VALL
SCOTTS MINUTES
A CALIFORATA Meeting of the
Scotts Valley City Council
Date: August 5, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
1966
CONTACT MEETING LOCATION POSTING
INFORMATION
City of Scotts Valley City Council Chambers The agenda was posted 1 Civic Center Drive 1 Civic Center Drive on 7-31-2026 at City Scotts Valley, CA Scotts Valley, CA 95066 Hall, SV Senior Center, 95066 OR SV Public Works Building,
831) 440-5600 Zoom Video Conference and on the Internet https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83295730901 at www.scottsvalley.gov.
CALL TO ORDER 6:00 PM
The City Council meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE and MOMENT OF SILENCE
ROLL CALL
ELECTED OFFICIALS CITY STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
PRESENT: Mali LaGoe, City Manager
Donna Lind, Mayor Kirsten Powell, City Attorney
Steve Clark, Vice Mayor Jayson Rutherford, Police Chief Krista Jett, Council Member Taylor Bateman, Community Development Derek Timm, Council Member Director
Greg Wimp, Council Member Stephanie Hill, Administrative Services Director Rodolfo Onchi, Public Works Director
Daniel Esqueda, Intern
Madeline Taylor, Intern
Cathie Simonovich, City Clerk
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CM Timm attended an Economic Development Subcommittee meeting where they discussed the City's 60th birthday events.
CM Wimp attended a Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) meeting where City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
Date: August 5, 2026
they received an update on the Big Basin Water Company.
VM Clark attended a Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) meeting. He noted that the RTC is working on the response to the recent Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury report. He also attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Panther Beach parking lot. The next RTC meeting is scheduled for August 6 where they will consider the Measure D sales tax revenue bonds.
VM Clark attended a meeting of the Area Agency on Aging Master Plan on Aging work group meeting.
VM Clark attended a Library Financing Authority meeting where they approved the FY 2026/27 budget.
Mayor Lind attended a special Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) meeting and noted that METRO will not place a sales tax measure on the November 2026 ballet.
Mayor Lind thanked everyone who assisted with the planning and implementation of the City's 60th Birthday Bash, and she noted that although Assemblymember Pellerin was not able to attend the celebration, she awarded the City with a resolution honoring the City's 60th anniversary of incorporation. Mayor Lind passed the resolution to staff.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
This week we're celebrating 60 years as a City. Thank you to everyone who attended the City's 60th Birthday party on Sunday at Skypark. In addition, events continue all week with a Shop, Snap, Win game to support local businesses all weekend. More info is on the City's website, social media accounts, and on Flyers posted around the City.
Also congratulations to the Police Department for another successful National Night Out event last night.
We welcomed a new staff member in Wastewater in July - Adrian Vazquez joined the team as Chief Plant Operator, a crucial role to supervise our staff and support Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) at the plant.
We're also looking forward to welcoming an Engineering Technician this month to help alleviate the workload in the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department.
With this new hire, the City will once again be fully staffed.
Our Recreation Division staff will be moving to the Community Center Annex next week. They will be available for drop-ins on Tuesdays and Thursdays and by appointment Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This move is necessary to make City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
Date: August 5, 2026
room for the full Public Works Engineering team to be located in one office, which is in the Skypark building. In addition, we'll have a new classroom space available in the Community Center Annex for community members and groups to use through our regular reservation system.
Tomorrow, August 6, Recreation Division Manager Pfefferkorn will be hosting a public hearing to discuss a change to the hours at the Tennis and Pickleball Courts. The proposed change will close the courts every day at 8:00 PM and was recommended at the last Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Community members who are interested in weighing in on this proposed rule change are encouraged to attend the meeting at the Senior Center at 6:00 PM on August 6.
Next Monday, August 10th, will be our next Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District Public Financing Authority Board meeting here in the Council Chamber at 5:00 PM.
The Board will hear a presentation on the Draft Infrastructure Financing Plan and consider adopting bylaws.
Next, a roadwork update: Significant progress has been made on the striping on Scotts Valley Dr and Mt Hermon, which is scheduled to be completed by August 12. In preparation for school starting tomorrow, the contractor prioritized and completed the most critical striping and pavement markings near the middle school.
Moving forward, work on Scotts Valley Drive will generally take place between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., with some work occurring on Saturdays. Utility adjustments will continue over the next couple of weeks and will require temporary lane closures.
We ask the community to use caution while becoming familiar with the new lane configuration, drive carefully, and remain alert for bicyclists using the roadway.
Also, with the first day of school tomorrow, our Police Department will have extra staff at each of the three schools on Thursday and Friday. They are also preparing for the Cops N Rodders car show on Saturday August 15 in association with the Art, Wine, and Beer Festival.
Last, I would like to make a statement about the High School Senior Banners being taken down on July 1st to put up the City's 60th celebration banners along the 4th of July parade route. I made the decision to switch out the banners in accordance with the City's Streetlight Banner Policy, which was adopted by the City Council on March 15, 2023. The policy states that City event banners are given priority over requests from community groups, and it further states that "Banners may be hung for a period not to exceed 60 days." At the time I directed staff to switch out a portion of the Senior banners for City banners, the Senior banners had already been displayed for over 70 days. This decision was not intended in any way to lessen the celebration for the High School Seniors, but rather to begin the transition to celebrate the City's 60-year history, which was a theme of the 4th of July Parade. As I already shared in response to City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4
Date: August 5, 2026
Robert Aldana on July 6th, I apologize for any confusion or disappointment caused for those students and their families. Please share my apologies with those who are upset.
PUBLIC COMMENT TIME
CM Timm, VM Clark, and Mayor Lind spoke about the high school senior banners.
Robert Aldana and Sherry Brownfield expressed their disappointment that some of the banners were removed to place the City's anniversary banners along the parade route, and they shared their concerns regarding the City's decision to remove those banners.
Heidi Denger added that she hopes for this tradition to continue with clearer parameters.
Mikala Clements spoke about the business license tax, specifically that she would like it to be based on net receipts rather than gross receipts. She also expressed concern about Scotts Valley Drive project, noting that the lanes are narrow and the bike lane is wider, which she feels is dangerous; and she is concerned that the narrower center lane will not accommodate large delivery trucks. She also shared reservations about the City's communication on both of these topics.
Ron Clements raised concerns about the cars that are parked along the road near his business, Scotts Valley Market, as people may be living in those cars.
Amber Evanoff expressed concern about the communication from the City regarding the Scotts Valley Drive project (see attached letter).
VM Clark and CM Wimp attended the 60th birthday events. VM Clark attended the National Night Out, and the Stuff the Bus event at Kaiser. CM Wimp encouraged people to donate blood due to the current blood shortage. Mayor Lind attended the K&D Landscaping anniversary event, the ribbon-cutting for Earthrise Financial, and she noted that she is on the planning committee for the Art, Wine, & Beer Festival.
ALTERATIONS TO CONSENT AGENDA
City Manager LaGoe announced the following clarification for Item 3, Purchase for Traffic Signal Equipment: The purpose of the video detection cameras is traffic detection and signal operation. They will replace the existing loop detector systems, provide more reliable vehicle and bicycle detection, and help improve overall traffic operations. The cameras will not record video or images and will not be remotely accessible. They will not be used for surveillance, license plate recognition, or traffic enforcement.
M/S: Timm/Wimp
To approve the Consent Agenda with the clarification noted above.
Carried 5/0 (AYES: Lind, Clark, Jett, Timm, Wimp)
CONSENT AGENDA
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5
Date: August 5, 2026
1. Approve City Council Special Closed Session meeting minutes of 06-17-2026 and Regular meeting minutes of 06-17-2026
2. Approve 2026 Local Agency Biennial Report
3. Approval of Purchase for Traffic Signal Equipment Procurement, Project No.
P26-003, in an amount not to exceed $221,786.60
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public Hearing to Confirm Report of Delinquent Wastewater Service Charges and Authorize Placement on the Santa Cruz County Secured Property Tax Roll
Administrative Services Director Hill presented this item and responded to questions from the Council.
Mayor Lind opened the public hearing at 6:54 PM. There were no comments from the public and Mayor Lind closed the public hearing at 6:56 PM.
M/S: Timm/Clark
To adopt Resolution No. 2100 confirming the report of delinquent wastewater service charges and directing the submission of the confirmed report to the Santa Cruz County Auditor-Controller for collection on the secured property tax roll.
Carried 5/0 (AYES: Lind, Clark, Jett, Timm, Wimp)
ALTERATIONS TO REGULAR AGENDA
M/S: Timm/Clark
To approve the Regular Agenda with no alterations.
Carried 5/0 (AYES: Lind, Clark, Jett, Timm, Wimp)
REGULAR AGENDA
1. Consider Introduction of Ordinance Modifying Scotts Valley Municipal Code Title 2 Regarding Administration and Personnel
City Manager LaGoe introduced the City's Interns, and this item was presented by Interns Daniel Esqueda and Madeline Taylor. City Attorney Powell responded to questions from the Council and noted that the agreed upon edits will be incorporated into the ordinance which will be presented for second reading and final adoption on August 19, 2026.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6
Date: August 5, 2026
Scotts Valley residents, Danny Reber and Chris Hofmann, asked questions during public comment.
M/S: Timm/Clark
To receive for first reading Ordinance No. 204 amending Title 2 of the Scotts Valley Municipal Code by amending Chapters 2.04, 2.08, 2.12, 2.23, 2.28, 2.32,
2.40, 2.44, 2.48, 2.52, 2.56, 2.70, by repealing Chapter 2.68, Resource Management Policy, and adding Chapter 2.71 creating the position of City Engineer, with amendments to Sections 2.19.020, 2.28.090, 2.70.100 as indicated in the staff report, as well as modification to Section 2.56.010 adding reference to California Elections Code 1000, and waive the reading thereof.
Carried 5/0 (AYES: Lind, Clark, Jett, Timm, Wimp)
2. Future Council Agenda Items
None.
CONVENE TO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council convened to closed session at 7:28 PM to discuss the following item:
CLOSED SESSION SUBJECTS)
1. Conference with legal counsel regarding liability claim Legal Authority: Government Code Section 54956.95
Claimant: Brandon Polito
Staff Present: City Manager, City Attorney, Administrative Services Director
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The City Council reconvened to open session at 7:39 PM.
REPORT ON ACTION TAKEN DURING CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Lind announced that there was no report from the closed session meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7
Date: August 5, 2026
Approved:
Donna Lind, Mayor
Atest Cathie Simonorich
Cathie Simonovich, City Clerk
Outlook
SV Drive/Mt. Hermon Road Project - Questions and Feedback From Amber K. Evanoff
Date Wed 8/5/2026 3:11 PM
To City Council <[email protected]>
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hi all,
Before this evening's meeting, I wanted to share with you my questions and feedback regarding the ongoing SV Drive/Mt. Hermon Road project.
Please note the following...
Questions:
• How many companies were vetted during the bid defense process? • Was VSS International the cheapest/lowest bid?
• Did the city receive feedback/speak with prior VSS International clients with similarly situated projects to determine the company's prior work product, quality of work and execution style?
• Has the city worked with VSS International prior to this project? • Why weren't homeowners on SV Drive provided reasonable notice prior to the project's start date? A flyer with limited details was placed on the cars of homeowners only shortly before the project began.
Feedback:
• The project flyer was light on details, factually inaccurate and did not represent the significant inconvenience and disruption homeowners on SV Drive could expect.
• The flyer stated work would be performed during the day hours of the week of 7/13. On 7/14, the single electronic sign on 4100 block of SV Drive was updated to state that work would be taking place on 7/15 Friday 7/17 from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Residents were not notified of the change to overnight work and should not have been expected to be notified via the changed electronic sign (updated less than 24 hours before the overnight work started).
• Homeowners were never notified that our driveways would not be accessible during the changed overnight work from 7/15 through 5:00 AM • The city's website included the following general statement re driveway access: "if your driveway or street access is temporarily restricted, please wait until crews reopen the area." That statement didn't provide any details and didn't address how homeowners were to either enter and/or exit their driveways during the blocked overnight hours. I appreciate the city's desire to have, as the website stated the "highest quality finished roadway", yet accommodations should have been provided to residents needing to access to their homes prior to the road being fully cured.
• The city did not provide a point-of-contact for project-related questions. I had to call multiple city numbers, sit on hold, and leave VMs to get general questions answered.
• The city's website stated the wrong number to reach VSS International.
Specifically, the website stated 913-373-1500, which is a non-working The number does not work as VSS International is in Sacramento an area code of 916. The wrong '913' number remained on the city's website since the start of the project and was updated to the correct number on 8/4 only after I notified the city on 8/3.
• Emails to [email protected] (email provided on the city's website) do not appear to be answered.
• A point-of-contact at VSS International was not provided. • The flyer and city's website both stated the "adjustment of utilities" would take place the week of 7/27. The utilities were not adjusted that week and were, instead, adjusted the week of 8/3. The website was never updated to reflect this change. Additionally, using non-specific terms like "adjustment" didn't provide residents with an accurate picture of the jackhammering required to adjust the utilities. Providing specifics and avoiding the use of softer-sounding terms would have been appreciated.
• VSS International's process for closing the road/signage needs improving and appears a bit casual. Road-closure signs were put up late and not clear the first night of the overnight work, causing drivers to use the closed road, which resulted in excessive yelling from the crew/excess noise that could have been avoided had there been an organized rollout to the closure.
• It's impossible to obtain information about the project plan and the schedule regarding which portions of the road are to be updated and when. I attempted obtaining details from the city and VSS International to better understand which blocks of SV Drive the crew starts on/when we could anticipate the jackhammering at the intersection of SV Drive and Bean Creek Road. I did this so that I could make alternative plans to get a hotel in the area (I work from home). I was told "it depends on the traffic" which is vague and not the response I would expect from contacts overseeing such a costly project.
• For reference, I previously lived in San Francisco during San Francisco's massive 345M Van Ness improvement project, which spanned one of the busiest corridors in all of San Francisco. My point being, I'm familiar with living near a roadway project. The San Francisco project was on a significantly larger scale, yet was organized and residents were provided clear communication so that there were no surprises. I never had to contact that city and/or its contractor.
My hope is that my detailed feedback will help the city to look to ways to improve future projects and assess how the current project could have been better managed from both an internal and external standpoint. Thank you.
Best,
Amber
SV Drive resident