AgdaPkt 2010-08-09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7.A REPORT To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the Cit Mana er August 9, 2010 SUBJECT Proposed Redwood City Ordinance Change - Library Board RECOMMENDATION Introduce an Ordinance repealing Chapter 16, Sections 16.1 through 16.5 of the Redwood City Municipal Code and adding a new Chapter 16, Sections 16.1 through 16.9 to reflect the Library Board's roles and responsibilities in light of the new Charter language approved by voters on November 3, 2009. BACKGROUND The Redwood City Charter was adopted by the voters of Redwood City in 1929 and has been amended on fifteen occasions. The City Attorney has been directed to regularly review the City Charter and propose any Charter provisions that would be appropriate for amendment. In 2009, a council committee met and decided to proceed with two recommendations to the full Council that will affect the Library Board: The Board should be comprised of seven members rather than five members, all to be appointed by the City Council; and the Library Director should report to the City Manager instead of the Library Board. The Committee directed the City Manager to communicate the proposal to the Board, answer any and all questions, and report back to the committee. The City Manager communicated the proposed charter changes to the Library Board at the June 9, 2009 Library Board meeting and reported back to the committee. The committee then recommended proceeding to the City Council for ballot inclusion. This charter change was approved by the voters on November 3,2009. It also proposed that the Library Board would establish rules (or bylaws) for its proceedings and the authority and duties of the Library Board would be set forth by the City Council via an ordinance and/or resolutions, making current Charter Sections 19, 19 % , and 20 unnecessary. Attached hereto as Attachment "2" are the provisions of the City Charter as approved. Over the last 6 months, the Library Board, through vigorous discussion, has developed a document that redefines their roles and responsibilities. We believe that this will set the bar for future boards and commissions. Attached hereto as Attachment "1" is the updated Library Board Ordinance.