Clayton City Council - From the Desk of Kim Trupiano 6-1-25

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: https://www.diablogazette.com/2025/06/diablo-gazette-june-25/

While we may not always agree with the opinions shared, we believe in facilitating a platform for respectful debates. Thank you for contributing to the ongoing conversation in the comments section. Remember to keep your comments respectful and concise.

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Mayor Trupiano

Clayton Has a Host of Events This Summer

We’ve officially kicked off our 18th season of Concerts in the Grove. Coming in June are The Cheeseballs on June 14 and The Bell Brothers on June 28. Grab a blanket, some friends, and come dance the night away under the stars. Check out the full concert lineup here at: claytonca. gov/our-city/annual-events/ concerts-in-the-grove/. 

Our amazing sponsors who make this series possible year in and year out, including Republic Services, CEMEX, Conco, PG&E, Diamond Terrace, Ponderosa Homes, Tim McGallian State Farm Insurance, Travis Credit Union and many others. Please recognize and thank them. See a complete list of all of our sponsors on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ CityofClaytonCA/.

 Also, a special thank you to our City staff, Stephanie Cabrera-Brown, Janessa Torres, Jennifer Giantvalley, Skyler Aitken and our incredible maintenance team for their hard work behind the scenes. 

Clayton’s Fourth of July Celebration and Parade 

The City’s beloved 52nd Fourth of July Parade is going to be a spectacular celebration of community spirit. 

Our theme is “Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Future” and is dedicated to the women of Clayton who have kept this parade going for decades. 

We are excited to announce our Grand Marshals this year: 

Jan Rubiales, the original spark behind our 4th of July parade; Gloria Utley, who for 26 years carried the torch and kept the parade going; Sandy Johnson, who has kept the tradition going for more than 10 years. 

We are thrilled to welcome back local Claytonian and incredibly talented Mechele Fong to sing the National Anthem and former Mayor, Carl wolf (CW) will Emcee. Our parade chair is Sarah Brinkman of the Clayton Valley Dance Academy. 

If you would like to participate in the parade this year, please visit us at https://claytonca.gov/our-city/ annual-events/4th-of-july-parade/. The deadline to register is June 29. No registration is necessary for the Kiddie Parade. 

Before the parade, enjoy pancakes. The Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise Rotary is hosting the Annual Pancake Breakfast from 7:00 – 10:00 a.m. at Endeavor Hall. Cost is $10 for adults / $7 for kids 12 and under. Parade volunteers are still needed before, during and after the parade.

 If you are interested in helping out, please email Sarah Brinkman at 5678.sbrinkman@gmail.com or contact me directly at 925.673.7324 to learn more. 

Classic Car Shows 

Every other Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on June 18, July 2, July16, and July 30, classic cars will gather in the parking lot right next to the Clayton Historical Museum. DJ Jeff Brown will be spinning the sounds of the 50s, 60s and 70s. 

Make a night of it and enjoy a dinner at one of our many fantastic options. Plus, coffee, sweets and ice cream are available at Cup O’ Jo and Sip N’ Sweet. 

Get Involved and Make a Difference: 

The City is currently filling open seats on several local and regional commissions including the Trails & Landscaping Committee, Planning Commission, County Office on Aging, Contra Costa Transportation Authority/Community Advisory Board. 

Find out more about each opening and how to apply at: https://claytonca.gov/city-clerk (click on Maddy’s Act). 

Finally, mark your calendars to attend the next City Council meeting on June 17. This month, we will be approving the new Chief of Police contract and finalizing the City’s first two-year budget – and your voice matters. 

Clayton is where community shines. Whether you are dancing in The Grove, cheering at the parade, cruising through classic cars or grabbing a bite in town, Clayton is prepared to excite your summertime. Remember, we are stronger together!

What the Grand Jury Didn’t Tell You About Clayton

By Clayton Watch

Dear Mayor, Councilmembers, Staff, and Clayton Community,

As concerned residents and members of Clayton Watch, we are writing to you in response to the 2024–2025 Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury Report, “Clayton: Small City, Big Concerns.”

While Civil Grand Juries serve a role in civic oversight, their reports are advisory. They offer opinions, not legal findings or evidentiary conclusions. That distinction is critical and often overlooked by the public.

Now to the heart of the matter: the Grand Jury missed the most important point. 

Accountability rests squarely with the City Manager and City Attorney, particularly regarding council agendas, adherence to the Brown Act, and day-to-day operations. And the City Council, under the leadership of Wolfe, Cloven, and Tillman, failed in its oversight role. Collectively, they let the city drift into dysfunction.

During one of the most unstable periods in Clayton’s history, City Managers Reina Schwartz and Bret Prebula, under legal guidance from City Attorney Mala Subramanian, failed to lead. The City Manager is the city’s CEO; the City Attorney, its legal compass. Instead of guiding the Council and enforcing best practices, they abdicated their responsibilities, resulting in confusion, declining services, and public mistrust.

- Ms. Schwartz, hired in 2020, often worked remotely from Sacramento, limiting her presence in the city. Services deteriorated, and her tenure ended with a resignation citing personal reasons.

- Mr. Prebula, her successor, ignored hiring protocols, failed to conduct background checks, didn’t post job openings publicly, and withheld crucial financial and construction project information. Residents were forced to file Public Records Act requests just to obtain basic answers—so much for transparency.

The Grand Jury’s depiction of staff turnover was misleading. The claim of “12 City Managers” includes several short-term retirees serving as interim placeholders. Since longtime City Manager Gary Napper retired in 2019, Clayton has had four permanent managers, not twelve. Exaggerations like these undermine the credibility of the report.

Likewise, several staff departures were far from routine:

• One resigned following a DUI incident.

• Another cited a hostile work environment under Mr. Prebula (currently under investigation.)

• Some resigned due to internal dysfunction or followed Prebula’s exit.

• Others were eliminated due to restructuring.

None of this vital context made it into the report. Why?

Even more troubling is what the Grand Jury failed to include. For over 18 months, while Wolfe, Tillman, and Cloven held the majority, the city’s checkbook went unreconciled—a material weakness flagged by auditors under Ms. Schwartz’s watch. Yet during this period, these councilmembers pushed a $400 annual parcel tax while fully aware of financial disarray. At the same time, $50,000 in stolen funds from the city’s checkbook went undetected for more than six months. None of this appeared in the report.

A closer read shows that many of Clayton’s challenges stemmed from poor executive hires—Schwartz and Prebula, who were publicly supported and defended by Wolfe, Tillman, and Cloven. They continue to stand by those choices, despite the long-term consequences.

The report also contained factual inaccuracies. Capital improvement costs were miscategorized as operating expenses, giving a distorted fiscal picture. That error has since been corrected, yet the Grand Jury didn’t acknowledge it.

We must also question the report’s tone and sources. Its narrative closely mirrors that of the Clayton Pioneer—a publication long criticized for bias—whose editor, Tamara Steiner, has made no secret of her views. The report references the Clayton Business and Community Association (CBCA) 18 times, raising legitimate concerns about influence and impartiality.

Notably, before the report’s release, Councilmember Tillman publicly suggested at a past city council meeting certain residents would soon be “eating crow.” How would she know? The origins of this complaint are no mystery.

And despite all the bluster, the Grand Jury found no serious misconduct, no civil rights violations, and no improper council overreach.

Ironically, the report validates what many of us already know: real reform began with the 2022 election. Since then, the Council majority—Trupiano, Diaz, and Wan—has worked to restore stability, integrity, and transparency to City Hall. A new City Manager and Assistant City Manager are in place. Every contract has been audited. Every expense is reviewed. Financial controls have been restored. This is the leadership residents demanded—and it’s finally being delivered.

As for the report’s suggestion that Clayton “explore alternative revenue sources”? That’s tone-deaf. Fiscal responsibility doesn’t mean inventing new taxes. And for the record, the city cannot raise taxes without voter approval. Responsible governance means managing money wisely, understanding the numbers, and eliminating waste—basic concepts neglected under prior leadership but now back in practice.

To be fair, the report did offer a few useful suggestions, like improving agenda access and encouraging public participation. Fortunately, these are already top priorities for the current Council. We agree with those limited points but emphasize: the root problems began in 2020, with Wolfe, Tillman, and Cloven, and their political games.

This is why Clayton Watch was formed.

Residents had seen enough. The city was deteriorating—financially, physically, and operationally. While services crumbled, political games dominated. From a mismanaged budget to overgrown landscapes and disappearing accountability, the signs were clear. Clayton Watch stepped forward to expose failures, cut through the spin, and fight for a better future.

We support this Council’s continued work to rebuild trust and move the city forward. We urge residents to view the Grand Jury report not as a roadmap, but as a reminder of how far we’ve come—and what we must never return to.

Sincerely,

The Clayton Watch Team
Political Action Committee

P.S. For those unfamiliar:

1. Anyone can file a Grand Jury complaint anonymously and without providing evidence.
2. To serve on the Grand Jury, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and a Contra Costa County resident for one year.
3. No background in law, finance, or public service is required.

Keep that in mind before treating their recommendations as gospel. 

To read the Grand Jury report, click on the following link. https://www.cc-courts.org/civil/docs/grandjury/2024-2025/2505/2505-SmallCityBigConcerns.pdf

Memorial Day Celebration - Honoring All Who Served

Memorial Day Celebration on Monday, May 26th, 10:00 to 11:00 AM at The Grove in downtown Clayton. You will have the opportunity to personally connect with the families of our fallen service members and local veterans. This year’s ceremony will feature World War II veterans Jake Larson Charles “Chuck” Kohler and Lou Gibbs. 

We hope to see you there!

Embracing Change at City Hall: A Fresh Start in Clayton

Shared Correspondence from the Community: We value the diverse perspectives of our readers and aim to encourage meaningful conversations. Occasionally, we may share excerpts from correspondence received from our followers or gathered from social media to promote civil discussions. While we may not always agree with the opinions shared, we believe in facilitating a platform for respectful debates. Thank you for contributing to the ongoing conversation in the comments section. Remember to keep your comments respectful and concise.

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Dear Clayton Community,

There has been a noticeable shift at City Hall since the introduction of the new staff. Over the past several months, the progress we've seen is not only evident but genuinely promising. Despite the continued complaints from a former council member, a current council member, the editor of The Pioneer, and a group of critics who only showed up to council meetings to voice their disdain, the results speak for themselves: the turnover at City Hall has led to a revitalized team that is truly committed to the job.

It's important to emphasize that the resignation of past city manager Bret Prebula and his team marked a pivotal turning point. Contrary to the criticisms of those still holding onto the past, this was, in hindsight, one of the best things to happen for Clayton. Prebula's decision to align himself politically with certain council members was a direct violation of the professional boundaries expected from a city manager. The worst misstep, however, was his resignation letter, which he co-authored with The Pioneer publisher Tamara Steiner. In it he essentially declared that Clayton would never recover from its staff turnover and rebuild effectively.

Funny enough, it seems that some of us in the community were once expected to "eat crow" are now witnessing the very people who supported Prebula eating their own words. The new staff we have in place respects the importance of remaining apolitical, which is essential for proper governance.

While the critics continue to harp on the past turnover, they fail to acknowledge the very real issues we had with previous city managers and a dysfunctional staff—particularly in the finance department. The reality is, we've made significant strides forward with the new team in place. The results are clear: our city is improving, and our staff is dedicated to the job at hand.

To those who continue to focus on past turnover, we say: look at the progress we’re making today. It's time to move forward. Continuing to dwell on past grievances is a waste of time and energy, especially when we're on the path to solving Clayton's longstanding issues. If you don’t want to be part of the solution, please, don't become part of the problem.

Thanks for reading,

Randy Waterhouse

Clayton Resident 

A Vision for Clayton's Future: Responsible Budgeting, Creative Solutions, and Community Prosperity

Shared Correspondence from the Community: We value the diverse perspectives of our readers and aim to encourage meaningful conversations. Occasionally, we may share excerpts from correspondence received from our followers or gathered from social media to promote civil discussions. While we may not always agree with the opinions shared, we believe in facilitating a platform for respectful debates. Thank you for contributing to the ongoing conversation in the comments section. Remember to keep your comments respectful and concise.

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Dear Mayor, City Council, and City Staff,

As a longtime Clayton resident, I’d like to share a few thoughts ahead of today’s budget workshop, which I regret I’m unable to attend. I appreciate the city’s effort in organizing this important meeting and providing residents with the opportunity to stay informed and engaged in the budgeting process.

While today’s focus is the overall city budget, it's also worth reflecting on how reserves have accumulated due to past budgeting decisions. For years, these reserves grew—not necessarily as a sign of financial strength, but because funds were not always used as originally intended. This contributed to a perception that residents were overtaxed and that the city was slow to address community needs.

Fortunately, I believe that period is behind us. Under the leadership of City Manager Kris Lofthus, Mayor Kim Trupiano, and the Council, we are seeing a more disciplined, transparent, and strategic approach to financial management. Recent restructuring and consolidation of city staff and resources reflect a renewed focus on accountability and professional governance. I commend this progress and feel optimistic about the direction we're heading.

As the city evaluates its budget and plans for the future, I support the responsible use of reserves for their intended purposes—such as budget stabilization, capital improvements, and vehicle replacement—while maintaining the prudent reserve level of 40%. Surplus funds should be put to work meeting real community needs—not left idle or as a cushion for inadequate planning.

In my view, raising taxes should not be the first solution, as has been suggested by a current and former council member. Instead, I encourage the city to continue seeking creative, sustainable strategies to support financial health. Some ideas worth considering include:
• Leasing or selling underutilized city-owned properties to generate recurring revenue.
• Installing solar energy systems and selling excess power back to the grid.
• Hosting additional city-led events to generate revenue and support local businesses, following the successful model of the CBCA (Clayton Business and Community Association).
• Actively pursuing state and federal grants for public projects.
• Introducing paid parking in high-demand areas to fund infrastructure improvements.
• Offering tax incentives to encourage local business growth.
• Exploring naming rights for public buildings as a form of private sponsorship.
• Partnering with neighboring cities to share services and reduce costs.

By adopting innovative and forward-thinking strategies, Clayton can diversify its revenue sources, reduce reliance on future tax increases, and invest more effectively in the needs of our residents.

If a tax increase—such as a sales tax or parcel tax—ever becomes truly necessary, it should only be pursued after all other viable options have been thoroughly explored and clearly communicated to the public. Our community deserves a government that is thoughtful, transparent, and fiscally responsible. With time on our side and a large reserve at our disposal, let's do the necessary work required to get our city in order.

In closing, I want to sincerely thank City Manager Lofthus, Mayor Kim Trupiano, and Council members Jeff Wan, Jim Diaz, and Rich Enea for their leadership. I believe the steps taken under their guidance have set Clayton on a more stable and promising path. With continued focus on smart budgeting and strong community engagement, I’m confident Clayton will continue to thrive.

Sincerely,

Gary Hood
Clayton Resident