King City introduces new city manager

King City introduced its new city manager at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.

Dozens of residents met Steven Adams. The council unanimouslyapproved his contract at the meeting. He will formally start his new job on November 9th.

Adams has spent more than 30 years in local government administration but for some residents he’s bringing more than just experience.

“We’ve had a rough, rough 18 months starting in February, 2014,” said resident Ken Reese.

In February of 2014, a corruption scandal nearly brought down the King City Police Department. It’s a pain the community is still working to move past. Adam’s said he’s aware the city has some challenges.

“The community has been through some tough times but it’s a great community and we have a great council and great staff,” said Adams.

Adams said he has three main goals. He wants to make fighting crime a top priority; bring in more businesses; and get to know the community.

“I want to be somewhere where I can make a difference and I can try and do something meaningful to help people and I think the opportunities are here,” said Adams.

Still, for some residents, he was a controversial choice. Adams was investigated for a relationship with an employee while city manager in Arroyo Grande. Hewas later cleared of any wrongdoing.

“We discussed it as a group and went OK, is this something that should preclude him from being employed here in King City? And we determined that it didn’t,” said Mayor Robert Cullen.

The community panel that also reviewed Adams background agreed he’s the right fit for the city’s future.

“I’m hoping that we can try to work together to be just one King City and not a divided King City,” said Reese.

Adams is set to take over after current City Manager Michael Powers leaves in November.