2nd Post Office Update

By Clayton Watch

I received a call from Mayor Dias yesterday with an update on the ongoing post office maintenance issues.

He and City Manager, Adam Politzer, will be working with all parties involved to find a permanent solution so we are not “circling back” with the same maintenance issues every year.

Apparently, Adam has experience dealing with the post office in other cities where he has worked. I gave the Mayor the property owner information and he is being copied on all correspondence from Congressman DeSaulnier’s office. I will keep you posted on the progress.

Thanks,

Bill Walcutt

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3rd POST OFFICE UPDATE:

The landscaping at the post office is finally getting a spring clean up.

I received a progress report on the post office from Mayor Dias yesterday. Here is a recap:

1) Mayor Dias called the property owner and confirmed that the post office is responsible for maintaining the landscaping and the facility.

2) The post office hired a maintenance crew on Monday to start removing all the weeds and cleaning up the unsightly mess. After all the weeds are removed and plants trimmed, they will be putting in new bark--probably next week.

3) Mayor Dias talked to the Acting Post Master, Jim Mahan, and he confirmed they now have a budget to provide ongoing maintenance. Prior to all the community outrage, they had no budget for maintenance. Apparently, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier worked his magic in DC and and secured funding for ongoing maintenance.

4) Acting Post Master, Jim Mahan, has only been in this position for a short time and was trying to do his best without any funding. He said after my letter to Congressman Mark DeSaulnier and all the phone calls and emails from the community the funding was approved.

5) Mayor Dias will be following up on all the other cleaning issues inside the post office with Mr. Mahan. He said Mr. Mahan is enthusiastic about an opportunity to rectify the unsightly conditions at the post office.

A big thank you to all involved and the community members who called and emailed Congressman DeSaulnier. It made a huge difference.

Thanks,

Bill Walcutt

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Planning Commissioners Selected!

Kudos to Rich Enea, Sr., Maria Shulman, and Dan Richardson for being reappointed to the Planning Commission on Tuesday, July 16th. The City Council recognized their dedication and performance, ensuring stability in the commission, and were unanimously reappointed to the Planning Commission.

Special thanks to Nathalie Archangel-Montijo and Nate Brzovich for applying. Your willingness to serve the community is appreciated.

A Brief History of How Things Work: The Planning Commission is a five-member advisory board whose members are appointed by the City Council. The Planning Commission makes decisions and/or recommendations to the City Council on development proposals and land uses within the City of Clayton. All Commissioners must be registered voters and live within the City of Clayton. The term of office is two years, and Commissioners may not serve more than eight consecutive years.

The Planning Commission generally meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the Clayton Community Library Meeting Room at 6125 Clayton Road at 7:00 p.m. The meeting locations do occasionally change, so check the Planning Commission agenda or call (925) 673-7300 to confirm the location.

Current Planning Commissioners and Terms:

Dan Richardson - Term expires June 2026  

Richard Enea - Term expires June 2026

Maria Shulman - Term expires June 2026

Joseph Banchero - Term expires June 2025

Bretten Casagrande - Term expires June 2025

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Response from Congressman DeSaulnie's Staff - Regarding Clayton Post Office

By Clayton Watch

First Response

Here is the response from Congressman DeSaulnie's staff. I will also post their response when they "circle back" to me with more information. Shanelle's contact information is listed below. Please feel free to contact her and chime in..

"Hello Mr. Walcutt, Hope you are having a great day. Thank you for reaching out to our office. We will reach out to our Postal Congressional Liaison with regards to the Clayton Post Office and circle back with you soon. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact myself at (925) 698-1613 cell or my colleague Kaylee Deland at (925) 933-2660.

Warmest regards,

Shanelle" Shanelle Scales-Preston
District Director

Office of Congressman DeSaulnier (CA-10)
3100 Oak Road, Suite #110
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
shanelle.scales@mail.house.gov

Tel: (925) 933-2660
Cell: (925) 698-1613
Fax: (925) 933-2677

Second Response

Here is the second response from Congressman DeSaulnier’s office. I ask them to work with Mayor Dias and the City Manager on a permanent solution.

Hi Mr. Walcutt,

I’ve passed these concerns along to our liaison at USPS and will be sure to reach out to you once I have a response. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions in the meantime.

Best,

Kaylee DeLand
Senior Outreach Coordinator
3100 Oak Road Suite #110
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
Tel: 925-933-2660 Fax: 925-933-2677

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Parking Permit Program - Waiting for an Update from Jeff and Holly

By Clayton Watch

Councilmembers Jeff Wan and Holly Tillman,

The citizens of Stranahan and surrounding neighborhoods are anxiously awaiting to hear the details of the proposed parking permit program that you will be presenting to the city council for action and approval. We will be happy to review it and provide feedback before it goes to the council.

Please let us know what you are recommending and when we can expect this item to be put on the city council's agenda for approval.

I look forward to your response.

Bill Walcutt

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Congressman Mark DeSaulnier - Post Office Maintenance

By Clayton Watch 

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier,

Clayton needs your assistance. The Clayton Post Office is an eye sore and is in a constant state of neglect. It appears there is no ongoing maintenance program to maintain the landscaping and control the weeds. Every year. for the past 15 years, the weeds are allowed to grow unchecked, destroy the plants, the bark, and become a fire hazard, until someone complains. This has gone on far to long and needs to be addressed. We need a permanent solution not a reaction.

Clayton Post Office

Moreover, the post office is a federal facility and they should be setting an example for the community, It should not be the leading candidate for the "ugly facility award". How can we expect our businesses and our residents to maintain their properties and be "FireWise" "FireSafe" when the post office is a maintenance nightmare with a flourishing hazardous weed garden. See the attached picture.

Your staff have been very helpful in the past, sending in resources to correct the problem after it gets out of control, but this is not the answer. We can't just keep reacting, we need a permanent solution--Please Help.

I look forward to your response,

Bill Walcutt

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Councilmember Holly Tillman - Sidestepping Issues

Holly Tillman

By Clayton Watch

Hi Council Member Holly,

It appears I have touched on a sensitive topic. You appear to be sidestepping many of the issues I brought up along with a few others. Thanks for the open communication.

If I remember correctly, you have declined to approve the budget for two consecutive years now, even though you were previously a member of the Budget & Audit Committee.

It was apparent last year you didn’t want to make a decision on the budget because you disagreed with the Master Fee Schedule income prediction. It was predicted to be at a $35k increase, and as of May 30th this fiscal year it is at $49k and growing. "Umm hmm"

Also, the FY 24/25 budget estimates were posted on the city website from May 14th through June 6th. Both you and council member Peter Cloven had ample time to review everything that Jeff and Kim reviewed in the Budget and Audit Committee meetings. No excuses!

Transparency and accountability are just empty words if you do not have time - and will not take responsibility for doing the job of balancing the budget in a timely manner. Three of the five council members seem to have found the time.

Looking forward to your reply.

Gary Hood

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CLAYTON. . . Fool Me Once, Shame on Me, Fool Me Twice, Shame On, Who?

By Clayton Watch

Ex-Clayton City Manager Bret Prebula appears to have recycled old budget information from his predecessor, Reina Swartz.

Bret reused old budget data from former City Manager Reina Swartz, which is why he didn't provide Council Member Jeff Wan with the necessary documentation for the budget, despite Jeff's repeated requests on Tuesday, March 5, 2034. You can view the entire meeting, including the tense exchange between Jeff and Bret, starting at 2:22:14, by clicking on the following link: https://claytonca.gov/government/city-council/city-council-meeting-03-05-24/

Additionally, Bret neglected to provide me with the information I requested after submitting a formal Public Information Request (PIR), which he initially denied. This led me to contact the city attorney and demand the information. Interestingly, Bret sent me the requested data after apparently receiving a call from the city attorney, who I’m sure explained the seriousness of his non-compliance.

Upon reviewing the information, it became clear that Bret was not giving the city budget the attention it required. He relied on the previous city manager's data (wish list) when making assumptions and forecasts. I believe he intentionally withheld the information to hide his inability to fulfill the task.

What was he trying to conceal? Were the figures inaccurate? Did Reina's budget contain her personal preferences (wish list), leaving Bret to try and persuade the city council and community that the city was deficit spending to the tune of $600,000+?

Overall, Bret's actions of recycling old information and resisting requests for documentation suggest that he may be better suited for his "next destination" in Suisun City. Perhaps that's why he was interviewing across the state in October/November 2023, knowing that the hiring process would take about six months to complete. Bret resigned on April 12, 2024.

Streamlining and Enhancing Operational Efficiency

Improving the efficiency of city hall is progressing well. The claims made by Holly Tillman and Peter Cloven about the staff being overworked were simply political talk and not based on facts. The current process of "consolidation" that we are undergoing at City Hall will greatly enhance our efficiency and productivity and save us money in the future.

Holly Tillman

The noise created by Holly and Peter at past city council meetings is their attempt to justify their proposed "SALES TAX" and "PARCEL TAX" plans without having a clear understanding of the actual income and expenses at City Hall.

I believe we should allow the City Council and the Citizen Financial Sustainability Committee the needed time to flush things out. Why rush?

How can anyone, especially Holly and Peter, justify increasing our taxes when they didn't reconcile the city's checkbook in over 18 months under their watch? (Peter as the Mayor, and Holly as the Vice Mayor)

Peter Cloven

For the past three and a half years, both Councilmembers Holly Tillman and Peter Cloven have been advocating for multiple tax increases without any knowledge of our income, expenses, or reserves. Why? It appears some politicians seem to prefer passing the buck to taxpayers instead of tackling the tougher issues themselves.

Their actions demonstrate laziness and neglect of their responsibilities. And to think, they were willing to pass on a tax increase to us without fulfilling their duties because, according to them, they didn't have enough time to review the budget.

Having a larger government does not automatically result in greater efficiency. In my opinion, it often leads to increased waste. In the case of Clayton, consolidation, and reorganization of staff roles appears to be the right path to take. Being 98% built out, it’s the right thing to do for our small city.

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Just When it Seemed the Situation in Clayton was Cooling Down. . .

By Clayton Watch

City Council members Holly Tillman and Peter Cloven demonstrated their continued meddling at the last council meeting. You can watch the full meeting, including the city budget discussion starting at 1:49:12, by clicking this link: https://claytonca.gov/government/city-council/city-council-meeting-06-04-24/

Despite the city's recent staff turnover, the Interim City Manager Adam Politzer effectively leveraged outside resources to promptly assemble and deliver the FY24-25 budget by the legally required June 30th deadline.

This baseline budget aimed to establish an ongoing process for more frequent evaluation and adjustments, rather than seeking significant changes and tax increases.

Over the past 6 weeks, the Budget and Audit Committee (Council Members Jeff Wan and Kim Trupiano) diligently reviewed and iterated on the budget, which staff had prepared professionally and transparently.

Notably, the projected $560K deficit from the previous City Manager (Bret Prebula) was inaccurate, highlighting the value of knowledgeable staff and rigorous financial analysis. By all accounts, Bret Prebula created a significant mess at City Hall, failing to provide the professional, competent oversight that a municipality requires.

However, during the budget discussion, Holly Tillman and Peter Cloven claimed they lacked time to review the budget details and sought to delay the vote. Their unwillingness to engage with the budget process, despite materials and invitations from staff, raises questions about their priorities and understanding of their responsibilities as council members.

Unbelievable! It’s one of the most important functions of a city council member, and they didn’t have time? If they didn’t have time to devote to the city’s number one priority, reviewing and passing the budget (while the whole staff turned out and was online to answer any of their questions) what was more important?

What was the real reason they avoided the budget process?

⁃ Were they upset because they were complaining we would have a huge deficit and now the truth comes out?

⁃ Were they embarrassed because their numbers were wrong and their push for a sales tax and parcel tax was unfounded? (Holly Tillman wanted a .5 to 1% sales tax, and Peter Cloven wanted a $400.00 per year parcel tax without even knowing our true income and expenses. Keep in mind, the city checkbook hadn’t been reconciled in 18 months and the numbers Holly and Peter were looking at were over two years old.)

⁃ Was it because they didn’t understand the process or that they knowingly pushed a huge false budget deficit presented to them by past city managers Reina Schwartz and Bret Prebula to justify their support for tax increases.

Let’s not forget, that for their first two years on the city council, they had a voting block (Wolfe, Tillman, and Cloven) to present a realistic budget to the community, but instead they chose to push a false budget deficit in support of their tax and spend agenda.

Last year, Holly Tillman abstained from voting on the budget, partly because she doubted the $35,000 revenue projection from the proposed new master fees. Her skepticism proved unwarranted, as the actual fees generated to date are $49,000, and the fiscal year has not even ended.

Meanwhile, Peter Cloven questioned why Jeff Wan had requested worksheets and supporting data on the budget from Bret Prebula, who presented the budget but refused to provide backup documentation. When Peter Cloven asked why Jeff Wan hadn't asked Reina Schwartz for the backup, Jeff clarified that he had, and Reina supplied the requested information in a timely fashion.

Ultimately, the budget was approved 3-2, with Tillman and Cloven voting against it. Their actions suggest a concerning disregard for state law and one of their core council duties.

As the Clayton community considers future elections, voters should keep this in mind when evaluating the candidates and their commitment to the city's best interests.

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Preserving the Small-Town Charm

By Clayton Watch

Our core purpose is preserving the small-town charm we all know and love. But Sacramento has a very different vision, wanting to pave over open spaces and transform every little town into crowded urban centers. They demand we all "do our fair share" to look the same in their eyes.

Some local leaders claimed to oppose this overreach. Yet they avoid concrete actions to push back, like working with groups like Our Neighborhood Voices. Now Clayton scrambles to rezone areas by January 2024, risking more Fulcrum and Olivia-style projects forced on us by officials and allies.

In the past, critical zoning changes happened quietly, officials saying "it'll never actually be built." Until one day, it's unavoidably real and permanent.

We have a strong suggestion: Zone 1,000+ apartments in Clayton Station and the church land next door. Give developers incentives to build there, within city limits and near jobs and shops. Clayton Station is already 25% vacant and for sale. Its parking lot is a mess. With 10-15 story buildings and garages, these ideal spots could meet housing needs for years. Pursue 100% low-income housing here if needed.

Clayton won't satisfy bureaucrats fixated on agendas beyond local control. But we can focus growth responsibly, zoning where building is realistic and cost-effective. That's how you get apartments built - not forcing them into neighborhoods.

Even some locals claim they want "diversity" yet oppose market forces. If you can't afford Clayton, don't worry - they have "crazy ideas" to make it happen.

Housing costs so much simply because far more people want to live here than we have homes. Too many high earners bid up prices over $1 million. Cramming in apartments won't work. We need large builders who can profit.

Let's stop the madness and division. Council, focus on realistic zoning for major apartment projects. That's how to fix this. We're wasting time otherwise.

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The City of Clayton has Finally Turned the Corner - Lack of leadership Was the Problem

By Clayton Watch

The previous city managers, Reina Schwartz and Brett Prebula were simply not up to the task, as reliable confidential sources have informed me.

In case you’re wondering, these sources do not currently work for the City of Clayton nor are they on the City Council.

By all accounts, Reina and Bret created a significant mess at City Hall, failing to provide the professional, competent oversight that a city requires. Additionally, certain council members like Holly Tillman, Peter Cloven, and tabloid newspaper owner Tamara Steiner have also proven themselves ill-equipped to handle the complexities of local governance, repeatedly demonstrating poor judgment and decision-making when discussing staff turnover.

Contrary to the claims made by Council Member Holly Tillman of meddling or harassment from select council members with the staff, the real root of the problem was simply a lack of experience and qualified leadership at the highest levels of Clayton's government.

Study after study has shown that when employees, including those in key administrative roles, do not receive the proper guidance, training and oversight from capable leaders, it inevitably leads to disorganization, inefficiency, job turnover, and the kind of chaos that Clayton residents have endured over the past couple of years.

But now, the tides have turned, as the city has brought aboard a true professional by the name of Adam Politizer, who is poised to right the ship, restore order, and public trust in the management of our community affairs.

With this new leadership in place, Clayton's future is looking brighter than it has in years. The arrival of a new, capable leader in City Hall has been a welcome change for the community, as Adam has managed to accomplish more in just a few short weeks than anyone could have ever imagined.

In contrast, Councilperson Holly Tillman has been stirring up unnecessary drama, falsely claiming that the city staff are overworked and that the council is interfering with their duties. It is evident that the previous issues plaguing the city workforce were not due to being overworked, as Holly Tillman would have the public believe, but rather stemmed from mismanagement.

This has become glaringly obvious in the short time the New Leader/ Interim City Manager Adam Politizer has been in office, as he has already managed to get the city back on the right track. Tillman's attempts to deflect blame and stir up controversy appear to be nothing more than political posturing, likely driven by her own agenda rather than a genuine concern for the wellbeing of city employees and the community.

The community can take comfort in knowing that with competent leadership now in place, the days of mismanagement and inefficiency are swiftly coming to an end. Consolidation is Underway In a move to streamline operations and improve efficiency, our city's new interim City Manager Adam Politizer announced at the recent city council meeting that a consolidation of staff at City Hall was necessary based on the small size and current state of our city. With a relatively small staff of only around 26 employees, the City Manager determined that consolidating certain administrative duties would make far more sense for a city of our size, allowing the city to operate in a more streamlined and cost-effective manner.

By consolidating several positions and leveraging outside expertise where appropriate, the city anticipates savings of approximately $20,000 per year - a significant sum that can be reinvested into other priorities and initiatives that better serve our city.

Overall, this strategic move to eliminate redundant staffing and embrace more efficient service delivery model is a “home run” in my opinion. It is a prudent decision that will reduce operational costs and help improve the city's bottom line without compromising the quality of essential services provided to residents.

With the City of Clayton being 98% built out, I am hopeful that we can do the same with our Community Development Director position. This unnecessary full-time and costly position should be outsourced immediately. The current in-house role simply does not warrant the significant investment required to maintain it as an internal function.

Brighter days are surely ahead, stay tuned. Go get ‘em Adam!

UPDATE. . . It looks like my wish might come true. It appears that the community development director and code enforcement positions will be outsourced. You can check out next week’s council agenda at https://claytonca.gov/fc/agendas/council/
2024/060424.pdf. Check out item e. Have a great weekend.

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Memorial Day Ceremony in Clayton (Starts at 10:00 a.m.)

By Clayton Watch

Please join Lt. Jerry Novakovich Post 1525, Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Auxiliary, for its annual Memorial Day Ceremony beginning at 10:00 a.m. They will be at the Grove in downtown Clayton at 10:00 AM.

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Parking Permit Program – Meeting Recap

By Clayton Watch

The first meeting of the Parking Permit Ad Hoc Committee took place in Stranahan Park on Monday, April 29th at 4 pm. Present were Council Member Jeff Wan, Council Member Holly Tillman, and Chief of Police Richard McEachin, as well as 25 to 30 community residents. During this gathering and relevant discussion, we urged committee members Jeff Wan and Holly Tillman to recap their ideas and our ideas and put the parking permit program on the agenda for consideration and approval as soon as possible.

Background and History: Approval for The Olivia on March Creek, an 81-unit apartment project, was granted by the city council on March 3, 2020, through Resolution No. 7-2020. Misleading information regarding the parking impact was presented to the residents. In response to developers neglecting to provide adequate parking, the concept of implementing a parking permit system for residents and downtown emerged. It is important to highlight that any financial support pledged by the developer to address parking and safety concerns was withdrawn during the concluding negotiations and concessions. Consequently, the responsibility of addressing these issues falls upon us.

General Recap: During the meeting, Jeff clearly stated his opposition to the city funding a parking permit program, emphasizing the achievements of the Regency parking permit program. However, he did express his support for implementing a parking permit program in Stranahan, lower Easley, and downtown. The attendees had many questions and suggestions. They inquired about expenses, how guest permits would be allocated to residents, the enforcement protocol, and the need for significant penalties for violators. The folks present unanimously decided that the city should launch the initiative in Stranahan, lower Easley, and downtown areas, with a strong focus on "Resident Parking Only" and "No Overnight Parking." Jeff projected a completion window of 60 to 90 days for the parking permit program. . . once they get started. A specific timeline for Jeff and Holly to meet was not disclosed nor would he commit to a timeframe. Jeff talked about the expected expenses for implementing the program, which includes staff and administrative costs. However, it seems that these costs are not accurate. Since the existing city staff and legal counsel are already being paid, the development of the program will not incur any additional costs. The main expenses will be for signage and installation. It is important to mention that the city was identified as the cause of the problem and therefore should be made responsible for resolving it.

What Happens Next? Jeff and Holly must convene promptly to present their findings and recommendations to the entire council, who will decide the program's fate.

Anticipated Timing for Implementation of Parking Permit Program? Soon, rather than later.

What Can We Do? Get in touch with the city council members, Jeff and Holly, by giving them a call or sending them an email. You can reach Jeff Wan at 925-673-7323 or email him at jeff.wan@claytonca.gov. For Holly Tillman, dial 925-673-7321 or drop her an email at hollyt@claytonca.gov. It's important to let them know it's high time to take proactive measures instead of reactive ones.

Stay Tuned and Informed

For more information and updates on meeting dates, keep in contact with your neighbors. For in-depth details about the Olivia on Marsh Creek project, visit the following websites:

1. The City of Clayton's website provides a comprehensive overview of resolution No. 07-2020, along with the conditions of approval (COA). https://claytonca.gov/. If you have trouble locating the information, call the city at 925-673-7300

2. Visit Loopnet.com to see the full listing of the Olivia project, currently priced at 8.7 million dollars, reduced from 9 million a month ago. The property has been intermittently listed for over four years and does indicate that it is under contract. The entitlements are included in the purchase, and any alterations to the project would require approval from the planning commission. https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/6170-High-St-Clayton-CA/30612659/

3. Check out Contra Costa County's website to review permit activity for the Olivia project. Many permits have expired, and a "building permit" has not yet been issued. https://epermits.cccounty.us/CitizenAccess/Cap/CapHome.aspx?module=Building&TabName=HOME

Reminder: The Olivia on Marsh Creek monstrosity will not be a 55+ Senior Housing Project. With the estimated rental rate ranging from $3000 to $3500, each household is likely to have a minimum of two cars, along with extra vehicles for teenagers and other family members.

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Clayton Residents – Get the Truth, and Know the Facts!

By Clayton Watch

Regarding staff turnover under City Manager Bret Prebula's leadership, former City Clerk Janet Calderon offered concerning insights during public comments at the March 19th City Council meeting. Calderon resigned after 9 1/2 years due to the "toxic and hostile work environment" at City Hall that she attributed to a "lack of leadership" from the past two city managers. She indicated this was the sole reason for her departure, not any issues with the Clayton community or City Council.

Calderon's revealing statements about the work culture help explain the high staff turnover under Prebula. This likely won't be the last word from her on the matter.
Tamara Steiner and Holly Tillman requested an investigation into the City Council, but their concerns appear unfounded based solely on Janet's isolated comments.

However, broader questions have been raised about Bret's management approach that warrant further examination, such as why he was allowed to bring his full team despite skipping standard hiring protocols like background checks and drug testing.

The California Government Code mandates that cities must publicize job openings at least 10 days before the application deadline, typically by posting on the city website, advertising in local media, or listing on employment sites. However, staff have indicated the city failed to publicize recent openings through any of these required channels, violating state law. The reasons for this apparent disregard of the legal requirements remain unclear.

Additionally, Bret has threatened at public forums that he would leave City Hall if his plans were not implemented verbatim - which seems less like collaborative leadership and more like a coercive ultimatum.

Before dismissing employee complaints, the City Council should investigate the workplace culture Bret has cultivated, including whether it promotes hostility or toxicity. This examination could reveal opportunities to improve leadership, transparency, and accountability.

It’s a known fact. The city manager's primary duty is to carry out the elected officials' policies and oversee daily operations through planning, engineering, public safety, budgeting, and other city departments. In most cases, the city manager also hires key personnel like police and fire chiefs, finance and public works directors, and other department heads.

These employees all report to the city manager, not the city council or mayor. If the council overstepped its bounds, Bret should have promptly raised the issue with the appropriate council members and resolved it immediately. It is healthy for City Council members to know city staff, provided they do not try to direct their work.

The staffing issues at City Hall were caused solely by Bret. Since these matters involve confidential personnel information, the reasons behind the turnover will likely remain unknown. However, given that the staff were under Bret's leadership, it seems clear that he struggled to effectively manage his team.

Additionally, Bret's and Holly's comments about the staff being overworked due to unnecessary demands and requests from the council and public are unfounded. Staff members have informed me that an outside company completed all research and public information requests. I agree, the requests would have been unnecessary had Bret answered our questions when first asked and did not push back, but he chose to dig in.

Research indicates that while most city managers are technically prepared, they lack an understanding of the organization's culture and rarely have detailed strategies for transitioning into the role.

In our view, city managers should spend their first six months learning the city's history and culture rather than immediately instituting changes, which risks failure without established loyalty and trust that require time to develop.

In conclusion, Tamara Steiner, The Clayton Pioneer, and several other individuals seem to be unfairly targeting those with dissenting views without facts. There appears to be no room for balanced discussion, only one-sided arguments.

This black-and-white approach to reporting is problematic, as quality journalism requires factual, unbiased coverage of issues.

After 20-plus years one would think Tamara, and her small group of supporters, would have learned this early on.

The United States is a country founded on free speech. However, the local newspaper should avoid using its platform to unfairly support a particular political party disguised as a nonprofit. The group seems especially upset about Bret Prebula leaving, which raises questions about their motives.

Clayton remains an excellent place to live despite this turmoil. Still, residents deserve transparency about how the conflict started and whether it indicates larger issues at City Hall or with hired management styles.

If we listen, compromise, and refocus on shared goals, Clayton's future can remain bright. The infighting must end. Enough is enough!

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Parking Permit Meeting Date with Councilmembers Jeff Wan and Holly Tillman

By Clayton Watch

Councilmembers Jeff Wan and Holly Tillman,

Just checking to see if you have decided on a meeting date for the Parking Permit Program. I know you are busy, but there is some urgency now to move this along because it appears Olivia has a buyer. Mr Jordan shows Olivia as "Under Contract" on Loopnet and potential parking restrictions in surrounding neighborhoods are "Material Facts" that must be disclosed to a potential buyer under California Law. This disclosure becomes troublesome if there are no details on the program and there has been no official action by the committee or the council.

I look forward to our first meeting. Please me know the date and time of this meeting.

Thank you

Bill Walcutt

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Why Can’t I Park In Front Of My House?

By Clayton Watch

Dear Neighbor:

We just started a petition for a "Resident-Only Parking Permit Program" here in Clayton and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name. Our goal is to reach 4500 signatures. You can read more and sign the petition by clicking the following link. https://chng.it/bFF9YVxJ

This request is being made because past Clayton City Council members C.W.
Wolfe, Tuija Catalano, and Julie Pierce originally approved a three-story 81-unit apartment building in historic downtown with insufficient parking. With Peter Cloven, CW. Wolfe and Holly Tillman recently approving a one-year extension for the developer, now is the time to take action.

Their approval of the recent “The Olivia on Marsh Creek” high-density housing project in Historic Downtown is just one example of the City of Clayton failing to protect its citizens from any undue hardship due. Not requiring “The Olivia on Marsh Creek” project to provide sufficient parking for the eighty-one (81) approved apartments is deplorable.

Please sign the petition today. https://chng.it/bFF9YVxJ

Thanks,

Clayton Watch

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Look at the crazy nonsense your city council and staff have discussed.

* 81 units with only one parking stall

* Comments by city council Julie, Wolfe, Catalano, and staff.

* Maybe they can use the AT&T parking lot right next door (Julie)

* Comments by developer

* 55 and over senior project

* Bus passes for one year

* Cover parking

* Trash bins

* Parking study

* Donate for crossings and parking permits (Stranahan)

* Any spillover into surrounding neighborhoods or downtown is unacceptable and will lead to increased traffic, noise, lower property values, and parking inconveniences for family and visitors, and will negatively affect the right to “quiet enjoyment” as granted to every homeowner and tenant by law. (Staff)

* Outdated parking study

* Average car 2.3 Clayton study

Summary: Any reasonable person would conclude that The Olivia on Marsh Creek” project should have never been approved based on the facts. Number of units, and no senior restrictions, one can safely assume that over 100 cars will be looking for a permanent parking place.

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The Debate Over New Taxes in Clayton Should Begin with Facts, Not Fantasies or a Wish List

By Clayton Watch

Some Clayton residents may urge that sales or parcel taxes be placed on the ballot, but this debate should start with facts, not rumors or wishful thinking.

We need justification before asking citizens for more money, not cries that "the city is broke."

Recent history under Mayor Peter Cloven shows city finances were unbalanced for months in 2022. The checkbook hadn't been balanced in months, and he proposed a $400 annual parcel tax on every property owner in town.

First, let's closely examine reserves. Why were they so high? Did we receive the services we paid for? If not, why not? Answers are needed. (I sent a letter to the City Council on March 19th that is attached, but I am still awaiting their response.)

Second, an independent group should review all income and expenses to give us a clear financial picture. A three-member Community Financial Sustainability Subcommittee is apparently being formed, hopefully, to shed light on the truth.

As the saying goes, "If the ladder is not leaning against the right wall, every step just gets us to the wrong place faster." That describes Clayton “to a T” in my opinion.

Before any tax increases, we need transparency, accountability, and factual justification. Wise stewardship of public funds requires careful examination, not knee-jerk reactions or unsubstantiated claims. Let us buckle up and do our homework before placing any tax increase before the voters.

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The First 300 Days of a City Manager - Shared with Our City Council

By Clayton Watch

Dear Council,
The link and article I provided regarding "The First 300 Days of a City Manager" appear unavailable at this time. Sorry for the inconvenience.

I've attached a link to the PDF of the complete article for your reference. I hope you take the time to read it as it has invaluable insight into what we have been experiencing and discussing. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/217157591.pdf

Have a great weekend,

Gary Hood
Clayton Watch

P.S. Food for thought: My college professor, Dr. Sato, once said, "Nobody is perfect except on their resume." His point was that accomplishments listed on paper don't guarantee real-world excellence. When hiring our next City Manager, I urge the council to look beyond the resume - a thorough background check is essential.

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Dear Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and Staff - Sales Tax Proposal

By Clayton Watch

Dear Mayor Diaz and City Council, (Place in Public Comment)

I appreciate Councilmember Holly Tillman bringing the sales tax proposal to our attention, but it appears she once again wants to take the least line of resistance to a real problem.

For over two years both Councilmember Tillman and Councilmember Pete Cloven have been pushing for multiple tax increases without knowing anything about our income and expenses, let alone what we have in reserve. WHY?

I do believe, if needed, the community would support a sales tax increase versus trying to sunset the existing landscape maintenance tax in 2027 and then trying to pass a new general parcel tax - but now is not the time.

However, before moving forward with any tax proposals, I think we should take a closer look at the city's finances and reserves.

For this letter, I will be focusing on the amount we have been taxed over the years without the full benefit. This is called OVERTAXATION!

The reserves appear quite high - around $8-12 million based on what I've seen. I'm curious why such a large percentage of tax revenue wasn't used for the services that were promised to citizens. Let me repeat . . . WASN'T USED!

Additionally, why does the landscape district have over $300k in reserves when the landscaping looks terrible? Remember the “Weeds Gone Wild / A Town Divided” flyer? It’s not about money, it’s about leadership and getting the job done, but that's a discussion for another day.

Some reserves are prudent, but 150% +/- seems excessive. It’s plain and simple, it appears the citizens were overtaxed to build up these reserves. What was the rationale? What purpose did the money serve? It surely didn’t serve the citizens.

I'm glad the council has agreed to move some of the reserves to the general fund, leaving about 40% of the annual budget in reserve - that seems more reasonable.

It is now time to allocate our excess tax dollars towards the improvements our city's leaders pledged to the citizens and make improvements to our city.

We need to closely examine the city budget and 5-year projection numbers over the next year, or so, while carefully spending our unspent/overtaxed dollars on things that were promised.

I encourage citizens to review the city's finances at https://cleargov.com/california/contra-costa/city/clayton/checkbook (https://cleargov.com/california/contra-costa/city/clayton/checkbook) and identify any unnecessary spending. (Who in their right mind would spend $800.00 on pictures for the city website, let alone hire consultant after consultant, and on top of that pay our city engineer over $400,000?) We need to get our house in order once and for all.

As I mentioned at the last City Council Meeting, we should focus on “needs” rather than “wants.” The city should spend taxpayer funds with the same fiscal prudence and care they would their own money, not recklessly like drunken sailors.

I'm happy to discuss this further. Please let me know your thoughts on a prudent path forward, but in my opinion, Councilperson Tillman, a sales tax at this time is not warranted or justified. Every problem can’t be solved by money.

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Parking Permit Meeting - Community Outreach

By Clayton Watch

Hi Holly and Jeff,

Thanks for your quick reply regarding meeting up with the community. Sorry for the test email. I'm not sure what caused the error.

Anyhow, moving forward, the community is very excited about moving these meetings forward.

Question? Please let us know what your plans are to reach out to the community before setting up a meeting date. Posting this information on the city website would be great along with a few social media posts.

Please advise,

Gary Hood
Clayton Watch

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Did the Developer Falsify His Application? You Decide!

By Clayton Watch

It looks like William Jordan's little scheme as an owner-builder for his 81 unit apartment building project with insufficient parking has been exposed! According to some new documents filed in Contra Costa County against Mr Jordan, he is being called out for fudging, or some would say lying, on his owner-builder application for the Olivia on Marsh Creek project.

Here's the scoop: To get an owner-builder permit, you have to live at the property for at least a year prior to the application and meet other prerequisites. We all know Mr Jordan didn't live at that little historical, stucco house on Marsh Creek Road he is claiming as his primary residence because it has been a rental for years, unless he pitched a tent in the horse corral. Sure looks like Mr Jordan is trying to pull another fast one. You can get all the scoop in this hot link:

https://claytonca.gov/fc/agendas/CC%20Public%20Comment/2024/Public%20Comment%20020624.pdf.

Please be sure to read pages 2 through 4 to see for yourself all the details of the complaint.

Here is the sore point: Clayton City Staff knew about Mr Jordan's shady owner-builder application for months and didn't say squat to the County. I believe it is city staff's job to keep people like Mr Jordan in check, but unfortunately, we citizens have to play investigator, inspector, informer, and compliance manager. The residents of Clayton deserve better oversight from our City Manager Bret Prebula and City Engineer Larry Theis.

I'll keep you posted as this drama unfolds. For now, if you want to chime in, keep it respectful and to the point.

Additional Clarification: According to the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).

1. An owner-builder is a property owner who acts as their general contractor on a construction project instead of hiring a licensed contractor to manage the work.

2. The owner-builder may perform the labor themselves 6or hire employees and subcontractors.

3. However, owner-builder projects must be on the owner's primary residence that they have lived in for at least 12 months before completing the work.

4. Furthermore, the owner cannot build and sell more than two structures in any 3-year period, which aims to prevent abuse of the owner-builder exemption.

In our opinion: 1) the property was not his primary residence, 2) he plans to build more than two structures and 3) he has been trying to sell the land with his entitlements to build this project for over a year.

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