The Patch continues to run their series of “prominent Herculeans” and their predictions for 2012.

Similar to Mayor Romero, Councilman Bill Wilkins expects a finalized waterfront deal: “2012 will bring the conclusion of negotiations for the ITC and Waterfront Development and the approved agreements will have been signed by all parties. The City and Hercules Bay Front LLC will be working to move both projects forward. The City should be working on the Bay Trail and infrastructure needed for both the ITC and Waterfront Projects to be successful.”

Although this is a positive outlook on a very critical project for the city’s recovery (note the non-capitalized ‘c’ in city), signs are emerging that cracks remain in the City’s commitment to executing a fair deal. In fact, the pretense within the City Manager’s description in his latest weekly report of the current standoff between the City and owner/developer (Jim Anderson of AndersonPacific) is telling (emphasis mine): “The Implementation Agreements, Tentative Map and Waterside Purchase and Sale Agreement are yet to be finalized and the approved Landside PSA [purchase and sale agreement], which the owner/developer has refused to execute until the other documents are approved, will require modification due to delays in funding.”

City Manager Steve Duran is new to Hercules so he must not realize its very recent history of a council and staff conspiring against waterfront residents to prevent progress and funneling bond funds (meant for the waterfront project) to other projects in decisions that were hidden from public view (Sycamore North, New Town Center, very nearly Hilltown) that ultimately bankrupted the city (just not officially). The previous council repeatedly lied, distorted facts, and acted against the interest of the city. The staff followed orders and never exercised their civic duty to speak up and act for what was clearly wrong (except in one case when everything was crumbling down anyway).

The actions of the past council and staff has resulted in the following in the past year or so (in no order):

• two veteran councilmembers being trounced in an election to reformers;
• the most popular city politician resigning in the face of a recall;
• two councilmembers being recalled;
• three reformers being elected to office;
• the hiring (and firing) of an outsider interim city manager;
• the hiring of two insider interim city managers;
• the replacement of the city attorney;
• key staff changes (a lot of department heads shown the door); and
• the hiring of a permanent city manager (Duran).

That is probably not even the half of it, if that. The point being — this city remains in a period of uncertainty. Almost everything the City owns and stands for is debatable — land assets, staff, programs, even the tax base. It is quite unfortunate, but the City needs to retreat from its steep demands to make this work. The project and the future of the city (again, the lowercase ‘c’) require it.

And you don’t buy a car without knowing what the dealer will pay for your trade-in.