The City of Hercules was organized, formed, and incorporated under the laws of the State of California on December 15, 1900. The City has a “Council–Manager” general law form of government where the City Manager is appointed by the City Council and is the Chief Executive Officer of the Municipal Corporation. The Council acts as the board of directors of the municipal corporation and meets in a public forum where citizens may participate in the governmental process.

The City Council consists of five members, elected at-large on a non-partisan basis, who serve staggered four-year terms. City elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November in even numbered years. In December of each year, the City Council conducts a reorganization of the Council at which time the Mayor and Vice Mayor are appointed for one-year terms. The Mayor and City Council members receive a monthly stipend set by resolution (Council members are currently compensated $792 per month for their service).

The City Council establishes City policies, approves ordinances and resolutions, makes land use decisions, approves agreements and contracts, and hears appeals on decisions made by City staff or advisory committees.

In addition to appointing the City Manager, the City Council also appoints the City Attorney and members of the Planning Commission and Community and Library Services Commissions. The Council also appoints residents to serve as the City’s representative to various regional committees and boards.

Meetings of the Hercules City Council are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Meetings are typically held in the Council Chambers in City Hall, but the City Council may select another location within the City to conduct a regular meeting, should it be necessary. In addition, should circumstances require, any regular meeting may be adjourned to a certain date and time. The “adjourned regular meeting” is considered a regular meeting for all purposes. A Special meeting may also be called in a manner consistent with the laws of the State of California. 

Successor Agency to the Hercules Redevelopment Agency
With the adoption of Resolution 12-005, the City Council elected to serve as the Successor Agency to the Hercules Redevelopment Agency.    The successor agency is charged with the responsibility of paying off the former Redevelopment Agency's non-housing debts, disposing of the former Redevelopment Agency's properties and assets to help pay off debts and return revenues to the local government entities that receive property taxes, and winding up the affairs of the former Redevelopment Agency. The meetings of the Successor Agency are held on an as needed basis preceding a regular City Council meeting which are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.