As of mid-December, the City of Scotts Valley had caught up on its HR backlog and was fully staffed. This followed years of headaches in the police department and Public Works, as employees left for greener pastures elsewhere.
But, after a sustained campaign to recruit and train officers—helped in part by funding from the Measure Z tax—and stability at the top as City Manager Mali LaGoe continues to roll out her vision for the community, the hiring team was able to close the remaining gaps.
And none too soon, as Scotts Valley was hit with its first-ever tornado on record last month.
The damaged traffic signals on Mt. Hermon Road by Target and at Kings Village Road were quickly repaired, and Scotts Valley City Council voted to declare a state of emergency.
Scotts Valley has still been feeling the effects of a prior natural disaster: A section of Bean Creek Road that was taken out by the January 2023 storms was finally reopened on Dec. 16.
That week at Council, Alex Titus, a meteorologist who lives in Scotts Valley, thanked the Public Works staff and first responders for their efforts in the wake of the tornado, according to draft meeting minutes.
Titus pointed to SKYWARN, an app that provides awareness and preparedness solutions related to weather emergencies.
Greg Wimp, a local business owner, thanked the City for its quick response to the tornado.
Outgoing mayor Randy Johnson and former mayor Jack Dilles, both retiring, were also honored at the Dec. 18 meeting.
Assemblymember Gail Pellerin and representatives from the offices of Sen. John Laird and Congressman Jimmy Panetta were in attendance to wish them well. A video honoring Johnson was played and he received a key to the city.
New Councilmembers Steve Clark and Krista Jett were sworn-in, as was re-elected Councilmember Donna Lind.
Lind nominated Vice Mayor Derek Timm for another term as mayor. It was seconded by Clark—his first official act—and approved unanimously.
Timm nominated Allan Timms for the vice mayor job. Clark seconded this motion, too. It carried unanimously.
During her report, LaGoe highlighted the holiday shopping Bingo game the City had sponsored, and noted the Sunridge Drive Capital Improvement Project had wrapped up.
Mayor Timm thanked LaGoe for the major achievement in bringing staffing levels back up at the City and gave Public Works kudos for their hard work, as well.
