King City selects new city manager with checkered past.

For months, King City officials scoured for a candidate to replace City Manager Michael Powers, who announced his retirement several months ago.

After extensive background checks were done on all the candidates, city officials announced on Oct. 22 that Steve Adams, who has 32 years of experience in local government administration—and a checkered past—was picked to lead a city that has been beset with controversy since February 2014.

Adams left his city manager position in Arroyo Grande under a cloud of controversy in October 2014. He told King City officials he decided to “resign and look for other opportunities,” after he was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a city employee.

Adams was found at Arroyo Grande City Hall with Community Development Director Teresa McClish, with messy hair and his shirt partly untucked, by police. McClish's husband had called police when she didn't arrive home by 11pm and asked them to check for her car at City Hall.

“They told me that they were sitting in his office, talking and killing time to make sure they were OK to drive,” Arroyo Grande Deputy City Attorney Michael McMahon told the San Luis Obispo Tribune.

Arroyo Grande officials later determined no city personnel rules were broken. But in January, Adams claimed the city terminated him and threatened to sue if he did not get his severance package.

Knowing this, King City’s City Council unanimously concluded Adams was the best person for the job, as he has had a consistent track record of success with several cities.

“Based on the results of the interview process and our reference calls, it became evident that we are fortunate to have attracted someone with Steve’s experience and character,” Mayor Rob Cullen said in a press release.

During his 14 years at Arroyo Grande, Adams fought through a recession and upgraded the city’s streets, infrastructure and facilities; financial reserves increased; and affordable housing projects were constructed.

The King City community panel appointed to help select the new city manager reviewed the accusations as well, and determined Adams was “highly-qualified” and described him as someone who is “capable of building trust,” “approachable,” and someone who “clearly cared about his staff.”

“I know there are significant challenges to be addressed, but I look forward to working together with such a dedicated City Council, hard-working staff, and proud community to make the quality of life the best possible to everyone that lives, works and visits here,” Adams said in a press release.

City Council will consider Adams' contract at the Oct. 27 meeting, and a potential start date for him would be on Nov. 9.