City Council Correspondence: The excerpts below have been sourced from the Diablo Gazette to share with the Clayton Watch Community. You can access the article in the Diablo Gazette's website by following this link:
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What the Results Mean for Our City
by Jeff Wan, Mayor
Restoring What We Already Own
A System Without a Schedule
Since 2019, I have raised concerns that still exist today. The City does not have a comprehensive inventory or maintenance schedule for many of its assets. We have not clearly defined how often key items should be inspected or maintained. How often should the Library be painted? How often should trees along trails be assessed? How frequently should road markings or sidewalks be reviewed? Too often, the answer is unclear. Instead, the City has relied on an ad hoc approach. When a problem becomes visible, it gets addressed. When it does not, it can go years without attention. This creates gaps where routine maintenance is missed and small issues grow into larger ones. At the same time, the City has increased its reserves. That is a positive step and reflects fiscal discipline. But it also highlights a tradeoff. When maintenance is deferred, costs shift into the future while needs continue to build.
That approach is starting to change. With new leadership and a renewed focus, staff have begun identifying and addressing deferred maintenance across the City. An initial list of projects was recently presented. It is not complete, but it marks a shift toward a more proactive approach. Work is already underway. Weed abatement and landscape maintenance have expanded across major corridors, hillsides, and open space, with more areas scheduled in the coming weeks. Crews are also addressing core needs such as irrigation repairs, removal of dead vegetation, replanting, fence repairs, and ongoing tree trimming throughout the community and along trails. We are also addressing a backlog of safety-related items, including curb painting, replacement of street signs, roadway reflectors, and refreshed striping at intersections and crosswalks. These improvements directly affect visibility and safety for drivers and pedestrians.
Investing in Longer-Term Improvements
Alongside this work, the City is advancing more significant infrastructure projects. We are moving toward more durable roadway repairs through a new pothole contract focused on longer-lasting solutions. This will be supported by a broader pavement project planned for Summer and Fall 2026. Pedestrian safety is also a priority. Downtown improvements will include raised crossings and intersections, along with flashing beacon systems to increase visibility at key locations. Beyond downtown, an ADA-accessible pathway between Four Oaks Lane and Pine Hollow is in design and supported by dedicated funding. Trail improvements, including repairs to the Cardinet Trail, are also moving forward. These efforts reflect a more coordinated approach to safety, accessibility, and long-term reliability.
From Reactive to Routine
The goal is simple. We need to move from an ad hoc system to a scheduled one. That means creating a clear inventory of City assets, setting maintenance intervals, and planning for these needs on a recurring basis. With that structure in place, we can manage costs more effectively and predictably. We have made progress in building reserves. Now we need to apply that same discipline to maintaining what those reserves are meant to protect. Taking care of what we already own may not draw attention, but it is one of the most important responsibilities we have as a City.
Cities often focus on what is new. New projects are visible and easy to point to. But the more important work is maintaining what we already have. Our City is responsible for a wide range of public assets, including the library, roads, parks, sidewalks, trails, and open space. All of these require regular care. Paint fades, trees grow, road markings wear down, and infrastructure ages. That is expected. The issue is how we manage that responsibility.
A System Without a Schedule
Since 2019, I have raised concerns that still exist today. The City does not have a comprehensive inventory or maintenance schedule for many of its assets. We have not clearly defined how often key items should be inspected or maintained. How often should the Library be painted? How often should trees along trails be assessed? How frequently should road markings or sidewalks be reviewed? Too often, the answer is unclear. Instead, the City has relied on an ad hoc approach. When a problem becomes visible, it gets addressed. When it does not, it can go years without attention. This creates gaps where routine maintenance is missed and small issues grow into larger ones. At the same time, the City has increased its reserves. That is a positive step and reflects fiscal discipline. But it also highlights a tradeoff. When maintenance is deferred, costs shift into the future while needs continue to build.
That approach is starting to change. With new leadership and a renewed focus, staff have begun identifying and addressing deferred maintenance across the City. An initial list of projects was recently presented. It is not complete, but it marks a shift toward a more proactive approach. Work is already underway. Weed abatement and landscape maintenance have expanded across major corridors, hillsides, and open space, with more areas scheduled in the coming weeks. Crews are also addressing core needs such as irrigation repairs, removal of dead vegetation, replanting, fence repairs, and ongoing tree trimming throughout the community and along trails. We are also addressing a backlog of safety-related items, including curb painting, replacement of street signs, roadway reflectors, and refreshed striping at intersections and crosswalks. These improvements directly affect visibility and safety for drivers and pedestrians.
Investing in Longer-Term Improvements
Alongside this work, the City is advancing more significant infrastructure projects. We are moving toward more durable roadway repairs through a new pothole contract focused on longer-lasting solutions. This will be supported by a broader pavement project planned for Summer and Fall 2026. Pedestrian safety is also a priority. Downtown improvements will include raised crossings and intersections, along with flashing beacon systems to increase visibility at key locations. Beyond downtown, an ADA-accessible pathway between Four Oaks Lane and Pine Hollow is in design and supported by dedicated funding. Trail improvements, including repairs to the Cardinet Trail, are also moving forward. These efforts reflect a more coordinated approach to safety, accessibility, and long-term reliability.
From Reactive to Routine
The goal is simple. We need to move from an ad hoc system to a scheduled one. That means creating a clear inventory of City assets, setting maintenance intervals, and planning for these needs on a recurring basis. With that structure in place, we can manage costs more effectively and predictably. We have made progress in building reserves. Now we need to apply that same discipline to maintaining what those reserves are meant to protect. Taking care of what we already own may not draw attention, but it is one of the most important responsibilities we have as a City.
Switching gears
I want to announce the opening of a new local business, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming - a neighborhood pet store, offering full-service grooming and a wide selection of nutritious pet treats and food. They are at 5433 Clayton Road Suite M. https://woofgangbakery.com/pages/locations/clayton
Jeff, You’ve correctly identified since 2019 that the City has no maintenance inventory or schedule. Seven years later, the fix you describe — a clear inventory and set maintenance intervals — still doesn’t exist. When will residents see the actual document, with dates?
ReplyDeleteThe landscaping looks terrible.
DeleteJeff just wants to talk about what a good guy he is and how is has improved the city. He is not and has not.
DeleteAn ‘initial list’ that’s ‘not complete’ isn’t a plan yet. Can the City publish the full asset inventory and a maintenance calendar so this can’t quietly slip back into the ad hoc approach after the next election
ReplyDeletePromises, promises, promises. Give us more and we’ll do this that and everything. Sure
ReplyDeleteSo what you’re saying is that prior councils, over the years, essentially did nothing until someone finally brought these issues to their attention? If that’s true, that’s a pretty troubling way to operate a city. It’s pretty sad when a city can’t even say with confidence the last time the curbs were painted red.
ReplyDeleteLet alone crosswalks.
DeleteWhat a useless article. Stop blaming past officials for today's problems. After all, how long have you been on the council? And why are you not addressing the ongoing talks of increased taxes? All council members are to blame for current issues.
DeleteWe need all new council members. Too bad we cannot vote them all out in November.
ReplyDeleteNo we just need council members that aren't owned by the CBCA! For too long that's all that mattered to everyone on council. Go back and watch videos of past meetings when council members gave "reports" at the beginning of of all the meetings. All you heard was CBCA CBCA CBCA! Julie Pierce never reported on the votes she was making at ABAG to turn us into apartment central. Past councils couldn't have cared less about the finances. Years of neglect can't be fixed overnight and this current council majority is actually trying to get it resolved. If you want them all out you must want all CBCA people to run our city and make the mess even bigger all so you can have an expensive beer in October while the city subsidizes their events. No thanks!
DeleteWell said! Enough of the CBCA members and their bullshit.
DeleteIt is unacceptable that, when requested in 2019, a complete list with dates and time frames was not compiled. As of 2026, it remains a serious failure that it has not yet been implemented. What is the issue? Is the city government and maintenance department truly incapable of performing such a straightforward task? This is not brain surgery, and no council member should have to repeatedly request the same list year after year, with no follow-through from staff. The staff must step up, stop making excuses, and produce the full list along with the maintenance schedule—enough delaying.
ReplyDeleteIf the City supposedly had millions sitting in reserves, then why were Carl Wolff, Peter Cloven, and Holly Tillman pushing to raise taxes $400 per parcel ? Maybe because digging into the real numbers takes hard work — and it appears the current staff is finally doing what should’ve been done years ago. - Kelly M
ReplyDeleteThe reserves have not changed significantly....and there is still a push for new taxes...led by Jeff Wan
DeleteFor years, it felt like politics by photo-op and popularity contest instead of doing the hard work of understanding the City’s finances. Two are gone, one remains. Maybe now the focus can finally stay where it belongs , on facts, accountability, and doing the job right.
DeleteLed by Jeff Wan? The only "new" tax being pursued is a minor sales tax not a large parcel tax as was being pushed by the council majority of the past and a failed city manager that is now busy trying to turn Suisun City into New York along with the billionaire class that many who supported him hate. All you Jeff Wan haters can't figure out what to attack him for anymore. The only other comment that is true here is the one about photo op politicians who were in office for so long that had no interest in anything else but the CBCA. That and the real estate agents who were doing their best to set up their realtor buddy who thinks he is a general contractor now. And without a doubt we will still have people running on "how much they volunteer" despite not having any real skills to understand the city's finances.
Deleteinappropriate post!!!!!
DeleteThe comment/post that you reported has been removed. Thank you for bringing this to our attention
DeleteBoy, I am getting tired just looking at the list of things that need to be done. I am thinking, this would be a good time to start knocking off a couple of them. It reminds me of my to do list. I just keep adding to it until I fill up the page and then I throw the page away and start over again. Nothing gets done, but I feel so much better looking at a blank page and believing I accomplished so much.
ReplyDeleteBilly Bob It was great seeing you at the Clayton club the other night. I forgot to ask you how your horse bright eyes is doing? Please give Carol my best. See you soon.
DeleteEnough is enough. Read the article below as it makes much more sense. Show us the numbers and tell us how you’re going to accomplish the things that you are promising. It’s that simple
ReplyDeleteThank you Jeff for putting together a very comprehensive list. I appreciate all your hard work. People need to be patient. It takes time to clean up years of neglect and mismanagement by our former leaders. I will support your tax increase when you can identify with certainty the magnitude of the ongoing structural deficit. We love this city and want it to prosper. We are willing to chip in a little more if necessary, but it is going to be difficult because everyone is asking for more money. Walter and Eileen
ReplyDelete