While we appreciate the coverage of Clayton in the Diablo Gazette (reprinted in black type below), the team at Clayton Watch felt it was important to add some commentary (in blue) throughout the article to provide clarity and offer a more accurate perspective. See the updated version below.
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Clayton Council to Explore Governance Training
For years City of Clayton has suffered from high staff turnover. Councilmember Holly Tillman has repeatedly asked Council for an independent investigation since October 2023. She felt it was the actions of some of the other councilmembers behavior responsible for the high turnover.
* For over 15 months, Holly Tillman's repeated requests for an investigation were disruptive and wasted time during council meetings. As we have stated in previous articles, the turnover of staff had nothing to do with the council; it was entirely due to two poor hiring decisions. (Past City Managers Reina Schwartz, and Bret Prebula) To read our past articles, click the links below:
1. Holly Tillman: When Did Asking Questions Become a Problem?
2. Clayton Residents: Get the Truth and Know the Facts
3. City of Clayton: It's Time to Get Back on Track
In a March 11, 2024, a Clayton Pioneer editorial by Tamara Steiner elevated the drama stating the “City is in decline” and called for a Grand Jury investigation.
Clayton City Hall is in chaos. It’s time for the Contra Costa Grand Jury to step in for a close look at City Council governance and the behavior of some individual councilmembers.”
* Not only did Tamara Steiner constantly bang the drum, she also participated in a podcast where she tried her best to tear the city down, calling it a city in decline.**
Click on the following to listen to the post cast and to read one of her past articles.
** https://contracostanews.podbean.com/e/21-tamara-steiner-talks-clayton-craziness/
https://www.claytonwatch.org/2024/03/theres-no-limit-on-what-community-can-do.html
Once again, Tamara is mistaken. There is no need for an investigation. For some unknown reason, she seems determined to cast a dark shadow over Clayton.
Bringing civility to the issue, Mayor Trupiano arranged a meeting between herself, Tillman, City Manager Kris Louftus, and City Attorney Mala Subramanian on January 28th to review the turnover.
* At the January 21st city council meeting, Mayor Trupiano stated that she had sent an email to Councilmember Tillman requesting a meeting to discuss her ongoing concerns about staff harassment and turnover. Tillman responded with evasive language, attempting to explain why she had not yet addressed Trupiano's request.
During the February 4th council meeting, Mayor Trupiano reported that a meeting had finally been scheduled between herself, Tillman, City Manager Kris Louftus, and City Attorney Mala Subramanian on January 28th.
According to a post on ClaytonWatch.org, which is no fan of Tillman, “It was determined that no investigation would take place, as we all knew there were no valid complaints from current or former staff that would warrant such an inquiry. The turnover in city staff stemmed from one primary issue: poor leadership and mismanagement by previous city managers... (whose) styles caused the turmoil at City Hall, not the actions of certain council members or public inquiries.”
* As we've mentioned all along, poor leadership and mismanagement by previous city managers were the issues. Now that we have a true professional at the helm, we have a fantastic team working for all of us at city hall.
Also, as a result of that meeting, Mayor Trupiano and Tillman formed an ad hoc committee with the council’s unanimous approval in order to facilitate a governance training workshop for Council and staff. Tillman stated to Councilmember Jeff Wan in that meeting that the ad hoc committee and training satisfies her previous requests for an independent investigation.
* Maybe now Holly Tillman can reach out to her friend and ally at the Clayton Pioneer to share the news: 'No investigation is needed,' and she was wrong.
However, Tillman told the Diablo Gazette, “I will let people know if it’s resolved based on council members’ behavior in the future. Now, the rubber will hit the road once we find the person to do the training and if all five council members show up for the training and actually complete it. It’s baby steps.”
* We’re not sure what Holly Tillman meant by the ‘rubber will hit the road’ comment, or why she would doubt for even a moment that the other council members wouldn’t show up for the training. It appears that she is still in the early stages of grasping the operations of a city council, as well as the importance of interacting with fellow council members and the public professionally. However, you can form your own opinion by clicking here to observe her in action. To us, it seems like she’s the one that needs some serious training, and she is the one taking baby steps.
