Score: 0
(0/2/0)
Contra Costa County Grand Jury
• 2024-2025
Clayton: Small City, Big Concerns - Clayton City Council
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 13 findings
F1
Since 2019, Clayton has had 12 City Managers, eight Finance Directors, and five Community Development Directors.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The level of turnover of City Managers in Clayton is greater than other cities in the County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
By December 1, 2025, the City Council should consider directing the City Manager to conduct a study of the causes of senior staff turnover.
F3
Prior to January 1, 2025, the City Council did not follow its established guidelines for inclusion of an agenda item despite requests over the course of 15 months by a council member to do so.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
By December 1, 2025, the City Council should consider adopting a new procedure for Council Members to request items be placed on future agendas.
R2
By December 1, 2025, the City Council should consider directing the City Manager to maintain a written, on-going list—available for public view—of all items that have been requested for inclusion in the Council’s agenda and either the date on which the item will be agendized or the reasons for denial of inclusion.
F4
Prior to January 7, 2025, the public could learn of requests for agenda item inclusion in real time when proposed by council members in open session.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Subsequent to January 7, 2025, the public could learn of requests for agenda item inclusion only by an oral report of the City Manager made once per quarter.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
Prior to January 9, 2025, there was a City Council agenda-setting committee meeting, held regularly with the Mayor and Vice-Mayor along with the City Manager, City Clerk, and City Attorney.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Committee meeting minutes are not consistently posted as a standalone document in the column provided on the City website.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
By December 1, 2025, the City Council should consider directing all committees to post their minutes as a standalone document in the minutes column of the City website.
F8
In 2024, 52% (13 of 25) of committee meetings were scheduled as special meetings. Consequently, opportunity for public comment on non-agenda items was eliminated.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
Regular meetings of committees do not consistently place on the agenda an opportunity for public comment on non-agenda items, which violates the Brown Act requirements.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
By December 1, 2025, the City Council should consider directing all Brown Act committees to place on the agenda the opportunity for public comment on non-agenda items for all regular scheduled meetings.
F10
The CBCA Negotiation Committee neither informed nor sought approval from the Council at a public meeting for actions taken, contrary to Council Guidelines.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
By December 1, 2025, the City Council should consider enforcing the Council Guidelines (City Council Guidelines and Procedures Section C.8.c) that committees come to the Council for approval of actions to be taken.
F11
Revenue shortfall has been identified and confirmed as an issue by several City Managers since 2022. However, while the Council has discussed the issue, it has taken no action to increase revenue.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
By July 1, 2026, the City Council should consider ways to increase City revenue.
F12
The City Council did not follow the established requirements in Resolution 76-2022 for selecting members of the Citizens Financial Sustainability Committee.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
By December 1, 2025, the City Council should consider following Resolution 76-2022’s requirements for qualifications of members to serve on the Citizens Financial Sustainability Committee.
F13
Committees formed by the City Council are not authorized to take action (other than advice and recommendations) without the Council’s approval.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
By December 1, 2025, the City Council should consider enforcing the Council Guidelines (City Council Guidelines and Procedures Section C.8.c) that committees come to the Council for approval of actions to be taken.
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.