City Manager's Weekly Update
Week ending September 28, 2018

This week, I attended the 104th Annual ICMA Conference, where City Managers and other government executives from across the nation and the world come together to exchange ideas and explore ways to make their respective communities stronger. I was fortunate to hear Greg Bell, recognized thought leader and author speak about his book, Water The Bamboo: Unleashing The Potential Of Teams And Individuals.

If you water giant timber bamboo in the first year, nothing happens. If you water the second year, nothing happens. If you water the third year, nothing happens. But when you water the bamboo the fourth year, it will rocket up an astonishing 90 feet in only 60 days.
Water the Bamboo is a metaphor for success - which is fueled by creating unshakable motivation and persistence, developing laser-like focus to avoid distractions, and being fully committed to pursuing your goal. This was a great reminder of how important it for us as a community to refocus on our core values to achieve long-term success.

Jenny Haruyama, City Manager

City Council Meeting Cancelled

The Wednesday, October 3, 2018 City Council meeting has been cancelled due to a lack of items. The next regularly scheduled Council meeting is Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at 6 pm.

Comprehensive Annual Financial Report

Did you know that each year, the City's financial statements are independently audited? The City publishes an annual CAFR, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. This report describes the City's fiscal condition and includes a letter from an auditor presenting its opinion about the City's financial reporting. For nearly 2 decades, Scotts Valley has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Financial Officers Association (GFOA). It is anticipated that the FY 2017/18 CAFR will be presented to Council this December.

Road Work on South Navarra and Granite Creek

A slurry seal is scheduled for S. Navarra on Monday, October 1, 2018 and Granite Creek on Tuesday, October 2, 2018. Residents were notified via posted signs and door hangers this week.

Ecology Action - Pedestrian/Bike Safety Meetings

Ecology Action will be holding a serious of public meetings to better understand how to make it safer and easier for students to walk to school. RSVP for one of its public meetings in Live Oak, Aptos, Watsonville, or Scotts Valley at: https://ecoact.org/planningcounty/. The Scotts Valley meeting is at Scotts Valley High School on Thursday, October 4, 2018 from 6:30- 8 pm.
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Monterey Bay Community Power

Earlier this year, a carbon-free electricity option was provided to residents and businesses in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties through the Community Choice Energy (CCE) model established by the State of California. Overseen by Monterey Bay Community Power (MBCP), the CCE model enables communities to choose clean-source power at a cost equivalent to PG&E while retaining PG&E’s role in maintaining power lines and providing customer service. The CCE model helps ensure local economic vitality because surplus revenues that would normally flow to PG&E will stay in the community. As part of the fast-growing, statewide Community Choice Energy (CCE) or Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) movement, MBCP is playing an important role in helping the Monterey Bay Region and even the entire State of California meet their ambitious climate-action goals.

RTC Unified Corridor Investment Study

The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is hosting public workshops to get your input on transportation options for our community based on the results of the Unified Corridor Investment Study (UCS) draft Step 2 scenario analysis. The UCS is investigating what projects on Highway 1, Soquel Avenue/Soquel Drive/Freedom Boulevard, and the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line will provide the greatest benefit to the community. Workshop dates and times are below:

Monday, October 15
6 pm - 7:30 pm
Live Oak Elementary School
Multi-Purpose Room
1916 Capitola Road, Live Oak, CA

Tuesday, October 16
6 pm - 7:30 pm
Civic Plaza Community Rm A, 4th Fl
275 Main Street, Watsonville, CA
(Parking in garage on Level 6)

Representatives from the RTC will also be making a presentation to the community at the Wednesday, October 17, 2018 Scotts Valley City Council meeting.

General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting

The next General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 22, 2018 from 6-8 pm at the Scotts Valley City Hall Council Chambers. The agenda includes a review of the Open Space and Conservation Element. To learn more about the GPAC and the General Plan Update process, visit: http://www.scottsvalleygeneralplan.com.

City Manager's Weekly Update Week ending September 28, 2018