On Sept. 16, Scotts Valley City Council honored Mali LaGoe with a proclamation, as her final day in the city manager chair approached.
In the official document, she was lauded for stabilizing the workforce, reducing vacancies and fostering a mission-driven organization.
“Mali modernized City operations through significant investments in technology, cybersecurity, public safety systems and organizational processes, while establishing strategic planning that better aligned City Council priorities, budgeting, staffing and departmental work,” it reads, adding she secured more than $3.1 million in grant funding and established a Section 115 Trust for pensions.
“Mali revitalized recreation and community engagement following the Covid-19 pandemic, enhancing programs, parks, community events, the Senior Center, Citizens Academy and City communications,” states the proclamation.
LaGoe announced her resignation in August. Administrative Services Director Stephanie Hill has been named interim city manager.
During public comment, former Mayor Jack Dilles said he really enjoyed working with LaGoe during his days on Council.
“She just impressed me in so many ways,” he said. “She took us to places we’ve never been before. And my career was in government finance, so I’ve seen a lot of good and bad. And she’s right there at the top.”
County Supervisor Monica Martinez sent a representative—with another proclamation—to thank LaGoe for her efforts to revitalize the City in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, including her collaboration with the County of Santa Cruz to establish the Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District, which was dealt with later in the meeting.
State Assemblymember Gail Pellerin—who was away helping her daughter prepare for her wedding—sent a rep to recognize LaGoe, particularly for leading from her heart.
A district official with State Sen.John Laird’s office said LaGoe has made huge strides in bringing the Town Center project to fruition, and presided over upgrades at Skypark and to the police communications system, among other things.
Congressman Jimmy Panetta sent a certificate.
Scotts Valley resident Chris Hofmann thanked LaGoe for organizing an informational meeting for a 96-unit, 100%-affordable by-right housing development at 125 Bethany Drive, which the developer skipped.
“I just think it took a tremendous amount of courage,” he said via Zoom. “In that meeting, she also delivered a kick in the butt to the citizens of Scotts Valley. And that kick in the butt was just a simple statement saying, ‘There’s nothing we can do here.’ And several of the citizens took that and acted on it. And that’s what we really needed to make sure that the 125 Bethany proposal got evaluated correctly.”
Last month, the City announced the project, which is on land owned by the son of the Press Banner’s former general manager, was found to have critical legal and spatial conflicts and does not qualify for ministerial processing.
Another former mayor, Randy Johnson, said the decision to hire LaGoe was a clear one.
“I think we were wise in that choice,” he said, cheering her for the stability she brought to the municipality. “And I salute you for the nearly five years of work that you’ve done here in the city of Scotts Valley. When you arrived, I think we were on our fourth city manager in five years.”
The City had a very “solid rhythm” with LaGoe conducting things, Johnson added.
“You could just kind of feel it,” he said. “The city is in your debt. And Godspeed on what your future holds for you. But you will be missed.”
