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| Mayor Trupiano |
By the time you read this, Clayton’s City Hall will be fully staffed with an unrivaled team of experienced employees that are committed to the community, to each other and to being results oriented.
Thank you to our City Manager, Kris Lofthus, who has been hard
at work building this outstanding team, by rightsizing the staff’s roles and responsibilities, vetting through hundreds of applicants and finding the best employees to support our City.
We now have a new Police Chief, Jeremy Crone, a new Administrative Services Director, Dennis Bozanich, a new City Clerk/Assistant to the City Manager, Leticia Miguel, a new Administrative Clerk, Sklyer Aitken, a new Community Development Technician, Jason McKinely and a Community Services Leader, Janessa Torres and joining us on September 2nd, we will welcome our first Public Works Director/City Engineer and a new Senior Planner. These exceptional employees are ready to serve the needs of the residents of Clayton.
Finances
Over the last two years, many of us on City Council, along with City staff, have done the hard work of scrubbing the financial data, scrutinizing expense and revenue data, engaging the services of UBS to manage our investment account, implementing an accurate and updated Master Fee Schedule, making quality appointments to the Financial Sustainability Committee, attending monthly (sometimes bi-weekly) Budget & Audit committee meetings, tasked with reviewing budget projections, contract analysis, updating the City’s investment policy and bringing those recommendations back to the Council at large.
In August, we held Part One of a multi-part series on revenue generating ideas and will be taking a deeper dive to determine the City’s needs and estimate what level of services we as a community can afford and supports, as it relates to major things like roads and paving, sidewalk repair and ADA improvements, special district funding, landscaping and maintenance and future staffing needs.
City Projects
At the end of this year, the City is embarking on Phase I of a three-part library refresh project with Contra Costa County Library and the Clayton Community Library Foundation. Phase I will include all new paint and carpeting, for both the library and Hoyer Hall, as well as some new furniture. We know this is the most cherished building in the community and our collective goal is to make even more inviting to the public.
As one project begins, another is coming to a close this month and that project is in partnership with Climatec. The Climatec project was launched in 2023 and once completed will include all new irrigation controls, new HVAC systems, new interior and exterior LED lighting, a solar array panel that will provide energy to City Hall and the library, as well as a new two-vehicle EV charging station in the library parking lot. We hope to announce a “flip the switch” date and ribbon cutting soon.
Housing Element
After many years and even more meetings with our consultant and the Housing and Community Development Department (HCD), I am excited to share that both the Planning Commission and the City Council have approved the final version of the City’s Sixth Housing Element and we are awaiting final certification from HCD in the next 60 days. Thank you again to our City Manager for all of his work in getting us over the finish line.
On the Horizon
We will shortly be launching the 311 app, which will provide the community with an easy method for reporting issues they see needing attention throughout the City including but not limited to sidewalk repair, potholes, irrigation problems, graffiti and more.
We are also reviewing new rental facility software for our city-owned buildings and parks, in order to make reservations and payments easy and seamless for the community.
Save the Date
Hispanic Heritage Day Event on September 20th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, at The Grove, to include food, music, dancing and lots of fun!
Holidays in The Grove, in partnership with the CBCA, Saturday, December 6, at 5:00 pm at The Grove Park, downtown.
Thank you to all who attended, volunteered, sponsored, performed and participated in our 18th Annual Concerts in the Grove. It was an outstanding season and we could not have been successful without everyone who made it happen. Here’s to season 19 in 2026!
I will be hosting a State of the City Town Hall meeting November 5 at 6:00 p.m. in Hoyer Hall, with updates from myself, our City Manager, Kris Lofthus, and each of our department heads. It will also provide you, the community, with an opportunity to ask us questions, and field your concerns so we can understand what’s important to you now and for our City’s future.
If you would like to reach me, you may contact me at kimt@claytonca.gov or at 925.673.7324. Remember, we are stronger together!
Thank you, Kim for keeping us updated. Both Cathy and I are glad that the city is moving in the right direction and can’t thank you enough.
ReplyDeleteI’m so glad we have adults back in the room. Cloven and Tillman are just kids trying to play an adult game.
ReplyDeleteWhat a contrast to the garbage Holly puts out. Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteHolly's "guest editorial" was an insult to the City of Clayton. The good thing is the fake news paper that gave her too much attention is now out of business.
DeleteThe city is in much better shape now that it is no longer under the control of the CBCA. It's a positive development that the CBCA has been removed from city hall and is required to pay fair wages for 2025. The next step is to deal with the troublemaker, and we all know who that is. She should be punished for all the shame, disgrace and cost she has caused the city.
ReplyDeleteI was informed by a reliable source that during Tamara's retirement party this past weekend, marking the closing of the “Clayton Pioneer”, several individuals were once again spreading the tired and unfounded rumor that the city is going broke.
ReplyDeleteIt’s incredibly disappointing that what should have been a moment to honor Tamara’s career and legacy was instead used by a few to push negativity. This event was meant to celebrate a community member, not serve as a platform to undermine the city with baseless claims.
Even more concerning is that the individuals involved are longtime members of a local nonprofit, people who should be promoting unity and truth, not division and misinformation.
Let’s focus on facts, not fear-mongering. Our community deserves better.
Who were these two individuals? I can only guess.
ReplyDeleteLet me take a guess at who these individuals might be: a husband and wife team who have been disparaging Clayton for over four and a half years, labeling residents as racist, describing the town as a "sundown town," and accusing the city of homophobia. They really ought to take a long, hard look in the mirror; they are far from perfect and, like the rest of us, have their own significant flaws. They should take their hate and disdain for Clayton and move!
ReplyDeleteI think you might be mistaken. It could be them, but from what I’ve been told, it sounds like it’s actually a couple who live in Westwood.
DeleteSick people.
DeleteWhat were they celebrating? Answer= A failed newspaper and editor.
DeleteI was at the celebration and heard them trashing our town with this "going broke" nonsense. This couple should post the facts on this website to support their nonsense or shut up, but we all know they will not do either one because they want to hide and snipe at the city every chance they get.
DeleteAny names or initials?
DeleteThank you, Kim! What a great lineup of events, Hispanic Heritage Day and Holidays in The Grove sound like so much fun. Congrats on a fantastic Concerts in the Grove season, and looking forward to the Town Hall and all that’s ahead! It’s so nice to see so much positive.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kim, but just wondering why we need a study of the landscaping services meeting our needs? Isn't the obvious answer no. I will give you one obvious location (although there are several others). Please visit the Clayton Downton entrance sign location. 1. Why can't you read the bottom of the corner sign which declares this is where our restaurants and shops are. 2. Notice the "CLAYTON" sign area - nice set of dead weeds and un-manicured bushes in front of this sign. 3. Check out at night the number of lighting elements that don't work. 3. Obvious from the soil condition and the stressed out to almost dead plants the irrigation system is not working 4. Just look at the number of weeds, rutted paths etc. - does are maintenance department really care for this area? - Answer is no! Time for a radical approach: asse the needs throughout the City including ALL neighborhood input. Then have someone (not maintenance do and independent scope of work style assessment. Then, bid the work out to bonded contractors to provide the services. Finally for those other duties that maintenance waste our resources on, hire a handyman firm to take care of the rest. .... What you will have is a great and practical assessment of the needs and costs... a guaranteed responsive service provider and OH guess what as a bonus no more legacy costs and maybe you could even get some money from selling off some of the one-manned trucks that I see wasting our money. I get you won't do this, but this is the real solution.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is time to change direction. The current approach is not working. Use contractors and hold them accountable.
DeleteI also agree seems like every time they "they review" or look into something they decide to do the things the same way BUT we need to pay more!
DeleteWOW Someone in the City must read this site - we finally had maint. work at the entry sign. Too bad our incompetent maintenance department can't clean up after themselves but instead they create a safety hazard for Sunday walkers with all their bags stuffed up against and impeding access to the cross-walk crossing button. Just another indication they really don't give a damn about us.
DeleteThe city council is exploring avenues to increase revenues as necessary to ensure service levels are improved, etc. This is the same as has been requested for years. Why now is it a good thing and was not before. Prior there were attacks on previous CM's Prebula and Schwartz who said we needed to increase revenue. Now it is all good? We are coming to the same conclusions and now the likes of Jeff Wan, Kim Trupiano are getting the city moving in the right direction. Don't get it.
ReplyDeleteAttention Mr. Don’t Get It
DeleteThere’s a big difference here, Reina and Brett simply didn’t know their numbers. It’s on record that the City’s checkbook hadn’t been balanced in over 18 months. During that entire period, Peter Cloven was serving as Mayor and Holly Tillman as Vice Mayor.
Instead of fixing the problem, their focus was on raising taxes. They pushed a parcel tax that would have cost residents $400 per year, despite the fact that the City already had a $12 million reserve available. That is the definition of over-taxation.
Clayton residents were saddled with poor leadership from the Mayor and Vice Mayor, paired with two dysfunctional and inept City Managers. This combination created instability at City Hall and eroded public trust.
So why is it important to discuss possible tax increases now? Because this time, it’s being done responsibly. We finally know our numbers. We have accurate accounting and a clear picture of the City’s finances. That transparency is what makes the difference.
Now, hopefully you get it.
Spot on. Thanks for sharing this information. Timothy P.
DeleteThe fact remains we are looking at the same kinds of taxes now as in the past. If we need to pay more...so be it. But blaming the "other guy" for the same solution does not explain anything. Diza was the mayor during this time that the checkbook went unbalanced. Why didnt he fix it?
ReplyDeleteLet’s Stick to the Facts - Accountability Matters
DeleteIt’s time we bring the conversation back to facts and responsibility, not finger-pointing and political misdirection.
Lately, some voices have tried to blame former Mayor Diaz for the city’s financial challenges. But the truth is, during his administration, the Budget and Finance Committee was actively monitoring income and expenses. Regular city council meetings made it clear to anyone paying attention: the city had a healthy reserve and surplus, and there was no fiscal emergency. Everyone involved agreed, there was no need to rush new taxes onto citizens until we had full clarity and all the numbers in hand.
In contrast, under Cloven and Tillman, we saw a push to “tax and spend” without understanding the real financial situation. They were ready to move forward without waiting for the data or respecting the oversight mechanisms already in place. That’s not leadership, that’s recklessness.
Even more concerning, during their time in office, $50,000 was hacked from the city’s checkbook, and nothing was done. No action. No accountability. That’s not just poor management, it’s a failure to protect the public’s trust and money.
If we’re going to talk about taxes, surpluses, and financial responsibility, then let’s have an honest conversation based on facts, not political spin. Diaz acted with caution and transparency. Cloven and Tillman did not. It’s that simple.
Let’s stop rewriting history to score political points. The citizens deserve the truth, and real accountability.
And you are doing just what you say we shouldnt do...finger pointing!!
DeleteIt really simple, under Wolf, Cloven and Tillman there was no leadership, just three incompetent politicians pushing political spin. Now, Clayton has four leaders pushing fact based decisions. John and Jan T
DeleteSo here we go again straight to more taxes when there has been zero accountability from the various departments that are in place to provide the services. How many new trucks has the maintenance department procured over the last few years ...many - look at the state of our landscaping. We have elevated persons to non-working supervisors what does that get us...nothing. The problem is NO ACCOUTABILITY!
DeleteTelling the truth and holding people accountable is essential. Naming individuals helps alert the public to those who are not fulfilling their responsibilities. It’s time we return to doing what’s right for the community.
DeleteIn reality, Cloven, Tillman, Schwartz, and Prebula aimed to create misleading narratives of a deficit exceeding $600,000. They preferred to impose taxes and spend without providing any concrete evidence, as none of them are inclined to engage in hard work. Instead, they rely on copying and pasting, posing for photographs, and labeling others as liars.
ReplyDeleteThe Financial Sustainability Committee has not met since Feb 3 and has made no recommendations to the City Council. A waste of time.
ReplyDeleteThat committee was Peter Cloven’s idea! He wanted to appoint 3 or more past CBCA treasurers and say they had enough financial experience. Of course they would all have been yes men. The current committee is made up of real financial professionals. A lot of people don’t know but Howard Geller applied and quickly pulled his application. Oh ya, there’s a real financial guy! Another real estate guy wishing for life to be like it was before 2008!
DeleteIt's encouraging to see dedicated professionals working quietly and thoughtfully behind the scenes. They're focused on accuracy and long-term impact, not headlines or politics. When the time is right, I'm sure they'll share their findings in a well-prepared report that reflects real financial expertise and insight. Dates mean nothing, accuracy and accountability is more important.
DeleteThey have been established since spring of 2024. They were recently asked to present their findings to the Council and reported nothing, even stating that they may not need to exist. They should be working transparently not behind the scenes.
DeleteSo many people use the word transparent yet they can’t define it. If they reported what isn’t transparent? In reality, the elected council should be the ones doing this work. But since Peter Cloven wanted to play bocce ball instead, he came up with this idea. Sadly, the only ones complaining are those who are also clueless about finance and keep saying we are headed for disaster. Nothing sells like fear!
DeleteTransparency in this case means they should be meeting and reporting out in open session. Can you find anything that shows what they have concluded in their limited meetings?
DeleteThe combination of Mayor Trupiano and Jeff Wan is two of the best and most diligent people to EVER work at City Hall. I for one am thrilled they both stepped up ran for office and did the hard work that only other people endlessly talked about. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteOur finances are getting in order because of Jeff and Kim. Meanwhile Holly Tillman claims to be finance expert. That’s laughable. Her job was never in real finance. And when she was on Budget & Audit committee she had no clue what she was doing.
DeleteHolly has no background in finance; she was merely a customer service representative. She often appears unsure of what she is doing, except when it comes to posing for pictures—she excels at that. Holly is insincere, untrustworthy, and will betray others to achieve her goals. I speak from experience. I'm relieved that we are no longer friends. She revealed her true nature as a narcissistic manipulator who never apologizes and consistently takes credit for successes that she did not contribute to at all.
DeleteI am not a financial person so I won't comment on the city's budget issues. I am glad we have CPA Vice Mayor Jeff and Mayor Kim on the council keeping an eye on how our tax money is spent. It is to bad we still have Tilman and her friends hiding in the bushes and sniping at the city. My daddy always said if you can't face someone with your BS you are probably lying.
ReplyDeleteHolly and her crew are nothing but dishonest. The leadership of CBCA, including Holly’s husband, Matt, is equally untrustworthy. Matt has shown himself to be a sneaky opportunist, often seen wearing his upside-down Clayton hat while recording meetings and taking surveillance photos. My strong advice is to steer clear of the Tillmans—they are a toxic presence. Avoid them and the followers who blindly support them without questioning their actions.
Delete