Kirsten Powell returns as Monte Sereno’s city attorney after 4 years
Kirsten Powell returned to her role as Monte Sereno’s city attorney this month after a four-year break.
She previously held the job from 2004 to 2019, also working as the city attorney for Scotts Valley and as counsel for West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority and West Valley Clean Water Authority.
Powell said she had three kids in school and resigned from her role in Monte Sereno to spend more time with her family.
“There was a lot going on, and it was a lot to handle. I wanted to be able to spend some more time with my family. I now have two in college and one who’s going to be a senior. They need me less, and I have some time,” Powell said. “It’s sort of a good time in my life to go back and work with the city.”
Mayor Bryan Mekechuk said Powell will replace the Oakland-based firm Burk, Williams & Sorensen LLP, which worked for the small city of 3,500 residents for the past few years.
“I always enjoyed working for the city,” Powell said. “With the exception of the mayor, I’ve worked with all the council members previously,”
Powell has been the city attorney for Scotts Valley, with a population of more than 12,000, since 2004. She’ll serve both cities going forward.
During her time in Scotts Valley, Powell spearheaded a new streetlight banner policy to promote events in town and approved Oak Creek Park, a 52-unit mixed use development, eight units of which will be below market rate.
Powell graduated from Santa Clara University’s School of Law and has an extensive background in land use and public agency law. She grew up in Saratoga and lives in Los Gatos.
“Bringing Kirsten back as the city attorney for Monte Sereno is a huge win for our community,” Mekechuk said in a release. “Monte Sereno prides itself on exceptional customer service (which) requires a team effort, and Ms. Powell will have office hours at city hall to enable our staff to help our residents with building plans, zoning and our municipal code.”
Powell will also provide legal guidance and advice to the city council, city manager and city staff on a wide range of issues, including updating municipal and zoning codes.
Monte Sereno is also hiring a full-time city engineer to replace their interim engineer Don Wimberly.