For the first time in years, Scotts Valley City Council no longer has two members with last names that are just a letter apart.
Mayor Derek Timm won’t have to worry about people mixing-up his surname in political contexts anymore, given that Vice Mayor Allan Timms suddenly announced his resignation on Sept. 9, at the end of a regularly scheduled Council meeting.
“In a sad moment for me personally, I need to announce that on this Friday, the 5th of September, I will tender my resignation to the City Clerk, and therefore step down as a Council member—and as Vice Mayor,” Timms. “This (has) been quite an honor and a privilege to serve on this council for the three years.”
Given that Scotts Valley rotates mayors every year, Timms was in line to become the top elected official in the upscale Silicon Valley and Santa Cruz commuter town within months.
His arrival on Council represented what many described as a breath of fresh air in an election cycle that saw former San Jose mayor (and now congressman) Sam Liccardo’s chief of staff Jim Reed ousted.
Timms, a recent immigrant from the U.K., brought a strong sense of optimism around the American democratic process and, in contrast with Reed, who’d been staking out decidedly right-of-center positions, the neophyte politico soon emerged as the most progressive on Council (championing the environment, youth leadership and cycling infrastructure).
Timms reflected on his accomplishments during the Future Agenda items section of Council on Sept. 9.
“If I could think back to when I was a small English boy growing up on an island off the south coast of the U.K., I never really would have thought that I would buy an airport, I would pass business license tax measures, I would help with the Housing Element, and forward affordable housing in the City and the County, that I would work with our youth and work towards inclusivity as a community,” he said. “And I never really thought I’d come face-to-face with a tornado either, honestly. But there we go.”
Timms was a pleasant voice on the Council, always seeking to find consensus. And when he did express an opposing view, it was done in a matter-of-fact tone, apparently designed more to put his perspective on the record than to inflame tensions.
However, in the last few years, Timms had seen significant changes in his personal life, including leaving his executive role at Universal Audio and a breakdown in his marriage.
“It’s a very considered decision that has taken me some significant time to come to,” Timms said of opting to bow out before becoming mayor. “It is for personal reasons, and I will be leaving the city. So, I can no longer continue to serve on the Council in that regard.”
Council members must be at least 18 years of age, reside within the incorporated limits of the City of Scotts Valley and be registered to vote in the community.
Timms thanked former Council members Jack Dilles and Randy Johnson, as well as current ones Timm and Donna Lind, for their mentorship.
“And to Councilmember (Steve) Clark and Councilmember (Krista) Jett, I think you’re both terrific additions to the council,” he said, referring to the new colleagues ushered onto the body in the last election. “I’d also like to thank staff. The whole organization I’ve seen transformed over the three-year period, from disjointed, hard to retain with lots of weird problems from the past, and it’s become this highly organized, highly effective, high performing organization that really has taken huge leaps forward in how the city operates. And the whole executive team have really stepped into that and really done an amazing job under (City Manager) Mali’s (LaGoe’s) leadership.”
In a special meeting that followed, Council unanimously appointed Lind as Vice Mayor. After a long career with the Scotts Valley Police Department, she’s served as mayor three times, so far.
Council decided against holding a costly special election, and to appoint a replacement instead.
In an interview following the State of the City address at the Landing on Sept. 16, Mayor Timm told the Press Banner he wishes Timms the best in his new life in Texas.
“He was a great voice for our city,” said Timm, adding he only found out a couple weeks before the meeting about Timms’ decision. “It came as a shock to me. I was, of course, disappointed, because we have a great team…But you also understand that life-changes come up for people. And that is a major one. So, there’s nothing we could do about it.”
It would have been around $50,000 to $60,000 of public funds to hold an election, Timm added, noting there’s an election coming up next year anyways, where whoever is selected will have to make their case to voters.
Timm reminisced about running for Council alongside Timms, and about working with him on City business.
“He served well,” Timm said. “He’s going to be missed by all his colleagues…It’s definitely a loss for our city. Hopefully we’ll find a new shining star.”
