AgdaPkt 2021.02.22 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.1. - Page 2 of 20 When the San Mateo County Library Joint Powers Authority (JPA) was formed in 1999, the JPA assumed the County's obligation under the agreement to ensure a continued high level of service to the unincorporated area residents. The JPA is a partnership between the County and eleven participating cities, in which the cities build and own library buildings and the JPA operates the buildings, providing staff, materials, and technology. The JPA does not currently operate any facilities in unincorporated areas of the County. Redwood City and six other cities in San Mateo County operate public libraries independently of the JPA, but all of the City and JPA libraries share their collections, delivery services, and some information technology infrastructure through the Peninsula Library System, which was formed as a separate joint powers agency in 1970. With the change in operational responsibility, the Fair Oaks Library would remain a part of the Peninsula Library System and users would still have the opportunity to access collections and resources from public libraries throughout San Mateo County. The existing financial agreement between the San Mateo County Library JPA and Redwood City is based on an initial annual contribution rate of $94,600 in FY 1995-96, which has increased or decreased at the same percentage rate as the change in the JPA's property tax revenue from the previous year. ANALYSIS The County has notified the City that it is interested in transferring operational responsibility of the Fair Oaks Library from the City to the JPA. The most significant benefits of the transfer to the JPA would be an increase in public service hours of operation and expanding access for the community to Fair Oaks Library resources while reducing the City's cost for services at this branch. Under the terms of the San Mateo County Library JPA Agreement, the minimum number of service hours would be 60 hours per week. Prior to the temporary closure of City facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City was able to financially support 50 hours of service per week, including the annual contribution from the JPA. The Fair Oaks Library service area includes an estimated 25,015 people, with 62% (15,454) representing unincorporated residents and 38% (9,561) representing Redwood City residents primarily located in the neighborhoods of Friendly Acres, Redwood Oaks, and Redwood Village. Library usage by home jurisdiction for July 2019- February 2020 included 47% by Redwood City residents, 24% by North Fair Oaks residents, 14% by other residents of the JPA service area, and the remaining 15% coming from residents of other cities. During the month of November, the proposal to transfer operational responsibility was discussed at four public meetings (JPA Operations Committee, JPA Board, North Fair Oaks Community Council, and Redwood City Library Board), and City staff reached out to numerous community stakeholders, including affected schools; neighborhood associations; and community partners like Redwood City 2020, CARON, the Police Activities League (PAL), Familias Unidas, and the Latino Community Council of Redwood City. JPA Agreement for Library Services The County, the JPA, and the City all have a shared interest in providing the best possible library services to the North Fair Oaks community. During the community engagement process, no significant obstacles were identified to moving forward with a transfer of operational responsibility to the JPA. The JPA's Page 2 of 5 1 S11 City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.org H11