City of Scotts Valley City Council Councilmember Derek Timm

When he first ran for a seat on the Scotts Valley City Council in 2016, Derek Timm told the Scotts Valley Times, “I see my role as a conduit for what the people want. The public should be included in the decision-making process, and I desire to see more outreach around residential development and improved visibility and input by the public. When the community is included in the discussion, you end up with a better project that meets more of the community’s goals.”

Though Timms didn’t make it on the council that time around, he was successful in 2018, getting the most votes in a three-way race for two seats. “The tone of the race was very civil, very cordial,” Timm told the Press Banner at the time. Also a victor in the race was Jim Reed, who won his third consecutive term.

By the time that Timm ran for reelection, he had developed a less-than-cordial relationship with Reed, as the Press Banner reported in September 2023. Up for reelection along with Reed, Timm announced he was running in a mini-slate with Allan Timms (no relation). The team lined up endorsements from council colleagues Donna Lind and Jack Dilles, and succeeded in shutting out Reed. Timm took 40.37 percent of the vote and ally Timms took 32.36 percent.

First elected: Nov. 6, 2018

Day job: Licensed California broker and attorney

Alma maters: UC Davis (juris doctor); UC Santa Barbara (bachelor’s degree, English)

Other positions held: Scotts Valley Planning Commissioner, Chair of Save Our Schools, former president of the Scotts Valley Friends of the Library

Notable quote: “This is a community goal, not necessarily a council goal,” Timm told the Press Banner. “I want inclusivity and belonging for everyone here in Scotts Valley. I want to see a community effort in conjunction with our schools, council and community to confront racism head-on. We can’t ignore it, or be quiet, or pretend it doesn’t exist. We need to help members of the community that are in pain and bring education to those that don’t understand why they’re in pain.”