The next Council meeting on 1.4.22 has a few significant items on the agenda:

• The annual reorganization of the Council's standing committee assignments
  
  
• A discussion of "hero pay".  At our last council meeting I requested that this item be brought forward in recognition of the work that our police and city staff had done throughout the pandemic.  Our initial focus with ARPA funding was to benefit our local businesses and residents that had been impacted by COVID-19.  As we quickly rolled out that program, the next immediate focus was our own police and city staff.  It does appear that we will have funds from the 1st tranche of ARPA funding so I'm hopeful we can do something to recognize the work put in by our police and city staff.
  
  
• There will also be a presentation regarding progress on the 6th Cycle Housing Element update where we discuss the results of various meetings and surveys, as well as potential opportunity sites for zoning the required additional housing units that the state has forced cities to adopt.
  
  
• In addition, there is a change order request on the consent calendar regarding the Clayton Curb Ramp Improvement Project.  This was undertaken in 2021 to repair and adjust certain curbs within the city to be compliant with ADA requirements.  The original project was budgeted at approximately $354K, however with new estimates that amount is projected to rise to approximately $498K - an increase of 41%.  The increase is due to observations of unsafe conditions near where the original work was being performed.  The additional funds will be pulled from the Neighborhood Pavement Preservation Project (roads within the city).

If you have any questions or thoughts on the above, please let me know.

12.7.21 Meeting Summary

Tonight there was one significant item on the agenda:

• Tonight the Council took action to reorganize the leadership positions of the Council and selected Councilmember Cloven to serve as Mayor.  Councilmember Diaz nominated me to serve as mayor which failed on a vote of 2-3.  Thereafter Councilmember Tillman nominated Cloven to serve as Mayor and that passed on a vote of 3-2 with myself and Councilmember Diaz voting no.  While I am disappointed I will not serve as Mayor as long as the bloc of Wolfe, Tillman, and Cloven are on this Council, I will continue to vote my conscious and my votes on matters counts just the same.
  
  Councilmember Tillman was chosen to serve as Vice Mayor on a vote of 4-1 with myself voting no.
  
  
• During my council report, I raised the issue of Hero Pay for our Clayton Police Officers in connection with ARPA funds.  While our immediate focus was on local businesses and households impacted by COVID, I want to stress the work above and beyond that our police officers and staff put in and continues to put in during this period that has been so heavily impacted by COVID.  I received a letter from the Clayton Police Officer's Association that detailed much of the activity that the police has done during this time, much of which goes unseen.
  
  For our next round of funding, I am requesting that our Police Officers are recognized with ARPA funding which is an allowable use of funds.  Given our small number of officers and police staff, a small portion of our available ARPA funds will go a long way and I am wholly in support of that and our officers.
  
  
• In addition, the Clayton Successor and Successor Housing Agencies met approving an obligation payment schedule.  This is regular business that provides for payment of debt related to previous housing Redevelopment Agencies in Clayton.
  
  
• The Oakhurst Geological Hazard Abatement District (GHAD) also met for it's annual reorganization.  I reiterated my request for a list and schedule of activities performed by the GHAD in the spirit of transparency and accountability.  I have been asking for this item for multiple years I believe.  It's perplexing why a list and schedule has not been forthcoming given the work is being performed and an internal schedule must exist.

Upcoming Council Meeting 12.7.21

At our next meeting there are several things on our consent calendar that are taking care of administrative items.  The only significant item is the reorganization of the council selecting a new Mayor and Vice Mayor.

There will also be a meeting of the Clayton Successor & Successor Housing Agencies, and the Oakhurst Geological Hazard Abatement District.  These meetings will also focus on administrative items that are required to be approved.

If you have any thoughts or questions on the above, please let me know.

Meeting Updates and Clayton Cares ARPA Program

There were two special meetings this week:

11.29.21 - The council met in closed session to authorize moving forward with certain litigation.  There's an entire process to this and a period of time available to take action avoiding such litigation so pending that I'll hold on further information at this time.  What is discussed in closed session is not allowed to be disclosed.

11.30.21 - The council met and discussed two items:

• Three people submitted applications for the open Planning Commissioner seat to fulfill the remainder of a term that concluded in Jun-22.  The Council decided to appoint Any Hines-Shaikh to fill the open position on a vote of 3-2, with myself and Councilmember Diaz voting no.  I felt that Ms. Hines-Shaikh responses in favor of greater housing density and her disappointment with the high cost of homes in Clayton was not consistent with what the majority of residents in town believed, and it was inconsistent with one of my core goals of maintaining and increasing property values within Clayton.
  
  Regardless, the majority of the Council disagreed.  I wish Ms. Hines-Shaikh the best of luck going forward and thank the other candidates who applied and put themselves out there to go through this process.
  
  
• We also held a closed session for a performance evaluation with our City Manager.

I'd also like to share news regarding the launch of the Clayton Cares ARPA programs for businesses and non-profits, as well as individual households.  Information can be found at the city website here:  https://claytonca.gov/claytoncares/  The application period runs from 12.1.21 through 1.31.22. for businesses and, through 2.28.22 for households.  All amounts will be distributed to qualifying applicants on a first come first served basis so be sure to apply as soon as possible if you are eligible.