Hercules Council Holds Closed Session on City Manager Position

The Hercules City Council convened a brief special meeting on Aug. 3, 2026, for a single purpose: a closed session to discuss the future of the city's top executive post. With Interim City Manager Patrick Tang currently at the helm, the session signals that deliberations over permanent leadership are underway.

• Council meets behind closed doors on City Manager employment, with no public comment and no reportable outcome captured

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City Manager Search Moves Behind Closed Doors

The basics: Under Government Code Section 54957, California local governments may meet in closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, evaluation, discipline, or dismissal of a public employee. The City Manager is the city's chief executive, overseeing day-to-day operations, budget execution, and staff.

Why it matters: Patrick Tang is serving in an interim capacity, and the decision to hire a permanent City Manager — or take other employment action — will shape Hercules's governance and administrative direction for years.

Where things stand: Mayor Christine Kelley called the special session to order at 5:30 p.m. The City Clerk conducted roll call: Mayor Kelley, Vice Mayor Alex Walker-Griffin, Councilmember Dilli Bhattarai, and Councilmember Dion Bailey were present. Councilmember Tiffany Grimsley was absent.

The City Attorney read the sole item on the agenda: "Tonight we have one closed session item, pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 with regard to public employment for the city manager position."

No members of the public commented on the item before the Council moved into closed session.

Mayor Kelley then directed the body into closed session: "We will now go into closed session."

What's next: No closed session report-out was captured in the available recording, so it is not known whether the Council took reportable action. Any hiring decision or other employment action would need to be disclosed publicly. The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Sept. 8, 2026.