Hercules
California
City Of Hercules Herald Issue No. 4 - January 10, 2023
Government and Politics
January 11, 2023
From: City Of HerculesMessage from the City Manager
Hello Hercules!
I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed New Year. I am incredibly excited to kick off the new year and look forward to all the great things we have planned over the next couple of months. Here are a few projects to be on the lookout for:
Parks and Recreation Facility Master Plan
Hercules is home to a large community park, seven neighborhood parks, and five mini-parks. Refugio Valley Park and Trail is about 55 acres and the other parks provide another 73 acres of park space. The City has made significant investments over time to maintain and improve its parks and recreation facilities. Based on feedback from the community, the City has initiated a planning effort to assess our parks system to identify future recreation needs, and strategically allocate available resources (including grant opportunities) to meet those needs over the next 10 years. We have established a webpage for the initiative located here: PR-Facilities-Masterplan. Please stay engaged!
The Hercules Hub
The effort to establish the Hercules Hub has ramped up! The Hercules Hub is a regional, state-of-the-art housing and transportation development along our waterfront. It will connect thousands of housing units with a new train stop along the Capitol Corridor, bicycle and pedestrian pathways, bus routes, carpool options, and a future ferry service. We have also established a webpage for this initiative located here: Hercules Hub. When complete, the Hub will be a model for successful transit-oriented communities throughout the Bay Area and state.
Please enjoy this issue of the Hercules Herald and find out what else is going on around town, and the latest on upcoming events, and programs.
Here's to an extraordinary 2023!
Sincerely,
Dante Hall
City Manager
City Offices Closed - New Year Holiday
January 2
Planning Commission Meeting - Cancelled
January 3 @ 7 p.m.
Community & Library Services Meeting
January 9 @ 7 p.m.
January 10 @ 7 p.m.
January 14 @ 9 a.m.
January 14 @ 10 a.m.
City Offices Closed - MLK Jr. Holiday
January 16
Planning Commission Meeting - Cancelled
January 17 @ 7 p.m.
City Council Meeting (Special Shirtsleeves)
January 17 @ 6:30 p.m.
January 18 @ 7 p.m.
January 21 @ 2 p.m.
January 24 @ 6 p.m.
Library - Lunar New Year Celebration
January 24 @ 6:30 p.m.
The Mayor's Minute
A Message From Our New City Mayor!
The Mayor's Minute is a short monthly video update from the Mayor about recent City Council actions, city projects of interest, and upcoming events.
In the News
November 8 Election Results
December 13, 2022
[Left Photo Above: Mayor Alexander Walker-Griffin I Right Photo Above: Re-elected Councilmember Dion Bailey and Re-elected Councilmember Chris Kelley.]
During the December 13 City Council meeting, the Council certified the November 8 election results, appointed Alexander Walker-Griffin as the new Mayor, and swore in Council Members Dion Bailey and Chris Kelley.
Join the City of Hercules in welcoming its new Mayor and Council Members!
Revised Draft Housing Element Released
Revisions in response to HCD Comments
The City of Hercules is revising its General Plan Housing Element for 2023-31 as required by state law. In response to comments received from the state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), the City has revised the draft...
Winter/Spring 2023 Activity Guide
Check Out Our Programs!
Looking for a new fitness opportunity to start your new year’s resolution? The City of Hercules has several new programs beginning in January. In addition to the current programs like Karate, Zumba and Jazzercise, we are excited to offer Xtreme Hip Hop for Fitness, Boxing for Health and Omni Movement (Muay Thai) to our programs.
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!
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!
Projects
1. Baywood Tree Replacement Project
2. Sycamore Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation
3. Sycamore Avenue Sewer Trunk Main Replacement
4. Village Parkway Traffic Calming
5. Swingset for Children with Disabilities
6. Ohlone Dog Park Tree Removal & Pruning
We are Hercules
Breakfast with Santa - December 17, 2022
Hosted by the Friends of the Hercules Senior Center & Sponsors
High lights of the event include photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Clause, holiday music, raffle prizes, face painting, cookie decorating, and of course a delicious breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon and more. Thank you everyone that helped at Breakfast with Santa Friends of the Hercules Senior Center, Interact Club, and volunteers for helping make this event run smoothly.
Annual Tree Lighting - Sunday, December 4, 2022.
The Parks and Recreation department would like to recognize the 14 City Recognized Nonprofit Groups, the East Bay Silver Dolphins, Starbucks and several of our Contractors set up tables as well. Special recognition goes out to the Bayfront Chamber for organizing all the wonderful entertainment, as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the donation bins (One Warm Coat, Toy Drive, and Food Drive). We would also like to recognize the Interact Club at Hercules High School for volunteering at the event. And last but not least, thank you to Hercules PD for helping with traffic, and RHFD for putting the lights on the tree. Overall, the event was very successful, with approximately 600 community members in attendance.
Senior Center Holiday Luncheon - December 20, 2022
The Holiday Luncheon had an amazing turn out with 100 participants! Thank you Bill Goswick for cooking the delicious meal and to everyone that helped make this such a successful event.
Stay in the loop, visit our Facebook Page!
Staff Spotlight
Police Commander Chris Kim
Police Department
Chris Kim was born in Seoul, South Korea and moved to Texas with his mother and older sister when he was eight years old. Having lived in Texas, he is a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan!
He was hired as Police Officer Trainee on December 3, 2007, and was sponsored through the Evergreen Police Academy in San Jose. Chris has worked in several assignments including Corporal, Field Training Officer, Field Training Officer Supervisor, POA President, and Patrol Sergeant for the last five years. Chris attended the California Coast University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. He is currently working towards a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.
After participating in a challenging examination process, Chris was selected to be our next Police Commander and was officially appointed on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2023. He will be assigned to the Administrative Commander position and oversee Investigations and Records personnel. Congratulations to Commander Chris Kim, and we look forward to working with him in his new leadership position.
Chris Kim - “Being a part of the City of Hercules has helped me develop into not just a better Police Officer, but more importantly a better person. I feel honored to be part of such a dynamic organization.”
The Chief's Corner
Upcoming Events
Winter Walk Challenge
Hosted by 511 Contra Costa
Fun, free, and healthy: 511 Contra Costa’s Winter Walk Challenge will get you outside and on the move. Sign up and receive a new challenge each Monday, January through March.
You’ll complete fun and easy challenges while walking to earn entries in weekly drawings for $20 Amazon gift cards (10 winners each week!) Be entered to win the iPad Grand Prize just by signing up.
Start 2023 on the right foot and register today!
CC Cafe - Chinese New Year
Hercules Senior Center
January 18 @ 11:30 a.m.
Join us at the Hercules Senior Center on Wednesday, 1/18, at 11:30am, for a Chinese New Year “themed lunch.” We will enjoy chicken and vegetable stir fry, brown rice, bean medley, Asian slaw, tangerine, and ice cream!
Please call 510-799-8219, to reserve your lunch at least one day in advance by noon.
$3 suggested donation for seniors 60+, under 60 is $5.00.
Call 510-799-8219 for Reservation and Info
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, January 3 and January 17 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, January 10, from 9:30 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 Library Events
More Hercules Library Events Click Here!
Let Freedom Ring: A MLK, Jr. Day Celebration
At The Library
January 14, 10 a.m.
We invite you to join Hercules' annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration, hosted by and held at Hercules Library. This year we are inspired by a powerful line from Dr. King`s I Have a Dream speech...
Lunar New Year
At The Library (Hybrid Event)
January 21, 2pm
It’s the Year of the Water Rabbit! Hop into Zoom with us on Saturday, January 21st at 2pm for a fun and informative webinar in celebration of the Lunar New Year with the Asian Art Museum. Register online or join us for a public viewing at the Hercules library.
Presented by the Asian Art Museum.
This program is generously sponsored by The Friends of the Hercules Library.
Lunar New Year Celebration
At The Library
January 24, 6:30 p.m.
Come celebrate Lunar New Year and the Year of the Rabbit at Hercules Library! After many years, Yee's Martial Arts will return to the library to perform a Lion Dance & Kung Fu demonstration. Don't miss crafts for kids and book displays in the children's area too.
This free library program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Hercules Library.