City Manager’s Bi-Weekly Report January 27, 2017 David Biggs, City Manager CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE City Manager 2016 Year In Review Letter To help keep our residents informed, I have sent all Hercules households an update letter looking back at 2016 and previewing some exciting things which will be happening in 2017. The letter is available here as well: 2016 Year in Review Letter. I hope you enjoy the update. Path to Transit Opening and Bayfront Celebration The second phase of the Hercules Regional Intermodal Transportation Center called the Path to Transit is nearly complete. The Path to Transit phase extends John Muir Parkway and connects to Bayfront Boulevard with a new bridge across Refugio Creek, together with the restoration of Refugio Creek and a new Creekside trail. The ribbon cutting ceremony for these grant funded improvements will take place on Sunday, March 5th at 11:30 AM. The ribbon cutting will be followed by the Bayfront Celebration along Bayfront Boulevard with a car show, Food Trucks, entertainment, and informational booths until 2:30 PM. Watch for more information and come down to enjoy improved access to the Bay and celebrate the completion of this important investment in the future of Hercules. Future Bus Service Community Meeting With the completion of the Path to Transit project, the City and WestCat are looking to introduce bus service to the Bayfront later this year. We are planning a community meeting for later in February or March to solicit community input on short and long-term bus service, both local and regional, in the west side of town north of San Pablo Avenue and west of John Muir Parkway. This is part of the City’s on-going General Plan Circulation Element update as well. Once a date is sent, we will be sending out information to those who live in the area and the community in general. Remembering Former Council Member Bill Kelly Bill Kelly, who completed his four year term as a Hercules City Council Member on December 13th, and who chose not to seek reelection, passed away on Monday, January 23rd. Council Member Kelly will be long remembered for his service and commitment to the City of Hercules and the community. His many accomplishments as a Council Member were articulated in a proclamation he was presented at his final City Council meeting: 1 PROCLAMATION HONORING COUNCIL MEMBER BILL KELLY 2012 - 2016 WHEREAS, Bill Kelly has had a career both in law enforcement and as a lawyer and was elected to the Hercules City Council in November 2012; and WHEREAS, Council Member Kelly served on the Council’s Subcommittee on Public Safety and Traffic and the Council’s Subcommittee on Economic Development and also served on the Board of the East Bay Economic Development Alliance which raised the profile of the City of Hercules in the East Bay as a place for business investment; and WHEREAS, Council Member Kelly was the City’s delegate to the East Bay Division of the League of California Cities and represented the City with the Association of Bay Area Governments; and WHEREAS, Council Member Kelly was actively engaged in the sale process for the Sycamore North project, which secured Carmel Partners as the developer and which resulted in the completion of the long moth-balled project known locally as the “White Elephant” to the very successful Aventine apartment community; and WHEREAS, together with his colleagues, Council Member Kelly successfully resolved issues related to the AMBAC litigation which threatened the City’s financial situation and allowed for the successful disposition of former redevelopment assets; and WHEREAS, during his term on the Council, the City, with grant funding, completed the Bay Trail and Path to Transit phases of the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center; and WHEREAS, during his tenure the City secured the renewal of two local tax measures necessary to sustain services and made progress on the path to financial sustainability by producing balanced budgets, boosting reserves, beginning to reinstate employee wage and benefit concessions, and reestablishing a level of investment in infrastructure. NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED that I, Dan Romero, Mayor of the City of Hercules, on behalf of the entire City Council and the Hercules community, do hereby recognize and honor Council Member Bill Kelly for his contributions to the City and to the community. In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and cause the Seal of the City of Hercules to be affixed this 13th day of December, 2016. Dan Romero, Mayor 2 West Side Park Amenities On Tuesday, January 24th, the City Council made an initial selection from options identified through a community outreach process to add amenities to a park on the west side of town. The option the Council selected, and for which staff will be developing an implementation plan, is to add a restroom structure and half basketball court to Duck Pond Park on Sycamore Avenue. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES COMMISSION VACANCIES The City Council is recruiting for interested residents to fill a vacancy on the Finance Commission and as the City representative on the Contra Costa County Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control District. If interested, you may complete an on-line application by going to the City’s website, and clicking on Commission Application. The City Council is also recruiting for interested residents to serve as the City’s representative on the Citizens Advisory Committee to the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. To receive any application for this position, contact Sherry M. Kelly at 510.799.8215 or via e-mail at [email protected]. Applications should be submitted no later than February 10, 2017. For additional information, contact Sherry M. Kelly, Interim Administrative Services Director/City Clerk at 510.799.8215 or at [email protected]. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Building Inspection Division Jan 06 thru Jan 20, 2017 FY 2016/17 YTD Number of the permits issued: 22 511 Total Fee Collected: 10,721.00 876,789.84 Number of Inspections: 21 244 New Housing: 26 31 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Maintenance & Operations – Staff completed their regularly scheduled custodial and facility- related tasks in public parks and buildings. They also responded to the storms including having downed and leaning trees removed, unplugging catch basins and drain lines, sweeping mud and debris off the streets, and filling potholes. Engineering –Construction on the $11.7M Path To Transit phase of the Regional Intermodal Transit Center is nearly completed. The contractor is installing landscaping and will pave the 3 Creekside Trail later this week. The Bay Trail West segment has been designed and is slated for construction Summer 2017. Staff has secured the environmental permits for the project. The developer for the Muir Pointe residential development completed installing the utilities on John Muir Parkway. The $46M Pinole-Hercules Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Project is moving forward on schedule, the contractor is constructing the new headworks facility and solid waste handling facility. The project will span 3 years and is 27% complete. The City’s pavement management program update is nearing completion and staff is focusing on transportation-related grant funding opportunities and next year’s street resurfacing projects. The contractor for the pool replastering project at the Community Center is on schedule to complete the project late February. PERMITS Sewer Lateral Inspection Program: Number of application received: 5 Sewer Lateral Inspection Fees Collected: $625 Number of Certifications issued: 5 Number of Deficiency Notices issued: 2 Wide Load/Transportation Permits Issued: 0 Encroachment Permits Issued: 8 Hernandez Sand Bag Machine at the City Hall Sand & Bag Station Andy demonstrates his invention, which makes it easier for residents to load their own sandbags Yet another example of the talent and commitment to service from City Employees! 4 PARKS AND RECREATION The Parks & Recreation Department offers a wide variety of classes and programs that help promote community, a healthy lifestyle, and provides recreational experiences and fun for all ages. For additional information visit Parks & Recreation or register online for a class or program today! AQUATICS: Pool Closure: The re-plastering project at the pool is moving along nicely. The plaster has been removed, broken/chipped tiles have been replaced, and the pool is being prepped for the plaster work. All indications are that the project is running on schedule. The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of February, and the City plans to reopen the pool by March 1. Swim Teams: As previously mentioned, while the pool is closed the City of Hercules has made arrangements for the Swim Team to practice at the Crockett Swimming Pool, part of the Crockett Community Services District. In addition, the High School swim team begins their season February 6, and they will also be swimming at the Crockett Pool until our pool project is completed. Year round registration for the Hercules East Bay Silver Dolphins is underway. To join the team, swimmers must be able to swim 25 yards unassisted; swim practices are based on the swimmer’s swimming ability which is determined by the coaching staff. Beginners are classified as Spinners ($80 per month), intermediate swimmers are classified as Age Group ($86 per month), and the advanced swimmers are the Advance Group ($96 per month). At the time of registration, the swimmer’s first and last month’s dues are paid in full, as well as a USA swimmer fee of $80 made payable to EBSD. Lap Swim Hours: Lap swim is not available at this time due to pool closure. CHILD CARE: Tiny Tots Programs (Preschool): Preschool staff are working on letters P.Q.R.S the color red and the concept big and small.