City Council/Public Financing Authority
May 7, 2024

From: Lorraine Gayer
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Agenda Item 24-350, May 7 Huntington Beach City Council Meeting Date: Friday, May 3, 2024 5:29:39 PM
May 3, 2024
Lorraine Gayer
16682 Lovell Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
[email protected]
To: Members of the Huntington Beach City Council
Gracey Van der Mark, Mayor
Tony Strickland
Dan Kalmick
Rhonda Bolton
Casey McKeon
Pat Burns

Natalie Moser
I am a resident and voter in Huntington Beach. I have lived (and voted) here since 1970.

I am writing you to urge you to give the voters of Huntington Beach a voice in deciding whether it is in the interest of Huntington Beach to transfer/outsource management of our public library to a private for-profit corporation.

It is my understanding that a charter amendment measure and an advisory vote/ cessation of Request for Proposals action (Agenda Item 24-350) have

been placed on the agenda for the next City Council meeting on May 7, 2024. Those measures would give the voters of Huntington Beach a voice on this issue. I urge you to support those measures.

Personally, I strongly oppose efforts to transfer the management of Huntington Beach’s libraries away from

local control. I find it ironic
that a council majority (and the City Attorney) who normally couch their actions in local-control language now seek to transfer management of our Huntington Beach libraries away from local control to control by a for-profit corporation located far from our city.

This is personal for me. I have spent countless hours in the Huntington Beach Central Library. I’ve read books there, graded student papers there, researched and written my master’s thesis there, volunteered in the literacy program there, and on and on. This is my library.

My connection to this library is personal.

The Huntington Beach Public Library is the city’s most beloved (and used) resource. It operates efficiently and economically. Our librarians and staff are respected and beloved by the community. I would remind you that it is your obligation to the citizens of this city to protect the library

rather than to weaken it.

Lorraine Gayer
5/7/2024
30 (24-350)
From: Judy Brusslan
To: [email protected]
Subject: Supplemental Communications for HB City Council Meeting on May 7. 2024 Date: Friday, May 3, 2024 5:42:34 PM
Attachments: image001.png
image002.png
I would like to comment on two agenda items.

First, I urge approval of 24-337. I agree that non-commercial signs should be prohibited in our public rights-of-way. This would stop the competitive rush for wall space and resident complaints that force code enforcement when signs are placed in dangerous locations or are torn down or defaced. Non-commercial signs should be displayed on private property. Private citizens vote and are welcome to respectively share their opinions.

Second, I urge approval of 24-350. The proposed privatization of the Huntington Beach library system has no clear justification and will harm our libraries while costing taxpayers more money. This decision should be brought to a vote by the citizens of Huntington Beach. The City Council does not take into account the voices of people who provide supplemental communication and/or attend council meetings. The ratio of comments opposed to privatization are 4:1 over those in favor. I support a vote of the people for our libraries.

Thank you,

Dr. Judy Brusslan
Professor of Biological Sciences
Bridges to the Doctorate PI
California State University, Long Beach
AAAS Fellow

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Council Mtg. 5/7/2024
Date: Friday, May 3, 2024 6:06:47 PM
I support Item 24-350. The management of our public library and its branches should not be outsourced to the highest bidder nor be further pressured to do so by partisan lobbyists and/or self-aggrandizing censors.

I also request that the Council demonstrate a Policy of Human Dignity by moving the COMMENTS AND MOMENT OF SILENCE TO HONOR THE PASSING OF FORMER MAYOR SHIRLEY DETTLOFF to the beginning of the meeting following the invocation rather than tacking it on at the end as if little more than an afterthought. Mrs.

Dettloff deserves better.

Cheryl Elliott (Huntington Beach resident since 1980)
From: Denny Family M
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda item 24-350, submitted by Council Members Bolton, Kalmick, and Moser Date: Friday, May 3, 2024 6:44:42 PM
We vigorously support agenda item 24-350 and we call for the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk to prepare resolutions, ordinances, and any other materials necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot and agendize for a vote at our June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting:
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third-party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

Additionally, we want the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting.

Marvin and Karen Denny
Huntington Beach residents
From: Michele Burgess
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Agenda Items 29 and 30 for 5/7/2024 Meeting
Date: Friday, May 3, 2024 7:17:35 PM
To the City Councilmembers:

A man, a complete stranger, walks up to my 77-year-old friend who’s attending a peaceful sit-in at Central Library and asks her to tell him about her vagina. Meanwhile, an obnoxious pony-tailed man wanders around with a megaphone bellowing that the protesters (many of them senior citizens) are pedophiles and perverts. When the police arrive, he loudly asserts his First Amendment rights, tells the officers he had a 3-hour meeting with Chief Parra, his wife works in the City Attorney’s office, and he was assured that he can say whatever he wants. Apparently, he didn’t mention it would be through a megaphone, which (according to the two officers) is prohibited.

At a recent City Council meeting, several raucous people clap and cheer when a tearful long-time librarian announces her resignation due to ongoing harassment by ignorant people calling her pedophile, pervert, groomer.

A candidate for City Council waves around an award-winning children’s book and yells into the mic, loudly insinuating that a sitting council member is a pedophile for reading the book to his 4-year-old daughter.

A Proud Boy verbally attacks a sitting council member in the audience at a Library Commission meeting, calling her names and shouting obscenities (and is not removed). This same Proud Boy rambles incoherently at other Council meetings, showing explicit visuals and flipping off people in the audience on his way out. Decorum? Not so much.

These people obviously feel comfortable behaving this way because they’re mirroring the intolerance, bigotry, and conspiracy theories perpetrated by the majority four on our City Council, and appear to have their tacit approval. Is that what you really want to be known for? Numerous articles in numerous news outlets seem to think so as we get an awful lot of awful coverage. You should read it sometime to see how Huntington Beach is really viewed now. It’s not pretty.

The so-called “press conference” certainly didn’t improve our image.

Gracey whined about how Mexicans are certainly smart enough to get a voter ID. Strickland seemed to be stumping for a California Senate seat.

Burns ranted about “conc... reeducation camps” in our future if Governor Newsom has his way. McKeown was a no-show. And the minority three weren’t even invited to participate. But Mr. Gates was there, bloviating about how we’ll fight for our charter city rights on voter ID, now that we’ve once again been sued by the State. I live for the day when we’re not making news for all the wrong reasons.

Now to the two agenda items I’m most interested in.

Agenda Item 29 — Amending the Sign Code. Let’s not head toward November with yet another overabundant clutter of giant, brightly colored, distracting campaign signs plastered over every inch of open space along every street and highway. The months leading up to the primary election were the very definition of visual blight. Candidates for the November election should never have been allowed to put up signs in January. Mr.

Gates clearly overstepped in a very weaselly manner by allowing this travesty, ignoring the true intent of the city code regarding campaign signs (stating it says an election, not specifying which election). I strongly urge you to pass Agenda Item 29 to update the sign code for non-commercial signs in the public right-of-way. We’ve been talking about this for years, now is the time to finally do something about it. And while you’re at it, revise that item to specify that campaign signs can be posted only 50 days before the event (election) to which the signs relate. That's a no-brainer.

Agenda Item 30 — Privatization of the Libraries. There’s no good reason to rush into library privatization, or even an RFP for it. Have you actually done any research? Hundreds of people have written opposition letters that you seem to totally ignore. For a step this large, it makes sense to put it to a vote of the people. You received positive input from only 26% of registered HB voters, in a primary election with very low turnout, which is definitely not a majority. The wise, prudent, fair thing to do would be to put it to a vote in November, and get everyone’s opinion.

Four people should not be taking it upon themselves to make such a drastic change to our library, against all common sense and certainly not to save a little bit of money or to punish people who don’t agree with you on censoring what we can read, or allow our children to read. If you think you’re doing the right thing, you shouldn’t be afraid to put it on the November ballot. The cowardly way would be to stubbornly push ahead, ram it through, damn the consequences. Which will you choose? Ms. Michele Burgess
HB resident since 1961
From: Megan Gibbs
To: [email protected]
Subject: Please Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Friday, May 3, 2024 8:10:23 PM
To City Council Members:

I am an elementary school teacher who grew up visiting the Huntington Beach library as a child. Libraries have always been, and should continue to be, safe community spaces where the public can access information. I strongly oppose privatization of the library and potential censorship of content by a private entity. Public librarians are trained professionals and should be trusted to do their jobs. The library is already operating at such a small percentage of the city budget, and the library workers are community members. Privatization removes our tax dollars from the local community and puts it in the hands of a profit driven, private equity firm with no obligation to transparency. Please support the Agenda Item 24-350.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Megan Gibbs
From: Taylor Jennings
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: No 24-350
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 7:08:56 AM
I don't support the item submitted by Bolton/Kalmick/Moser. The Union sheep are out to scare people that privatization of a library means the library services will change. Nearly every aspect of business the private sector is far more efficient and cost effective than the public sector. The people have already voted for our elected representative officials.

Thank you as well for protecting our children.

Taylor
From: Janelle Kruly
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 7:50:12 AM
Dear City Council,
I’ve been a Huntington Beach resident for 14 years. I’m 35. When I first moved here after graduating from Chapman, I found our beautiful parkside library to be so awe-inspiring. Look at all of this FREE knowledge, I thought. Since then I’ve used it as a place to meet my goals, studying for and preparing my presentation for a job certification, completing job applications, and perusing the book collection and artwork displayed as a means of comfort, solace and hope for opening me to new ideas. I’ve been so impressed by the seed library as well as the resources provided im the back room. I wish that I could volunteer with the literacy program. The theater is also so important to our community and I attended church there for years as well.

The librarian staff have always been so friendly and helpful. They’ve also done a great job of improving digital resources and I was also so impressed that they did away with fines - just bring your book back when you are ready for the next.

The library is SO valuable to our community. We are all willing to support it with our taxes. We don’t need you to try and pinch pennies from this sale. I’ve also joined the Friends of the Library group and would be happy to contribute more to them to support our library if it needs it. I would NOT donate to a private company. The public commenters are right, we already have a book store. We need to keep our library a library.

Please don’t allow this bid for private companies. We know that it’s a hoax to support the former mayor’s company.

There’s only one service in the country. And no other OC city or county library is privatized. Let’s value our librarians and our education and our community and not SELL this to a business. The change would hurt public library employees and cut off their pensions. Please don’t take away important programs like the Makerspace, Vet Center, Literacy programs, and Geneology Lab.

Please don’t vote for this change. If you do, I promise you will not have my vote in the next election.

Sincerely,
Janelle Kruly
From: Lyn
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 8:01:51 AM
Honorable City Council,
I support item 24-350. To change our wonderful library from being public with access to the grants we have gotten and the grants we are applying for to private would not be a good choice. Some of the grants we have gotten are the seed library, state park passes, preschool busy bags, state park backpacks. in house chromebooks, hotspots to check out to name a few. A private library will not be able to afford these amenities. Our patrons tell us how much they love what we have to offer. In addition we provide programs through grants for all ages. We love being able to provide these special programs for the children, teens and adults. A library is much more than books.

The current staff is welcoming and well trained in order to be helpful to all who come in.

To make any changes to our beloved library should be put to a vote of the citizens of Huntington Beach. It is unfortunate that it can't be voted by the patrons who use it who live in neighboring cities and counties.

Thank you for reading this.

Lyn Scott.

Abraham Lincoln. "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."
From: Irma Loper
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 9:02:38 AM
Please vote in favor of Agenda Item 24-350. Save our beloved Huntington Beach Public Library!
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 30
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 9:39:58 AM
I am a 44-year resident of Huntington Beach. I wholeheartedly support Agenda Item 30, submitted by Bolton, Kalmick, and Moser which would require a vote of the people to privatize/outsource the HB Public Library. It would also postpone/terminate the current RFP process until after a vote of the people.

Please pass this Agenda item.

Thank you!
From: Helen McCaffrey
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 10:03:31 AM
As a former educator and avid reader, I am appalled at the idea to privatize the library. Recent changes in the availability of reading material as well as the attempt to further control the readership of our community is a step back in time and an invasion to our civil liberties.

From: ROSE SAYLIN
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 10:25:52 AM
I support agenda item 24-350. Please do not privatize our wonderful libraries.

Rose Saylin
Sent from my iPhone
From: Helen Lee
To: [email protected]
Subject: Do not outsource library staff
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 12:18:08 PM
I have lived in Huntington Beach for over 15 years. The library and HB librarians have been a very positive impact on my family.

I don’t support the outsourcing of the library staff and support the matter to the Residents of Huntington Beach for a vote.

Best regards
Helen Lee
16818 Barracuda Lane
HB CA 92649
Sent from my iPhone
From: Doris Larson
To: [email protected]
Cc: Van Der Mark, Gracey; Burns, Pat; McKeon, Casey; Strickland, Tony Subject: Privatization of our library
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 12:19:09 PM
Dear Mayor and Council Members,

As a citizen of Huntington Beach for more than 50 years, the privatization of our library has me very concerned. Our library is a public institution and should remain as such.

This move will decimate the volunteer program. Who will possibly volunteer at a privately run institution. The library heavily relies on volunteers.

Please put this poorly though out idea in front of the voters of Huntington Beach.

Doris Larson
From: Karen Chaney
To: [email protected]
Subject: Privatizing our library
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 12:23:47 PM
PLEASE do not go forward with this unpopular amendment. I am a 51 year resident of this city and in my opinion, this is THE most self serving and destructive action ever proposed by a sitting council. To go forward with this amendment without any input from the people you serve is unconscionable! It is obvious by the recent council meetings that the MAJORITY of residents do not support this! Additionally, the fact that it is financially beneficial to a former council member and friend of our current acting mayor reeks of collusion! From: Debbie Clark
To: [email protected]
Subject: Vote Yes for Agenda item 24-350
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 12:46:20 PM
I vote Yes to Agenda item 24-350, submitted by Council Members Bolton, Kalmick, and Moser - Calls of a vote of the people to privatize/outsource the Huntington Beach Public Library and postpone/terminate RFP Process until after the vote.

A Thank you to Council Members Bolton, Kalmick, and Moser! Debra and Steve Clark
From: Paula Schaefer
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected]; Gates, Michael; city.manager@surfcity- hb.org
Subject: May 7, 2024; Agenda Item # 30 VOTE YES on 24-350! Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 2:47:16 PM
Mayor, City Council Members:

VOTE YES on 24-350!
As a 30+ year resident of the City, consistent voter, regular HBPL patron, I urge you to vote unanimously to 1) stop the RFP process underway; and,
2) allow the City's residents decide whether to continue the current excellent management of the HBPL, or to privatize or outsource its management.

In mid- April, I attended the Community and Library Services Commission meeting at which the RFP for privatization or outsourcing was discussed. Why this topic was agendized AFTER the City Council had already voted on the RFP was a source of confusion to everyone. It was apparent that the Commission members did not understand what would or would not be included in the RFP. If you haven't already done so, you should read the Commission's minutes where you will see that most attendees were against the RFP process by a significant margin!
Last week, I spent several hours at the Central library asking patrons if they were aware of the possible "outsourcing" or "privatizing" of the library. Very few patrons were aware of this potential action by the City Council. When I explained that the staff could be replaced by employees of a private company, nearly all of the 25+ people I spoke with were against the idea and mentioned how pleased they were with the existing management of the library and the staff.

The City's residents have made it abundantly clear that they care deeply about the fate of the HBPL. The vast majority of the written communications and speakers have eloquently articulated their many wonderful experiences in the library and the continued value that it provides to the City and the surrounding community.

You should consider it an honor to uphold the value of the HBPL and not simply look at the library as a "cost center" of the City.

Do the right thing for the community and let the voters decide how the HBPL should be managed.

Paula Schaefer
From: H Meyers
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: May 7, 2024, city Council meeting: Agenda Item # 30 Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 4:57:48 PM
I am a longtime resident of Huntington Beach.

I urge you to vote in favor of Agenda Item # 30, "Item Submitted by Council Members Bolton, Kalmick, and Moser - HB Public Library: Vote of the People to Privatize/Outsource (Charter Amendment) and Postpone/Terminate RFP Process Until After Vote”.

Our library is too important for a major change, such as contracting out the management of the library, without a vote of the people of Huntington Beach. The current City Council majority has ignored the outpouring of opposition to their proposal to move forward with a RFP for that purpose. It appears that the only way for those in opposition is to have a voice in the matter is for there to be a vote on the November ballot. The RFP process should be halted in the meantime, so that we don’t lose any more of our valued library staff, who will, no doubt, seek employment elsewhere should the RFP process go forward.

Thank you,
Hildy Meyers
From: Bev Sansone
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Agenda item #30, City council meeting 5/7/24
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 5:43:14 PM
I have lived in Huntington Beach since 1996 and have been appalled at how our excellent Public Library has been regarded recently. I have read about the proposed RFP to possibly relinquish our Public Library system to be managed by a private company. I have read about other cities which have hired this company to run their libraries and am not happy with the results reported. Our librarians are world class, along with our library, and I do not want to lose them.

I urge you to vote in favor of Agenda item #30. I feel the citizens of Huntington Beach should be able to vote on how this very important issue is handled. I am afraid the city council members who make up the majority have already decided on this issue, and feel this is too important to allow it to go through without giving the citizens a right to express their opinion on the matter.

Thank you,
Bev Sansone, MD
201 20th St.

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 5:43:40 PM
Fair enough! You speak of having let the people vote on previous Charter Amendments. Let the citizens have input on a Charter Amendment that assures that the voters have input on issues impacting our library!
Lawrence Kempee
9882 Saline Drive.

Huntington Beach.

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
From: maureen movius
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Privatization of library
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 6:07:04 PM
As a 40 year resident of HB, I am outraged and saddened to see that our city is moving backwards and is again becoming a haven for right wing extremists. Now privatization of libraries. As citizens we must resist this privatization because libraries are not just about books. Privatization will result in profit becoming the library's main objectives. Community connections will be lost,quality will decline and qualified staff will be in short supply. I am in support of Agenda Item 30 submitted by Bolton,Kalmick, and Moses.

From: Teresita Diaz
To: [email protected]
Cc: Teresita Diaz
Subject: Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 6:43:39 PM
I am writing to support the proposals submitted in Agenda Item 24-350 which request the following actions:

1. A Charter Amendment requiring a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve the proposal to operate the library with a prívate contractor with its own employees, a move that would reduce the costs of operating the library by paying them a much smaller salary and no benefits.

2. An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third- party contractor to operate the HB Public Library, as proposed by the City Council in its meeting on March 19, 2024.

3. To direct the City Manager and staff to stop working on the Request for Proposal (RFP), an action which obtained the "go ahead" on the meeting listed in Item #2.

I respectfully request that these items be placed on the ballot for the November 5, 2024 election and that such a proposal be placed in front of the council for a vote on the council meeting of June 24, 2024.

Please consider the non-monetary value of the librarians and volunteers whose primary concern is to serve and thus educate the public by instilling in them a love of reading, creating a society which respects history and tradition, where individuals consider what is the path more likely to lead to serve one another and to unify the city and country.

Respectfully submitted,
Teresita de Jesus Diaz
[email protected]
From: Gabriela Peschiera
To: [email protected]; Parra, Eric (CM); Gates, Michael Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 6:46:57 PM
Dear Mayor, City Council Members, City Attorney and City Manager, I am writing in support to Agenda Item 24-350. Let the residents of Huntington Beach decide the future of our Huntington Beach Public Library System in the next elections in November 2024.

Thank you so much for your consideration to this request.

Sincerely,
Gabriela Peschiera
HB Resident
From: Patricia Becerra
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 6:47:47 PM
I am support of city council Agenda item 24-350,
To have the vote of residents of HB to decide the privatization/outsourcing and postpone/ terminate RFP process until vote in Nov 2024, please let the residents of HB to decide the future of our public libraries
Thanks
Patricia Becerra
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
From: Claudia Locke
To: Teresita Diaz
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: [SUSPICIOUS MESSAGE] Re: Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 7:51:45 PM
This Message contains suspicious characteristics and has originated outside your organization.

This is great, thank you! ☺
On Sat, May 4, 2024 at 18:43 Teresita Diaz <[email protected]> wrote:

I am writing to support the proposals submitted in Agenda Item 24-350 which request the following actions:

1. A Charter Amendment requiring a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve the proposal to operate the library with a prívate contractor with its own employees, a move that would reduce the costs of operating the library by paying them a much smaller salary and no benefits.

2. An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third- party contractor to operate the HB Public Library, as proposed by the City Council in its meeting on March 19, 2024.

3. To direct the City Manager and staff to stop working on the Request for Proposal (RFP), an action which obtained the "go ahead" on the meeting listed in Item #2.

I respectfully request that these items be placed on the ballot for the November 5, 2024 election and that such a proposal be placed in front of the council for a vote on the council meeting of June 24, 2024.

Please consider the non-monetary value of the librarians and volunteers whose primary concern is to serve and thus educate the public by instilling in them a love of reading, creating a society which respects history and tradition, where individuals consider what is the path more likely to lead to serve one another and to unify the city and country.

Respectfully submitted,
Teresita de Jesus Diaz
[email protected]

From: Nancy Garafalo
To: [email protected]
Subject: Item 30 on 5/7/24
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 8:18:57 PM
I am in favor of approving this item so that it appears on the November ballot and Huntington Beach residents can decide for themselves if the library functions should be outsourced to a private company.

Nancy Garafalo
Sent from my iPhone
From: Stacey Grosvenor
To: [email protected]
Cc: Angela Grosvenor
Subject: We should be allowed to vote on whether the library gets privatized or not Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 9:17:51 PM
There is much uncertainty surrounding the effect that privatization of the library may have on the community.

The people who live in Huntington Beach should have a say in whether or not the public library gets privatized or not.

I am in favor of a Charter amendment that would require a majority vote of the people if this or any future council seeks to make a wholesale change to the library's management structure.

The residents of Huntington Beach should be able to vote on whether or not the library will be privatized.

Furthermore, I request that the City Council table the requested and still uncirculated Request for Proposals until after the people of Huntington Beach have spoken during the November election.

Respectfully,
Stacey Grosvenor
601 21st Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 733-3539
From: Georgiana Williams
To: [email protected]
Subject: HB Library
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 8:15:59 AM
I was a teacher in the Huntington Beach City School Distract for thirty nine years. I strongly support the decision of our library system to be voted on by the citizens of Huntington Beach. I do not wish the Prioritization of our Library System.

Sincerely,
Georgiana Williams
Sent from my iPad
From: Celeste Rybicki
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: In support of items 29 and 30
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 8:23:01 AM
Hello,
Please vote yes on agenda items 29 and 30. The campaign signs were absolute chaos this year so let’s just get that under control. And the issue of privatizing the library, while just appalling to many of us, is undeniably being rushed through unnecessarily. Just slow this whole process down please and let the citizens have a say! I cannot believe that any of you would take a look at all the possible “benefits” and all the probable “cons” and still come to the conclusion that it’s the right thing to do for our city. Please just slow it down.

Thank you,
Celeste
From: Dawn O Braithwaite
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 9:57:06 AM

Dear city council members, the issue of privatizing the library has divided the city and done harm to the reputation and functioning of the city and city government. If you care about the constituents, you will support an initiative to put the decision-making about this issue into the hands of citizens of the city, as spoken to in agenda item 24- 350. Please listen to and respect the breadth of people who lives here and who you are to represent, Dawn O. Braithwaite, Huntington Beach From: Kim Cruz
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 10:23:32 AM
Please do not vote to privatize the library… this is not in best interest of the HB community or the employees that work there .. it just helps a small faction control something that is public for a reason. Fair representation for all.

Kim cruz
Sent from my iPhone
From: margaret lo
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 10:29:50 AM
Hello,
I am writing to keep Huntington Beach Libraries a part of our community. We DO NOT want privatization.

Thank you!
Huntington Beach resident
Margaret Lo
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 11:07:11 AM
Dear HB City Council Members,
My husband and I have been Huntington Beach residents for about 40 years. I taught at Oka Elementary for 20 years. We served on the board for Waymakers Youth Shelter for years.

We’re writing in support of Agenda item 24-350. We the people deserve the opportunity to vote on the future of our public libraries that we have supported with not only our tax dollars, but with our donations of money and our time.

Please place this agenda item on the general election ballot in November and let the residents make this decision.

Thank you listening to your constituents.

Vanessa and Jeff Webster
From: Linda Law
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 11:33:27 AM
Dear Councilpersons,
Please support agenda item 24-350. My husband and I have lived in HB for twenty three years and we strongly believe that the public needs to vote on whether our libraries are managed publicly or privately. Private management invites corruption and the company the council is considering does not have a good track record. The City Council should stop or postpone the RFP process until after the public votes on this issue in the November general election. Thank you for your time.

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 11:53:43 AM
To HB City Council,
I support Agenda item 24-350, If the city wants to privatize the City Libraries, the citizens should vote on it.

Patrick Tone
19342 Hickory Lane
HB, CA 92646
From: Orly Levy
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 12:11:46 PM
Dear City Council Members,
I do not agree with privatizing the library. I support agenda item 24-350 and would like to vote on this matter in the November election.

Sincerely,
Orly Levy
Sent from my iPhone
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: library
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 12:15:22 PM
I believe Huntington Beach is better served with a public library and support the measure to require a vote of residents. kay childs
From: Diane Pavesic
To: [email protected]
Subject: Against Privatization of the Library
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 12:58:03 PM
City Council,
I am adamantly opposed to privatizing the Huntington Beach City Library system.

If you insist on moving forward with this agenda item which could be canceled in lieu of actually managing the City I agree with the proposal to require the citizens to vote on the privatization.

Sincerely,
Diane Pavesic
Sent from my iPad
From: maite aguilera
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 1:42:06 PM
Hello I am a HB resident and I want to help keep the library public. Please do not make it private.

Thanks
Maite Aguilera
From: Hilda Pope
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 1:42:08 PM
Please do not change the way the library has been run ever since I moved to Huntington Beach in 1982. Why fix something that is working perfectly well. I would rather pay more in my taxes to keep the Huntington Beach library in house instead of having a conglomerate operate the library. Thank you Sent from my iPhone
From: Anca Ciuciui
To: [email protected]
Subject: Anca Ciuciui RE: HB PUBLIC LIBRARY: VOTE OF THE PEOPLE TO PRIVATIZE/OUTSOURCE (CHARTER AMENDMENT) AND POSTPONE/TERMINATE RFP PROCESS UNTIL AFTER VOTE - Agenda Item 24-350 Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 2:18:56 PM
Hello,
Please see below my vote regarding the proposed items for consideration:
1) I fully support the idea of requiring a majority vote from both the City Council and the people of Huntington Beach before making any significant changes to the library's management structure. It's crucial to ensure that such decisions are made with the input and approval of the community they affect. 2) I am not in favor of changing the current management of the library to a third-party private management. Given the lack of clear information about how privatization would impact the library, coupled with concerns about potential negative effects on staff pensions and wages, it seems prudent to maintain the library's current management structure. The library is a cherished institution with a long history, and any changes should be approached with caution and consideration for its importance to the community.

Kind regards,
Anca Ciuciui
HB resident
Sent from my iPhone
From: Daniel Johnson
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 2:46:04 PM
Hi,
I support this item. I grew up enjoying the library and I want to keep it in tip top shape! Dan Johnson
562-480-9094
From: Eileen Simpson
To: [email protected]
Subject: Public Library
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 3:00:28 PM
Dear City Council
I have become aware that there is a proposal by city council members Bolton, Kalmick and Moser to transfer the management of the public library in Huntington Beach to a private contractor.

I am whole heartedly opposed to this proposal. Do these city council members understand the first amendment of the constitution. Privitization of the library is in direct conflict of free speech. I thinks these council members need to have a lesson in history. Namely the burning of certain books in Nazi Germany in the 1930's.

Please reconsider removing this proposal to the November ballot.

Sincerely,
Eileen Simpson
Huntington Beach
From: Terri
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 3:02:23 PM
City Council-
We vote. When we vote in our City Council we expect them to do what is right for our city. It is best for HB to have our public library system, and not to privatize something that is so important to our community.

I want to state for the record that hundreds of other moms and dads who are friends, neighbors, all HB voters, all oppose the privatization of the library. I am one of those moms. We strongly support keeping our library as a public library. We have always loved the public library and its services. We are proud to have this big public library in our city. We will be voting for city council members in the next election that vote to keep our library public. It is the right decision for our city.

Thank you.

Sent from my iPhone
From: David Rynerson
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 3:48:27 PM
City Council &ndash;
Item 24-350 on the May 7th agenda is a prime opportunity for the council to majority to honor their campaign promise to &ldquo;increase civic participation&rdquo;. It is, in fact, perhaps the clearest opportunity to either honor that campaign promise or consign it to the deep pile of broken political promises.

The Huntington Beach Library system is one of the crown jewels of our city. People come from many surrounding cities, including those up in LA County, to patronize our libraries. Huntington Beach citizens are both proud of, and protective of, our libraries.

You have already received a sampling of how HB citizens feel about the proposals to change library operations &ndash; whether that be the citizens book review commission or the outsourcing RFP. At the recent Library and Community Services commission meeting supplemental communications ran at 4:1 opposed to the review board and 13:1against outsourcing. Public speakers ran16:1 opposed to both proposals.

So, if you really believe in civic participation, approve Item 24-350 and let the citizens of Huntington Beach decide.

Or, reveal yourselves to be cynical politicians who only care about the &ldquo;civic participation&rdquo; of those agree with them.

Sincerely,
David Rynerson
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-350 SUPPORT Allow Voters to Decide Whether Library Operations Should be Privatized Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 3:56:25 PM

Honorable City Council Members: I am writing in support of Agenda Item 24-350. The Huntington Beach Library system has successfully served our City since 1909. Our library is staffed by trained librarians, many of whom have degrees in library science. Library volunteers contribute over 50,000 hours per year. There is a strong visible civic crusade that opposes the privatization of the library operations, a move that will likely cause a decrease in the level of service and loss of volunteers. The council was elected to represent the citizens of our city.

When a strong visible citizen movement forms that opposes the path the council is taking, the council should reconsider its direction by allowing the electorate to formally weigh in on the issue. As a 50-year resident of HB, I believe the library transcends the current polarized City Council situation. Voters will remember this issue when it comes time to elect Council members. If you believe the Council is headed in the correct direction, why not allow the electorate to confirm (or oppose) your position by placing the issue on the November 2024 ballot? Respectfully, Michael Selna

From: Brenda McDonough
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 3:57:25 PM
Hello,
I am opposed to privatization of our libraries. It is totally against what a democracy is supposed to do—protect access to books and information so we can make informed decisions when we vote. Our library is fantastic at providing access to print books and cutting edge online databases and apps that encourage literacy and education which is vital to ensuring our freedom of information. Privatizing our library system risks our access to be steered by people and institutions that are not held accountable by our voting power, and this type of move is proven in history to put democratic institutions in jeopardy.

Sincerely,
Brenda McDonough
Huntington Beach resident
From: LETITIA JOHNSON
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 4:40:00 PM
Yes I am in favor of the agenda item. thank you.

Regards
Letitia Johnson
Library patron and FOTL
Sent from my phone. I purple.

From: Sue Welfringer
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Item 24-350 - HB Public Library: Vote of the People to Privatize/Outsource (Charter Amendment) and Postpone/Terminate RFP Process Until After Vote
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 5:07:35 PM
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
This letter is in support of Item #24-350 submitted by Council Members Bolton, Kalmick and Moser regarding our HB Public Library.

I am deeply dismayed and more than concerned by the year-long attack on our library system and highly qualified professional librarians.

Hundreds and hundreds of letters have been written by library patrons and volunteers opposing the actions of the council majority and city attorney. From book restrictions – to politically assigned book selection committees – and now to privatization, the unfounded attacks on our library have been heartbreaking. I will not write another long letter today as these are clearly not being considered by those on council with a personal agenda.

I support the motion to terminate the RFP process regarding the privatization / outsourcing of our library and I thank Council Members Bolton, Kalmick, and Moser for bringing this forward to keep the integrity and high-quality standards of our public library intact.

Sincerely,
Sue Welfringer
HB Resident, 27 years

From: Paula Shawa
To: [email protected]
Subject: Item 30 - YES! Agenda / City Council Meeting / May 7 Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 6:08:25 PM
Agenda Item 30 – yes, I support this and so do the majority of Huntington Beach residents: We strongly object to the City Council making any changes to the library’s structure. Stop creating fake issues and ruining the city. Thank you, Dan, Rhonda and Natalie for listening to the residents.

Paula Shawa, Huntington Bech
From: Dale Martinez
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support of proposal for Item 30 on May 7 City Council Agenda Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 6:56:00 PM
Dear Council Members
I urge you to support Agenda Item 30 regarding the proposal for a ballot measure allowing the citizens of Huntington Beach to decide on whether to Privatize the Huntington Beach Public Library.

I have written before about this subject. I do not support privatization of our beloved Public Library system. I do not think that it is a well thought out proposal.You should be able to manage the budget and expenses. You should be ashamed of your ability to run our city because it seems that we are spending a lot of money on lawsuits and lawyers, but cannot support our beloved Library. Never mind that you cannot even fund the public art exhibit (the fountains) at the main branch, but that is another subject.

Please allow for the issue to be decided by the ballot and not the Council majority.

Additionally, as stated before, I do not agree with your Citizen Council for reviewing books, either. Let professional employee librarians do their jobs and quit trying to cancel our culture from your temporary positions on our City Council. It only took about 14,000 voters in Huntington Beach to elect you 4 members, which is hardly a mandate.

Sincerely,
Dale Martinez
714-717-7235
From: Sarah Kasravi
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 8:20:09 PM
We love our public library, we’ve grown up attending and have spent many school day afternoons and summers there. Please keep the public.

Sent from my iPhone
From: Autrina Kasravi
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 8:22:59 PM
Keep the Huntington Beach public library public please! Sent from my iPhone
From: Barbara Richardson
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: [SUSPICIOUS MESSAGE] Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 9:02:39 PM
This Message contains suspicious characteristics and has originated outside your organization.

Yes on Agenda Item 24-350,
Honorable Mayor and Council Members
I encourage all council members to vote yes on Agenda item, 24-350. Passing this item would halt the RFP process until after the upcoming election and would allow residents to be able to vote this November on whether the library should be privatized/outsourced.

If the council majority honestly believes this is what the residents want, they should all vote yes on this agenda item. What better way to demonstrate to the public that you truly believe in democracy and the democratic process. You would allow people to vote on this important issue by putting it on the November ballot. It is obvious that the residents feel strongly about this matter. Why would you deny the people the chance to voice their opinion by voting?
The council majority can claim the reason they want to hire a private company to run the library is to save the city money. However, the city has been through budget shortfalls before. Budget cuts are usually made across the board. An entire department is not gutted with all of its staff being laid off and not absorbed by the city into other departments. Having worked for the city for 32 years, I know how these things work. Laying off an entire department where employees may or may not be rehired by a private company, most likely at a greatly reduced salary, would be a first.

What a horrible message to anyone who might be looking to work for the city now and in the future. Is this the legacy you want to leave?
Let the residents decide the fate of their library. Give them the ability to vote on this issue. Don’t go down in Huntington Beach’s history as the council majority who decided, without input from its citizens, to turn our award winning stellar library with its specialized collections into a bargain basement, one size fits all, junk food library.

Barbara Richardson
Huntington Beach
[email protected]

From: Seth Bartels
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 9:24:41 PM
Dear City Council Members,
As a life long Huntington Beach (1974-present) I felt obligated to reach out in support of Agenda Item 24-350.

Let the people of the city have a voice on this important matter. Put it on the ballot in November.

Thank you for your time,
Seth Bartels
Sent from my iPhone
From: Roseann Erwin
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 9:40:06 PM
Dear Huntington Beach City Councilmembers,
I am a Huntington Beach native, a kid who grew up at the Huntington Beach Library. Today I am a professional librarian, and I write to you in regards to Agenda Item 24-350.

Access to information is crucial to children and young adults' understanding of the world around them. It is crucial to freedom. As a kid, I wandered the Banning Branch and all 4 floors of the Central Library looking for good stories, biographies, fiction and nonfiction. Being a young Library user made me who I am.

Over the decades, the HB Public Library has become a beautiful monument to a city that values freedom and education. It is vibrant, bursting with programming for all ages, support for veterans and community members, all in a beautiful setting.

We enjoy this gem of a Library system because of the hard work of dedicated volunteers, the expertise of professional librarians, and talented staff.

This is why I am perplexed that city leaders would want to hand over control of the Library to a private company, who does not share the values of this community, and will surely put their own profits before considering decisions that benefit the public--the TAXPAYING public.

I have lived all over California, sometimes in communities that had nothing but a small storefront for their public library. It's sad that a small group of ideological warriors are willing to sacrifice the beautiful HBPL system in an effort to force others to conform to their values.

And to exact vengeance on the hardworking Library employees who are just trying to do their job.

As a young Library Kid, nobody ever stepped in front of me to question what I was reading, or keep me from what I wanted to read. I had a mind of my own, and I could decide for myself.

This is true liberty and freedom.

Free people read freely. Yet the new City regime has forced books off the shelves and has made it clear they will stop at nothing to make their point, no matter what the cost. Are we really free?
Respectfully,
Roseann Erwin
From: DAVID SANDIFER
To: [email protected]
Subject: OUR library
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 10:03:10 PM
We are contacting you to support a VOTE needed by the citizens of HB to privatize or outsource the library services. Additionally, please postpone or better yet, terminate the current RFP process until after a vote of the people.

Sincerely, Nikki and David Sandifer
Sent from my iPhone
From: Susie Cerami
To: [email protected]
Subject: SUPPORT for Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 10:10:40 PM
Dear HB City Council,
It is clear that the overwhelming majority of HB residents want to keep our library public. It is something that we HB residents feel so passionately about. But sadly, it seems to be falling on deaf ears when it comes to you, our city council. A decision like this is about our city's character, our history, and what WE (the voters) want to invest in as a city.

As such, I am writing to urge you to please place the following two items on the Nov 5th, 2024 General Election ballot and agendize it for a vote at the June 4th meeting:

1. A charter amendment requiring a majority vote of the city council AND of the electors of HB to make any changes regarding the library management; AND

2. Require an advisory vote by electors on whether to hire a 3rd party contactor to manage our city library.

If you want what is good for our city, and if you care at all about the residents of our wonderful city, then you will at least vote to place the privatization question in the voters hands. Let the HB voters decide if the library should be privatized or stay public. A decision this big should reflect what the majority of the HB residents want, not just a small few.

Sincerely,
Susie Cerami
(Longtime HB resident)
From: Hilda Kasravi
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 10:38:10 PM
Dear Members of the Huntington City Council,
I am writing to express my strong support for maintaining the Huntington Beach Public Library (HBPL) as a public entity. As a resident and user of the library, I have experienced firsthand the invaluable resources and services it provides to our community.

The HBPL holds a special place in my heart as it has been an integral part of my life since childhood. The summer reading program fostered my love for literature and learning, instilling in me a lifelong passion for reading. As I progressed through high school, the library became my go-to study spot, offering a peaceful environment conducive to academic success. In addition, the access to tutoring facilities has been instrumental in helping countless young learners, including myself, achieve their academic goals. I, also, fostered my love for teaching while being a tutor at HBPL.

Additionally, the library's used book sales not only offer affordable reading material but also contribute to the sustainability of our community by promoting recycling and reuse.

Above all, the HBPL grants us access to a vast array of books and resources, enriching our lives and expanding our horizons. It serves as a beacon of knowledge and a hub for intellectual growth, welcoming individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

As a member of this community, I urge you to prioritize the preservation of the Huntington Beach Public Library as a public institution. Its continued existence in this capacity is essential for the well-being and enrichment of our city.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your dedication to serving the residents of Huntington Beach.

Sincerely,
Hilda Kasravi
Sent from my iPhone
From: qw
To: [email protected]
Subject: Public Comment Item 14 & 30, Tuesday, May 7, 2024 Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 11:08:00 PM
Attachments: 1_dGLTTiXAAxSiea6nI6w4zA.png
89fa9b129e14159f203d32f3aef62251.png
download (19).jfif
Tráthnóna maith City Council - Ben Pickens
here, HB resident
I support Item 14 - Monthly Update of
Activities for - Community & Library Services
Commission - Meeting Date: 4/10/24:

The results are in favor of Huntington Central
Library. 44 against the implementation of a
Parent/Guardian Review Board, & 10 in favor;
66 were against the Privatization RFP process,
while 5 were in favor; 2 comments were
undecided or opinion was unclear. This
document pales in comparison to the
overwhelming majority of residents in
support of Huntington Central Library.

I support Item 30 - Vote of the People to
Privatize/Outsource (Charter Amendment) &
Postpone/Terminate RFP Process Until After
Vote:

Surely millions of HB residents have long
been dependent on their groundbreaking
research at Central Library. Not having such a
vote & postponement/termination, is not a
protocol that is in accordance with the wishes
of the constituency. Selling libraries to library
companies is an absolute stupid idea from
totalitarian developers; at such an important
time for research, this is tyranny. These
developers are terrified of people researching
in libraries. A library company is nothing
more than a political scheme that makes it easy
for an executive to end the print of all
paperback & hardcover books via digitization
& exploit all paper to other countries, this will
indeed be a mere computer lab. The books in
question have identifiable, social
disinformation in them & should have been
thrown into the adult section, & be done with
it. I think members of the city council &
elected city clerk are at fault for not requesting
this. Be mindful that misdirecting for private
gain is graft. It is better to seek improvement
to the library operations, if funds truly must be
saved, not by selling it. I think the idea to sell
is being rushed by private interests as a faint
against the city. The details of Central Library
have not at all, ever been adequately discussed,
in conjunction with the overwhelming
resident feedback that would occur, to make
such a stupid sale. And I think selling has
been propagandized & snuck in, which does
not serve the purpose of the functions of city
council. This is a great misuse of civic
representation.

The Huntington Central Library is also an
epicenter for space travel research; there is a
eugenicist phobia against this, from private
interests, & an obsession to ban/censor &
conspiracize this; instead of the government
banning fraudulent products.

Source: Google

Sincerely, Ben Pickens
From: Lauren Lloyd
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support of Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 11:11:07 PM
Dear Huntington Beach Council Members,
I am writing to you today because I unfortunately cannot attend Tuesday’s meeting. I do not support privatizing our beloved library. I do support Council Members’ Bolton, Kalmick, and Moser call to leave this decision to the citizens of Huntington Beach, who overwhelmingly do not want our library to go private. There is absolutely no good reason for us to change our library system. All this is doing is harming our library. We the people who use our library should be the ones voting on it.

Thank you,
Lauren
-Lauren Lloyd
310-460-8109
From: Andrea J. Sward
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 11:25:55 PM
.

I support agenda item 24-350 to require a vote of the people to privatize/outsource the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Members of the public must have a direct say in a service that personally impacts them and their children.
(It might be different if, for example, the accounting department were to be outsourced since the public rarely has face-to-face contact with their staff.) --Andrea Sward
From: Melody Tokunaga
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:28:15 AM
Dear City Council Members,
We have been citizens of Huntington Beach for over 54 years. We have loved raising our family in Huntington Beach because of its PUBLIC schools, PUBLIC beaches and PUBLIC library. All three of these have provided excellent education, enjoyment and enrichment for my family and all citizens of Huntington Beach.

Please let the citizens of Huntington Beach vote whether to privatize/outsource the Huntington Beach Public Library and postpone/terminate the RFP process until after the vote.

I urge you to vote in favor of Agenda Item 24-350.

Thank you,
Melody and Lawrence Tokunaga
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Item 24-350 May 7, 2024 City Counvil Meeting
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:42:20 AM
City Council

My name is Faith Vogel, a longtime resident of Huntington Beach. I served on the Library Board and the Community and Library Services from 2007 to 2023. If there is one thing, I learned in my years of service is that the citizens of Huntington Beach love and support their library.

I am writing in support of Agenda Item 24-350, to be presented at the May 7,2004 City Council meeting. This action will give the citizens of Huntington Beach the opportunity of letting their voices be heard. The process of contracting out library services needs to be determined by the voters, and this agenda item will provide our citizens the opportunity to have their voice.

In view of the major impact on library proposed by the resolution it is necessary for the City Council to let this agenda item pass.

Thank you, for your consideration.

Faith Vogel

From: Greg Statton
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:28:08 AM
Huntington Beach City Council,
My name is Greg Statton. I was born and raised in Huntington Beach, and have brought my wife and three kids back to this wonderful place I've called 'home' to raise them with everything this City has to offer.

I am absolutely shocked by the city's stance on privatizing resources, such as the Huntington Beach Public Library. I do not feel that a corporation has the people's best interest in mind when making fiduciary decisions that benefit outside entities. These resources were meant for the community, largely staffed by community volunteers, and meant to enrich the community it serves. I see no way a private entity can have the people's best interest in mind.

I do NOT support the privatization of public resources, and outsourcing our resources to the lowest bidder.

Please reconsider this movement, as it will have a generational impact on this community which will be nearly impossible to reverse.

Thank you for your time.

Greg Statton
Huntington Beach Resident
From: Sue Brewsaugh
To: [email protected]
Subject: HBPL RFP
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:31:54 AM
Please stop the RFP process to outsource the management of our library. It is already brilliantly managed. The only way to save money would be to cut programs, staff, and the collection. We would potentially lose the $300,000 donated by the Friends as well as the thousands of volunteer hours. The library was built by the community. It is supported by our community. We have the 8th most volunteer hours in California, despite having a smaller population than many library systems. Please consider how much our community loves our library. Outsourcing our library management would be a huge disservice to our community. If you go forward with this RFP it will be remembered in the next election.

Sue Brewsaugh
38+ year resident of HB
From: Brigid McMahon
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Library Privitaztion
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:38:27 AM
I think privatizing the library is an absolutely terrible idea. It is completely unnecessary and will lead to a serious degradation of library services, as other cities that have tried it have found.

That said, if the Council majority is determined to forge ahead with this very bad idea, it definitely should be put to a vote of the community, who are the users of the library. That just four people could drastically change this incredibly valuable and beloved community resource for years to come is outrageous; the community must have a say. If the idea is as popular as the Council seems to think, there is no reason not to schedule it for a vote of the people.

Brigid McMahon
[email protected]
From: Juana Mueller
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Cc: DonJuana Mueller
Subject: May 7 Council meeting
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:45:55 AM
Dear HB City Council,
Agenda Item 30:

Please vote YES for putting the issue of privatizing our HB Library system on the 2024 November ballot.

ALL citizens of HB should have a chance to vote on the library privatization issue.

The HB library system is a foundational aspect of our city’s cultural and educational offerings and is widely used and loved by our citizens. All should have a chance to weigh in on such a consequential step as privatization!
Respectfully,
Juana Mueller.

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:57:35 AM
We have lived in Huntington Beach over 50 years, raised our children here, and have always used the wonderful library. We are opposed to any attempt to privatize/outsource the library's operations. We support Agenda item 24-350. Thank you. Christine and Richard Palmer
From: Carol Daus
To: [email protected]; Parra, Eric (CM); CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:58:10 AM
To City Council Members and Chief Parra,
I support Agenda item 30, 24-350, to require a vote of the people to privatize/outsource our public library operations and to terminate the RFP process until after an election of the people. Our highly respected public library is the community's asset and not the possession of a small group of city officials. The fact that there has been no public hearing about this drastic move is disappointing.

The HBPL budget increased only 2% in 9 years, so a financial explanation for this move doesn't make sense. LS&S contracts increase at least 2 1/2% EVERY YEAR. Plus HBPL will lose $300,000 donated annually by the Friends of the Library and the Children's Friends of the Library. This cannot be given to a for-profit corporation.

Why try to fix something that's not broken? There are many other ways to cut costs in our city budget. The library only represents 1.9% of the entire budget. Because of this financial analysis, privatization of our well-managed public library would be poor governance.

Thank you,
Carol Daus
HB Resident, 28 years
From: Beth Turner
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:00:53 AM
Dear City Council,
An agenda item such as this must be determined by the city’s citizens not by the City Council! Sincerely,
Beth Turner
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: HB public Library
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:52:03 AM
Please, Please, Please, delay, & postpone this effort to privatize our wonderful HB Library!!. Stop this Request for Proposals to let Mr Posey and his disgraceful company invade our coty! Let the VOTERS decide with a Charter Amendment proposal in Nov. The voters and not 4 council members need to make this decision!! I guarantee you, this action on you 4 will cost you the next election. Believe it! Sent from my iPhone
From: Peter Brunner
To: [email protected]
Subject: Please DO NOT Privatize our PUBLIC Library
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:02:51 AM
Dear Huntington Beach City Council Members,
As a 27 year resident of Huntington Beach and a local business owner for 12 years I am urging you to NOT privatize our award-winning public library.

This is a perfect example of, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" If you are confident that this is what the people want, then put it on the ballot and let the public decide.

Our current library offers so much more than just books. These services will most likely be cut by a private contractor looking to maximize profits.

A strong, free, public library is a cornerstone of a healthy community. This move to privatize might make sense in neglected rural communities but that is not the case in Huntington Beach.

Please read this article from Literary Hub Nov. 22, 2021 https://lithub.com/why-the-hell-would-you-want-to-privatize-libraries/ Thank you, in advance, for setting your political agenda aside and acting in the best interests of the citizens of Huntington Beach.

Sincerely,
Peter S. Brunner
Huntington Beach
From: Norman Cain
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library Privatization
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:12:34 AM
Please consider very carefully the idea of privatizing the public library. This is an invaluable resouce for the entire community of Huntington Beach.

This is not something which should be squandered for the benefit of a profit driven company.

Thank you for your time.

Norm
Life’s too short
To make
Puff pastry
From: J. Weller
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:37:40 AM
Dear City Council Members of the City of Huntington Beach, Subject: HB PUBLIC LIBRARY: VOTE OF THE PEOPLE TO

PRIVATIZE/OUTSOURCE (CHARTER AMENDMENT) AND

POSTPONE/TERMINATE RFP PROCESS UNTIL AFTER VOTE
I propose two items for consideration in November of 2024:
1) A Charter amendment that would require a majority vote of the people if this or any future council
seeks to make a wholesale change to the library's management structure – in the spirit of Measure
C for our parks and beaches; and,
2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | www.huntingtonbeachca.gov 2) An advisory vote as to whether the current electorate of the City of Huntington Beach wants a
change to the library's current management structure under the framework proposed by this
Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

Because the election is less than six months away, I also request that the City Council table the
requested and still uncirculated Request for Proposals (RFP) until after the people have spoken in
November.

I request that the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk prepare resolutions, ordinances, and any other
materials necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024 General Election
ballot and agendize for a vote at the June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting:
1) A Charter amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the
electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale
management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor
that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third-party contractor
to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the
City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

Additionally direct the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it
relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Weller
Huntington Beach, California resident
From: Nancy Phillips
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:37:46 AM
To the City council,
My husband and I both support Agenda Item 24-350. A decision this important should be left to the vote of the people in November. We do not, nor does anyone we have spoken with, favor the privitization of our lovely Huntington Beach Library. Our library is a crown jewel in our city. Please leave it alone.

Nancy and Floyd Philips
From: pablo aspas
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:44:15 AM
Dear City Council Members,
I am a resident of Huntington Beach and I want to express my complete opposition to the privatization of the Huntington Beach Public Library system.

If the City of Huntington Beach continues with the Request For Proposal process to outsource our library system's day-to-day operations, I am asking that you vote, "yes" for agenda item 24-350 - HB Public Library: Vote of the People to Privatize/Outsource (Charter Amendment) and Postpone/Terminate the RFP process Until After Vote.

Sincerely,
Pablo Aspas Mayoral
From: Barbara Snider
To: [email protected]
Subject: City Council Agenda items
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 11:07:58 AM
I cannot attend and comment at coming City Council meeting, as I have several times in the past. I do hope voters are allowed to vote on turning over the library to a private company for several reasons:

1. There is a lot of discussion on this action throughout our community, in person and on local listserve. By allowing a vote in November, a consensus is more likely. Otherwise, I think in spite of any action taken by the City Council, there will be endless discussions at meetings.

2. This appears to be an ethical problem in that City Council members announced who would get the contract for privatization far ahead of the RFP. While the city may not have the legal strictures against this behavior, it is still highly suspect and people would and should be very open to lawsuits. putting off this decision to get a better understanding of the public’s views is wise.

3. This privatization move goes far beyond general Republican/Democrat philosophies and it would behoove the City Council to get a better understanding of who they represent.

4. Not putting this issue on the ballot will mean continued endless conversations (as stated in #1). These conversations could escalate for the next few years - until 2026 when City Council members are up for re-election.

Do they want to be re-elected? Do they have proof their stance is correct? Are they willing to risk finding out? Or do they want to delay knowing and most probably have a larger fight on their hands. Better to know now.

I could add many arguments against privatization, but have already done that.

Thank you for reading my note.

Barbara Snider
Sent from my iPad
From: mari beth vierra
To: [email protected]
Subject: HB Libraries
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 11:27:29 AM
Hello. I am a long-time Huntington Beach resident, homeowner and Realtor. I strongly request that all pertinent city employees do everything possible and necessary to put the library privatization issue on the November 5, 2024 ballot.

Huntington Beach has a wonderful public library system with beautiful locations, collections and programs. It is essential that these remain public and not privatized.

I have emailed the mayor and council members repeatedly expressing my concerns regarding their aggressive agenda. It is harming the city and will harm the city's bottom line.

Thank you.

Mari E. Vierra
From: Kristin Evans
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 11:43:05 AM
I support this agenda item. I do not support privatizing our amazing HB Public Library! We need to keep it public and continuing to operate with its dedicated and knowledgeable local staff, not outsourced to a third party contractor who is not part of the fabric of the community.

Sincerely,
Kristin Mascio Evans
From: Julie Baker
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 11:46:12 AM
To: Huntington Beach City Council
Respectfully - enclosed are thoughts I'd like to share regarding agenda item 24-350.

1. A famous quote - "A library card is the start of a life long adventure"

2. Librarians today are nothing in not creative in finding ways to serve their communities

3. The design of the library going forward should build on this strength to invoke the power of learning and inspire the production of knowledge

4. We need to work together to inspire to dream big

5. Librarians help match people up with knowledge and information that is free to all Lastly, as a representative of "the people" you have been given a rare opportunity to act as guardians and protect was is sacred in our community. To quote Winston Churchill in 1906:
"Where there is great power there is great responsibility".

Julie Baker
Huntington Beach resident for 30+ years
From: Anne Cain
To: [email protected]
Subject: Privatization of library services
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 12:11:59 PM
I am writing in support of the agenda item 24-350 regarding the request to allow the citizens of Huntington Beach to vote on whether they want the city’s library services to be privatized or not.

If you are remotely interested in allocating HB citizens’ taxpayer dollars for library services as the MAJORITY of them ( and not just those who voted for you!) want , this would be a legitimate way of confirming , or disputing, that you are on the right track.

Even some of my friends who DID vote for you, are astounded and disappointed at the arrogant self-righteousness you have already shown in dealing with the library services, and the staff in particular, and this would be a gesture of good faith that you are executing the wishes of the majority of HB citizens, and not just engaged in a pompous, self-serving ego-trip .

Sincerely,
Anne Cain
From: Barbara Van Dine
To: [email protected]
Subject: Citizen Vote Regarding Library Privitization
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 12:21:51 PM
Mayor Van Der Mark and City Council,
At tomorrow's council meeting, you will have a chance to do what is right......put the future of the library to the citizens of Huntington Beach to decide. Your previous, unilateral 4-3 vote to control reading material, form a review committee of your own choosing and develop an RFP to privatize the library does NOTHING to benefit the citizens of Huntington Beach that you, Mayor and your three colleagues were elected to do. It is interesting that as I talk with more people about this, their response is, "I voted for them but that isn't what they ran on and I certainly won't vote for them again."
Tuesday night you all can send a great message to the City of Huntington Beach with a 7-0 vote to put this to the
vote of the people of Huntington Beach to privatize/outsource the Huntington Beach Public Library by putting it on the November ballot.and postpone/terminate RFP Process until after November vote.

DO WHAT IS RIGHT!
From: hooplucas
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 12:31:50 PM
I oppose the HB Public Library to be outsourced and become private.

Thank you,
Paula Lucas
Apel Ln, HB 92649
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
From: Lorraine Crawford
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 12:32:28 PM
Dear Mr. Strickland and Ms. Van der Mark,
As you have seen in the frequent protests and council comments, people are very upset and distressed on how you have decided to micromanage our outstanding library. As you have refused to acknowledge our wishes and moved ahead with fixing an excellent library that doesn’t need fixing (so you can justify rewarding a former city council member’s sales efforts), we hope you will listen to the will of all your constituents by voting in favor of Protect Huntington Beach and its charter amendment request:

1. A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and,
2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third-party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting. Additionally, direct the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting.

you for your consideration and showing your respect for our wonderful professional librarians and the parents who help their children choose the desired books for their needs.

Sincerely,

Lorraine June Crawford
Former Literacy Volunteer
Friend of the Library
Retired Credentialed k12 Teacher
949-838-7824
Follow Crawford Marketing on Facebook

From: Akemi Royer
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: YES for Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 12:33:49 PM
Dear City Council Members,
I grew up with the Huntington Beach Public Library and now have the pleasure of bringing my own family to the library to participate in a wide variety of programs offered and to check out books.

I oppose the privatization of the HBPL because there has been a lack of transparency about how the City Council majority arrived at their decision to move forward with the RFP process on 3/19/24. There have been no meetings seeking community feedback (as the city is doing for Charter Section 612, formally known as Measure C).

For that reason, I support agenda item 24-350 - HB Public Library: Vote of the People to Privatize/Outsource (Charter Amendment) and Postpone/Terminate RFP Process Until After Vote.

Respectfully,
Akemi Royer
From: Armin
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 12:34:07 PM
I have been a resident of HB for decades and I have been going to the Huntington Beach PUBLIC Library ever since I was a kid and my kids have been going there. It would be a travesty to privatize this wonderful landmark in our city. Please do NOT entertain this move.

Thanks
Armin Kasravi
From: Samantha Baksic
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 1:01:01 PM
Dear City Council Members,
I strongly support the new agenda item 24-350 submitted by Council Members Bolton, Kalmick and Moser that requires a vote of the people to privatize/outsource the Huntington Beach Public Library and postpone/terminate the RFP process until after the vote. Please give the people of Huntington Beach the freedom to vote on this important issue.

Sincerely,
Samantha Baksic
714-330-2021
From: Julie Kimmel
To: [email protected]
Subject: May 7 Meeting Agenda Item 30
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 1:10:30 PM
I am writing as an alarmed resident about the plans being made in the City Council to privatize our library. This is NOT a decision to be made by the City Council. I am firmly against privatizing/outsourcing. I support the actions in Agenda Item 30 for the council to table the RFP process and put the decision to a vote of the people.

Julie Kimmel. 611 11th St. Huntington Beach,CA 92648
From: Lisa Marquise
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 1:10:52 PM
I support Agenda item 24-350 to create a Charter Amendment giving HB voters the right to choose whether or not to privatize our jewel of a library.

The majority on this City Council has outright ignored hundreds upon hundreds plus of community comments and emails to not hand our library over to a private, for profit business.

The leading, predetermined ‘contender’ being LS&S, whose owner President, Frank Pezzanite, has expressed outright disdain for libraries and librarians, including statements implying they do nothing but sit around and shouldn’t earn pensions.

His business practice is to gain enormous personal profits from taxpayer dollars by cutting book acquisitions, cutting staff, cutting benefits, including pensions, with a bare bones ‘management’ system. In addition, as a private company, LS&S can refuse to disclose many operating records & costs, and refuse FOIA requests, and thus is not answerable to the community. This is however useful to Gracey Van Der Mark’s quest to ban books, move/hide books from the children’s, teen, or young adult section that violates her “bathing suit rule”, including titles such as Once Upon a Potty, and skirt the communities broadly expressed wishes not to do this. With this system she can more easily hide this nefarious activity.

Privatizing our long outstanding library, a MAJOR source of pride in the community, will unquestionably damage it, and further deteriorate public confidence that the majority on City Council will do what’s best for Huntington Beach.

Lisa Marquise
From: Jill Bauer
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 1:36:35 PM
Dear Huntington Beach City Council Members,
I'm writing to urge the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk to prepare resolutions, ordinances, and other necessary materials to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot and agendize for a vote at the June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting. These two items are:
1) a charter amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings, and
2) an advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third- party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

I also urge the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting.

Please allow the people of Huntington Beach to vote on the privatization/outsourcing of our public library and postpone or terminate the RFP process until after this vote takes place.

Thank you,
Jill Bauer
Resident of Huntington Beach
From: Rocio Niezen
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 2:02:15 PM
Dear Members of Huntington Beach City Council,
I am in support of city council agenda Item 24-350 to have the vote of residents of HB to decide the privatization /outsourcing and postpone/terminate RFP process until after vote in November 2024.

Please let the residents of HB decide the future of our public libraries.

Thank you
Rocio Niezen
Sent from my iPhone
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: YES to....

Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 2:28:06 PM
Letting the residents of Huntington Beach have a vote on what happens to our public libraries. As residents of the city we should be the ones to have a say on keeping our libraries public or not. Enough of trying to ruin our public libraries more than you have already. There is to much that is important in our libraries now that will end up gone if a for-profit company comes in and runs things.

Also I agree with the agenda item on the political signs as well. Enough is enough and close the loophole that also that allows political signs up when its not an election time for those signs.

Anna Plewa
From: Brian G. Saylin
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: The intended destruction of our library
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 3:12:30 PM
4 people have determined to besmirch anyone with different sexual preferences than themselves. They have denied parents the right to determine what their children should be able to read. They have determined that they need not follow State mandates relating to voting and housing – which has ended up and will end up costing our city hundreds of thousands of dollars. Now they want to rid the library of the professionals who have so well run it making it a library to be very proud of. Without any proof, the reason is that it will save the City money.

Now, when it’s to the advantage of the 4, they want to save money. It’s time that the important decisions which affect the citizens now be decided by the citizenry. Put this issue up before the voters in November. It’s the least the 4 can do. What are you 4 afraid of? That you’re wrong?

Brian Saylin

Brian G. Saylin
The Law Offices of Saylin & Swisher, LLP
2700 Newport Blvd., Suite 172
Newport Beach, California 92663
t: 949.577.9240
f: 949.258.5250
[email protected]

From: DAVID KUNTZ
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 3:28:41 PM
My wife and I have been residents and tax payers in Huntington Beach for 36 years. We strongly oppose the privatization of the Huntington Beach Library and any action to restrict the books available through our public libraries. We are unable to attend the council meeting on Tuesday, May 7 but we want to put our comments on record.

We strongly support Agenda item 24-350, submitted by Council Members Bolton, Kalmick, and Moser that calls of a vote of the people to privatize/outsource the Huntington Beach Public Library and postpone/terminate RFP Process until after the vote.

That agenda item is recapped below:

Direct the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk to prepare resolutions, ordinances, and any other materials necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot and agendize for a vote at our June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting:
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third-party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

Additionally, direct the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting.

Thank you for your consideration
David W. Kuntz
Cynthia L. Kuntz
6401 Fallingwater Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
From: Estanislau, Robin
To: Esquivel, Juan
Subject: FW: Agenda Items 24-337 and 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 2:44:16 PM

From: Fikes, Cathy <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, May 3, 2024 5:04 PM
To: Agenda Alerts <[email protected]>
Subject: FW: Agenda Items 24-337 and 24-350

From: Leslie Golson <[email protected]
>
Sent: Friday, May 3, 2024 4:22 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]>; supplementalcomm@surfcity- hb.org
Subject: Agenda Items 24-337 and 24-350

To Huntington Beach City Council,

I am in favor of Agenda Item 24-337, the sign code update. Campaign signs have been a blight on our city for far too long. Please follow examples of other nearby cities by restricting the size campaign signs and limiting them to private property only.

I am in favor of Agenda Item 24-350. Let voters decide whether they want to privatize the library on the November 2024 ballot, and postpone the RFP process until after the vote.

I would also like to honor the life and work of Shirley Dettloff, who gave of herself tirelessly to the city of Huntington Beach.

Thank you,

Leslie Golson
Resident
1 From: Leslie Golson <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, May 3, 2024 4:22 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <city.council@surfcity‐hb.org>; supplementalcomm@surfcity‐hb.org Subject: Agenda Items 24‐337 and 24‐350
To Huntington Beach City Council,
I am in favor of Agenda Item 24-337, the sign code update. Campaign signs have been a blight on our city for far too long. Please follow examples of other nearby cities by restricting the size campaign signs and limiting them to private property only.

I am in favor of Agenda Item 24-350. Let voters decide whether they want to privatize the library on the November 2024 ballot, and postpone the RFP process until after the vote.

I would also like to honor the life and work of Shirley Dettloff, who gave of herself tirelessly to the city of Huntington Beach.

Thank you,
Leslie Golson
Resident
1 Subject: FW: Council Mtg. 5/7/2024
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, May 3, 2024 7:51 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <city.council@surfcity‐hb.org> Subject: Council Mtg. 5/7/2024
I support Item 24‐350. The management of our public library and its branches should not be outsourced to the highest bidder nor be further pressured to do so by partisan lobbyists and/or self‐aggrandizing censors.

I also request that the Council demonstrate a Policy of Human Dignity by moving the COMMENTS AN D MOMENT OF SILENCE TO HONOR THE PASSING OF FORMER MAYOR SHIRLEY DETTLOFF to the beginning of the meeting following the invocation rather than tacking it on at the end as if little more than an afterthought. Mrs. Dettloff deserves better.

Cheryl Elliott (Huntington Beach reside nt  since 1980) 1 From: shakes‐09‐[email protected] <shakes‐09‐[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, May 4, 2024 9:41 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <city.council@surfcity‐hb.org> Subject: Agenda Item 30
I am a 44‐year resident of Huntington Beach. I wholeheartedly support Agenda Item 30, submitted by Bolton, Kalmick, and Moser which  would require a vote of the people to privatize/outsource the HB Public Library. It would also postpone/terminate the current RFP process until after a vote of the people.

Please pass this Agenda item.

Thank you!
1 Subject: FW: Huntington Beach public library
-----Original Message-----
From: elena uranga <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, May 4, 2024 7:01 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Huntington Beach public library
Huntington Beach City Council Members
May 4,2024
My name is Elena Uranga, a Huntington Beach resident, user of the Huntington Beach library, and member of a Book Club organized by the Oak View Library.

I am in support of city council agenda Item 24-350 to have the vote of residents of HB to decide the privatization /outsourcing and postpone/terminate RFP process until after vote in November 2024.

Please let the residents of HB to decide the future of our public libraries.

Your attention to this petition is greatly appreciated.

Elena Uranga
20042 Harbor Isle Ln.

Huntington Beach, Ca,92646
1 -----Original Message-----
From: elena uranga <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, May 4, 2024 7:04 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Huntington Beach Public Library
Huntington Beach City Council Members
April 10, 2024
My name is Jose Uranga, a Huntington Beach resident, user of the Huntington Beach library, and member of a Book Club organized by the Oak View Library.

I am in support of city council agenda Item 24-350 to have the vote of residents of HB to decide the privatization /outsourcing and postpone/terminate RFP process until after vote in November 2024.

Please let the residents of HB to decide the future of our public libraries.

Your attention to this petition is greatly appreciated.

Jose Uranga
20042 Harbor Isle Ln.

Huntington Beach, Ca,92646
1 Subject: FW: The people of HB should have the right to vote on privatization of the public library From: Stacey Grosvenor <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, May 4, 2024 9:20 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <city.council@surfcity‐hb.org> Cc: Angela Grosvenor <[email protected]>
Subject: The people of HB should have the right to vote on privatization of the public library There is much uncertainty surrounding the effect that privatization of the library may have on the community.

The people who live in Huntington Beach should have a say in whether or not the HB public library gets privatized or not.

I am in favor of a Charter amendment that would require a majority vote of the people if this or any future council seeks to make a wholesale change to the library's management structure.

The residents of Huntington Beach should be able to vote on whether or not the library will be privatized.

Furthermore, I request that the City Council table the requested and still uncirculated Request for Proposals until after the people of Huntington Beach have spoken during the November election.

Respectfully,
Stacey Grosvenor
601 21st Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 733-3539
From: Celeste Rybicki <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 5, 2024 8:23 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]>; supplementalcomm@surfcity- hb.org
Subject: In support of items 29 and 30
Hello,
Please vote yes on agenda items 29 and 30. The campaign signs were absolute chaos this year so let’s just get that under control. And the issue of privatizing the library, while just appalling to many of us, is undeniably being rushed through unnecessarily. Just slow this whole process down please and let the citizens have a say! I cannot believe that any of you would take a look at all the possible “benefits” and all the probable “cons” and still come to the conclusion that it’s the right thing to do for our city. Please just slow it down.

Thank you,
Celeste

From: Dan Jamieson <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 5, 2024 10:30 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Please vote YES on item 30, May 7, 2024 CC mtg.

Dear HB City Council:

Please vote YES on item 30 at the May 7, 2024 council meeting.

Turning over management of our public library to a private operator would have a huge impact on every library patron. Such a momentous change should be voted on by residents, and the RFP process should be postponed until residents have spoken.

Sincerely,
Dan Jamieson
Roxanne McMillen
Huntington Beach
-----Original Message-----
From: Cathy Thomson <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 5, 2024 2:59 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Do Not Privatize or Censor the Library!
Since 1983 I've been a volunteer at the Huntington Beach Public Library. I spent many years as a member and officer of the Friends of the Children's Library. I am also a member of the Friends of the Library.

In 2015 I received a commendation from the President of the United States for volunteering for more than 4000 hours.

Currently I am a tutor at the Family Literacy Program at the Oak View Branch of the Huntington Beach Public Library. I have taught two English classes every week to Spanish speaking adults for the last 15 years.

I am proud to say that I have made a difference in people's lives in Huntington Beach. My two degrees in English and my MBA have helped me to share my knowledge and compassion with others.

I do not earn a salary for all my work at the Library. I believe in what I do and in the Huntington Beach Library and that's payment enough for me.

Leave the Library alone. Don't censor it, don't privatize it, don't harass the librarians, staff and volunteers like me any more. We are contributing so much to the city and refuse to be ignored.

Cathy Thomson
Sent from my iPad
-----Original Message-----
From: Cathy Thomson <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 5, 2024 2:59 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Do Not Privatize or Censor the Library!
Since 1983 I've been a volunteer at the Huntington Beach Public Library. I spent many years as a member and officer of the Friends of the Children's Library. I am also a member of the Friends of the Library.

In 2015 I received a commendation from the President of the United States for volunteering for more than 4000 hours.

Currently I am a tutor at the Family Literacy Program at the Oak View Branch of the Huntington Beach Public Library. I have taught two English classes every week to Spanish speaking adults for the last 15 years.

I am proud to say that I have made a difference in people's lives in Huntington Beach. My two degrees in English and my MBA have helped me to share my knowledge and compassion with others.

I do not earn a salary for all my work at the Library. I believe in what I do and in the Huntington Beach Library and that's payment enough for me.

Leave the Library alone. Don't censor it, don't privatize it, don't harass the librarians, staff and volunteers like me any more. We are contributing so much to the city and refuse to be ignored.

Cathy Thomson
Sent from my iPad
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, May 5, 2024 4:34 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: I support Agenda Item #30
Dear Huntington Beach City Council Members,
I support Agenda Item #30 that would place a Charter Amendment on the November 2024 General Election Ballot to let voters decide whether they want to turn over management of our PUBLIC libraries to a PRIVATE, FOR PROFIT corporation.

Thank you,
Craig and Karen Shimizu
8252 Tyler Circle
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
Homeowner since 2011
From: Ron Rosenthal <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 5, 2024 6:32 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Privatization of the Library
Though I don't reside in Huntington Beach, I patronize and support the library. Privatization of the library will not save money but will result in a reduction of services. Experience has shown this is almost always the case such as in Medicare Advantage, Charter schools and the California State Parks online reservation system. The real reason that privatization is pushed is almost always corruption - people and companies after public money. Please reject the privatization of the library.

Ron Rosenthal
-----Original Message-----
From: DAVID SANDIFER <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 5, 2024 10:08 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: OUR A library
We are contacting you to require a vote to privitize or outsource the services of the HB Library. Additionally, please postpone or better yet, terminate the current RFP process until after a vote of the people.

Sincerely, Nikki and David Sandifer
Sent from my iPhone
From: Gail Altimari-Brown <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 2:10 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: agenda item 30
We support giving voters the opportunity to vote on our libraries.

From: Nicholas Grey <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:00 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Adopt Agenda Item 30. (24-350) May 7, 2024. Citizens to Decide on Outsourcing Library Management
My name is Nicholas Grey, a Huntington Beach resident for 28 years. I urge you to vote for the subject agenda item regarding the management of our libraries. I have used the libraries in our city a lot over the past 28 years and have found them useful, user friendly and one of the highlights of Huntington Beach. I cannot see any problem with the way they are operated now and don't see any need for change. So before you go down the path of conversion to private management and using up your time to do something that will be to the detriment of Huntington Beach, please allow the voters to decide if there is a need to change library management.

Council Members, please vote for item 30. (24-350, May 7, 2024) regarding putting library management to a vote on the Nov 2024 ballot.

Thank you for your time and consideration
Regards,
Nicholas Grey
E Mail: [email protected]
From: Brigid McMahon <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:38 AM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <city.council@surfcity- hb.org>
Subject: Library Privitaztion
I think privatizing the library is an absolutely terrible idea. It is completely unnecessary and will lead to a serious degradation of library services, as other cities that have tried it have found.

That said, if the Council majority is determined to forge ahead with this very bad idea, it definitely should be put to a vote of the community, who are the users of the library. That just four people could drastically change this incredibly valuable and beloved community resource for years to come is outrageous; the community must have a say. If the idea is as popular as the Council seems to think, there is no reason not to schedule it for a vote of the people.

Brigid McMahon
[email protected]
From: Mireille Grey <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:20 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Huntington Beach Public Library
Dear Council Members,
As regards item 30 "Code 24-350" to be discussed on May 7 according to your agenda, I strongly support the motion initiated by "Friends of the Huntington Beach Library" to direct the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk to prepare resolutions, ordinances, and any other materials necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024

General Election ballot and agendize for a vote at our June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting:

Thank you for your consideration.

Mireille Grey
23-year Huntington Beach Resident
From: HAROLD AND CHERYL COOK <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 11:35 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Opposition to outsourcing public libraries
Our family strongly opposes outsourcing of our Huntington Beach libraries. We strongly support our PUBLIC Huntington Beach libraries. Our libraries are staffed with dedicated, highly knowledgeable and with many years of invaluable experience. It would be a disservice to the people of our city, and this includes people of all ages. We want to have the right to make our own personal decisions about what books we want and not left up to amateurs or narrow minded individuals. We would like to see this put on the November ballot so that we have the right to make our wishes known.

We request that you do away with the practice of allowing campaigns signs in the public rights-of-way.

We request that this be added to the official minutes of the 5/7/24 council meeting.
-----Original Message-----
From: Sandra McGrath <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 2:18 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: NO PRIVATIZATION OF HB LIBRARY.

Keep our library for Huntington Beach!!!
Sandy McGrath
Kiwanis of Huntngton Beach
(714) 815-4249
From: rebeca indyk <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 11:15 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda item 24-350
I am in support of city council agenda item 24-350 to have the vote of resident of HB to decide the privatization/outsourcing and postpone/terminate RFP process until after vote in November 2024.

Please let the residents of HB to decide the future of our public libraries Thanks very much for your consideration
Rebeca indyk
Resident of HB since 1980
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

From: Gretchen Torres
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support of Agenda item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 3:41:42 PM
Hello City Council -
I am in support of agenda item 24-350. The citizens of Huntington Beach should have a say in how our beautiful libraries are managed. My family has used the library system for many years and it has been a wonderful resource for us. I am out of state helping my father recover from a health issue or else I would be at the Tuesday, May 7 meeting to voice my opinion.

Thank you,
Gretchen Torres
714 376 7805
From: Susan Johnson
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 3:44:29 PM
City Council,
I am writing this email rather than attending the Council Meeting in person as I will be out of the country. I am disappointed that I will not be able to attend as I would like to support this agenda item in person. It only makes sense to put this to a vote of the public in November because many people both Republican and Democratic are still learning about the possible privitizing/outsourcing of our library. Wherever I go and whenever I bring it up with people I meet, many are hearing about it for the first time, and all are appalled that this would even be considered.

A majority of Huntington Beach residents revere our brilliantly run gem of a library with all of its special programs, events and wide scope of available books. Individual members of the community are certainly capable of making their own decisions about which books their own children can read. We are a diverse community and our library should be able to provide access to materials and books for each unique person.

Please vote in favor of this Agenda Item 24-350.

Susan Johnson
former HBCSD teacher and HB resident for 50 years
From: DAVID KUNTZ
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 3:28:41 PM
My wife and I have been residents and tax payers in Huntington Beach for 36 years. We strongly oppose the privatization of the Huntington Beach Library and any action to restrict the books available through our public libraries. We are unable to attend the council meeting on Tuesday, May 7 but we want to put our comments on record.

We strongly support Agenda item 24-350, submitted by Council Members Bolton, Kalmick, and Moser that calls of a vote of the people to privatize/outsource the Huntington Beach Public Library and postpone/terminate RFP Process until after the vote.

That agenda item is recapped below:

Direct the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk to prepare resolutions, ordinances, and any other materials necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot and agendize for a vote at our June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting:
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third-party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

Additionally, direct the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting.

Thank you for your consideration
David W. Kuntz
Cynthia L. Kuntz
6401 Fallingwater Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
From: Rick DUFRESNE
To: [email protected]
Cc: Bolton, Rhonda; Moser, Natalie; Fikes, Cathy
Subject: Vote YES -- Agenda Item 24-350 HB Public Library Vote of the People to Privatizing/outsource Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 3:49:16 PM
Dear Council Members, I would strongly urge you to pass agenda item 24-350 and allow the citizens of Huntington Beach decide whether or not to privatize our library system. I strongly oppose the RFB to LS & S and was disappointed that it was passed. I believe it should have been RFI so the community would have very clear idea of what “privatization” would look like. For example how it would effect our librarians, library programs, hours of operation and the total cost saving potential.

Respectfully,
33 year Huntington Beach Resident
Member of Friends of the Library
Rick DuFresne
17452 Valeworth Circle
Huntington Beach CA 92649

Sent from Mail
for Windows
From: Chris Varga
To: [email protected]
Subject: City Council Meeting 5/7/24
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 3:57:44 PM
Comment to City Council Meeting 5/7/24

Agenda Item 29 (24-337) – I support this item. Anything to reduce campaign signs I’ll support. Stop trashing the city every election cycle.

Agenda Item 30 (24-350) – Let the people decide! I support The Charter amendment to decide against outsourcing and terminate any effort on a RFP for outsourcing. Keep the Libraries public run.

Thanks,,
Chris Varga
Huntington Beach
From: adrienne low
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Support of Item #30
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 4:04:38 PM
I do not understand why the city council seems to have decided it is a good use of our city's resources to privatize the PUBLIC library. It is frustrating the amount of time and energy that has already been wasted on this concept. Other cities that have "privatized" their libraries have found it to be a "loser" idea.

If the city council believes it has a mandate for such an action, it should be comfortable putting the idea before the voters and residents of Huntington Beach.

Show the residents of the city that you do respect their wishes, Adrienne Low
From: Manny Huang
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 4:17:56 PM
Dear City Council - I am a 30 year resident of Huntington Beach. I am a registered Republican, and I voted for some of you in the last election based on your platforms which seemed to consist of public safety, solving the homeless crisis, promoting business and responsible development.

But now that you are in place, it seems like the focus is on a lot of political theater topics. An enormous amount of time has been put into this book banning (or restrictions or whatever you want to call it). I thought republicans believed in parental rights? So how about we as parents manage what our kids look at and check out? Is everyone no longer giving their kids smartphones? You want to seriously shelter high schoolers? Parent your own kids! Even more concerning is the move to privatize the library system. I understand that privatization is not always bad (look at what Elon Musk has been able to do!). But the privatization of the public library system here would be a bad idea. The libraries that LSS manages across the country are NOT in communities with standards, services and fiscal standing like Huntington Beach. The amount of savings is such a small drop in the bucket of the entire city budget that it just does not make sense and appears to point to alterior and possibly nefarious motives for this move.

This is a big decision and community input should be taken. In addition, a VERY careful review of the contract and thorough understanding of the existing services (including those done by volunteer and non-profit groups which will disappear for a private company) provided by the current system and what would be provided by LSS must be done. Unlike many other city functions, the library is part of the fabric of the community. The services it offers are key to the community (e.g. citizenship test prep, language help, after school tutoring, veterans services, storytimes, writing contests, etc...). There are many areas of city services where money could be saved and pensions cut but that does not mean it is necessarily a good thing for our community's future.

If people get to vote on what flags are flown, we should get to vote on what happens to our library system.

Lily Huang
From: Jean Peterson
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 4:31:22 PM
Dear City Council Members Bolton,
Burns, Kalmick, McKeon, Moser,
Strickland and Van Der Mark;
I am writing to express my strong
opposition to the proposal to privatize the
Huntington Beach Public Library. As a
member of this community for 27 years, I
believe that the Huntington Beach
Library is a public community center that
should remain under city/public control
and supervision.

Privatization would likely lead to reduced
hours, decreased access to resources, and
a loss of community programming. Our
library is more than just a collection of
books - it is an established community
offering education, innovation, and
community connection for all members of
our city. It provides essential services to
people of all ages, from children's
storytime to assistance for students and
programs for various adult groups within
our community.

Furthermore, privatization will take away
from equal access to information and
knowledge. Only information decided by
a private, for-profit company will be
available, rather than those that live here.

Our librarians have library science
education and understand the importance
of trained knowledgeable individuals in
place to help library patrons with their
needs. Our library is a public library, that
belongs to everyone, regardless of income
or social status. Turning it over to a
private for-profit company would end the
diverse collection of books (on a variety
of subjects) available to our community.

I strongly support Agenda item 24-350,
that calls for a vote of the residents of
Huntington Beach to decide whether or
not to privatize or outsource the daily
services of our Huntington Beach
Library, and postpones or terminates the
RFP process until after the vote. Such an
important issue in Huntington Beach
belongs to all residents of our
community, not just you, a very small
minority of Huntington Beach residents.

This issue belongs on the November
ballot.

I was going to end my letter there, but I
just can’t do that at this point. There has
already been too much money and public
resources spent on certain agendas. I
drive around on streets in great need of
repair, homeless encampments spread out
around town, the financial issues facing
the city, numerous unnecessary lawsuits
that have been initiated, and the
divisiveness spreading through the city of
Huntington Beach; amongst residents as
well as non-residents, ie tourists. I have
read Social Media posts and read news
articles lambasting the current climate in
Huntington Beach. No, I’m not referring
to the weather. Residents and non-
residents alike are encouraging people to
stay away from Huntington Beach with
their tourism dollars. Is this the kind of
city we want? Let’s make Huntington
Beach better, not worse. Please support
Agenda item 24-350 for a start towards
that ideal.

Sincerely,
Jean Peterson
From: Thara Venkateswaran
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda #30
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 4:40:15 PM
Good evening,
I’m emailing as a concerned Orange County citizen to express my support for putting privatization of the HB Public Library on the ballot in November.

The privatization process should be paused and the voters should decide.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Very respectfully,
MIDN 2/C Thara Venkateswaran
Midshipman Executive Officer
Rice University Naval ROTC
Neuroscience and Cognitive Sciences 2025
From: Alyssa Warkentin
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda #30
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 4:40:15 PM
Good afternoon,
I am sending this email as an Orange County resident to support for putting privatization of the HB Public Library on the ballot in November.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sent from my iPhone
From: Mark Baksic
To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Huntington Beach Public Library
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 4:46:17 PM
Dear City Council Members,
I strongly support the new agenda item 24-350 submitted by Council Members Bolton, Kalmick and Moser that requires a vote of the people to privatize/outsource the Huntington Beach Public Library and postpone/terminate the RFP process until after the vote. Please give the people of Huntington Beach the freedom to vote on this important issue.

Sincerely,
Mark Baksic
562-400-6482
From: Anthony Daus
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 30, 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 4:53:57 PM
Dear Council Members,

I urge the Huntington Beach City Council to support Agenda Item 30, 24-350, to require a vote of the people to privatize/outsource our public library operations and to terminate the RFP process until after such vote can take place and the people have spoken. This is an important issue to the citizens of Huntington Beach and their voices need to be head before a decision is made.

Thank You,

Tony Daus
Resident of Huntington Beach

From: Elaine Parker
To: [email protected]
Cc: Moser, Natalie; Bolton, Rhonda; Strickland, Tony; Kalmick, Dan; Van Der Mark, Gracey; McKeon, Casey; Burns, Pat
Subject: Agenda Item 24-350 on Tuesday Agenda
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:04:55 PM
Please consider this item carefully and vote to approve this item.

The agenda item seems to be a fair way to approach this problem. Let the voters, along with the city council, decide the future of the library. Why is the city council in such a hurry to outsource the library to a private company? Has anyone done a study to see how much money would be saved? This entire issue has happened so fast, that I seriously doubt any due diligence on the part of the city has occurred.

Our public library has been a wonderful addition to HB for over 100 years and run by excellent librarians for all those years. Why change it now? What benefits will the population of Huntington Beach reap from this change?
What does the RFP say? - To whom is it going? Will the librarians and staff be given a chance to keep their jobs at their present salary? Please don’t say that to stay their salaries would be reduced. Some, if not all of the staff, have been there for several years and have families. To reduce their salaries and benefits would devastate them and be a rather cowardly thing to do.

There has been so much ugly rhetoric regarding the Huntington Beach Library recently. This ugliness goes from condemning the librarians and calling them “pedophiles” and “groomers” to moving books that have sexual content (although no one ever explained what that entails) to now, without a good reason, you want to turn the library over to a private company for managing the library. Not a good idea.

Sincerely,
Elaine MacLeod Parker
From: Joy Vetterlein
To: [email protected]
Subject: Comments for 5/7 city council meeting re: library Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:05:25 PM
When my family moved to the HB area in 2017, we were lost. As a young mom, I did not know where to take my young children for enriching activities, until on a whim I googled “library story time near me” and found the Huntington Beach Central Library. I put the address in my phone and navigated there, with no idea what I would find.

And what a library we found.

We were in awe of the scale, the children’s amphitheater, the architecture but, most importantly, of the incredible programming, specifically for the children’s department. Over the last seven years we have stopped for every craft, sung along at story time, asked very patient librarians lots of questions about where to find that one next book in the series, and celebrated at their festivals. 7 years later, my kids may have outgrown toddler story time, but they are both total bookworms and treat the library as their home away from home.

The library is one of the last pure places where kids can go to feel like they belong, where they are protected from the greed of capitalism and special interests who see them as marketing targets, and not just as kids who like to read.

It would be a tragedy to see this incredible landmark of the Huntington Beach Library fall prey to privatization, and to lose one of the things that makes this community home for those who live in it.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Joy Vetterlein
Jeremy Vetterlein
Ella Vetterlein (age 9)
Simon Vetterlein (age 7)
From: Ken Keller
To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Van Der Mark, Gracey; Strickland, Tony
Subject: Privatization of the Huntington Beach Library
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:14:17 PM
I have been a resident of Huntington Beach since 1976 and I would like to express my opinion that the voters of Huntington Beach should determine whether the HB library should be privatized.

We citizens of Huntington Beach should have a say about how the library is operated in the future.

Please do the right thing.

Kenneth Keller
19931 Rothert Lane
From: msakioka
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-350 SUPPORT
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:16:46 PM
I would like to voice my support for an amendment that would require a majority vote of the City Council and the electors of Huntington Beach in order to change the management of the library.

Our library offers a wide array of materials that encourage independent thought and educate the minds of young and old. I don't believe that bringing in a third party contractor to operate our library system would benefit our community. If something is "broke" - fix it.

If something works in a way that is admired and emulated - then don't foul up a good thing.

Thank you for your consideration,
Melinda Sakioka
From: Jeanne Farrens
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:31:42 PM
Dear HB City Council Members,
My name is Jeanne Farrens, and I am writing in strong support of Agenda item 24- 350. The Huntington Beach Public Library is a public institution, and the future of its operation should be determined not solely by a seven member city council but by the public which it has served successfully for 115 years. The founding of our public library system runs parallel to the founding of our nation. It is our oldest institution and nearly as old as the country itself, dating back to 1790 when Benjamin Franklin got the city of Franklin, Massachusetts to pass an ordinance allowing the citizens of the town to borrow books he had donated to the town hall. Public libraries are open to everyone; all races, creeds and genders, young and old alike are welcome. They are a foundation of free speech and a cornerstone of democracy. A political body should not decide what is clearly under the purview of the people. The future of the operation of our Huntington Beach Public Library System deserves a vote by the population of its residents. Please honor the citizens of Huntington Beach by voting yes on Agenda Item 24 and place the matter of the operation of our LIbraries on the ballot for the general election in November and postpone the RFP Process until after the vote.

Thank you for your consideration,
Jeanne Farrens
From: Jan Madnick
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:33:48 PM
To the City Council,
I am writing in support of the agenda item, 24-350, being offered for a vote tomorrow evening.

Although the majority of you have been jamming your agenda through with little thought towards the hundreds of residents opposing your votes, we would DEFINITELY like an opportunity to weigh in on this drastic change to our incredible library system.

You had no hesitation about putting your changes to our Charter on the Primary Ballot. If you care AT ALL about how the HB citizenry feels about the library, then it's only fair you give us a chance to vote on outsourcing it. In addition, as stated, you need to STOP the RFP process until AFTER we vote.

This is a good opportunity for showing HB that you value our opinions and votes--which you surely continue to say about the November results. It works both ways!!
I've lived in Huntington Bear for over 40 years. I put my children through the schools; supported the sports teams (and still do for grandchildren); pay my taxes; and vote in every election. You need to pay attention to how the many citizens just like me feel about this issue!!
Sincerely,
Jan Madnick
From: Linda Moon
To: [email protected]
Subject: May 7, 2024 City Council Agenda Items 29 and 30 Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:40:22 PM
I am writing in support of City Council Agenda Items 29 and 30.

Item 29 would allow a much needed (although still minimal) reduction of the election sign blight that has plagued Huntington Beach for the last 40 years. Since the city's sign ordinance was severely loosened in the 1980's, Huntington Beach has been among only a few cities in California to allow political signage in public right-of-ways. This allowance has created a situation in which signage has become not only annoying but a dangerous distraction to drivers. The signs often obscure traffic signage and distract drivers' attention from pedestrians, bicyclists and general traffic conditions. Restriction of signage as proposed is more than reasonable.

Item 30 would require a public vote regarding any privatization or outsourcing of library management services. Huntington Beach's library system is the soul of our community. Its public management is critical to maintaining optimal services. Libraries are community resources and not profit making institutions. Their mission is to provide broad professionally staffed educational and information resources to the community. Residents of the city benefit from having the libraries providing diverse resources to the public. It is reasonable to require the public's assent to relinquishment of public management.

Linda Sapiro Moon
50 Year Huntington Beach homeowner and business owner
From: Alyse Hendrick
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:50:00 PM
Hello
I support agenda item 24-350 I would like the items moved to the ballot and also for all action to cease until so. This library is well run and a beautiful place that I personally do not want to see privatized.

Alyse Hendrick
Sent from my iPhone
From: The Silversteins
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:53:55 PM
We support 24-350. A referendum on changes to the library is necessary , not just a council majority.

Stan Silver, PhD
From: David Lawson
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:54:13 PM
I support Agenda Item 24-350
I support freedom
Agenda Item 24-350
Item Submitted by Council Members Bolton, Kalmick, and Moser - HB Public Library:

Vote of the People to Privatize/Outsource (Charter Amendment) and Postpone/Terminate RFP Process Until After Vote
Recommendation:

Direct the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk to prepare resolutions, ordinances, and any other materials necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024
General Election ballot and agendize for a vote at our June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting:
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third- party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

Additionally, direct the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting From: sprolman
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:54:28 PM
Do not privatize our library. It is superb and doesn't require change of this nature. Repair what needs it like our streets and not mess with what is superb. Thank you. Sheila Prolman long time library member
Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
From: Judith Wolfe
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:55:24 PM
Agenda item 24-350
I support this agenda item and the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Don't mess with our beautiful library that services all ages.

Judy Wolfe
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
From: stephanie stichka
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:57:45 PM
Hello city council members,
My family and I are writing to you tonight in support of agenda item 24-350; let the citizens decide what to do with the library and not the city council.

Thank you,
the Stichkas
From: Emilie Lairson
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:59:01 PM
No library privatization!!
From: Larry Utsler
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:01:17 PM
At 84-years-old and as a 52-year resident/homeowner in Huntington Beach, I urge the members of City Council to approve/adopt Agenda Item 24-350.

My wife and our three children found a second home at our beautiful Central Library, and after retirement from our careers, she and I both volunteered with FOTL.

My 9-10 hours per week were spent in the Used Books area while she worked in the Friends Gift Shop.

We were proud to be part of the organization that over the past several years has donated so much manpower along with $250,000 per year to the library budget.

Please give the voters in Huntington Beach the opportunity to vote on this ill-conceived privatization move by adopting Agenda Item 24-350.

Respectfully,
Robert L. (Larry) Utsler
From: Bernadette Vargas
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:02:12 PM
Good Evening,
We are writing in support of agenda item 24-350. As residents and voters of Huntington Beach we do not support the privatization and outsourcing of the management of our public libraries. Leave our libraries as they are and leave book selection to the professional librarians the City employs.

Thank you,
Bernadette Vargas
Marco Santibanez
16202 Chipper Lane
Huntington Beach, Ca 92649
From: Marty Smith
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:03:10 PM
I am 100% opposed to privatization of our well run beautiful public library. Shame on our city council members who would vote to replace our professional staff with a for profit organization. The fact that a former mayor is involved with the private company is an even further insult.

Martha Smith
Sent from my iPhone
From: Elliott Kallick
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:03:57 PM
Please support above item
Elliott kallick
From: Bonnie Ross
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:04:09 PM
Please add my support for Agends 24-350 on the May 7,3025 meeting. Privatizing our library is ridiculous and a waste of money and resources.

Dr. B. L. Ross
Sent from my iPhone
From: Mary K Dana
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:06:18 PM
I wholeheartedly support Agenda item 24-350.

Mary K Dana
20932 Queens Park Lane
Huntington Beach CA 92646
From: Ameelia Ghareeb
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-350 Stop Privatization of our City Library Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:06:25 PM
Good afternoon,
I am writing to all members of our the City Council about the idea that we should privatize our Public Library. This idea is completely ridiculous. While I have heard some arguments that this will save us money (allegedly), the need has never been established and the loss of benefit and value to our City and its communities is just too great to even consider.

If some members of the Council are so convinced this move is great for our city, Put it to a vote. Just like you put other things to a vote at the last election, put Privatizing the Jewel of our City Services to the voters before moving forward.

I think you’ll find overwhelmingly that people, from both parties, do not want this. I vote in every election, and I do not want this.

Please do not move forward with this plan. Leave our Library alone.

Thank you,
Ameelia Ghareeb; 92649
From: Johnnie Ham
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:07:12 PM
No privatization of our PUBLIC library!!
Johnnie and Pam Ham
Huntington St.

From: Patricia Bray
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:13:47 PM
We are 40 year HB residents and HB Library Members who are very distressed at the possibility of losing our award winning library and personnel to an outside organization.

We strongly support a city-wide question on this important change to be placed on our ballot for the Nov. 2024 election. All further activity pursuing the privatization of our library be set aside pending the results of that election. This will allow and ensure that this impactful change to our community reflects the majority of our citizens. Such a change calls for no less.

Thank you,
Patricia and Harry Bray
--
P'trish
(714) 969-2311 Home
(714) 915-8971 Cell
[email protected]
From: kitty rozenstraten
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:14:13 PM
I strongly support item 24-350 on tomorrow agenda.

I say NO to privatization of the HBPPL.

Katharina rozenstraten
6221 hamshire drive
Huntington Beach
CA 92647
From: Sally Adams
To: Kathy Abler; Sally Adams; [email protected] Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:19:55 PM
We need to keep our public library
Public-! Not privatized.

Protect our rights from Government interference and control over librarians’ Decisions on books that are age-appropriate. Other citizens may not even be trained in Libraey Science.

Why should we pay more in HB for
Restricted access by the public?
Next there will be actual book burning and if U finished high school? U know who started that horrendous idea last mid-century in W. Europe! Or don’t U??? Sally ADAMS, M.A.

HB-92648
Retired French/W. History Educator
30 yrs at GGUSD
From: Sally Adams
To: Kathy Abler; Sally Adams; [email protected] Subject: Re: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350 Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:21:21 PM
“Library Science”. Typo in 7th line;
My apologies!
On Mon, May 6, 2024 at 6:19 PM Sally Adams <[email protected]> wrote:

We need to keep our public library
Public-! Not privatized.

Protect our rights from Government interference and control over librarians’ Decisions on books that are age-appropriate. Other citizens may not even be trained in Libraey Science.

Why should we pay more in HB for
Restricted access by the public?
Next there will be actual book burning and if U finished high school? U know who started that horrendous idea last mid-century in W. Europe! Or don’t U??? Sally ADAMS, M.A.

HB-92648
Retired French/W. History Educator
30 yrs at GGUSD
From: Barbara Marrs
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:21:51 PM

To: Mayor and City Council Members:

I strongly urge you to support Agenda Item 24-350! Privatizing our libraries based upon the votes of 4 people is not only the death knell of our amazing libraries, but it is the death knell of democracy in Huntington Beach. An issue with such far-reaching consequences upon our community should be brought to the vote of the people.

Please postpone/terminate the RFP process until after a vote of the people in November! Be leaders who represent the majority of Huntington Beach, not demigods who are acting for the benefit of a few.

I am sure this is not the political ditch you wish to languish in. Please do the right, moral, and honorable thing by supporting agenda item 24-350.

Thank you for your consideration,
Barbara Marrs

From: Jane Iovine
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:25:02 PM
From: Christine Moore
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:25:41 PM
To the Council of the City of Huntington Beach.

It would be a shame to move forward with this without public support. Please allow these items to be voted on. I think you’ll see how much the library means to the people in the community of Huntington Beach.

Retired HBPL Librarian,
Christine Moore
From: Wally Medal
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:26:09 PM
I support agenda item 24-350!
Michelle Medal
Sent from my iPad
From: Jane Iovine
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:26:17 PM
I support Agenda Item 24-350. Please listen to your constituents! Allow us to participate in your decisions!
Jane Iovine
From: Jeanne Whitesell
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:27:50 PM
Dear City Council Members,
Please support Agenda Item 24-350, HB Public Library: Vote of the People to Privatize/Outsource (Charter Amendment) and Postpone/Terminate RFP Process Until After Vote.

Thank you,
Jeanne Whitesell
17922 Shoreham Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
From: Charlotte Emmons
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:28:13 PM
I urge you to not vote to privatize our wonderful library. Please leave it as it is! Charlotte Emmons
Sent from my iPhone
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:33:24 PM
I am writing this in order to express my support of Agenda item 24-350 which will come before the City Council meeting on May 7, 2024. As a resident of Huntington Beach for over 40 years, I strongly believe this item needs to pass in order to bring before the voting public the matter of the privatization/outsourcing of our public library system. Furthermore, I wish to postpone/terminate the RFP process until after this vote. The Huntington Beach Public Library has met the needs of the community for many years and it is not broken. It does not need to go through this drastic change. I firmly believe that this item needs to be approved. Thank you. Sincerely, Jan Murphy
From: Gaby LAI
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:35:58 PM
Sent from my iPhone
From: Kurt Markus Clemens
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:36:03 PM
Agenda Item 24-350
Item Submitted by Council Members Bolton, Kalmick, and Moser - HB Public Library: Vote of the People to Privatize/Outsource (Charter Amendment) and Postpone/Terminate RFP Process Until After Vote
Recommendation:

Direct the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk to prepare resolutions, ordinances, and any other materials necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot and agendize for a vote at our June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting:
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third-party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

Additionally, direct the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting.

Sincerely,
Kurt M. Clemens
[email protected]
“Football may be the best taught subject in American high schools because it may be the only subject that we haven’t tried to make easy.”
Dorothy Farnan, English Dept. Chairman
Erasmus Hall High School, Brooklyn, NY
From: STEPHANIE ANDERSON
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:43:22 PM
No privatization!
Sent from my iPhone
From: Meghan Wasson
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support for Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:46:18 PM
I am emailing to express support for Agenda Item 24-350. I was born in Huntington Beach and spent many happy hours of my childhood picking out books at the Central Library and the Helen Murphy Branch. I have nothing but fond memories of the HBPL, and its wonderful librarians who helped me find reading material I would enjoy.

I would urge the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk to prepare resolutions, ordinances, and any other materials necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot and agendize for a vote at our June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting:
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third-party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

I would also urge the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting.

Thank you,
From: Judith Ashby
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:47:52 PM
I believe the people of Huntington Beach have a right to decide how their library is run and by whom. I support Agenda Item 24-350! If it’s not broken, don’t try to fix it. Leave it as it has always been. It’s perfect just as it is.

From a resident of Huntington Beach for over 50 years.

Sent from my iPhone
From: Sarah Battis
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:51:28 PM
Hello,
I am a senior member of the community that goes to the library weekly, both Central and the Helen Murphy Branch. I find the opportunity to engage with others in multiple programs provided vital for my socialization. If these programs are removed due to “privatization” I am worried that I will be isolated. Please don’t change our wonderful library.

Thank-you,
Sarah Battis
Sent from my iPhone
From: Linda Masterton
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:54:02 PM
I would like the HB City Council know I support agenda item 24-350 and the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Additionally, I would direct the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposal (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting.

From: Gene Axelrod
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:55:14 PM
Please add my voice to those who support the referenced agenda item. Any action to privatize the library by transferring its operation to a profit making business should be put to a vote of the residents of Huntington Beach.

Sent from my iPad
From: Kalee Rustvold
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:02:14 PM
I am emailing to express support for Agenda Item 24-350.

I would urge the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk to prepare resolutions, ordinances, and any other materials necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot and agendize for a vote at our June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting:
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third-party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

I would also urge the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting.

Thank you,
Kalee Rustvold
From: Ella
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:02:35 PM
Dear City Council Members,
I am a 15 year old high school student who loves our Huntington Beach Public Library. Please vote to allow Huntington Beach residents to decide whether to privatize or keep our library public. Such a drastic change should be put to a public vote, and not just voted on by a few city council members. Thank you,
Ella Cerami
From: Laura Janssen
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:07:15 PM
Dear Council Members,
I am writing in support of Agenda Item 24-350. Please don't outsource the operation of our beloved library. The library is a public institution and should be run and financed by municipal funds. This push to privatize the library is a mistake, plain and simple. In the end, privatization will not save the city money but rather dismantle an already well run and well-funded library. For what purpose? Our library is not a private bookstore, a place where you come in, get your books, pay, and leave, we have those already and they serve their purpose. A public library provides intangible essential services for the community beyond book lending. Research has shown privatization does not benefit a library or its community, but rather it's the corporation that benefits. The trained staff and collections are gutted. Again, for what purpose? I am saddened by the direction my hometown has been taking lately. I came back to Huntington Beach, after a 40 year absence, and was proud to take up the causes my parents championed to grow this city from an a mostly rural suburb into a thriving city while still maintaining its charm as a beach community. This assault against our library, and our city, goes against all the values my parents taught me and they would be horrified. An effective society is a balanced mix of private enterprise and community service. Let the library do what it does best by serving the people with no monetary agenda, our community deserves nothing less.

Sincerely,
Laura Janssen
From: Carol Van Holt
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:11:01 PM
Please.

Sent from AOL on Android
From: Dana F. Barraclough
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:11:52 PM
Good afternoon:

The Huntington Beach Library is one of the jewels of Orange County. The collections are inspiring; the Central Park building is an architectural landmark; the extraordinarily knowledgeable and dedicated staff are world-class; and, most importantly, the services that the library and its people provide to the community are unsurpassed. Please do not destroy this by trying to turn the library into a profit center.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

Dana Barraclough
From: Donna Skinner
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:12:05 PM
Privatizing our public library is such a BAD idea. Having a public library is a very American thing.

It is a point of pride for our city. Please listen to those of us HB residents who love our public library and don't want to lose it.

Agenda Item 24-350
Item Submitted by Council Members Bolton, Kalmick, and Moser - HB Public Library:

Vote of the People to Privatize/Outsource (Charter Amendment) and Postpone/Terminate RFP Process Until After Vote
Recommendation:

Direct the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk to prepare resolutions, ordinances, and any other materials necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot and agendize for a vote at our June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting:
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third- party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

Additionally, direct the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting.

Thank you,
Donna Skinner
HB Resident since 1973
__________________
Donna Skinner
DonnaSkinner.com

From: Allen Field
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:15:20 PM
Our library should be run by our existing professionals on behalf of our local citizens. Do not let outside interests who are dollar driven dictate how it should be run.

Allen & Shirley Field
From: G Wolff
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:15:21 PM
City Council Members;
I completely support your efforts to make sure the Library is functioning properly and economically.

Thank you for making sure the community has a right to review the purchases and placement of books within the Library . Thank for protecting our children.

The question of how and by whom the Library is run is not a question to be decided by voters. That is a management issue. City Management should explore the options and make the best choice for us.

Unfortunately during the pandemic the Library stayed closed much longer than the Newport Beach Libraries.

During most of the pandemic Newport Beach Library staff was in the libraries trying at first to help by phone, then by bring books outside to patrons, then by allowing the public to enter and chose books, but not sit down, and finally being fully open.

HB Library made different choices. No one worked at the Library, but they were fully paid. It does not surprise me that our Libraries have financial issues.

Thank you for your common sense and service.

Georgetta Wolff
Sent from my iPhone
From: buzz mccord
To: [email protected]
Subject: Please pass Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:19:44 PM
This is a sensible and simple step.

This action will save you and the City time and money.

It will also allow the public to have a voice in the future of the City's top civic resource.

Thank you for voting to support Item 24-350.

Buzz McCord
HB resident.

From: Kate Yznaga
To: [email protected]
Subject: Our great city
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:23:05 PM
Sent from my iPhone I am emailing to express support for Agenda Item 24-350.

I would urge the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk to prepare resolutions, ordinances, and any other materials necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot and agendize for a vote at our June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting:
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third-party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

I would also urge the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting.

Thank you
Kathleen Yznaga
A 40 plus year Huntington Beach resident
From: Eric Bies
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:23:59 PM
From: cindyberm
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:27:03 PM
We do not want the library to be privatized. It will reduce access to books and compromise its integrity to remain an independant body.

Cindy Berman
Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S10, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable smartphone From: Jessica Bensberg
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:27:20 PM
Hi again
I am writing in support of agenda item 24-350 submitted by council members Bolton, Moser and Kalmick.

I am so frustrated that the majority council members continue to push items through attacking our beloved library despite public outcry. Put the issue to the voters!
Jessica Bensberg
Sent from my iPhone
From: Lynne Deakers
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Agenda Item 30
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:28:15 PM
I am urging the city council to allow voters to decide if they want our PUBLIC library to email PUBLIC. Please postpone any further investigation into this possibility until the voters have told you what they think about this possibility.

Lynne and Tim Deakers
Huntington Beach 45 year residents
From: onewildart
To: [email protected]
Subject: Stop the Privatization/Book Banning
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:35:57 PM
>> City Council Members,
>> Seeing Huntington Beach highlighted on the John Oliver show on the 5th of May regarding banning/moving books was not a surprise, but certainly an embarrassment for our city. Between the attempt to privatize the library and control how it’s run reflects how our leadership is failing. >>
>> Elected on promises (not kept) and voting the will of the people (not) seem to be the ruling gang of four’s MO.

Our library is not up for sale and we the people will not put up with this nonsense without a fight!! >>
>> I’m asking you to see the light and do what’s right. Our city deserves better. >> Trudy Roe
>> 47 year resident
>>
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
From: Sharon
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:41:59 PM
As a resident for over 30 years, a user of the Library, and a Volunteer for almost the same amount of time, it is incredibly sad that we are at this point. To consider upending the public aspect of the Library and even considering turning to a for-profit company to manage a successful operation, makes no sense.

This has nothing to do with saving money, since it is run so well with one of the lowest budget allocations in the entire city operation. This has nothing to do with making the libraries better, more efficient or to promote expansion. This has everything to do with one person's war on the libraries.

The four majority members of the counsel for some reason think they have the power to do whatever they want, but the more they try to do, particularly against what they ran on, the more the public sees their true colors.

It is time for any major initiative or change be given to the voters to decide, since the council majority cannot be counted on to listen to the public, have public hearings for discussion, or include the other council members who were also elected by residents of this city.

I would rather not see money spent on ballot initiatives when this proposal to outsource the library operations should not even be up for consideration. However, in lieu of common sense prevailing, I urge support of Agenda item 24-350.

Sharon Hathaway
HB resident
From: Carol Linehan
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:42:33 PM
I love our HB Library. I've been a library member for over 20 years It is great being able to get a book for free.

Please do not close our library
Carol Linehan
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third-party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

Additionally, direct the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting.

Respectfully submitted for your consideration.

Eleanor Johnson
From: Ellie Johnson
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:44:38 PM
Dear Members of the City Council,
I write in favor of Agenda Item 24-350 which directs the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk to prepare resolutions, ordinances and any other material necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024 general Election ballot and agendize for a vote at our June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting:

From: Danica Campos
To: [email protected]
Subject: HBPL support for Agenda Item 24-350.

Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:45:52 PM
I am emailing to express support for Agenda Item 24-350.

I would urge the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk to prepare resolutions, ordinances, and any other materials necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot and agendize for a vote at our June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting:
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third-party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

I would also urge the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting.

Thank you,
Danica Campos
From: jrobey
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:49:48 PM
I fully support agenda item 24-350. Please give it your careful attention. It represents the fair will of the citizens of Huntington Beach.

Jeanne Robey
Sent via Jeanne's mobile
From: Kimberly BANOVITZ
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:52:53 PM
I support agenda item 24-350 .My family and I are against privatization of our PUBLIC library.

All efforts by the City Council to move toward privatization of our library should immediately stop.

Kimberly Banovitz
33 year resident of Huntington Beach
Sent from my iPhone
From: Sue Fullerton
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:55:16 PM
I support agenda item 24-350.

L. S. Fullerton
From: Spencer Perzanowski
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:56:39 PM
Hello,
My name is Spencer Perzanowski and I was born in Huntington Beach, California and I have lived here for 22 years.
1) I do not want the HB public library privatized.
2) I wouldn’t like any changes to the structure of the public library by the city council until approved by the Publix.

Best,
Spencer Perzanowski
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:58:37 PM
I do not want the HB Public Library privatized and don't want any action taken by the HB City Council until this item is presented to the voters on the November ballot.

Thank you,
Deborah Perzanowski
15071 Hanover Lane
Huntington Beach, Ca 92647
From: Marianne
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:01:06 PM
I am writing in support of Agenda Item 24-350. A consideration to privitize our exceptional public library should never have been an item but since this proposal has gotten this far I support the above agenda item. We the people need to vote.

Thank you, Marianne Tobin.

Sent from AOL on Android
From: Marilyn Konowal
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:04:38 PM
This email is a request for the Huntington Beach City Council to stop pursuing proposals to turn our public library over to a private company.

Our Huntington Beach Public Library is the jewel of our city because of its outstanding staff, its countless resources, services and programs as well as its amazing volunteers who give thousands of hours and money to the library each year. After researching public libraries that have been taken over by private companies, it became clear to me that no private company could give us the high quality library we already find at the Huntington Beach Public Library.

The City Council should take an old saying into consideration concerning this matter: "If it's not broken, don't fix it." Our library is not broken.

Marilyn Konowal
51 year resident and property owner of Huntington Beach MS in Library Science and Informational Services
From: Kathleen Abler
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Items #30 and #29
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:06:24 PM
Council Members:

Vote YES to approve Agenda Item #30.

If four members of our City Council can blithely disregard the opinions of the vast majority of HB citizens regarding privatization of our library, what city property will be next on their political giveaway? Our parks? Our recreation centers? Our Senior Center? All voters must be given a chance to determine how our library should be managed.

This issue should be placed on the November ballot.

Vote YES to approve Agenda Item #29.

The only signs on street corners that have inspired me are the memorials placed at scenes of accidents, where someone, often a child, has been killed or injured. Immediately I’m reminded to slow down and pay attention to my driving. But the unsightly mess of campaign signs that clutter our street corners before an election is unsettling. An agitated driver is not a good driver.

Let’s get rid of those annoying political signs.

Kathleen Abler
Huntington Beach voter since 1975
From: DAVID SANDIFER
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:09:51 PM
Please place the unwanted privatizing of the library on the ballot and postpone or discontinue the process until the public has provided input via voting.

Nikki and David Sandifer
Sent from my iPhone
From: Brynn Noble
To: [email protected]
Subject: Supplemental Communication for May 7, 2024 Meeting Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:10:36 PM
Members of the Huntington Beach City Council,
I am submitting this Supplemental Communication in support of Agenda Item 24-350. I believe the idea to outsource the management of the library system to a private for-profit company should be put to a vote of the citizens of Huntington Beach before any further steps are taken. The Huntington Beach Public Library is a precious and invaluable part of our community, and any drastic and irreversible actions to change it should be taken only with the agreement of a majority of Huntington Beach citizens.

I was raised in Huntington Beach and have many wonderful memories of the Huntington Beach Library system from my own childhood. I am now raising a child here myself and I bring my child (age 11) to one of the HB Library branches regularly and have since he was a young toddler. We are so grateful for our library and for the dedicated staff that make it the safe, welcoming place that it is. Our community would not be the same without it. My true wish would be that this whole idea would be taken off the table completely, but since that doesn’t appear likely we the citizens should at least be permitted to voice our opinions on this through the ballot box.

Second, I would also like to state my support for Agenda Item 24-337.

Every election cycle I am disturbed by the blight of election signage throughout the city. Huntington Beach is a beautiful place to live, and the pollution of election signage detracts from what makes Huntington Beach great. Let’s follow the lead of cities around us and get these signs under control.

Thank you,
L. Brynn Noble
From: Patricia Coenen
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:15:57 PM
We support agenda item 25-350.

Patricia and Baron Coenen
Sent from my iPhone
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:16:47 PM
To whom it may concern,
The people of Huntington Beach love our library system. Please take all measures necessary to protect the services. I have lived in this city for over 37 years and we frequent the library and recently attended the ballet with my two children. These services that support the youth are amazing and I support every tax dollar that is paid.

Please consider other measures to save money. Cutting back the library is not a community driven idea.

Tiffany truitt
High school teacher
Sent from my iPhone
Recommendation:

Direct the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk to prepare resolutions, ordinances, and any other materials necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot and agendize for a vote at our June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting:
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and,
2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third-party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

Additionally, direct the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting
I dearly hope you will be open and willing to listen to your constituents. As a member of a family who has lived in our beloved beach town for over 52 years, I'm counting on you to do your job.
~ Sincerely, Rev. Lee Marie Sanchez (retired and voting) From: Lee Marie Sanchez
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:24:40 PM
Dear Huntington Beach City Council ~
I am in favor of these recommendations:

From: Chris Oconnell
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; Karen O"Connell
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:27:00 PM
I do indeed strongly support Agenda Item 24-350.

It is only fair to the people of HB to allow them to weigh-in in democratic fashion on a fundamental change to the way the public library system has operated for many decades.

Allow the people, your constituents, to speak. That’s the American way! Chris O’Connell
HB homeowner since 1965
From: [email protected]
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: I SUPPORT AGENDA ITEM 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:27:36 PM
I SUPPORT AGENDA ITEM 24-350. I am in favor of a vote of the people on whether or not to privatize/outsource management of the library. Put it on the ballot and let the people decide.

Our library system should remain PUBLIC! It is a wonderful library system and a very small budget item. Leave our libraries alone!
Thank you for your kind consideration.

Julie Katayama
7115 Ashley Dr. HB 92648
From: Pamela Blake
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Support for Proposed Action Regarding HB Public Library Privatization and RFP Process Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:35:21 PM
Subject: Support for Proposed Action Regarding HB Public Library Privatization and RFP Process

Dear Huntington Beach City Council Members,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Pamela Blake, and I am a resident of Huntington Beach, writing to express my strong support for the council’s proposed actions regarding the future management of our beloved Huntington Beach Public Library.

The action items proposed to be placed on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot, as detailed in the recent council proposal, reflect a thoughtful approach to ensuring that any significant changes to our library’s management are made transparently and democratically. I am particularly supportive of requiring both a majority vote of the City Council and the electors of Huntington Beach before any privatization or outsourcing of the library’s management can occur. This measure not only protects our local institution but also ensures that the voices of Huntington Beach residents are heard and considered in decisions that deeply impact our community.

Additionally, the decision to postpone any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) until after a public vote demonstrates a commitment to public engagement and transparency. This pause is crucial to allow for a comprehensive community discussion and to ensure that all stakeholders have the opportunity to understand and weigh in on the potential impacts of such a significant change.

The Huntington Beach Public Library is more than just a repository of books; it is a community hub that fosters education, connection, and enrichment for residents of all ages.

The thought of it being managed by an out-of-state company, which might not prioritize our local needs and values, is concerning. I believe that maintaining local control over our library is essential to preserving its role as a cornerstone of our community.

Please consider my support as you approach the vote on June 4, 2024. I trust that you will make decisions that best reflect the interests and wishes of our community.

Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Dr. Pamela Blake
18802 Lister Ln, Huntington Beach CA 92646
[email protected]
+1-562-650-3460

From: Gregg Salerno
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:35:37 PM
Do not let the Library go private.

There is no benefit
Sincerely
Gregg Salerno
Sent from my iPhoneX
From: Ann Hernandez
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Input about City council Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:42:47 PM
I have lived in Huntington Beach since 1988 and have been a regular patron of the library. I took our daughters there when they were little, they volunteered during the summer reading challenge programs, they did research there during high school, I've done genealogy research there, and my husband and I check out books and audio books regularly. I'm ashamed to admit that I have taken the library for granted because it was always there, ready to provide what we needed when we needed it.

Recently, I've become aware of the plans of the city council majority to outsource the management of the library to a for-profit company that has no knowledge of our community and what it needs. I do not want to see this library fail, as other libraries that are managed by LS&S have done. I want to bring my grandchildren to story time when they visit from out of state.

I'm no expert on libraries. I don't think most of the council members are experts on libraries, either. I do have an MBA and understand the desire to cut costs, but LS&S has not proven in other communities to actually reduce costs. The HBPL budget is less than 2% of the overall city budget. Perhaps there are other areas that are more suitable for cost-cutting measures.

I know that the council majority were duly elected, and I understand that they have their priorities. However, I do not think it's right for them to make such drastic changes to our library without an explicit vote from the community. When people voted for the council majority, I don't think most people envisioned that the library would be the target for such drastic action. What the council majority wants to do would be a major change... not a simple tweak. Therefore, I strongly urge the council to support agenda item 24-350 so that our city can properly evaluate the ramifications of the takeover of our library system.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my opinion on this matter.

Ann Hernandez
From: Gary Dutra
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:43:51 PM
From: Carol Davenport
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:55:05 PM
As a property owner in Huntington Beach for over 20 years, I feel that major changes to our services should be on the ballot. Therefore. It would be up to the majority of the community how changes are made.

Please address this issue with a ballot measure that everyone can voice their opinion Thanks
Carol Davenport
: )
From: Akira BladesRoyer
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:04:21 PM
Dear City Council Members,
I’m deeply saddened and enraged by the proposal to privatize our HBPL. As a Huntington resident and a Huntington Beach High School student, I use the library services often, including coding classes, summer reading programs, checking out books, movies, and using free access to the internet. I feel welcomed at Huntington Beach Libraries and by the helpful librarians. I am currently reading Fahrenheit 451 and it seems to me that we are going down the same path through censorship. I would hope to avoid that and keep our Huntington Beach Libraries PUBLIC (Not privatized now, later, and run by the city of Huntington Beach). I am strongly against privatizing Huntington Beach Libraries.

Thank you,
Akira Aspas Royer
From: Marie Murphy
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:04:51 PM
I am totally against the City taking over our public Library. It was perfect before the City got involved.

At present all the Librarians are excellent, Knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly.

Leave well enough alone,

From: Elizabeth SanFilippo
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Sign Code Update -- Support
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:08:57 PM
I am a Huntington Beach resident for over forty years and a homeowner. I am writing to express my support for having the recommended sign code update and clarification. This approach will address the issues that resulted in the most recent primary election regarding political signs.

Thank you for your consideration.

Elizabeth San Filippo
From: Elizabeth SanFilippo
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Vote of the People Whether to Privatize/Outsource Management of HBPL and Postpone/Terminate RFP Process -- Support
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:11:30 PM
I am a Huntington Beach resident for over forty years and a homeowner. I am writing to express my support for having registered voters consider whether to have Managed Library Services through a for-profit entity managing our public library and to cease the RFP process.

My family has used the HB library for decades and appreciates it.

We have an amazing library with talented, knowledgeable librarians, a comprehensive collection of books, and great services including Story Time for children, the seed library and the Genealogical Society services. All of this would be at risk if the City contracted with a private for-profit company. Other cities have contracted with LSS and have found that they have experienced a significant decline in services and number of books available.

Thank you for your consideration.

Elizabeth San Filippo

From: Gerald Donohue
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:14:19 PM
Please listen to the citizens of HB and withdraw the notion that taking our esteemed library personnel and substituting them with a for profit regime is anything but antithetical to a sense of community. Thanks, Gerald Donohue
From: Stephen MacDowell
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:14:59 PM
Please support these items.

Stephen MacDowell
5601 Middlecoff
Huntington Beach, CA
Sent from my iPhone
From: Lisa Colburn
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:20:50 PM
Dear city council,
Please respect the beauty and heritage of our amazing public libraries and consider NOT privatizing them. I am an occupational therapist who works with children with special needs and for several years worked for a public home schooling district. I met these students in libraries in cities such as Long Beach, Lakewood, Norco, Fontana, Riverside, Murietta, and Temecula. The HB libraries are second to none. The facilities, offerings, book selection, services, and inclusion are second to none. The volunteers are amazing and I couldn’t feel more fortunate to live in HB and check out books, seeds, preschool packets, etc. I strongly feel that my tax dollars are worth every penny towards our libraries and hope you respect the constituents who voted you in.

Sincerely,
Lisa Colburn, MS, OTR/L
Sent from my iPhone
From: Barbara Swift
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:29:52 PM
We the people of HB deserve a voice in decisions about our beloved library! Please support this agenda item.

From: Lori Brunner
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:33:56 PM
Huntington Beach City Council, My name is Lori Brunner I have been a resident of Huntington Beach for almost 27 years. I love this city and have always loved how our council has been able to communicate, work out compromises, listen to the people and keep this city the thriving, diverse and alive community it is. We have had ups and downs, but the transparency, open dialogue and diverse opinions have made this city great. Three generations of our family use the Huntington Beach Library and we would hate to see it privatized and possibly lose the services it is so famous for.

I am requesting that the council have the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk prepare resolutions, ordinances, and any other materials necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024
General Election ballot and
agendize for a vote at our June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting:
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third- party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

Additionally, I am asking that you direct the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting.

Thank you,
Lori Brunner
18142 Vestry Circle
Huntington Beach, California 92648
From: Martha Hamilton
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:34:17 PM
I am asking you to consider and support
Agenda Item 24-350.

In order to make sure you are serving and doing the will of the people about the library, please bing ut to the voters.

Martha Hamilton
Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android
From: Deanna Nadalin
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:34:22 PM
To the Huntington Beach City Council, City Attorney, City Manager, and City staff:

I am writing to express my wholehearted support for Agenda item 24-350, and I urge the Council members to approve and implement the proposed recommendations. The future of the CIty’s library system and the services it provides should be decided by the voters.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Deanna Nadalin
Huntington Beach resident for 25+years
Library patron and volunteer
Member, Friends of the Huntington Beach Public Library
From: MARILYN Boehm
To: [email protected]
Subject: In favor of Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:37:07 PM
I support Agenda Item 24-350 which would postpone the vote on privatizing the library until AFTER HB residents have had a chance to vote on doing so, or rejecting doing so, in the November election.

I am personally opposed to the privatization of the library, a decision which should be made by ALL voters in November. We are still a democratic republic wherein citizens make the choices of how their public library will be funded. IF the majority City Council usurps that democratic step, it will show itself to be the authoritarian form of government you claim it isn't.

The Majority City Council has acted IN SPITE of the wishes of our community as if they are rulers of our wonderful city. Just for ONCE, do something that shows you listen to your oppositional CC members and put the City's needs ahead of your own.

We're just asking that this matter be placed on the BALLOT. How could it hurt? Marilyn Boehm, 25 year resident of HB
From: Mary Thayer
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:38:31 PM
I support Agenda Item 24-350!
Mary Thayer
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
Sent from my iPhone
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:40:43 PM
Please Save our Library! It is not evil. If you are worried about crimes committed on children, Outlaw the Boy Scouts and Catholic Churchs. Rita Collins
Sent from AOL Desktop
From: Hello, Terry!
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:41:10 PM
From: Ferry, Michelle
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support agenda item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:44:23 PM
Dear council,
I would like to support the agenda item 24-350 to allow the privatization of our public library to come to a vote for our residents, not just 4 council members. I want our public library to remain public and I expect our residents will say the same.

Dr. Michelle Ferry
Get Outlook for Android
From: Carole Suzuki
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:47:07 PM
Hello,
It appears current city council members (some) seem to have forgotten the purpose of their role. Let me refresh your memory:

As council members, you are to facilitate and support efforts to improve our city. You are also supposed to listen to your constituents.

In light of these obligations, please cease your efforts to privatize our beloved library and stop telling me and others what you feel is acceptable reading material.

Is any council member a librarian? An educator? A child development specialist? No? Then please stay in your lane.

My father was a devoted librarian for 47 years. I am a child social worker and former pre-k teacher. I operate a little free library in front of my house.The arrogance to assume your personally appointed “screeners” and yourselves are qualified to determine what is “acceptable reading material “ for children is truly disturbing.

Please improve our roads and infrastructure. Please put much needed funding into our parks and rec programs and our tourism. Please give more money to our libraries!!! What you are doing will only tear away, not add anything to them.

Please listen to me and so many others who are IN SUPPORT OF 24-350!!! Carole Suzuki
Sent from my iPhone
From: Ann Palmer
To: Estanislau, Robin; Toledo, Julie
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Ann Palmer slides for HBCC meeting 5_07_24
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:52:18 PM
Attachments: Ann Palmer CC May 7 slides multi 5-06-24.pptx Attached are a few brief slides for presentation during public comments at tomorrow's City Council meeting in Huntington Beach. I hope that you are able to accept these; it has taken several days to read through the hundreds of pages of attachments and references for the many agenda items. It is very impressive to see this volume of work but it must make for long days at City Hall.

Please note that a few of the slides are hidden due to the number of speakers expected. I do not intend to use those.

Again, I appreciate any help you can provide and hope that we all enjoy a productive session.

Very best,
Ann Palmer
30+ yr resident
HB 92648
[email protected]
310.982.8263
Virus-free.www.avg.com
Open Letter
.

HBPL Librarians.
to our
• Submit ALA Study to CC
24-350: Library outsource
• Oppose Agenda Item 30)
Questions?
YES. . .

Agenda Item #26) 24-299: Zoning Text
• Reco: Add’l. Public session
• Instances for no EIR, no CEQA?
• Stacked Commercial Parking?
• Support partially
• OPPOSE 4314: 241.22 Waivers
Applaud!
Agenda Item #15/24-310 – Support
• OPPOSE AB 2560 – “Decommissions Coastal Commission” for Dev. • OPPOSE SB 1413 – We VOTED for DAYLIGHT SAVINGS (PDT) year-round. • OPPOSE SB 423 – Stacks on SB35: 50% buildout at ½ cycle required. • SUPPORT AB 2361 – Exchange of Allocation, Regional Housing (Davies) +
Thank you,
Intergovernmental
Relations Committee.

From: Helen Tvelia
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 9:53:16 PM
Dear City Council Members,
I was embarrassed to see Huntington Beach on the John Oliver show for the silly business the majority of the HB council have been up to.

HB looks foolish and short sighted, the Fab Four need to listen to the HB residents.

I firmly support keeping the library public.

I am in support of Agenda Item 24-350.

Thank You,
Helen Tvelia
From: Lev MacD
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:02:58 PM
Dear HB Council,
I respectfully request that you support Agenda Item 24-350. Thank you.

Luvina Mac Dowell
From: Wendy Franked
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:06:25 PM
Please do not proceed with privatization of the library. It is not a good thing for Huntington Beach.

Thank you,
Wendy Frankel
Sent from my iPhone
From: SUSAN DINKMEYER
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-350 - I am in favor !
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:14:03 PM
Attn: Huntington Beach City Council Members, City Manager Eric Parra, City Clerk Robin Estanislau and City Attorney Michael Gates
I support Agenda Item 24-350 as submitted by Council Members Kalmick, Moser and Bolton.

Please keep our wonderful public library PUBLIC.

The citizens of Huntington Beach deserve to have a say on the future of our library. Let’s vote on it.

We do not need a third party contractor to operate the HBPL.

Please stop working on preparation of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a private contractor to operate our library. This is a wasteful and unnecessary expense.

Respectfully,
Susan Dinkmeyer
36-year resident of Huntington Beach
From: Pat Goodman
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Yes on May 7, 2024 Agenda Items 29 and 30
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:14:11 PM
Dear City Council,
Please vote yes on the May 7, 2024 City Council Agenda items 29 and 30.

Item 29, Update Sign Code, clarifies that political signs are allowed to be posted 60 prior to the election the candidate/ballot measure will appear on the ballot, and not 60 days prior to any election. This appears to be a recent innovation by some candidates (2022). It is very confusing to the voters to post signs for an election that they do not appear on the ballot. I know it's a challenge to get their names out in front of the voter but cluttering up the city's parkways and intersections probably have no benefit to candidates.

Item 30, HB Public Library: Vote of the People to Privatize/Outsource (Charter Amendment) and Postpone/Terminate RFP Process Until After Vote, is an excellent idea to give voters the opportunity to weigh in on a possible move to privatize HBPL operations.

Thank you for your consideration.

Patricia Goodman
Huntington Beach, CA
From: Gary Wilkinson
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:20:00 PM
Dear, Council Members,
I am a 35 year resident of Huntington Beach. I sincerely hope one of the crown jewels of our great city, the Central library remains as is, in the capable hands of the employees and wonderful volunteers who have given so much to our community over the years.

Yes, I suppose we could go to neighboring libraries, beaches and businesses if this takeover occurs, but it would be a sad day in my opinion.

I do hope and pray these action(s) are put to a vote by all citizens. I believe we know what the outcome would be. The HB Council has a distinguished record over the years incorporating diverse views from citizens to make our city proud. As a businessman, its been an honor for me to entertain clients and show off our downtown and other landmarks.

Blessings,
Gary Wilkinson
From: Charles Spurgeon
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:21:32 PM
I am embarrassed and ashamed of our “Mayor” and her three henchmen for their even flirting with the idea of privatising our wonderful PUBLIC library! Please consider the consequences and be grateful for the library as it has been managed and enjoyed as a free support Sent from Gmail Mobile
From: Isabella Roethel
To: [email protected]
Subject: In support of agenda item 30
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:25:17 PM
As a resident of Huntington Beach that has enjoyed the library for years, it should be up to the community not a handful of individuals to determine the future of the library.

From: Anne Gollay
To: [email protected]
Subject: I Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:41:16 PM
Dear Council Members,
As a 40+ year resident of HB, I have used our public library in so may ways - as a parent, a fervent reader, and also as a literacy volunteer. The depth and breadth of the library’s programs is a testament to the dedicated librarians and staff who have ensured that HBPL is a jewel of our city. There is nothing wrong with the library that warrants outsourcing. Surely there must be other opportunities for budget offsets to maintain the library at the level of excellence we have the privilege of enjoying. I feel strongly that the residents of the city should have the opportunity to decide on this matter. I urge you to vote to place this issue on the ballot in November.

Respectfully,
Anne Gollay
From: Harry McLachlan
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Agenda Item 30
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:49:10 PM
Huntington Beach Special City Council Meeting May 7, 2024 Agenda Item 30, No. 24-350
My name is Harry McLachlan. I am a resident of Huntington Beach.

I am writing in support of agenda item 30 (24-350). The citizens of Huntington Beach should be the ones to decide whether to permit an outside company to come in, lay off our excellent librarians and support staff, and hire inferior non-union replacements at a lower wage.

Our citizens regularly use and benefit from our award-winning library.

They should be the ones who decide whether or not to eschew years of institutional knowledge and experience and entrust a for profit corporation beholden only to their shareholders to come in and take over management of our public library.

Once again the council majority is seeking to implement a solution to a non-existent problem, as they did with placing three totally unnecessary charter amendments on the ballot for March primary election. At the time their mantra was “Let’s let the voters decide.”
What will it be, council? Will you let the voters decide this time as well, or will you show our citizens that your hypocrisy knows no bounds by refusing to do so?
Please vote yes on agenda item 30 (24-350).

From: Tamara Berardi
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:59:54 PM
Dear HB City Council Members,
I have been a resident of Huntington Beach for over 40 years. I remember visiting our beautiful Central Park Library for the first time and being so impressed by the staff, great selection of books and many things it offered. I am still in awe of what a great library we have.

Lately, the library and it’s staff have been under attack and I think this suggestion to outsource our library services is retribution for the pushback on having our Council try to make decisions that should be left up to the library. I don’t believe outsourcing will save money in the long term and that it will negatively affect our library system here in the city.

I urge you to table this bad idea. If you should decide to move forward then I believe this should be put on the ballot for the citizens to decide. This is too big of a change for 4 City Council members to decide for a city of our size and a topic that has us so divided.

Respectfully,
Tamara Berardi
19641 Lexington Ln, Huntington Beach, CA 92646
From: Tim Channel
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Cc: Tim Channel
Subject: In Stong Support of Agenda Items #29 (24-337) and #30 (24-350) Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 11:04:39 PM
Council Members,
As a 36 year resident and home owner in Huntington Beach I urge you to Approve agenda items #29 and #30.

I am particularly offended by the unmitigated gall at the majority’s attempt intent to privitize the Huntington Beach Library System ignoring overwhelming public opposition at doing so.

You brag in the press about how the “will of the voters” approved measure A, so let the voters decide! Approve agenda item #30 (24-350). Approve this measure!
If you win in a fair election, you can claim victory. Until then, many residents will hold you accountable for failing to listen to your constituents once again.

Tim Channel
36 Year Resident, Homeowner, Tax Payer, Business Owner and Voter Sent from my iPhone
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 11:16:55 PM
As a home owner and 30 year resident of Huntington Beach, I support Agenda Item 24- 350.

Please stop the RFP until the entire budget gets the same attention as the small portion it takes to run one of the best libraries in the country.

Regards,
James Sutton
From: Jacqueline Brodt
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support for Agenda item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 11:17:22 PM
Hello,
My name is Jacqueline Brodt, resident of Huntington Beach. I am a former Board Member of the Friends of the Library and a current Board Member of the Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy. I am so proud to be a part of these two great organizations because they both do so much good for ALL of the residents of Huntington Beach and ALL who visit Huntington Beach. This is what Huntington Beach used to be about. Acceptance, Respect, Consideration of others, even if we didn't agree on things. It is a shame that we have become a city of hatred. A city with a lack of respect for those that do not think like you. A city that is divided. A city that has become a mockery for those that follow what is happening with our current City Council.

I want to thank all the reporters who have been following and reporting what has been going on these past few months. I especially want to do a huge shout out to Tyrone Beason from the LA Times for last weekend's article about Huntington Beach, the LGBTQ+ (Plus) community, and the ban of the Pride flag.

I also have to mention the show, "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver". His last show was about books being removed from Libraries & Schools and the book bans that are happening across the country. He also mentioned Huntington Beach and it is sad to say it was so right on. Our city is definitely getting a lot of coverage nationwide and it is not the kind of publicity we should or would want.

As for Agenda Item 24-350, THANK YOU to Dan, Natalie, and Rhonda for writing this.

I know this is falling on deaf ears but I have to ask/beg you to let the residents of Huntington Beach to vote and decide how the library should be run. Please, I am begging you... PASS this agenda.

Thank you,
Jacqueline Brodt
From: Buffie Channel
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Agenda Items 29 & 30 - Support
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 11:17:32 PM
To City Council Members:

I aw writing today to express my support for Agenda Item 29 and 30.

Agenda Item 29: I think all residents agree that the political signage in public thoroughfares and on public spaces has gotten completely out of control. It’s a blight on our city and with wind and weather signs flying, coming loose, and turning into litter is not a positive way of supporting our candidates and is not a good look for a coastal environmental town. In addition, it seems some candidates have now taken advantage and put their signs up 8 months before their race. That is unacceptable and unethical. Let’s keep signs for our favored candidates constrained to our own yards. I support Agenda Item #29.

Agenda item 30: if the City Council truly believes in the input of the people and democracy, they will vote for Item 30. The tax payers of this city have paid for the libraries and their contents. It is not for Council members to have the power to change the management of OUR PUBLIC LIBRARIES to a CORPORATION. Present the facts of the RFP, all costs and analysis, all Pros and Cons, all history of other cities that have tried it, all details about Mike Posey’s personal gain, all details about future staffing, all details about any hours or days that will be cut so the corporation can make a profit, and full transparency of how they will turn a profit — AND THEN LET THE VOTERS DECIDE.

We the people should vote on it.

Support Agenda Item #30.

It will be interesting to see if Burns, Van der Mark, McKeown, and Strickland vote against this. If they do, it will be a hypocritical vote.

Listen to the people. Your constituents have consistently and repeatedly spoken out against privatizing/outsourcing Library Services.

IF YOU ARE TRULY CONFIDENT THAT THIS IS WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT, DON’T BE SCARED — PUT IT TO A VOTE.

Sincerely,
Buffie Channel
35 year resident
From: Sharon Petersen
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 11:54:11 PM
Dear HB Council members:

As an educator, a long time Huntington Beach resident, and a Registered VOTING citizen, I am dismayed and disappointed at the series of recent actions take by the the 4-3 votes of the council. You obviously are not listening to the hundreds of residents who have called, emailed and written regarding the attacks on our public library.

Public libraries are a cornerstone of our democracy! This dates back to the very foundation of this nation.

If you want an authoritarian, dictatorship, get rid of public libraries. Libraries are In a place of safety where residents can explore ALL POINTS OF VIEW. It must be a welcoming place, with professionally trained librarians are available to guide and assist residents of all ages find information, resources and yes, inspiration in the books and other materials available. In a true Democracy, no one gets to decide what is good for someone else to read or research. Censorship gives some group of people the right to decide what other people can read and research. NO ONE HAS THAT RIGHT in a DEMOCRACY!
Privatization smacks of taking a public service institution and trying to make a profit for an individual or some anonymous stockholders.

What’s next, privatize the police, the fire department and serve only a select, elite group of individuals?? This is a very dangerous path and could lead to many unintended consequences. Do you want an authoritarian government? Just look at history and read a few history books, if there are any left after the censors get through.

Frankly, I find the involvement of a former council member a huge conflict of interest.

Are Council members getting lobbied, getting monetary contributions, getting payoffs?? I would hate to see Huntington Beach in the headlines for having a corrupt City Council.

Protect yourselves and our community.

Support Agenda item 24-350
Sharon Petersen
30 plus years resident of Huntington Beach
Sent from my iPad
From: Heidi Jung
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 12:35:31 AM
It is imperative that our Huntington Beach City Council protect our public library operations and librarians. As a mother of two school aged children who love the library, we do not want the library privatized or interfered with by outside entities. Please support agenda item 24-350.

Thank you,
Heidi Pallares
From: Carol Carser
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 12:59:40 AM
This banner message in front of Main Street says it all....An institution is only as good as its people working for it! Our City Council majority could have gracefully ushered Michael Posey to the door some time ago -- but instead "took a bite of the apple" he was peddling only to disgrace the wonderful professionals, volunteers and residents who continue breathing life into a literary institution as chaos surrounds them. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME! Let the voices of the people decide what's best for their city!

From: Jacquelyn Jones
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 1:29:33 AM
Please address the following:

Direct the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk to prepare resolutions, ordinances, and any other materials necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024
General Election ballot and agendize for a vote at our June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting:
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third- party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

Additionally, direct the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting It is important to maintain our city library system as it is. Deciding to privatize the management of the library will bring the elimination and/or slash library programs to such a degree that it will cause many people in our community to lose access to valuable resources that they need to support their lives.

Yours truly,
Jacquelyn Jones
A Huntington Beach Resident
Sent from my iPad
From: Malu bautista
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 2:30:30 AM
Save our library. It’s called PUBLIC Library for a reason- Maria Sent from my iPhone
From: J A
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 3:06:16 AM
Dear City Council,
My husband and I grew up here in Huntington Beach and the library has been everything to us. Since we were little we'd go there to enjoy and checkout books and the arts. As we got older it was a refuge, a place where we would go after school and study all night, the place that kept us out of trouble. The librarians experienced and quick to direct us to what we needed. Now the award winning story times, children's plays, trick-or-treat and other events that are our children's favorite time of day along with free play could be in jeopardy. With all the hiking of prices in Huntington Beach getting to the point of trying to drive us out of town, the library is our safe place, our anchor and refuge. The one thing that is for us, the community and now it could be sold, bought and taken away?
If you sell it who knows what the "agenda" will be. Cut back hours, cut back employees salaries, cut back or cut out story time, children and adult plays, performances, events like trick-or-treat or the garbage truck and horses coming to visit the children. Will they charge for a private study room or get rid of them to use for themselves? What about free tutoring for children like mine who struggle with learning, the steam program, the book clubs with free books? The most important quality enrichment that the city provides its youth that's free is education, information and arts and the library cultivates that especially for low income families like ourselves. We are teachers and nurses and although we contribute and give back to our community are wages just barely get us by with our 4 children. Please don't sell to a private corporation. Who knows what their agenda might be. We are grasping at straws here, please don't take this away too. We have so much money living in our city. There must be other ways of getting more contributions to fund the few free things we really need like the public library system. Look at all the money the air show brings in. There has to be more alternatives to keep this essential resource to the community. Please please give us our libraries at the very least please give us this.

Sincerely,
The Alonso Family
Jacquelyn, Alex, Joshua, Lucas, Alex Junior & Jackson
19521 Canberra ln
Huntington Bch, CA 92646
(714)878-5903
From: J C
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: 5-7-24 City Council Meeting, 6PM
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 3:13:20 AM
Agenda Item 30
I do not support this agenda item.

If costs need to be addressed now, make the changes now.

Whatever the majority City Council Members feel needs to be done, then that’s what should be done.

Maybe even close some Library Branches………
Jean Cloyd
resident of Huntington Beach
From: Sue Wilkinson
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 3:14:41 AM
Dear City Council
I urge you to support
Agenda Item 24-350.

I have been a resident of Huntington Beach for over 55 years. My mother worked hard back in the '70s to pass bond measures to fund our parks and libraries. Her work helped give us our beautiful Library and Central Park. It is my opinion that outsourcing the library services would destroy our library. Some services are appropriate for outsourcing such as trash and recycling but not Library services. Please support Agenda Item 24-350.

Thank You
Susan Wilkinson
From: [email protected]
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Support Agenda Item #30
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 4:03:23 AM
I am writing in support of agenda item #30.

Fundamentally changing the operation of the city's library should certainly be up to the people of this city. The library and its assets were all paid for by the people of Huntington Beach and it should be up to the people to decide if the management of that asset should be handed over to an outside company.

The Council majority claims that it has talked with lots of citizens that agree with the actions they have been taking. Putting the management of the library on the ballot is an easy way to find out if that is true.

In the meantime, the RFP should be paused until the citizens have had a chance to vote if they want it to move forward.

Thank you,
Dianne James
From: John Phibbs
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 5:41:15 AM
Honorable council members,

I find it interesting that there is a drive to privatize the library. Have you been in the library lately? It’s amazing how many people utilize that resource.

If the intent is to save money, You should expand this endeavor to include other departments within the cities budget. Identify those departments, with the highest budgets and with low hanging fruit. Including police and fire departments. For example, sending pumper trucks to medical emergencies. Pumper trucks and paramedic trucks seems very expensive to assist someone out of the bathtub. LA county sends three people in an emergency transport. And with the savings, populate the city with more fire stations to improve response times. That’s just an example, but I think that is worthy looking into.

I’ve worked most of my life for two very large Southern California companies, including times when budgets were constrained, and we always looked for the low hanging fruit with the biggest impact.

John Phibbs
Huntington Beach Citizen since 1965
Retired
[email protected]
From: Mark Dixon
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 6:00:46 AM
Good Morning -
I am writing to convey my strong support for the VOTERS, and not the four-person majority of the Huntington Beach City Council, to decide whether the Huntington Beach Public Library should be operated by a hired management company.

It's not broken - please direct your attention and the City's resources to areas that need fixing.

Respectfully,
Mark W. Dixon
Huntington Beach Resident for 52 years
(657)489-3719
From: Elizabeth Callaghan
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 6:44:58 AM
I support agenda item 24-350. Keep our library PUBLIC.

From: Patricia King
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 6:48:10 AM
I support agenda item 24-350 which requires a vote of the people to privatize/outsource the HB Public Library and postpone/terminate the RFP process until after the vote.

Please do not discount this email.

Patricia King
8642 Lowmead Drive, HB
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Put Privatization on the ballot
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 6:49:22 AM
I love the airshow on one hand because the planes are so exciting, and it shows our great USAF. Having a USAF plane kick-off the Rose Parade shows the world what our Airforce can do. But on the other hand, it is not clear to me how much it costs the taxpayers of Huntington Beach.

The city of Huntington Beach decided to privatize the airshow from the start. The city did not have the expertise in running the airshow.

But since 1909, the city of Huntington Beach has had volunteers and staff that has resulted in the HBPL. Today, the "Friends of the HBPL", raises a lot of money, and allows volunteers to enrich our community. And the HBPL is an award winning asset for the City of Huntington Beach. Some people choose to live in Huntington Beach because of the library, and it increases property values. It was one reason I chose to move to Huntington Beach years ago.

Right now, there is no "Friends of the Airshow". Maybe there should be a "Friends of the Airshow", that could involve volunteers and enrich the community. But volunteering to help a for-profit company is not a popular thing to do. But we do have a small committee of "Friends of the Airshow", the F5 on the city council.

A lot of people attend the library all year long. How many people attend the airshow, not as many? No one ever forced everyone to attend the library, but for 4 days everyone in Huntington Beach is forced to hear the airshow. Some people like it, but some don't. Again, I like the Airshow, but how much does it cost?

2 million dollars a year is well spent on the HBPL, privatizing to save a million dollars a year is the wrong thing to do.

How many tax dollars go to the Airshow? we don't know. Is it worth spending 5 million dollars for the Airshow? I'd rather spend it on the Library.

Let's put privatization of HBPL on the ballot.

Charlie Jackson
23 year resident of Huntington Beach
From: Amy Black
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Add to November Ballot: library system changes Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:00:26 AM
Hello HB City Council,
I cannot make the city council meeting today but implore you all to add the privatization of our library to the November ballot. Let the people of our city decide what they feel is best for our library system. We as taxpayers have a right to decide what the outcome is.

Thank you,
Amy Black
Taxpayer and concerned HB resident
From: Natalie Croswell
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:04:08 AM
Hello council members,
I am writing in support of tonight's agenda item 24-350, in favor of bringing the privatization of our public library and RFP process to a public vote by the residents of Huntington Beach.

Specifically:

Direct the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk to prepare resolutions, ordinances, and any other materials necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot and agendize for a vote at our June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting:
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third-party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

Additionally, direct the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting Best,
Natalie Croswell
HB born and raised and currently raising my family here From: Judy cawley
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:05:03 AM
I support the approval of Agenda Item 24-350. The Public Library should remain Public. And it should be the Public that decides what happens to it.

Judy Cawley
19572 Sardinia Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
From: Alan Piring
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:06:11 AM
HB City Council,
My wife and I are long time residents of Huntington Beach and are writing in support of Agenda Item 24-350 and the HB Public Library. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this serious matter.

Best regards,
Alan and Cindy Piring
32-year residents of HB
Sent from my iPhone
From: dineka ringling
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Opposition to Privatization/Outsourcing of Huntington Beach Public Library Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:10:16 AM
Dear Members of the Huntington Beach City Council,
I am writing to express my extreme disapproval of the proposed item 24-350 regarding the potential privatization or outsourcing of the Huntington Beach Public Library (HBPL). As a resident and avid user of the library, I strongly believe that libraries are a fundamental public resource and beacon of knowledge that should remain under public control and management.

Libraries play a crucial role in our communities by providing access to information, education, and cultural enrichment for people of all backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses. Privatizing or outsourcing the management of the HBPL could jeopardize the quality of services provided, limit access to resources, and undermine the essential role that libraries play in promoting literacy and lifelong learning.

The proposal to place a Charter Amendment and advisory vote on the November 5, 2024, General Election ballot is deeply concerning. I urge you to reconsider this course of action and prioritize the preservation of the HBPL as a public institution accountable to the community it serves.

Furthermore, I implore you to halt any further progress on the Request for Proposals (RFP) related to the outsourcing of library operations. Instead, I encourage the City Council to engage in meaningful dialogue with residents, library staff, and stakeholders to explore alternative solutions that uphold the integrity and accessibility of the HBPL for generations to come.

Sincerely,
Dineka Ringling
HB Resident & Library Lover
From: nora pedersen
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Agenda Item 30, 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:15:25 AM
I support Agenda Item 30, 24-350. A vote of the people is necessary. We the people have spoken overwhelmingly against privatizing our public library. This institution has served us well for over one hundred years. Our precious library is not the possession of the city council majority extremists. If the extremist four listened to heart felt public voices, they would know that there is no mandate for privatization. If they did their research, they would learn that there are very little cost savings, if any, from outsourcing. If the extremist four actually read in public libraries, they would never support outsourcing of professional librarians. It is quite a disappointment to see that the majority four would rather sacrifice quality to line the pockets of our former and unpopular mayor who now is an agent for the East Coast private library corporation than sing praise for our public library and our dedicated professional librarians. Our library is a treasure that is vital to our community. Libraries foster critical thinking, education, creativity, and pure enjoyment. Please vote in favor of Agenda Item 30 for the people of Huntington Beach. Please direct the City Manager to stop any further work on the Request for Proposal until after the people have voted in November.

Nora Pedersen
37 year resident, Huntington Beach
From: Kristy List
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:17:46 AM
To Huntington Beach City Council:

As a resident of Huntington Beach, voter, and library patron, I strongly urge you to support the following:
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third-party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting. Additionally, direct the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting
Let the voters decide what is best for our library! The library means too much to too many residents to allow it to be operated by a private contractor.

Thank you,
Kristy List

From: April Downs
To: [email protected]
Subject: Let the People Vote
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:22:00 AM
Hi City Council - I’m writing in support of Rhonda Bolton, Dan Kalmick and Natalie Moser’s agenda item to put the highly contested privatizing of the library to a public vote. It’s clear this change concerns a significant portion of our city’s population so put the issue on the November ballot.

Sincerely,
April Downs
Sent from my iPhone
From: Susan Turner
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Opposition to Library Outsourcing
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:23:33 AM
Dear City Council Members,
I am a 60 year resident of Huntington Beach. I strongly oppose the privatization of our City's awesome library system. I have used this library system since I was a young person. My children have used the library all of their lives. We have an amazing library with amazing staff. It is near impossible to understand why we would change the system that works so well.

I strongly oppose City Council making any changes to the library system including outside group deciding what books will be available, what hours will be open, which branches will be opened or closed and which programs will be available.

I understand that part of the argument is based on finances, but really? If finances were the issue of concern, the City Council would not have voted to waste money putting those three amendments on the last ballot, or paid off the Airshow. What about costs future lawsuits we will endure related to Voter ID requirements, and if we make it through those, the incredible costs of running our own elections.

No, outsourcing the library to fund newsmaking priorities of the few over the majority of the citizens who spoke out against the wastes of our conservative council members projects is just WRONG!
Please reconsider or at least allow the HB citizens to vote on the idea in November.

Thank you,
Susan Turner
From: Mary Ann Celinder
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Library
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:30:35 AM
I strongly support putting the outsourcing of the library on the November ballot for the people to decide. Staff should be spending their time on productive and needed issues, not this very unpopular proposal.

It is wrong to privatize a perfectly functioning public resource. It is wrong to have to have 4 HB citizens put in place by 14% of the voters direct this crazy scheme to politicize our libraries.

I also very strongly object to have a committee of non librarians judging what should be in our libraries. Librarians, with library science degrees, are far more suited to make these decisions.

Mary Ann Celinder
21341 Fleet Lane
Huntington Beach Ca 92646
studio 714 962 8361
cell 714 504 8361
www.customleadedglass.com
From: Amanda Furches
To: [email protected]
Subject: Pro on 30 and 27
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:31:21 AM
Please vote yes on agenda item 24-350 putting privatization on the ballot in November and yes on agenda item 24-316 - approving weed abatement . This should be BEFORE weeds go to seed. These invasives - radish , mustard , cheeseweed , sow thistle , etc are fire hazards and have outcompeted our native plants species and many of the 1400 bee species bstive to CA Amanda herring resident
16707 s. Pacific ave sunset beach ca 90742
Sent from my iPhone
From: Claudia Locke
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:34:05 AM
Dear City Council Members,
As a family of more than 30 years of residence in the City of Huntington Beach, we are requesting your support to Agenda Item 24-350. Huntington Beach Public Library System should not be overseen and run by a private company.

Our public libraries belong to all the residents (taxpayers) of the City of HB. The residents of HB are the ones who should make the decision of having the public libraries run by a private company or not. This decision will impact our next generation of residents. We would like to continue counting with the great services and programs that our HBPL currently is offering to its patrons. We would like to see our grandchildren enjoying these wonderful services and programs the same as our son did while he was growing up.

Thank you for your support of this agenda item 24-350.

The Locke Family

From: Ryan List
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:35:45 AM
To Huntington Beach City Council:

As a resident of Huntington Beach, voter, and library patron, I strongly urge you to support the following:
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third-party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting. Additionally, direct the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting
Let the voters decide what is best for our library! The library means too much to too many residents to allow it to be operated by a private contractor.

Thank you,
Ryan List
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:40:13 AM
As a parent, grandparent, business owner in Huntington Beach, resident of over 30 years and homeowner of over 25 years, I am expressing my support for the library.

Any changes should be voted on BY THE PEOPLE, and not changed by some crazy people on the council.

Please stop this madness.

My vote and voice will be heard next election against these uneducated members! Tammy Kist
From: Alexander Kovalchuk
To: [email protected]
Subject: liberty
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:40:30 AM
Hello please don’t make liberty private but rather let it be open to everyone so they can learn real truth.

Thank you.

From: Nadine
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:41:35 AM
I support agenda ITEM 24-350

THANK YOU
Nadine Davis
5142 Stallion Circle
Huntington Beach
From: Virginia Kalb
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:41:42 AM
I support agenda item 24-350. it gives the citizens of Huntington beach the opportunity to vote for an issue of importance. Please vote in favor of this agenda item.

Virginia Kalb
Sent from my iPad
From: Linda Fitch
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:42:41 AM
Hi,
I support this agenda item.

Linda Fitch
16514 N. Pacific Ave.

Sunset Beach, Ca 90742
From: Cathey Ryder
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:54:59 AM
Cathey Ryder
" Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." Helen Keller
From: Bruce Allen
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:56:19 AM
Huntington Beach City Council Members:

I wholeheartedly support Agenda Item 24-350. While I won't be able to actually attend the council meeting, I'll be there in spirt and will be watching the proceedings online.

This MAGA-inspired madness against our wonderful HB library must stop! Ultimately, it will be obvious to the vast majority of the HB population that the heavy-handed tactics of the current HB City Council conservative majority was on the wrong side of history. The only question is just how much damage will be done in the interim and at what cost, not only financially but also to our democracy.

Sincerely,
Bruce Allen
5561 Serene Drive
Huntington Beach, CA
92649
Virus-free.www.avg.com
From: John Carser
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:57:39 AM
Again, I am writing to the HB City Council to express reconsideration of outsourcing the management of our libraries to LS & S. Instead, I encourage you to support agenda item 24-350. Leave this important, very "public" and volatile issue up to our 200,000 residents to vote on at the General Election in November. Our "public" library system has successfully existed for 114 years without privatizing it, and there is no evidence that it is warranted now! Look elsewhere to cut corners by starting with the generous staffing for the City Attorney! You can also STOP the idiotic filing of lawsuits and the subsequent required responses that follow. It's time to hear the voices of the residents, the taxpayers and the stakeholders.

John Carser
Sent from my iPad
From: Lfromca1
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:00:48 AM
Dear City Counc members,
No, no, NO to privatization!
Our Huntington Beach Library system is extremely efficient. In fact, it is the most efficient library system in the county. It uses only 1.9% of tbe budget.

Our librarians are qualified professionals and they are an integral part of having a library that serves our community. Outsourcing library management would decrease the effect the library has on public education, and even our very democracy.

This library system depends upon and works because of the 300 volunteers who give their time. The programs that would be lost because of the loss of volunteers would be very detrimental to the children and families in our community.

Mayor Van Der Mark, Mr. Burns, Mr. McKeon, and Mr. Strickland, please, please, PLEASE do NOT vote to privatize our library!
Regards,
Lana Fossum
HB Central Library Volunteer
From: Greg Hansen
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:00:56 AM
Dear City Council, Please pass Agenda Item 24-350. Let the people decide the fate of OUR library. Thank you, Greg Hansen
Sent from my iPad
From: Donna Ryburn
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:01:40 AM
Dear City Council,
Once again, we are writing to say we are adamantly opposed to the privatization of our beloved city library. We are very disappointed that you, as our choose representatives, would consider this unnecessary idea.

Sincerely,
Don and Donna Ryburn
9842 La Cresta
Huntington Beach
From: Melanie Tioleco-Cheng
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: In SUPPORT of Agenda item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:03:08 AM
"The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library." ~ Albert Einstein
"Libraries were full of ideas – perhaps the most dangerous and powerful of all weapons."
Sarah J. Maas
I could probably pull a million quotes about libraries that I love. I have grown up and also raised my kids on books. Books are a powerful tool and weapon, an escape, and, most obviously, a source of knowledge. Perhaps this is the most compelling reason for book bans--taking away our choice of knowledge.

While there are several countries in which the government has control over what its citizens have access to, I never thought that the US would be one of them. Book banning--and selecting a 'committee' who has not been trained like our knowledgeable librarians--is the first step in taking away knowledge and choice and freedom.

I have been pleasantly surprised to see many like-minded individuals here in HB-- every time I have written an email or attended a city council meeting, the vast majority of HB citizens have said that they do not support book bans. And while the council majority still won't call it a book ban, I think they just don't understand the meaning of the words.

Or worse, they do.

My point is that the PRIVATIZATION of our free and public library is WRONG. And I believe that the choice should go to vote, not decided upon by four people who may have special interests in the privatization of our libraries.

We keep writing emails, showing up to meetings, and there are groups with peaceful protest walks and read-ins. When will our voices be heard? I support Agenda item 24-350.

Stop telling me what my kids should and should not read. Leave this decision up to parents and guardians, not the government.

Sincerely,
Melanie Tioleco-Cheng
Book reader, librarian supporter, parent of bookworms, writer, Pediatrician HB resident x 21 years, HB library patron x 21 years
From: Judith Hendler
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:05:39 AM
I stand with Bolton, Kalmick and Moser in support of Agenda Item 24-350 in support of the HB Public Library.

Judith Hendler
From: Susan Hansen
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:06:38 AM
Dear City Council,
Please support this agenda item and keep this wonderful community resource in its present state.

Susan Hansen
Sent from my iPhone
From: Pat Seiler
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:09:26 AM
Honorable Council Members,
1) A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the City Council and a majority vote of the electors of Huntington Beach to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings; and, 2) An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third- party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

Additionally, direct the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting Pat Seiler
714.397.4247

From: Lisa Angela Gibilie
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda 24=350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:17:07 AM
I am requesting you consider the above agenda,
The people should be able to vote in a general election about what happens to our libraries. It is not popular to outsource management of our libraries. There is no proof it will not add costs since the Friends of the Library will not provide donations nor volunteers to a private company.

I ask that the City Council desist from considering additional RFP's regarding library management companies.

Outsourcing library management may work well in smaller communities which don't have existing libraries. It has been found to be unsuccessful in areas where the outside companies damaged libraries like in Escondido and ended up costing more money as in Santa Clarita, Oregon, Fullerton and more. Our libraries are 1,9% of the City budget and the benefits to the city are immeasurable. Cities and states with the highest literacy rates also have good libraries available to their people.

It is unimaginable that some on this City Council have listened to so many of our neighbors and callously dismissed them or threatened to kick them out of the room.

Oregon county library report critical of LS&S - Escondido Times-Advocate Public-Private Partnerships Are Quietly Hollowing Out Our Public Libraries | Truthout Sincerely,
Lisa Gibilie
Oregon county library report critical of LS&S -
Escondido Times-Advocate
A report on a county library system in Oregon run by the same company the city plans to hire to run its library ...

When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.

Willie Nelson
When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.

Jimi Hendrix
From: Le-Thu Phan
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:17:22 AM
I oppose the private management of our public library.

People need to manage their own life, not relying on the library to do it.

Freedom to public library!
LeThu Phan
8777 Coral Springs Ct, Huntington Beach, CA 92646
From: Ann Schoeff
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:20:28 AM
I support agenda item 24-350 and would like you to terminate the RFP regarding privatizing our library system until after the people of Huntington Beach have been able to vote on the issue.

Our library system and our librarians are an amazing asset to our community. I am a 28 year resident that appreciates and uses this wonderful resource and I am astounded that you would even consider privatization. Please re-focus your efforts somewhere else; you are creating problems, not solving them.

Ann Schoeff
From: Parker Baughman
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda #30 Pub. Comment
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:24:32 AM
Id like to add a public comment regarding the library. Abridged version at bottom.

Unabridged:

I want to make an appeal for the hesitant folks considering the library's proposed fate. Every hour youth spend at this library is another hour that isn't spent doing what is considered by yourself as degenerate (I.e. drugs, unsafe sex, rotting in their secluded bedroom, et cetera). Many deride the dependency on the internet and solitary nature of teens yet shrug off pitching in to provide a place everyone benefits from at no extra cost. This is the largest library in the area and with the most amenities for reading about history, the arts, faith, and biology. All of this for what? A few bucks off your own taxes. What would you prefer them to go towards? I doubt a private equity firm has the best interest of youth living in a place that means nothing but chart numbers to them. Why not contribute yourself to help people be outside in the world and enjoying the company of a community? Where else do students have to go for studying? Schools often are closed before the evening arrives, and their libraries are even more scant. There are some who say "nobody even goes to the library anymore. Why does this matter all of a sudden?" Because this is one of the best ways to actualize that opinion.

Abridged:

The killer of any society is a fear of a weed that is nonexistent, crushing every plant in case one were a dandelion, or crabgrass. In your hubris and self centeredness you damn the youth you say you care for to unfeeling private groups that only serve to oust them in place of higher paying customers, striking the CENTRAL area of knowledge and accessibility. They become dumb, blind, and degenerate as you'd like to describe them. It's said the older you are, the wiser you are, and the clearer things become, but teenagers don't tend to get cataracts very often, do they? How embarrassed God must be of you.

From: Gary Casamento
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:26:44 AM
To: Huntington Beach City Council Members,

My name is Gary Casamento and I have been a homeowner, resident and taxpayer in Huntington Beach for over 40 years.

I am writing today to express my STRONGEST support for Agenda Item 24-350 Direct the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk to prepare resolutions, ordinances, and any other materials necessary to place two items for consideration on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot and agendize for a vote at our June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting

1. A Charter Amendment to require a majority vote of the city’s electors in order to approve any proposal that would change the wholesale management of the library, and/or any proposal to operate the library with a private contractor that would employ library staff to achieve cost savings

2. An advisory vote of the electors of Huntington Beach on whether to hire a third-party contractor to operate the HBPL; a replacement of the current management structure, as proposed by the City Council at its March 19, 2024 meeting.

Additionally, direct the City Manager to cease any further work on the Request for Proposals (RFP) as it relates to the action taken at the March 19, 2024 meeting

I am outraged by the council meeting I attended in which the subject of removing the decision making power over which books the library contains was removed from the trained, educated professional staff of librarians. This after almost 6 hours of public comment where well over 95% of the speakers, Huntington Beach voters OPPOSED the action, the council voted along strict party lines to adopt the measure anyway.

The Huntington Beach Library has been a point of civic pride for me and my wife for over 40 years and is one of the reasons I chose to move to this city in the first place. Your actions over the past 12 months and this proposed privatization have turned the library into a national point of humiliation for the city.

You were elected to represent the will of the voters, yet you act in the interest of 5% and against 95%. I strongly urge you to place these items on the November ballot and hear, AND LISTEN to what the voters actually want.

Regards,
Gary Casamento
[email protected]
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Pause further action on Library privatization RFP Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:29:07 AM
Dear City Council Members,
Please direct the city’s management staff to cease work on developing a Request for Proposals to privatize the city library system.

Please also support Agenda item 24-350 to allow the public at large to weigh in on this issue.

Shirley Nixon
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
From: midge hill
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: 7-May Agenda, Item 30
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:30:00 AM
Good morning Mayor Van der Mark and Council members,
I have followed the story of the RFP process for bids to operate our city libraries, as well as the Parent/Guardian Book Review Committee. At this time, I am requesting a vote of YES to agenda item 30, being introduced at the council meeting this evening.

I believe these topics have raised much response from your constituents of Huntington Beach.

Our libraries are the most public-facing service to our city and therefore deserve more input from the broader spectrum of citizens by a vote of the citizenry in November.

I hope you will work together, as a team, to ensure such a community-building service, such as the libraries, will continue to thrive in the best possible scenario.

Regards,
Midge A. Hill
Resident since 1992
Virus-free.www.avg.com
From: John Calcagno
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:40:14 AM
SAVE OUR LIBRARY!
John Calcagno, 38 year HB resident
From: Jaime Kauffman Palumbo
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 30
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:43:18 AM
Hello,
We would like to voice our support for agenda item 30. Our beloved library is a community asset that has been built up over the last century. It is a treasured part of our city. We do not think it is fair for a temporary panel of four people to give away that asset. It should be up to the community that built the library to decide if it should be outsourced to a private equity firm. Let us decide if we want to outsource our library and halt this process.

Thank you,
Jaime and John Palumbo
From: Mark Finer
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:44:34 AM
As a native born son of Huntington Beach and current owner of two rental properties I feel it is my civic duty to write in support Agenda Item 24-350. I am not alone in this support amongst my friends and family that still live in HB.

Mark Finer
Set Dressing Buyer
Untitled Erin Foster Show
714-651-8113
[email protected]
From: [email protected]
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: City Council meeting 5-7-24
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:47:16 AM
Agenda Item 30
I do not support Agenda Item 30.

If our costs are too high and need to be addressed, address the issue now.

We elected this majority council to address these issues and that is what they should do now.

If it means that we need to shut down some branches, then so be it.

Rob Cloyd
Resident of Huntington Beach
From: Linda
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:48:07 AM
It is unfortunate that we have to be putting energy into trying to save something as important as our public library-something that is working just fine as it is. There are so many other things in HB that are not ok and that is where the council should be focusing their energy. Please leave the library alone. As a volunteer there I have never heard a complaint, it is always praise for what a great place with so many wonderful services.

Thank you.

Linda Mendelssohn
From: Dee Dee Brooks
To: [email protected]
Subject: Please do NOT privatize the library
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:48:25 AM
Attachments: image001.png
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Dee Dee Zeek, RHU REBC CFCI
Surf City Financial Group

Click Here to SECURE UPLOAD files to Dee Dee
O: 714.698-8400 replaces 714.377-1400 x 103
M: 949.456-1200
[email protected]
-
CA License 0E55371

From: Deborah Harvey
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:49:13 AM
Please do not privatize the HB Public Library. I work in the private sector and have experienced privatization twice, both to poor eventual outcomes. Our library is well staffed by compassionate, professional people who care about the content of the materials contained therein and the budgets. We will have no true control over the content or the costs associated with privatization, regardless of what they tell you up front. Trust me, this concept is a fail.

Best,
Deborah R. Harvey
Director
The Caring Connection, Inc.
818 368 5007 Phone
818 368 5004 Fax
From: Dina Chavez
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: SAVE OUR LIBRARY Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:49:13 AM
Council Members,

This push toward privatization represents a leadership failure unprecedented in our city’s history. For over 114 years, our public library has stood as a beacon of knowledge and community. Despite financial challenges through the years, each city council, with the help of generous donations from non-profit groups, has managed to keep it afloat. However, the recent threats and proposals pushed by misguided individuals and their enablers are reprehensible.

The inability of our city to safeguard this beloved institution is inexcusable. Our library should be celebrated, not treated as a disposable commodity for sale to the highest (or lowest) bidder.

Privatizing a library will never be an achievement, it will always be seen as the failure of local government that it is. The indifference to the quality of life of the citizenry that such a move represents will never be forgotten.

One might assume that some level of basic research was conducted before placing this disastrous privatization item on the agenda. If so, the City would know that our public library is already the most efficiently run in Orange County, providing an exceptional return on investment for our community—especially considering the lack of support both financially and from City itself. Astonishingly, taxpayers contribute only $27 a year per capita for our remarkable Library, whereas the national average stands at $70 per capita. Given these realities, it is perplexing that our City, in its purported wisdom, chooses to target our beloved, underfunded library as a cost-saving measure. Squeezing the life out of this cherished institution to save a buck is nothing short of disgraceful.

Let’s examine the data: Our city library comprises less than 2% of the total city budget and has not received any budget increases over the past five years. In fact, since 2014, the budget has only experienced a marginal 2% increase. Given that the library operates on a modest five- million-dollar budget, this 2% increment amounts to a mere $100,000. Meanwhile, the Friends of the Library contributes more than double that amount annually. A contribution that will end if privatization were to occur. Interestingly, LS&S contracts receive a 2.5% increase every year. It begs the question: Is our City willing to grant a private equity firm a 2.5% budget boost annually while neglecting similar generosity toward our publicly run City library? It remains inexplicable why the City persists in pursuing privatization—a move that appears more like an embarrassing display of nihilism than a genuine cost-saving effort.

The notion being floated that privatization will magically solve our city’s self-inflicted problems is nothing more than a fantasy. In reality, it exacerbates our existing issues. Those who believe that so called ‘pornography and obscene materials’ are exclusive to our public library will be surprised to discover that these same materials exist in privatized libraries as well. A quick search of online catalogs would confirm this fact. LS&S’s flagship library in their vast portfolio of failures, Riverside County, shows so-called pornographic/obscene books such as ‘Gender Queer’, ‘It’s Perfectly Normal’ and the most offensive book ever published ‘Everyone Poops’ available in the Children’s and Young Adult portions of the library.

Another question arises: Do criminal accusations made against librarians suddenly cease when the library is privatized? If so, it leads one to wonder whether the attacks on our library and staff were truly about the books or are perhaps fueled by personal vendettas and retaliation for unknown personal grievances. Alongside these accusations, we have witnessed threats, unfair practices, a hostile work environment, violations of municipal and ethics codes and overreach by the Mayor further complicating matters.

Even if the attacks and criminal accusations from
the council dias come to an end, it remains unlikely that certain segments of the public will dismiss the assertions, presented as fact by some City Council members that libraries are peddling pornography to children and are full of groomers and pedophiles. Once such ideas have been released, they cannot be easily retracted. Meanwhile, a committee of hyper-partisan citizens—representing 0.00000105% of the population—scrutinizing thousands of children’s books. Their mission? To decide who might be sexually aroused by innocent illustrations.

These efforts, masquerading as public policy, are supposedly to protect other people’s children from books they deem objectionable. This entire exercise is an absolute insult to our experienced, educated, professional librarians.

It is important that the workplace harassment endured by library staff, a situation created and enabled by the City, has been acknowledged by the Interim City Manager . I assume this information will be disclosed to any for-profit private equity firm planning to bid on this proposal. It is crucial for them to recognize that their librarians and staff will face the same unfettered, relentless attacks on their personal character, professionalism, and morality.

Publicly labeling them as ‘groomers’ and ‘pedophiles’ by both members of the public and City Council should raise serious concerns for any company wishing to take over our library. One must wonder why any responsible company, having basic regard for its workforce, would willingly subject itself and its employees to such abuse and potential litigation.

Additionally, it is essential to note that this harassment extends beyond library staff. It affects volunteers, non-profit support groups, patrons, educators, other council members and anyone who dares to defend the library. These attacks persist due to the City’s tolerance and enablement, full disclosure of this fact is also imperative.

Our public libraries, along with everyone in them deserve unwavering protection and support.

Next year will be the 50
th Anniversary of the Central Library, the iconic crown jewel of Huntington Beach. Volunteers like me should be planning a grand celebration, not a funeral.

Fighting for our Library is always the right thing to do. Support Agenda Item 24-350.

Dina Chavez

From: Deborah Harvey
To: [email protected]
Subject: Fwd: Library
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:52:59 AM
Please do not privatize the HB Public Library. I work in the private sector and have experienced privatization twice, both to poor eventual outcomes. Our library is well staffed by compassionate, professional people who care about the content of the materials contained therein and the budgets. We will have no true control over the content or the costs associated with privatization, regardless of what they tell you up front. Trust me, this concept is a fail.

PS. I have been a resident of Huntington Beach for over 25 years and do not support outsourcing. Please put it to a vote of the people.

Deborah R. Harvey
Director
The Caring Connection, Inc.
818 368 5007 Phone
818 368 5004 Fax
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Deborah Harvey <[email protected]
>
Date: Tue, May 7, 2024 at 8:48 AM
Subject: Library
To: <[email protected]
>
Please do not privatize the HB Public Library. I work in the private sector and have experienced privatization twice, both to poor eventual outcomes. Our library is well staffed by compassionate, professional people who care about the content of the materials contained therein and the budgets. We will have no true control over the content or the costs associated with privatization, regardless of what they tell you up front. Trust me, this concept is a fail.

Best,
Deborah R. Harvey
Director
The Caring Connection, Inc.
818 368 5007 Phone
818 368 5004 Fax
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:57:02 AM
Dear City Council Members:

I highly support:

• Agenda Item 24-350 to let the people vote to privatize/outsource the Huntington Beach Public Library and postpone/terminate RFP Process until after the vote.

Privatizing/outsourcing would be a huge mistake: costly and detrimental to the purpose of providing a community library for the benefit of the whole community, with a shared and felt relationship with the community.

I am a lifelong advocate and patron of local libraries. I am a member of Friends of the Library. Privatizing our Huntington Beach library would cause irreparable damage to our community. I am the mother of three adult children and seven grandchildren, all of whom have spent countless hours enjoying local libraries.

Our library system works incredibly well and enjoys strong local support.

Please do not destroy such an excellent local resource.

Thank you.

Susan G. Schumann
8933 Modesto Circle Unit 1214D
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
From: Lindsay K
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Supplemental Communication - Yes on 24-350, Yes on 24-337 Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:57:58 AM
I am writing in support of Agenda Item 24-350 "HB Public Library: Vote of the People to Privatize/Outsource (Charter Amendment) and Postpone/Terminate RFP Process Until After Vote."
I have been working to get the word out about the potential outsourcing of library management services and everyone I have spoken to - friends, neighbors, strangers, family - thinks it is a bad idea. Most people had no idea it is even being considered. The over 100 year- old Huntington Beach Public Library owes much of its success to the community itself who use it heavily and through the support of community-led groups like the Friends of Huntington Beach Public Library.

In comparison, your time on the council is short. Do you truly want your legacy to be "messing up the library"? Mayor Van Der Mark has made it clear from day one that that is her goal.

Councilman Strickland, you have already declared your intention to run for state senate. Do you think moving forward with causing havoc and upheaval in one of the most beloved civic institutions in Huntington Beach is the way to get votes for higher office? I have seen no evidence presented by the council that outsourcing library management, which entails firing the entire staff, is going to save the city money in the long run. The arguments made by community members for privatization all seem to be based on the false accusations, made by Mayor Van Der Mark, that librarians have lost their way and are bringing porn into the library. In other words, it is not a financial decision at all but retaliation for not following the whims of the Mayor.

I strongly doubt you will vote to allow the people to determine the fate of their library. At least in voting "no" it will be crystal clear who is to blame should the library be privatized, the staffing outsourced and the Friends of the Library discontinues their support. It will be the fault of the city council majority - Mayor Van Der Mark, Councilmembers Burns, McKeon and Strickland. I will make sure people know how it happened and why - that the council majority voted to outsource to appease Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark, and possibly as a favor to former mayor Mike Posey who represents the library outsourcing company LS&S, to the detriment of everyone else.

Sincerely,
Lindsay Klick, HB Resident, Parent, and Librarian
From: Cathy Engle
To: [email protected]
Subject: Save Our Library! Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:58:02 AM
I support this agenda item to allow voters to decide if the changes to library are necessary.

From: Scott Malabarba
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: in SUPPORT of agenda item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:59:09 AM
Dear City Council,
Thank you, yet again, to council members Bolton, Moser, and Kalmick for your ongoing courage and for taking bold action to protect HB's future.

I support agenda item 24-350.

The initiative to privatize our public library was never in good faith. The claims that it is about saving the city money make no sense and have been soundly refuted by the people who actually know how the library works.

Over and over, the council majority's malicious culture war antics have been met by a solid majority of speakers and correspondence voicing opposition. And over and over, the council majority disregards its citizens and panders to a small, vocal, and increasingly bizarre minority.

HBPL library has been a treasured and vital institution for decades longer than any of us writing or addressed here have even been alive. By these repeated attacks you only cause destruction. Your legacy will be one of shame and future city councils will spend years repairing the damage you cause. But they will, because -- surprise! -- people like libraries.

If there is any integrity remaining on the council majority, then the people of HB will have a true voice in this decision and will be empowered to vote on it in November.

Regards,
Scott Malabarba
HB resident
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Public library
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 3:45:22 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Barnhill <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 2:52 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Public library
Dear City Council Members
I am opposed to the privatization of the Huntington Beach Community Library. Our library is a great public resource and community asset. Please keep our public library as is: PUBLIC.

Thank you for your time.

Susan Barnhill
Registered voter, Huntington Beach, CA
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 3:45:42 PM

From: Robert E Moore <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 3:11 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library

The audacity of you four , and you know who I’m referring to, who want to try and privatize our highly regarded PUBLIC HB LIBRARY is sickening.

I’ve lived in Huntington Beach since 1987 and I’ve never jumped on a political bandwagon until now.

I’m so disgusted with much of what you’ve tried to do thus far, but this is truly beyond belief!! Keep your hands and mouths off OUR PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Carol Moore

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library Vote
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 3:45:54 PM

From: Cindy Miller <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 3:18 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library Vote

City Council members,

Let the citizens of HB vote to decide if the library should be privatized. This is such a valuable resource in our community to let a change this big occur with out the direct decision coming from the voters

Long time resident and lover of books
Cynthia Miller

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Support for May 7, 2024 Agenda Item #30
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 3:46:08 PM

From: Rachel Elaine Kadar <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 3:30 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Support for May 7, 2024 Agenda Item #30

Good afternoon,

I am writing to express support for May 7's Agenda Item #30: HB Public Library: Vote of the People to Privatize/Outsource
(Charter Amendment) and Postpone/Terminate RFP Process Until After Vote.

Libraries are a critical resource. The people should be allowed to decide whether they would like for this resource to be turned into a profit-making venture for a private firm. This is a decision that will affect hundreds of thousands of Huntington Beach residents and should be made democratically by the people of Huntington Beach, not unilaterally by 7 council members.

I once again urge you to allow this measure to be put to a vote by the people and to refrain from privatizing the libraries until after the people have had the ability to make their voices heard.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration,

Rachel Kadar

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda item 30
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 3:46:20 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: Janine Temple <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 3:40 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda item 30
I support agenda item 30 and want it put on the November ballot! Sent from my iPhone
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 4:36:25 PM

From: Manny Huang <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 4:32 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Fwd: Support Agenda Item 24-350

Dear City Council - I am a 30 year resident of Huntington Beach. I am a registered Republican, and I voted for some of you in the last election based on your platforms which seemed to consist of public safety, solving the homeless crisis, promoting business and responsible development.

But now that you are in place, it seems like the focus is on a lot of political theater topics. An enormous amount of time has been put into this book banning (or restrictions or whatever you want to call it). I thought republicans believed in parental rights? So how about we as parents manage what our kids look at and check out? Is everyone no longer giving their kids smartphones? You want to seriously shelter high schoolers? Parent your own kids!

Even more concerning is the move to privatize the library system. I understand that privatization is not always bad (look at what Elon Musk has been able to do!). But the privatization of the public library system here would be a bad idea. The libraries that LSS manages across the country are NOT in communities with standards, services and fiscal standing like Huntington Beach. The amount of savings is such a small drop in the bucket of the entire city budget that it just does not make sense and appears to point to alterior and possibly nefarious motives for this move.

This is a big decision and community input should be taken. In addition, a VERY careful review of the contract and thorough understanding of the existing services (including those done by volunteer and non-profit groups which will disappear for a private company) provided by the current system and what would be provided by LSS must be done. Unlike many other city functions, the library is part of the fabric of the community. The services it offers are key to the community (e.g. citizenship test prep, language help, after school tutoring, veterans services, storytimes, writing contests, etc...).

There are many areas of city services where money could be saved and pensions cut but that does not mean it is necessarily a good thing for our community's future.

If people get to vote on what flags are flown, we should get to vote on what happens to our library system.

Lily Huang

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library Privatization
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:19:57 PM

From: Jim Proctor <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 4:47 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library Privatization

Dear City Council: I strongly oppose privatizing the library; the whole family does, and we vote.

Best regards,
Jim Proctor
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library privatization for our HB libraries-Vote NO Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:21:01 PM

From: Shannon Paskin <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 4:57 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library privatization for our HB libraries-Vote NO

I am writing to speak out agains the privatizing of our Huntington Beach Public Libraries.

We all know there is nothing wrong with our libraries and any supposed cost savings from outsourcing, which we have very little evidence of cost savings, is not worth sacrificing the high-quality programs and services our libraries currently provide. Me, my children, my friends and their children have enjoyed and love our amazing library and truly appreciate the wonderful volunteers and those people who are educated in managing our books and publications. I see no need to change our current system.

Shannon Paskin Huntington Beach

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Support for City Council Agenda Item 24-350 Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:21:09 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: Maureen Bekins <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:06 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Support for City Council Agenda Item 24-350
To the Mayor and City Council Members

,
I strongly oppose changing management of our Huntington Beach Public Library through outsourcing. Why in the world would we want to change an organization that works so well for this City? Our citizenry — of all ages — love this institution and its’ employees for the education and enrichment provided day in and out, year after year.

Although input on every single issue in city management is inconceivable, this is such a drastic proposal approved by so very few people and impacts every single resident, I believe it calls for input from all the citizens of our City, not just the council members. I support putting this issue on the ballot for an advisory vote by the people who use the library, the citizens of Huntington Beach.

For the record, I am a 46-year resident of this city.

Maureen Bekins
5752 Woodboro Drive
Huntington Beach 92649
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda 30
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:21:20 PM

From: Diane Amendola <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:39 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda 30

For the Official Record

Dear City Council Members,

Please put the library privatization (Agenda Item 30) on the ballot on November 5, 2024. I do not support privatization of our City Library.

I'm very disappointed in some council members I voted for, you as a group appear to be grandstanding because too much of what I've seen is not worthy of the discussions we've had to listen to.

Mrs. Mary Amendola
Homeowner
Resident
and Tax Payer in Huntington Beach

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From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 24-350 No Privatization of our Library! Let us Vote! Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:21:47 PM

From: Ameelia Ghareeb <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:05 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 24-350 No Privatization of our Library! Let us Vote!

Good afternoon,

I am writing to all members of our the City Council about the idea that we should privatize our Public Library. This idea is completely ridiculous. While I have heard some arguments that this will save us money (allegedly), the need has never been established and the loss of benefit and value to our City and its communities is just too great to even consider.

If some members of the Council are so convinced this move is great for our city, Put it to a vote. Just like you put other things to a vote at the last election, put Privatizing the Jewel of our City Services to the voters before moving forward.

I think you’ll find overwhelmingly that people, from both parties, do not want this. I vote in every election, and I do not want this.

Please do not move forward with this plan. Leave our Library alone.

Thank you,
Ameelia Ghareeb; 92649
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:50:34 AM

From: SUSAN WEXLER <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:24 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library

Dear City Council,

When have you ever seen hundreds of people protesting an action by our City Council members week after week?

When have you ever heard of more than 600 letters protesting an action by our City Council sent in one week and the thousands that have been sent since last June?

Don't you get it? NO ONE WANTS YOU INTERFERING WITH AN INSTITUTION IN OUR CITY THAT PEOPLE LOVE!

OUR LIBRARY IS NOT BROKEN!!!!

If you want to "protect your child" at the library, go there with him/her. If you don't want to go, don't give them a library card. But don't think you have the right to restrict what others read.

If your "child" has a "Smart Phone," chances are they are seeing much more questionable content than they will ever see in a public library.

Stop this foolishness and concentrate on the real problems in Huntington Beach!

Sincerely,
Susan Wexler
44 year resident and library volunteer

Get Outlook for iOS
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW:

Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:50:56 AM

From: Marilyn Palomino <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:30 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject:

Dear HB City Council Members,

This is Marilyn Palomino, long time resident of Huntington Beach and educator. I strongly support Agenda item 24-350. The long-standing successful operation of our Huntington Beach Public Library System deserves a vote by the population of its residents. My children, students and my family have spent much time in our libraries.

They are well run and welcoming. I don't believe privatizing the libraries will support our citizens or help in resolving our city's budget deficit. As our Public Libraries are a cornerstone of free speech and democracy, a political body should not decide what is clearly under the purview of the people. Please honor the citizens of Huntington Beach and place the matter of the operation of our LIbraries on the ballot for the general election in November.

Thank you for your consideration,
Marilyn Palomino
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Privatizing Library
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:51:01 AM

From: tbradx2 personal <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:39 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Privatizing Library

The council should not be making these decisions. This is a voters issue that should be on the ballot in November
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library Meeting
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:51:14 AM

From: tjamesbradford <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:40 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library Meeting

This is an issue that belongs to the voters. Not 4 council members who may, or may not be able to read
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Stop the Privatization/Book Banning
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:51:29 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: onewildart <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 7:52 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Stop the Privatization/Book Banning
City Council members,
Seeing Huntington Beach highlighted on the John Oliver show on May 5th regarding banning/moving books was not a surprise but certainly an embarrassment for our city. Between the attempt to privatize the library and control how it’s run reflects our failing leadership.

Elected on promises (not kept) and not voting the will of the people seem to be the ruling gang of four’s MO. Our library is not up for sale and we the people will not put up with this nonsense without a fight.

I’m asking you to see the light and do what’s right. Our city deserves better.

Trudy Roe
47 year resident
Sent from my iPad
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda item #30
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:51:35 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Holly Sjogren <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 8:09 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda item #30
I am writing to ask you to please pause library privatization and allow voters to decide in November.

Thank you
Holly & Bob Sjogren
Sent from my iPhone
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:52:14 AM

From: Kathleen Lueck <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:08 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 24-350

I am strongly in favor of Agenda Item 23-350. I admonish you to pass it and to place it on the ballot for our November 5th Election.

Save one or our city’s greatest assets. Let the citizens of Huntington Beach vote! Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: No Library Privatization.

Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:52:34 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Connie Tomsick <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:24 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: No Library Privatization.

To the Gang of Four on our City Council: congratulations for the recognition by John Oliver on his”Last Week Tonight” show on HBO. He pointed out Huntington Beach as being one of the cities who stupidly bans books, a la Moms for Liberty. I wish he had spoken more about privatization and your disgusting ignoring of the popular wis to keep our Library free.

So you are going to pay a corporation $$$ to manage the already well managed Library. You still have to pay the bills and for the maintenance of the property, so all the profits for LS&S will be paid by HB and what, late fees? This must go up for a vote. If you MAGAs want to keep your positions of power, this will turn against you. A number of people who actually side with some of your actions do not want this privatization to proceed. The only reason many of us see as why you want this is for your personal profits.

Shame on you.
-Constance Tomsick
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: In support of agenda item 30
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:52:42 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Isabella Roethel <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:26 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: In support of agenda item 30
As a resident of Huntington Beach that has enjoyed the library for years, it should be up to the community not a handful of individuals to determine the future of the library.

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Do Not Privatize HB Libraries
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:53:03 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Natalie Dassian <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 10:40 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Do Not Privatize HB Libraries
Dear council,
I implore you to listen to the majority of your constituents - do NOT change our libraries. They do not need privatization and book review committees. Council members that support the privatization are not true patriots and want to dumb down their voters. We are offended and appalled at these potential library changes. Do not change our libraries.

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: City Council Meeting for May 7, 2024
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:53:33 AM

From: Larry Slonim <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 12:27 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: City Council Meeting for May 7, 2024

My wife, Susan, and I strongly support the introduction and approval of items 29 (24-337) & 30 (24- 350) on the City Council's Agenda for May 7, 2024.

Non-commercial signage (i.e. political campaign signs) needs to be better controlled in our City, and we agree that following the City Of Irvine's code as a model for such signage would be desirable.

We also believe that the potential privatizing of the City's Public Library System must be addressed in the same way that Charter Amendments A, B & C were, as a ballot measure to be voted on by everyone in a formal election, not solely by the vote of the City Council.

We are NOT in favor of privatizing and gutting an excellent, well-run and well-respected PUBLIC library system to try to save a highly questionable amount of expenses in the short term, sacrificing the level and quality of existing services and community value.

Sincerely,
Larry and Susan Slonim
19792 Gloucester Lane
HB, Ca. 92646

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:53:57 AM

From: Melanie Bergeland <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:00 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 24-350

Dear City Council,

I am writing in support of agenda item 24-350. I believe the Huntington Beach community at large should be able to weigh in via the voting process. I do not believe 7 council members should be the only people weighing in on a community service that impacts all the community residents with a wide range of repercussions.

The library currently is a:

Safe shelter for the community and is used as a Cooling station in the heat of the summer for our Seniors and the Elderly.

Study area for the students in our community that need access to the internet to study and complete school work.

Community gathering place for the community at large to check out books, have a snack, purchase used books and a place to rest after a walk around the park.

Place to learn how to use Laser machines, sewing machines, 3 D printers, Cricut machines.

This is a very loved and popular service.

Classes for all ages to meet, learn, exchange ideas, make friends and create support groups.

For our special needs community members to hang-out, meet friends, study and learn new skills in a safe and supportive environment.

Vets to come for free services in a safe and supportive environment.

Resources to look and apply for a job.

Tourists stop by and enjoy a resting place, chat with locals in a welcoming setting, take a class, and enjoy our community with their family.

I feel public libraries are the heart and soul of a community and should be free and available to all community members.

Privatization of libraries has proven to be negatively impactful to the communities that privatized their Libraries.

I feel the whole community should be able to vote for the direction of the livelihood of the community libraries.

Sincerely,
Melanie Bergeland
Long time resident
HB volunteer throughout the city

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library privatization
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:54:13 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: BOB DEATON <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:08 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library privatization
I strongly urge the City Council to put the library privatization proposal on the November ballot and let the voters decide. A lot of people in Huntington Beach feel strongly about this issue. It’s too important for the citizenry not to be involved directly in the decision.

Bob Deaton
19675 Seawind Cir
Huntington Beach CA 92648
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Reducing Trash
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:54:26 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: April Downs <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:15 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Reducing Trash
Dear City Council - I’m writing in support of Dan Kalmick’s agenda item to prohibit political signs in public right of way areas. These signs are overwhelming, contribute to vandalism (they are tagged and more recently purposely altering the meaning), and increase trash. This proposal allows signs on private property so political advertising is still allowed.

Thank you,
April Downs
Sent from my iPhone
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Let the People Decide
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:54:45 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: April Downs <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:21 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Let the People Decide
Hi City Council - I’m writing in support of Rhonda Bolton, Dan Kalmick and Natalie Moser’s agenda item to put the highly contested privatizing of the library to a public vote. It’s clear this change concerns a significant portion of our city’s population so put the issue on the November ballot.

Sincerely,
April Downs
Sent from my iPhone
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: About Libraries
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:55:02 AM

From: Pedram Kianfar <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:22 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: About Libraries

Hello to whom it may concern,

I would like to express my opposition to the privatization of our public libraries. Many people like myself use and rely on public libraries for research and information, and I fear that privatization is not the right way to go.

Instead of privatization, I urge the city council to explore alternative solutions to support our public libraries.

Thank you and have a good day.
-A concerned citizen.

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:55:21 AM

From: Samantha Baksic <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:33 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 24-350

Dear City Council Members,

I strongly support the new agenda item 24-350 submitted by Council Members Bolton, Kalmick and Moser that requires a vote of the people to privatize/outsource the Huntington Beach Public Library and postpone/terminate the RFP process until after the vote. Please give the people of Huntington Beach the freedom to vote on this important issue.

Sincerely,
Samantha Baksic
714-330-2021
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda item #30
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:55:33 AM

From: Sandra F <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:46 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda item #30

I am writing in support of agenda item #30. The citizens of Huntington Beach should have the opportunity to vote on the possible change of library management. If the citizens have all the facts and figures they can decide if it is a good idea.

Thank you,
Sandra Fazio
21612 Bahama Ln
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Our PUBLIC Library
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:55:44 AM

From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7:47 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Our PUBLIC Library

Dear City Council,

Please consider what you are doing. Our beautiful public library is a Huntington Beach icon, supported by the public's taxes and The Friends of the Library. Privatizing will not work, as noted from other failures from around the country. You might consider instead setting new guidelines for the length of time a person should work in public service, such as a librarian, before receiving a pension.

Again, please consider that you are going against what the citizens of Huntington Beach, whom you represent, want --a Public Library.

Respectfully,

Norma Mazure
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item #30
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:56:05 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Christine Amoroso <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:26 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item #30
Dear Huntington Beach City Council Members,
I have lived in Huntington Beach since 1969. I am a retired educator. I am a citizen of a city that is at the mercy of a council in which the majority of its members ignores the wishes of its residents.

While I have addressed all members of the council, it is Mayor Gracie Van Der Mark, Casey McKeon, Pat Burns and Tony Strickland I am writing to specifically.

Please listen to the voices, the pleas of the Huntington Beach Citizens you serve. Through peaceful protest, weekly marches, written letters and public comments, they are demanding that our beloved Libraries NOT be privatized.

Like many citizens I have done my homework. Studies and reports from cities that have unsuccessfully privatized indicate that promises of cost savings and improved operations did not come to fruition. More importantly - THE CITIZENS OF HUNTINGTON BEACH WANT TO KEEP THEIR LIBRARIES PULIC. PERIOD.

Honestly, I write this letter because I am a concerned citizen, because I want to be sure my words become part of our city’s record. But I have absolutely zero faith in the council voting in favor of keeping our library public. Why would this vote be any different than all of the other 4:3 votes in which the citizens voices were ignored. I suppose I’m hoping for a miracle.

I beg you to blow my mind, PROVE ME WRONG and actually listen to what the Huntington Beach citizens want - A PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Sincerely,
Christine Amoroso
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 24-350: HB Public Library: Cote of the People to Privatize/Outsource (Charter Amendment) and postpone/terminate RFP process until after vote
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:56:29 AM

From: Kathy Williams <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 8:41 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 24-350: HB Public Library: Cote of the People to Privatize/Outsource (Charter Amendment) and postpone/terminate RFP process until after vote

I have been a resident of Huntington Beach since 1975 and I remember when the main library branch was built. I took my four children to the Main St. and Helen Murphy branches for many years and hope to continue that activity.

A complete change to privatize the library should not be a decision shouldered by the City Council alone. This should be put to a public vote by the residents of Huntington Beach. I recommend that Agenda Item 24-350 be affirmed by the City Council and the charter amendment be available on the November 2024 ballot for Huntington Beach resident voters to decide on any steps to revise the current public library system.

Kathy BW England