim Center
December 4 @ 3:30 p.m.
The Holiday Tree Lighting is a FREE community event scheduled for Sunday, December 4, beginning at 3:30 p.m. and concluding at 5:30 p.m.
There will be photos with Santa, entertainment, various community vendors and cocoa for all. Help the community by donating canned food items, gently used coats and/or unwrapped toys.
Breakfast with Santa
Hercules Community Swim Center
December 17 @ 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast with Santa is BACK!!! Food, goody bags, raffle, and of course SANTA!
Tickets are required in advanced. Don't miss out on this annual holiday tradition hosted by the Friends of the Senior Center!
Open House at
T.H.E. S.P.O.T.
Hercules Teen Center
December 6 @ 4 p.m.
Join us for our OPEN HOUSE at T.H.E. S.P.O.T. (Hercules Teen Center)! Tour the facility, meet our new Recreation Leader, and see all of the amazing programs coming up at the Teen Center.
Senior Holiday Luncheon
Hercules Senior Center
December 20 @ 11:30 a.m.
Celebrate the holidays before we close for the two-week holiday break! Enjoy a traditional holiday meal cooked by our own former chief of police, Bill Goswick, and a variety of entertainment by the Senior dance classes, door prizes, holiday music, and more!
Tickets are required in advanced. This is an event you will not want to miss!
Holiday Pop-Up Shop
Brought to you by Bayfront Chamber of Commerce
Date: December 11
Time: 1p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: The Exchange
2525 Bayfront Blvd. Suite G.,
Hercules, CA
Vendors, Photos with Santa, Food Trucks, Canned Food Drive, & More!
Food Bank
First & Third Tuesday Each Month
The Food Bank comes out to the Hercules Senior Center on the first and third Tuesday of each month, and distributes fresh fruits, vegetables, and canned goods. The next FREE food distributions are scheduled for Tuesday, December 6 and December 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please remember to bring your own bags.
This program is available to those who meet the income guidelines.
Blood Drive
Partnered with American Red Cross
Sign up today to donate blood at our next blood drive scheduled for Tuesday, December 13, from 9:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m., at Samara Terrace Van Domselaar Room, 102 Civic Dr.
All blood drives are done in partnership with the American Red Cross.
Make an Appointment (Sponsor Code HERCULES)
Or Call 1-800-RED-CROSS
Hercules Library Events
More Hercules Library Events Click Here!
The Fratello Marionettes' The North Pole Review!
At The Library
December 3, 3:30 p.m.
This music-based puppet production showcases the graceful ice skater Crystal Chandelier, the high-kicking antics of the Russian Trepak Dancers, and a trio of dazzling acrobatic penguins. Perfect seasonal fun for the whole family!
Sponsored by the Friends of the Hercules Library.
Parol Making Workshop
At The Library
December 10, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
It is the holiday season AGAIN, so it's time to make some parols! Parols are traditionally star-shaped, hand-crafted paper lanterns that have been popularized in the Philippines in celebration of the holidays. We'll bring the materials - - you bring yourself!
This extra special event is brought to you thanks to the Hercules Rotary and Interactors.