City of Scotts Valley Government News Digest

In the planning stages since 2021, a new inclusive and accessible playground opened at Skypark.

Lined up behind City Hall, members of the Scotts Valley Police Department stood “unparalleled in the county,” said Vice Mayor Randy Johnson.

Mayor Jack Dilles muses on 57 years of Scotts Valley history.

From pensions to housing to the the use of city facilities by nonprofits, the Scotts Valley City Council addressed various issues at its last regular meeting before the summer break, which begins in July.

The Scotts Valley City Council discussed and approved nine strategic goals for 2023/24.
Mayor Jack Dilles outlines seven of this week’s column.

One of the oldest documented archaeological sites in California is underneath Scotts Valley City Hall and police department. Archaeologists and community members are upgrading a display at City Hall to reflect its importance.

As the holidays approach and 2022 concludes, Mayor Donna Lind expresses appreciation for the great work of City Manager Mali LaGoe and Scotts Valley’s exceptional staff.

Three candidates—Derek Timm, Allan Timms and Jim Reed—are vying for two open seats on the Scotts Valley City Council, with the top two vote-getters winning the seats. Lookout asked each candidate to answer two questions.

Three candidates are in the race for two open seats on the Scotts Valley City Council. Derek Timm and political newcomer Allan Timms have are supporting each other in opposition to Vice Mayor Reed, who also serves as the chief of staff for the mayor of San Jose.

Donna Lind, the mayor of Scotts Valley, writes in the Sentinel, “This year, with a new city manager and as we rebuild after the pandemic, the City Council has held two public study sessions to discuss how city resources should be focused in order to help meet these goals.

At a special joint study session with the City Council and the Scotts Valley Parks & Recreation Commission, the idea of contracting out some of the programs took center stage.

When a mother and son were struck by a driver in a crosswalk on Bluebonnet Lane, Scotts Valley resident Griffon Walker wasn’t surprised. He and his neighbors have been advocating for road safety upgrades for more than two years.

At its most recent meeting, the Scotts Valley City Council deliberated on issues related to the Glenwood Open Space Preserve, strengthening its contract amount with the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County and increasing access to this large recreation outlet.

The Scotts Valley City Council has voted unanimously to seek grant funds via the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission for the Granite Creek Overpass Roadway, Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements Project.

In an outdoor space behind the Scotts Valley Community Center, local officials gathered for a rare public event as they outlined the community’s health in a “State of the City Address.”

After designating September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Mayor Derek Timm issued another proclamation, announcing Scotts Valley’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. “It’s our obligation to reject hate and bias in all forms,” he said.

When Scotts Valley’s city manager left, Brian Haddix stepped in. Noting that Haddix came out of retirement to fill the void on an interim basis, Mayor Derek Timm says the city is lucky to have him. “We have so many balls in motion,” Timm said. “We couldn’t afford to have them drop.”

The Scotts Valley City Council approved a new housing complex with 16 two-bedroom condominiums on Scotts Valley Drive at its Sept. 1 meeting, which also marked the departure of City Manager Tina Friend. As of Sept. 7, Brian Haddix takes over as interim city manager.

The Scotts Valley Planning Commission voted to allow a 16-unit condo project to move ahead. Commissioner Steve Horlock told the Press Banner he likes the look of the 35-foot, three-story development on Scotts Valley Drive near the Mt. Hermon Road intersection.

The city of Scotts Valley is working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County to provide an after-school solution for youth. The city offered to lease its Brook Knoll child care facility and guaranteed $90,000 in funding.

Scotts Valley City Council met after a month-long hiatus to approve an after-school program for elementary school students and receive the police department’s annual report.

Scotts Valley has tapped a local to take the reins of its second-largest department: Chris Lamm, a civil engineer who most recently served as assistant public works director in Menlo Park.

Skypark, the community green space that hosted first responders during the CZU Lightning Complex fires, will get a facelift thanks to American Rescue Plan Act funds approved for Scotts Valley,

On June 25, U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo wrote a letter asking health care giant Sutter Health to reverse course on shifting its Scotts Valley location from an urgent care facility to a primary and pediatric care center.

As Scotts Valley emerges from the pandemic, residents can expect restored city services and staff, as well as progress on city-sponsored construction projects for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Efforts that began in 2013 to turn the empty space next to the Scotts Valley Library into a performing arts center are finally coming to fruition.

Risky business? The City Council and City Manager are considering the use of bonds to fund an almost $20 million deficit in the city's pension obligations.