List of 2025 City Council Meetings
October 21, 2025
| Agenda | [ Video] | Agenda Packet | [ Transcript] | [ Video Backup] |
August 11, 2025
Budget and Audit Committee
| Agenda | [ Minutes] | Video | Agenda Packet | [ Transcript] | [ Video Backup] |
July 25, 2025
Good Governance
| Video | Transcript | Video Backup |
June 17, 2025
| Agenda | Video | Agenda Packet | CC_RegularSession_Agenda_06_17_2025 | Transcript |
AI summary
The following summary was generated by an AI model from the meeting's transcript, agenda, and agenda packet, and may contain errors.
Item 1: Call to Order and Roll Call
This item was not taken up at the meeting.
Item 2: Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance at [0:06:08].
Item 3: Planning Commission Interviews
The Planning Commission interviews were conducted to fill two vacancies on the Planning Commission, with two candidates interviewed and a third absent. Councilmember Jim Diaz presided over the interviews, which lasted approximately 45 minutes. The first candidate, Joe, expressed his interest in serving on the Planning Commission due to his seven years of residency in Clayton and his commitment to preserving the city's character. He highlighted high-density housing and downtown business growth as key issues. He emphasized that the Planning Commission is an advisory body and that he would respect the City Council's final decisions. Joe also noted that his work schedule as a commercial real estate designer would allow him to attend meetings consistently.
The second candidate, Commissioner Casagrande, also expressed a strong interest in serving, citing his love for Clayton and his desire to contribute to the community. He identified high-density housing mandates and community trust as major development issues. He acknowledged the City Council's final authority over Planning Commission recommendations and emphasized the importance of community trust and involvement. He also stated that he had no scheduling conflicts.
Mr. Schmidt, the third candidate, arrived late but apologized and expressed his interest in serving, citing his 28 years of military experience as a planner. He discussed the need to balance the town's charm with modern development, such as transitioning from gas stations to car chargers. He emphasized the importance of an open mind and understanding facts for a Planning Commissioner. He also stated that he had no scheduling conflicts and was willing to serve in an advisory role.
The interviews concluded with the understanding that a decision on the two vacancies would be made later in the evening under action item 10A. The City Council then recessed for a brief period before proceeding to the Oakhurst Geological Hazard Abatement District meeting.
Keywords: Planning Commission vacancies, Candidate interviews, High-density housing, Community trust, City Council authority, Scheduling conflicts, Advisory role emphasis, Geological hazard abatement
Item 4: Swearing in Ceremony for Incoming Police Chief Jeremy Crone
The swearing-in ceremony for incoming Police Chief Jeremy Crone took place during the meeting. Mayor Richard G Enea welcomed attendees back from a recess and introduced the agenda item, noting that the swearing-in would follow a presentation by City Manager Chris. City Manager Chris then provided a detailed overview of Jeremy Crone’s qualifications, highlighting his extensive law enforcement experience, leadership roles, and commitment to community policing and officer wellness. He emphasized Crone’s tenure as Police Commander in Pinole and Sassoon City, his leadership during the acting Police Chief role, and his educational background and professional certifications.
Jeremy Crone then delivered a speech, expressing gratitude to the mayor, vice mayor, council members, city staff, and community members for their support. He emphasized the professionalism he experienced during the hiring process and his commitment to serving as a steward of the Clayton Police Department. He concluded with a quote from Ted Lasso, underscoring his dedication to continuous improvement.
The swearing-in ceremony followed, with Crone taking the oath of office alongside a representative, who assisted him in reciting the oath. After the ceremony, Mayor Enea announced a short recess, during which attendees could meet the new Police Chief. Upon returning from the recess, Councilmember Jim Diaz was invited to speak, though the transcript does not include his remarks.
Keywords: swearing-in ceremony, Police Chief Jeremy Crone, qualifications overview, community policing, oath of office, Mayor Richard G Enea, new Police Chief introduction
Item 5: Public Comment on Non-agenda Items
A member of the public expressed concerns about the hiring process for the new chief of police, stating that it lacked transparency and inclusivity. The speaker emphasized the importance of the position and urged the council to ensure a more open process in the future.
The speaker identified as Geneva Moss, the librarian, provided information about the library's summer programs, including the Level Up at the Library initiative, which features summer reading, game nights, and special events for children and teens. She encouraged community participation and highlighted local and county-level prizes for participants.
Howard Kaplan, a resident and member of the Financial Sustainability Committee, raised concerns about the city's budget and deferred maintenance on infrastructure. He criticized the city's response to questions about road maintenance and pointed out a significant funding gap between the estimated cost of maintaining roads and the available revenue. He also highlighted deferred maintenance in landscaping and questioned the city's approach to balancing the budget by shifting expenses to special assessment districts.
Keith Hayden, another member of the Financial Sustainability Committee, noted that the committee had not been consulted on the recently approved budget, despite its formation to ensure financial sustainability. He argued that the city's pattern of approving budgets with structural deficits is unsustainable and warned of the risks to essential services and financial stability.
Christine Mueller and another speaker addressed the Grand Jury report, urging the council to take it seriously and not dismiss its findings. They emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing the city's financial challenges and improving governance.
The discussion concluded with additional comments from a speaker who supported increased community participation in council meetings, particularly through remote access options.
Keywords: hiring process transparency, summer reading programs, budget funding gap, financial sustainability committee, deferred maintenance roads, grand jury report accountability, community participation remote
Item 6: Consent Calendar
The council moved to approve multiple items from the consent calendar. At [1:02:32], Speaker 6 moved approval of the items, and Speaker 18 seconded the motion. Speaker 2 acknowledged the motion and confirmed the agenda items to be considered. Speaker 18 clarified that the motion would include items A, B, D, and E. However, confusion arose regarding the correct agenda items, with Council Member Diaz, Speaker 10, and others noting discrepancies between the printed and online versions of the agenda. Speaker 2 confirmed that the correct item was 6C, and Speaker 10 noted that their version of the agenda included items A through D, while another version had an item labeled E. Speaker 12 pointed out that the motion had to be moved to the action item leader. After clarification, Speaker 18 confirmed that the items to be approved were A, C, and D. Council Member Diaz affirmed his support, and Vice Mayor Wan, Council Member Aniya, Council Member Tillman, and Mayor Tribiano all voted in favor. The motion passed with five ayes.
Keywords: approval motion, agenda items, discrepancies, correct items, motion passed, voting support, consent calendar
Item 7: Recognitions and Presentations
The meeting began with a discussion on item 7, Recognitions and Presentations, which included several honors and acknowledgments. The first segment focused on Dan Johnston, who was recognized for his 24 years of service and his dedication to the city, particularly his assistance during a Memorial Day event despite it being a scheduled day off. Jeff Miller was also acknowledged for helping Chief Mort change a flat tire, showcasing his willingness to assist others beyond his duties.
Following this, JoAnn Caspar was honored as the Unsung Hero for the Month of May. JoAnn has been a long-time resident of Clayton, contributing significantly to the community through her involvement with various organizations, including the Clayton Historical Society and the Clayton Valley Garden Club. She has also been a key figure in the annual Clayton Garden Tour, which was started by Eldora Hoyer, the first mayor's wife.
Rory Richmond was posthumously honored for his community service, particularly his contributions to the Clayton Business and Community Association and the Clayton Historical Society. A proclamation was presented in his honor, and a memorial garden was dedicated in his name. A special ceremony was planned for the following Saturday at the Historical Museum.
The meeting then moved on to a six-month assessment of the Clayton Police Department by Interim Chief Don Mort. Chief Mort highlighted the department's strengths, including its mature and dedicated officers, and noted that the city does not face major crime issues. However, he also discussed challenges such as staffing and retention, emphasizing the need for more officers and the difficulty of recruitment. He also mentioned the importance of training and the need for a lieutenant position to ensure continuity and leadership within the department.
Chief Mort also provided data on the number of calls for service and the types of incidents handled by the department. He noted that the majority of calls were for non-criminal issues, such as traffic accidents and mental health evaluations. He also discussed the need for better training for high-risk scenarios and the importance of having a dedicated traffic officer.
The discussion concluded with public comments and questions from council members and residents, addressing concerns about staffing, retention, and the impact of new regulations on fire safety and home hardening. The fire chief also provided an update on the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, including new programs and initiatives aimed at improving fire safety and community preparedness.
Keywords: Recognitions and Presentations, Community Service Contributions, Clayton Historical Society, Police Department Assessment, Staffing and Retention Challenges, Fire Safety Initiatives, Memorial Garden Dedication, Training and Leadership Needs
Item 8: Reports
The City Manager provided updates on upcoming events and schedule changes. The Council will not meet on July 1st due to the 4th of July holiday and parade. Interested parties are encouraged to visit the City website for more information and to participate in the parade. A good governance training session is scheduled for July 22nd at Endeavor Hall, starting at 4 o'clock. National Night Out will be held on August 5th, and there will be no Council meeting that evening. The City is preparing for the certification of the housing element, with a meeting planned with HCD next week. Progress is being made, and the City is getting closer to certification. The Climatec Energy Project is currently underway, with construction focused on repaving and increasing space for an EV charger. Future work will involve installing solar panels in the Corporation Yard, with the project expected to take six to eight weeks.
Vice Mayor Richard G Enea acknowledged the 4th of July Parade and thanked Sarah Brinkman, the chair of the parade, for her efforts. He noted that the deadline to participate in the parade is June 29th. The next Council meeting is scheduled for July 15th. A question was raised about the location of National Night Out, and the City Manager indicated that the police department would have more information on the event's location. A speaker mentioned that the event was previously held at the community park, which was a good location for the event.
Keywords: 4th of July holiday, parade participation, good governance training, National Night Out, housing element certification, Climatec Energy Project, EV charger installation, Corporation Yard solar panels
Item 9: Public Hearings
This item was not taken up at the meeting.
Item 10: Action Items
This item was not taken up at the meeting.
Item 11: Adjournment
Adjournment at [3:12:31].
See the full transcript here.
June 03, 2025
| Agenda | Video | Agenda Packet | CC_RegularSession_Agenda_06_03_2025 | Transcript |
AI summary
The following summary was generated by an AI model from the meeting's transcript, agenda, and agenda packet, and may contain errors.
Item 1: Call to Order and Roll Call
Call to Order and Roll Call at [0:00:01].
Item 2: Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance at [0:00:26].
Item 3: Public Comment on Non-agenda Items
A member of the public, Cameron Mabry, field representative for Assemblywoman Ana Marie Avila-Frias, provided an update on the Assemblymember’s legislative activities and outreach efforts. Mabry noted that the Assemblymember is carrying 12 bills this session, several of which align with local priorities. He also highlighted her involvement in five legislative committees and her designation of the Contra Costa County Boys and Girls Club in Martinez as her nonprofit of the year. Mabry mentioned that the Assemblymember’s office has already conducted a tour of Concord and expressed interest in scheduling a similar visit to Clayton to better understand the city’s legislative needs and explore ways to support local priorities. He provided contact information for the district office located in Toto Santos Plaza in Concord and encouraged residents to reach out directly for assistance with state-related concerns, including unemployment insurance cases, DMV delays, and franchise tax port issues.
Keywords: Assemblymember's bills, Local priorities, Legislative committees, Nonprofit of the year, Concord tour, Clayton visit, State-related concerns
Item 4: Consent Calendar
Councilmember Jim Diaz requested that item C, the engineer’s report and proposed assessments for the operation and maintenance of streetlights in the streetlight assessment district for fiscal year 2025/26, be pulled from the consent calendar for further discussion. Councilmember Richard G Enea agreed, and the item was removed from the calendar. Councilmember Holly Tillman expressed concern that the city has not been informing residents about the underfunding of the streetlight assessment district, noting that the city continues to borrow from the gas tax to cover the difference. She questioned when the city could seek additional funding for the district.
City staff, represented by Speaker 5, explained that the city has been converting streetlights to LED, which has reduced the cost of operation from approximately $150,000 to around $120,000 annually. However, the cost of streetlights is expected to increase over time, and to address any future funding gaps, the city would need to seek a vote within the streetlight district. Staff also noted that new developments, such as Diablo Meadows, are annexed into a community facilities district, allowing for assessments at current market rates rather than the outdated rate in the existing streetlight district.
Councilmember Jim Diaz inquired about the status of quarterly reports on streetlight maintenance, which Chief Moore explained had not been conducted in approximately 18 to 24 months. He noted that the city is currently conducting an assessment and encouraged residents to report streetlight outages through the Clayton 311 system. Councilmember Kim Trupiano confirmed that the city’s annual revenue from the streetlight district is approximately $126,000, while the projected cost for the upcoming fiscal year is around $120,000.
Staff confirmed that if the item was approved, the city could begin the process of informing residents and seeking a vote immediately, with implementation likely to occur in August when the tax roll is generated. No further questions were raised, and the motion to approve the item was made and seconded.
Keywords: streetlight assessments, fiscal year 2025/26, LED conversion costs, quarterly maintenance reports, annual revenue $126k, tax roll implementation, community facilities district
Item 5: Recognitions and Presentations
The motion to recognize and present awards was not scheduled for this meeting, as indicated in the agenda. However, a brief discussion occurred regarding the motion. Speaker 17, who is Cameron Mabry, Field Representative, initiated the discussion by asking Council Member Diaz if he supported the motion, to which Diaz affirmed. Richard G Enea, Vice Mayor, also supported the motion. Holly Tillman, Councilmember, voted in favor. Jeff Wan, Mayor, also supported the motion. Finally, Speaker 3, who is Mayor Cipriano, affirmed his support. With five affirmative votes, the motion was approved.
Keywords: motion approval, supporting votes, council members, field representative, mayor support
Item 6: Reports
This item was not taken up at the meeting.
Item 7: Action Items
The city council discussed the adoption of Resolution Authorizing the City of Clayton’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2024-25 Through 2028-29. The city engineer, Larry, explained that the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is prepared annually and includes a five-year window of projects, with the first two years integrated into the biannual budget. The plan primarily focuses on roadway improvements, sidewalk ADA enhancements, and other infrastructure projects. The 2026 paving project is budgeted at $2.4 million, while the 2028 project is budgeted at $1.9 million. Larry noted that the CIP also includes planning for future projects, such as the Cardonet Trail or Creek Bank repair, which requires preliminary design and permitting. He emphasized that most gas tax funds are used for operational costs, and capital projects rely on specific funds like the RMRA Fund 202 and CCTA sales tax. Councilmember Jim Diaz asked about the inclusion of vehicle-related capital expenditures, and Larry clarified that these are typically managed separately due to their different lifecycle and budgeting needs. After a brief public comment period with no objections, the council moved to approve the resolution. A motion was made and seconded, and the resolution was approved with all members voting in favor.
Keywords: Capital Improvement Plan, Roadway Improvements, Sidewalk ADA Enhancements, 2026 Paving Project, Cardonet Trail, RMRA Fund 202, CCTA Sales Tax
Item 8: Public Hearings
The city council conducted a public hearing as required by AB 2561 to address workforce vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts. Assistant City Manager Regina Rubio presented data showing that the Clayton Police Officers Association had no vacancies, while unrepresented employees had one vacancy (the senior planner). She noted that seven out of eight recent recruitments were successful, completed within a short timeframe. Sergeant Rich Anaya of the Clayton Police Officers Association highlighted longstanding staffing issues, including a lack of growth in police numbers despite population increases, frequent turnover, and low pay compared to other agencies. He emphasized the impact of these challenges on public safety and the need for competitive salaries to attract and retain officers.
Council members asked clarifying questions about the AB 2561 requirements and whether other bargaining units had the opportunity to present. No additional presentations were made beyond the Police Officers Association. Public comment included suggestions for improving retention, such as implementing a seniority bonus, and concerns about the city’s ability to compete for skilled workers. Council members expressed support for addressing these issues but noted the need for difficult budget decisions.
The council then moved to the biennial budget for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27, covering general fund, landscape maintenance district fund, fiduciary funds, and other budgets. Regina Rubio outlined the proposed budget, noting a projected deficit of $129,000 for 2025–26 and $745,000 for 2026–27. She explained changes made since the May 6 budget workshop, including adjustments to revenue estimates, salary and benefits increases, and reductions in services and supplies. The budget also included plans for purchasing new vehicles, including two maintenance vehicles and one police vehicle.
Council members raised questions about the budget, including the rationale for certain line items, the use of funds for professional services, and the impact of rising costs such as dispatch fees and insurance. There was discussion about the city’s reserve funds and the need to balance the budget while addressing long-term financial sustainability. A motion was made and seconded to approve the budget with the proposed amendments, which were accepted by the council. The public hearing concluded with the council approving the budget.
Keywords: workforce vacancies, competitive salaries, budget deficit, salary increases, vehicle purchases, public safety, financial sustainability
Item 9: Adjournment
Adjournment at [3:07:13].
See the full transcript here.
May 20, 2025
| Agenda | Minutes | Video | Agenda Packet | Transcript | Video Backup |
May 19, 2025
Budget and Audit Committee
| Agenda | [ Minutes] | Video (audio corrupted) | Agenda Packet | Transcript (partial due to corrupted audio) | Video Backup |
May 6, 2025
| Agenda | Minutes | Video | Agenda Packet | Transcript | Video Backup |
April 21, 2025
Budget and Audit Committee
| Agenda | Minutes | Video | Agenda Packet | [ Transcript] | Video Backup |
April 15, 2025
| Agenda | Minutes | Video | Agenda Packet | Transcript | Video Backup |
April 7, 2025
Budget and Audit Committee
| Agenda | Minutes | Video | Agenda Packet | [ Transcript] | Video Backup |
April 1, 2025
| Agenda | Minutes | Video | Agenda Packet | Transcript | Video Backup |
March 18, 2025
| Agenda | Minutes | Video | Agenda Packet | Transcript | Video Backup |
March 17, 2025
Budget and Audit Committee
| Agenda | Minutes | Video | Agenda Packet | [ Transcript] | Video Backup |
March 4, 2025
| Agenda | Video | Agenda Packet | Transcript | Video Backup |
February 18, 2025
| Agenda | Video | Agenda Packet | Transcript | Video Backup |
February 10, 2025
Budget and Audit Committee
| Agenda | Item 4 – Report on Mid-Year Budget Review (Attachments) | Video | Transcript | Video Backup |
February 4, 2025
| Agenda | Item 9 – Agreement with UBS Financial Services Inc. for Investment Advisory Services (Presentation) | Public Comment | Video | Transcript | Video Backup |
Highlights
Dane and Kahni Horton declared in their written public comment that they "do not want our town turned into a 'gay Mecca'" and implored the council to "please spend time investigating the person or persons responsible for inviting Black Lives Matter and other thugs into our town."
January 28, 2025
| CC_RegularSession_Agenda_01_28_2025 |
January 27, 2025
City Sponsored Special Events
| Agenda | Video | Transcript | Video Backup |
January 21, 2025
| Agenda | Minutes | Video | Public Comment | Transcript | Video Backup |
January 13, 2025
Budget and Audit Committee
| Agenda | Video | Transcript | Video Backup |
January 7, 2025
| Agenda | Minutes | Video | Video Backup |