Keeping Clayton's small town feel for all - Now and in the future.
Supporting Citizen Engagement
I believe all citizens should know their rights, but also, understand their responsibilities as citizens - the best way is through vigorous, but civil discourse.
My community priorities have been and are:
Public Safety
Improving Our Quality of Life
Listening to People
Jim Diaz
I am a Small Business Owner and Current City Council Member. Former Mayor, Planning Commissioner, Police Lieutenant - Clayton Police Department - Reserve Division Commander.
I am honored to have served the Clayton Community as a councilman for for the past eight years, and as a citizen and volunteer for over 30 years helping to:
Get the Downtown Park Approved
Co-Produced and Set-Up for the Concerts in the Grove
Supporting Clayton Valley Charter High School
Continuing to steer the city's never ending pursuit of fiscal responsibility
Making things happen - rather than watching things happen - for example: spearheaded the re-opening of our Fire Station No. 11
CANDIDATE STATEMENT
It has been an honor and privilege to serve the Clayton community the past eight years. As a councilmember, I have put to good work the experience and training I had as a Small Business Owner, Planning Commissioner, and former Police Lieutenant. My extensive involvement with CBCA in co-chairing several events, and as co-producer of the Concerts In The Grove, have provided me with close community knowledge and association.
My community priorities have been threefold:
Public Safety - assuring Clayton remains one of the safest in Contra Costa County,
Improving Our Quality of Life - through fiscal discipline and well-planned development, and
Listening to People - good listener
I am deeply concerned with keeping Clayton's small town feel for all - now and in the future. I continue to help steer the city in its never ending pursuit of fiscal responsibility. In addition to always being available and approachable to all community members, I am in favor of making things happen rather than watching things happen, which is why I spearheaded the reopening of our Fire Station No. 11. We should also respect law enforcement and advocate for the Clayton Police Department’s continued development and community involvement.
Finally, I believe all citizens should know their rights, but at the same time, understand their responsibilities as citizens. The best way to ensure that is through vigorous, but, civil discourse in person and on social media.
I ask for your vote to continue this approach for another four years.
Olivia Project
As a member of your City Council. I wanted to share with you my thoughts on what led me to vote no on the high-density Olivia Project in Downtown Clayton.
After the Clayton Planning Commission rendered its decision on the Olivia Project, it was appealed and forwarded to the City Council.
There were four (4) appellants: 1. The Developer, 2. A Clayton Business-owner and Resident, and two (2) Residents from the Stranahan development.
I reached out to all of these individuals and questioned their reasoning for their appeals:
The Developer’s opinion was clear: he wished to proceed with the development and provide additional residential units in Clayton. He further relayed to me that he had presented an initial plan that included a 60 Unit, three-building, two-story development proposal, with appropriate on-site parking. This proposal was rejected by the Clayton City Planning Department for limited technical reasons, on which he did not elaborate. This Proposal was never brought forward to the City Council. And, the rationale for the rejection was not identified to me.
The Clayton Business-owner and Resident expressed concerns regarding the number of units and the height of the current 80+ Unit, three-building, three story development proposal. Further, he expressed concerns regarding the bare-minimum on-site parking proposed.
The two Stranahan Residents, each and individually, expressed their concern about the 80+ Unit, three-building, three-story proposal. Further, they noted that with the lack of adequate on-site parking, excess parkers would likely overflow onto Marsh Creek Road, which has only two lanes for vehicular traffic, and two minimal bicycle lanes. And, they also believed that overflow parking users would likely park their vehicles in the Stranahan area to accommodate Olivia Project guest and overnight parking needs.
At the two City Council meetings dedicated to hearing from the Developer, the Clayton Community and other interested parties, the vast majority of opinions identified three major areas of concern:
Parking,
Traffic, and
Safety.
These three major areas of concern highlighted, in my view, the lack of on-site, adequate parking at the currently proposed Olivia Project, the additional traffic generated by the proposed development on Marsh Creek Road, and the potential for citizen safety in the immediate Olivia Project area.
After all presentations and deliberations at the second and final City Council Meeting on the Olivia Project, I had hoped that the Developer would offer to re-visit his proposal and bring back the original 60 Unit, three-building, two-story proposal for discussion and, ultimately, a unanimous project approval.
As a result of the above, I voted to deny the proposed Olivia Project as presented.
PIONEER 2020 CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
Why are you running for the city council?
I am seeking re-election to keep Clayton’s small-town feel, through fiscally sound and conservative actions; meeting civic needs in keeping with a balanced budget. (Not to overrun it with large development.)
What are your professional/personal qualifications?
Small Business Owner; Current City Council Member & Former Mayor; Former Executive (Retired) with AT&T; Former Chief Executive of the California State Bureau of Security & Investigative Services; Former Police Lieutenant Clayton Police Department - Reserve Division.
How long have you been a resident?
Since 1979; 41 years
What other civic positions have you held?
Current City Council Member, Mayor in 2017; Former Clayton Planning Commissioner: Former Police Lieutenant Clayton Police Department Reserve Division; Chaired the Clayton Sub-Committee which led to the re-opening of Fire Station No. 11.
What experience do you have that qualifies you for the city council?
Have been involved with the City of Clayton since moving here in 1979. First with the Police Department, Planning Commission and, then, elected to the City Council in 2012. Have been a member of the CBCA since 1998, and have Chaired/Co-Chaired the Art & Wine Festival and Clayton Classic Golf Tournament.
Do you believe Clayton has a problem with racism that needs to be addressed? If so, how would you address the issue?
Clayton is not a racist community. Racism in all forms is wrong. However, awareness of racism is essential in every community. I supported the Proclamation Against Hate, and the Proclamation Condemning Racism as a reaffirmation of what I know our community stands against. I also support the community dialog that is underway through the Clayton Ad Hoc Public Safety Committee.
The governor has made the housing crisis a number one priority for the state. Cities are being mandated to provide more housing units than has been required in the past and it’s likely yet even denser housing plans will be required in the future. How should Clayton address these mandates?
Clayton should consider updating the Town Specific Plan. Additionally, Clayton should review our other Planning Documents that provide guidance of how to address state mandates that are often unrealistic. These Plans have not been formally reviewed by the City Council in several years. Clayton can address state mandates and remain compatible with our small-town heritage.
Clayton has historically been very fiscally conservative with a limited budget. What are your spending priorities in keeping with a commitment to a balanced budget?
Remaining fiscally sound and conservative, given our challenges with Clayton’s size, location and limited sales tax base - living within our means - must be our highest priority. We have very little margin to maintain our current needs and provide for future services. Anyone not committed to this priority should not be involved in guiding Clayton’s future.
What do you see as the single biggest challenge for the city going into 2021?
We must strive to keep our small-town commitment and sense of community purpose in the face of ongoing, unfunded state mandates being forced onto local communities. Clayton is nothing without a strong community spirit, regardless of cultural or political differences.
What is your vision for Clayton in the next 4 years? Long term?
Keeping Clayton’s small-town feel for the next 4 years and into the future.
What role will you play in realizing that vision?
Through open-minded engagement with our community. Hear people out respectfully, and continue to be outspoken and an advocate for our values. Nothing good happens by itself.
What is the email address you want us to use to communicate with you?
Jim Diaz Email: jimdiaz2006@pacbell.net
Contact
Feel free to email me with any questions.
Email
jimdiaz2006@pacbell.net
Please Provide Me A Sign For My Yard