6/18 Sup Com - 246 Emails — City Council/Public Financing Authority, June 18, 2024

From: Vicky Shuttleworth
To: [email protected]
Subject: Keep Public Libraries Public
Date: Friday, June 14, 2024 5:16:59 PM
Dear City Council of Huntington Beach,

I do not support any plan to turn our libraries over to a private company. The request for this proposal is not in the best interest of the citizens.

As a homeowner for 37 years in this city, please listen to the citizens.

Sincerely,
Victoria Shuttleworth
6/18/2024
7 (24-452)
From: Michele Burgess
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: June 18, 2024 City Council Meeting, Agenda Item 7, File 24-452, Managed Library Services Date: Friday, June 14, 2024 5:42:18 PM
To the City Council Majority:

One last chance to show you’re not quite as horrible as many of us think you are. Prove it by choosing Option A. Reject outright, without further negotiation, the proposal from LS&S to manage library services for the City of Huntington Beach. Do it for the good of the city.

I highly doubt this is going to happen, however, because the fix is in. The RFP was specifically tailored, most likely with input from Mike Posey and LS&S, so that no other potential bidder would be able to meet the requirements. The rescission letter from EveryLibrary Institute is telling as to how rigged the RFP process is — the process Gracey denied was even happening though the RFP had been published the previous day.

Something fishy is going on here, just as it is with the secret multi-million- dollar Pacific Airshow settlement and your cozy relationship with Kevin Elliott. When it all comes out — and it will — the four of you (as well as City Attorney Michael Gates) will be lucky if you aren’t found guilty of misappropriation of public funds, campaign finance fraud, or worse.

Councilman Strickland already has some experience with that, but apparently didn’t learn his lesson.

You’ve somehow mistaken an opportunity for public service as a golden opportunity for your own self-service. Just ask former Huntington Beach resident Robert Rizzo — the disgraced ex-Bell City Manager — how well that turned out. Hint: found guilty on 69 charges, sentenced to 12 years for graft and corruption, another 33 months for tax evasion, repay millions in restitution.

Think about it.

Michele Burgess
61-year Huntington Beach resident
From: Nancy Garafalo
To: [email protected]
Subject: June 18 Agenda, Item 7
Date: Friday, June 14, 2024 9:18:53 PM
I am opposed to a contract to manage library services.

Per Jennifer Carey, between 2022 and 2023 the central library welcomed over 500,000 visitors.

Why give our tax money to a for-profit corporation instead of continuing a successful program.

Nancy Garafalo
Sent from my iPhone
From: Caroline Brandenburger
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: 24-452 Private Managed Library Service
Date: Friday, June 14, 2024 9:45:21 PM
To HB City Council members:

It’s very clear that the majority of Huntington Beach residents are against outsourcing a private company to provide library management for our Huntington Beach Public Libraries. There is no issue with our HB libraries.

They operate and function very efficiently as is. The best thing you can do right now for HB is drop this entire proposal.

I also feel Mr. Burns should public apologize for his comments at the last city council meeting. It was very clearly captured in the video of the June 4th, 2024 City Council meeting in which he stated “pieces of shit” , referring to council members Bolton, Moser and Kalmick. That is completely unacceptable and Mr. Burn should be sanctioned as well. Mrs. Van Der Mark, you were seated right beside him and I’m sure you heard him say that. As a mayor, you should understand that those types of comments are in very poor taste, inappropriate and very unprofessional. Mrs.

Van Der Mark, the residents of HB are counting on you to do the right thing! Caroline Brandenburger
45 yr HB resident
Sent fromm my iPhon
From: Sonja Biele
To: [email protected]
Subject: Privatization
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 5:45:23 AM
To the City Council:

Please do not vote for LS&S to outsource our library.

Sincerely,
Sonja
From: Isabella Ford
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Release the air show settlement!
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 7:02:12 AM
Release the air show settlement.

Tell your buddy at Code Four to leave Kim Carr alone.

Find a permanent city manager so Parra can focus on being chief of police.

Stop using the library as a distraction from doing real work that would help our city.

From: Carol Daus
To: [email protected]
Subject: Vote NO on 24-452-Outsourcing Public Library Services Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 9:12:47 AM
Dear Council Members,
I urge you to vote NO (24-452)/ reject the proposal for managed library services. As an active member with the Friends of the Huntington Beach Public Library, I (along with many financial experts) have analyzed the numbers and it makes no sense to sign a contract with a for-profit corporation to manage the collection, staffing, and programming of our award- winning, efficiently run public library. There's a reason no other public library in Orange County has taken this drastic step. In fact, only a miniscule number of libraries in the country have signed contracts with the sole bidding company: Library Systems and Services. Only .22% of all public library systems have contracted with LS&S and the majority of those that have are rural, financially unhealthy libraries. Why would you take such a risky step? Please reject this bid and keep our taxpayer money within the city/library. We don't want our money going to private, wealthy investors!
Thanks,
Carol Daus
Resident of Huntington Beach, 28 years
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Possible Library Privatization
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 9:24:22 AM
Through this email, I am informing you that I do not support the possible privatization of our libraries. I have been a business owner for many years & there is no person with any sound business experience who would make a decision like this on the basis of just one RFP. Thank you.

Monroe Bunge
From: Margie Brennan
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library Privatization
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 10:02:55 AM
PLEASE DO NOT VOTE to privatize our renowned Huntington Beach Library. The citizens of Huntington Beach should have the ultimate say by voting. Perhaps your efforts to cut costs should have been considered when you reached your covert, sweetheart deal with the promoters of the Pacific Airshow. There should NEVER have been a settlement, because the City of Huntington Beach had full rights to cancel the airshow because of the oil spill. The city's job is to protect its citizenry. It was unsafe to be on the beach. Safety should be considered before profits. I have been a citizen of Huntington Beach for 45 years. Our library is a city landmark. LEAVE IT ALONE! Sincerely- Margie Brennan
From: Staci Mensen
To: [email protected]
Subject: Public comment - Council Meeting Tuesday June 18 Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 11:23:47 AM
As an HB resident I am writing to say I do NOT support the privatization of the library or any book banning initiatives. Please take this comment into consideration and let the residents decide on these initiatives.

Anastasia
HB Resident
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
From: Kathleen Lueck
To: [email protected]
Subject: Privatization of Libraries
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 12:45:34 PM
Dear CCC,
I do not want the privatization of our city libraries. Our libraries are one of the treasures of this city. Do not destroy them.

Kathleen Lueck
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
From: onewildart (null)
To: [email protected]
Subject: Vote no on RFP
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 1:46:16 PM
Dear CC members,
Residents are pleading with you to stop the privatization of our library. Call it what you will, our library is wonderful and needs no intervention.

A budget shortfall has many other options.

Please listen to your constituents!
Trudy Roe
48 year resident
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 3:07:33 PM
Please reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library!!! Our library is a well-run, financially healthy library system that does not need fixing! Libraries are public services for the public good and should NOT be turned over to a private corporation to benefit their investors.

From: Nancy Bigda
To: [email protected]
Subject: DO NOT privatize OUR library
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 3:08:42 PM
Our library is a vibrant, wonderful community service JUST AS IT IS, and privatization would ruin that. THE PEOPLE do not want THIER library to be privatized. As a resident of Huntington Beach I use the library all the time and if it is privatized I will not be using it at all and will use the OCPL system instead. Nor will I support a privatized library in any way. The people of Huntington Beach deserve to have their library maintained just as it is.

From: Erin Spivey
To: [email protected]
Subject: Opposition to agenda item 24-452
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 3:16:58 PM
To City Council,
I implore you to oppose agenda item 24-452. City libraries should be run by city employees, not out of state for- profit corporations. Vote no.

Thank you,
Erin Spivey
Life long resident
Sent from my iphone, please excuse any typos
From: Krystal White
To: [email protected]
Subject: Reject the proposal for new library management Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 3:23:07 PM
Hi, I'm writing to urge council to reject the proposal for new library management. The library already operates on a miniscule portion of our budget and our librarians are doing a fantastic job as it is. We don't need to outsource our management to a for profit company and risk losing our amazing staff and volunteers.

Also, everyone can see how shady this deal looks, back off now to avoid further shame on our city.

Krystal White
Library patron and downtown resident
From: Jan Madnick
To: [email protected]
Subject: Privatization of the HB PUBLIC library system
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 3:43:51 PM
To the City Council,
I have lived in Huntington Beach for over 42 years, and in all that time I have NEVER heard ANYONE suggest that our incredible PUBLIC library system is so costly and so poorly run that it should be turned over to a "for profit" company. Rather we have all enjoyed wonderfully convenient branch libraries, with activities for all ages, and an incredible main branch library filled with books, media, and services for every sector of our population.

I'm not certain what drove 4 of you on the council, other than your apparent goal to control all elements of our city-- from who we respect to what we read--to venture down this road. I will assure you that HB residents are NOT IN FAVOR of this move. I have talked with all ages of citizens (while they signed our petitions), and they cannot believe what has happened to our city. Sadly, many say that now they are actually embarrassed to admit they live here.

The appearance of nepotism aside, the fact that you have ONE company to consider with this unwarranted move to privatization says it all. Drop any pretence that this is a necessary step and get on with the business of HB that people actually care about!
Regards,
Jan Madnick
9031 Regatta Dr
HB. 92646
From: Marianne
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 3:52:34 PM
I am not in favor of privatization of our wonderful public library. Our public library does not need to be fixed. It has been an example of what a library can offer in community service, Programs and activities. Please consider this and support our library.

Thank you, Marianne Tobin
Resident Park Street, H.B
Sent from AOL on Android
From: David Rynerson
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Regarding
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 4:14:49 PM
City Council –
My name is David Rynerson, and I am twenty-six-year resident of Huntington Beach, also having raised two children here.

I am deeply concerned about the RFP to explore privatization of our library system. While there is nothing intrinsically wrong with exploring privatization to control costs, any attempt to do so must be well-executed and above board.

I spent over forty years in the telecommunications industry and have been both the issuer and the responder to RFPs.

I’ve worked with the Federal government, the states, county governments and municipalities, as well as commercial organizations. I have seen more than my fair share of RFPs.

As I said in my public comments two weeks ago, the RFP that the city issued has serious flaws. These include a failure to create an adequate scope to ensure that services were not lost in the process, references to non-existent attachments, and most egregiously, no requirements for any property or professional liability insurance. What insurance is required mandates only a $1M policy. This oversight leaves the city and its citizens on the hook for damages that may be done to our libraries, their contents, and possibly other employees or citizens by employees of the outsourcing agency. Examples of this include a fire caused by an employee’s space heater or coffee pot, or water damage caused by not shutting off water to a slow draining sink or toilet. This should not be the city’s responsibility to bear when the city has no direct control over the employees involved.

The Federal government’s Federal Acquisition Regulations mandate that at least three conforming bids respond to an RFP and the contracting agency select the lowest cost of the three or more bids. This is so that market competition ensures that the contracting agency gets competitive value for spending the public’s money.

Most state, county, and municipal governments do the same, and are often mandated to do so if funding is derived from a federal source.

Since this RFP has one and only one response, this condition is not met, which means that the contracting agency and the public have no way to judge if the proposed contract is a competitive price or not. There is a potential way around this, which requires extensive exposure of the financials of the proposer. However, LS&S, being a private equity firm, does not publish its financials, making that option essentially void.

I would also point out that the rationale for embarking on this effort was ostensibly to cut costs. Yet the evaluation criteria for the RFP lists cost as a 25% weighting, while experience and references combine for a 40% weighting, scope understanding 30%, and compliance with the RFP requirements is only 10% weighted. This seems seriously at odds with the stated objective.

It should not go unnoticed that this proposal has also unleased a firestorm of public opposition from all quarters of the political spectrum. This is a deeply unpopular proposal with the public.

And finally, it is documented that Mike Posey, the sales representative for LS&S, donated to Council member Strickland’s campaign, so Council member Strickland should recuse himself from any decision.

The end result is clear. The City of Huntington Beach should not enter into an agreement with LS&S to outsource library operations. The value is not apparent, and the risk is too high. Vote no on the library outsourcing proposal. Option A is the only responsible choice.

Sincerely,
David Rynerson
6272 Newbury Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda item 24-452
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 5:37:26 PM
My name is Wendy Einhorn, and I am a long time resident of Huntington Beach. I deeply love this city however I do not like the direction this council is taking us.

I feel extremely opposed to the hypocrisy you are demonstrating by rebelling against Sacramento because of what you call “government overreach”. Just look at the many lawsuits that are occurring because you don’t want to be told what to do by the government. The same goes for the citizens of Huntington Beach. We do not want to be told what books can and cannot be read at our library or whether or not we want to change the structure of how the library runs.

I do not support the privatization of the library for several reasons. Firstly, we already have a great library that this community loves and supports. Having only one RFP and making a decision based on just LS&S is unprofessional and a poor choice for anyone with business experience. Without at least three RFP’s this reeks of cronyism. Mr Posey has given Mr Strickland funds for his political campaign (as noted on a prior 460 form) and now you want to hire his company to run our library. Without question Mr Strickland should not vote on this issue since he has a “direct conflict”.

It should not go unnoticed that this proposal has unleashed a firestorm of public opposition from all political spectrums. This is deeply unpopular with the public.

The City of Huntington Beach should not enter into an agreement with LS&S to outsource library operations. The risk is way too high and represents zero value to the community. The only option as I see is Option A! Vote no on the library outsourcing proposal.

Sincerely,

Wendy Einhorn
Huntington Beach resident and retired educator (25 years) within the HBUHSD Wendy Einhorn
From: Amy Holte
To: [email protected]
Subject: Urgent Appeal to Reject Proposal for Managed Library Services and Privatization Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 6:23:47 PM
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you as a lifelong resident of this city, a mother of two, and a high school educator with over twenty years of experience, to express my vehement opposition to the proposal for Managed Library Services and the privatization of our beloved local library.

Throughout my youth, our libraries were my refuge, places where the doors to new worlds swung wide open for young minds. I earned pizza coupons during the summer reading challenges at Banning Branch, poured over policy papers on Main Street for my Model United Nations class, discovered the joys of teaching at the main branch through the tutoring program, and studied for AP exams next to the coffee cart downstairs. These experiences were invaluable in shaping my intellectual growth and fostering a lifelong love of learning. The unrestricted access to knowledge I enjoyed must be preserved for future generations.

It's painful to admit that this city has, at times, embarrassed me with its intolerance and entitlement. The intolerance that I have witnessed since my childhood is a stain on the very fabric of our community. It pains me that, instead of celebrating the diversity of thought, we have sometimes chosen to shackle ourselves with the chains of narrow-mindedness and censorship. Privatizing our libraries would only exacerbate this issue, potentially placing profit over the free and open access to information that is crucial for a healthy democracy.

Banning books and restricting access to information not only limits intellectual freedom but also stifles our growth as individuals and as a society. It is our duty to encourage critical thinking, nurture a love for reading, and provide a safe haven for knowledge seekers of all ages. Privatization of our libraries would undermine these essential values, potentially leading to a loss of local control, reduced services, and a focus on profit over community needs.

I urge you to reject the proposal for Managed Library Services and the privatization of our library. Let us stand together to uphold the principles of open dialogue, understanding, and the freedom to explore the boundless realms of human thought.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Amy Holte
20692 Tiller. Circle
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
[email protected]
714 264 5127
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 7:51:00 PM
Option 1 is the only sensible solution. Leave the library to the college educated librarians.

Sent from AOL on Android
From: Barbara Richardson
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 8:26:33 PM
Agenda Item 24-452

Honorable Mayor and Council Members
I strongly encourage all Council to vote yes on A and reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

A public library is for the people, by the people and of the people. It should have a collection that reflects all the different interests and aspects of the community it serves. It should be run and managed by the city, not by a private for-profit company which will take the library’s specialized book collection and trade it in for a collection of popular bestsellers. The library staff will become private sector employees working for LS&S, not the city. Our library will become a generic “one size fits all”.

How will LS&S be able to provide the wide variety of programs the library currently offers and still make a profit? I don’t think they can. How will LS&S pay for the software programs the Friends of the Children’s Library currently purchases for the Children’s Department, if this group cannot/will not donate to a for-profit company? Can LS&S purchase these programs and still make a profit? What will the library lose so LS&S can make money? Lastly, why would you want to do this to our city-run public library which has proudly served its community for over 100 years? Regardless of how the vote goes on Tuesday night, Protect Huntington Beach will keep on fighting for the library. We will continue to gather signatures until we can put this issue on the ballot and let the residents, we the people, decide what should happen to our library. Politicians shouldn't be the only ones able to make this decision. Our goal is to make sure something like this can never happen again to our library without the residents having the right to vote on the matter.

Barbara Richardson
[email protected]
51 year HB resident
From: Wendy Franked
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 8:51:42 PM
Please do not privatize the Huntington Beach Library. It’s not good for anyone. It will not end up saving you money.

Look for other ways.

Wendy Frankel
Sent from my iPhone
From: Betty Kanne
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-452 (Option A - Vote to Reject) Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024 9:08:58 PM
Re: Agenda Item 24-452 (Option A - Vote to Reject)
City Council Members:

I urge you to consider the profound weight of the overwhelmingly serious stated “disadvantages” outlined in the staff report evaluating the HBPL management outsourcing idea. The potential impact of the stated disadvantages is enormous and portend a gravely detrimental effect on our community.

Conversely, the two very weakly stated “advantages” outlined in the report are astonishingly vague and thinly mention a dollar value savings that is stated with such uncertainty that it could rationally be construed as “maybe zero to a million dollars”.

As such, your vote for Option A, that is, to Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services, is the only reasonable one. It is my hope that this too often divided City Council will join together in a single voice to soundly Reject the proposed outsourcing of library management services.

Respectfully submitted,
Betty Kanne
Huntington Beach homeowner, resident, unfailing voter for 42 years. 16331 Woodstock Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
From: Gary Wilkinson
To: [email protected]
Subject: The HB Public Library
Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 12:07:27 AM
The HB public library is the crown intellectual jewel of Huntington Beach and role model for other cities.

The proposed outsourcing (aka reverse mortgage on the center of our intellectual life) will be a stain on our history, but that’s politics and life.

The library will cease to exist as is, fortunately other area libraries will rise to become the beacon that we once were.

Life will go on.

God Bless,
Gary L Wilkinson
Sent from my iPhone
From: Tim Geddes
To: David Rynerson
Cc: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Re: Regarding
Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 12:08:11 AM
Very well said.

On Sat, Jun 15, 2024 at 4:14 PM David Rynerson <[email protected]> wrote:

City Council –
My name is David Rynerson, and I am twenty-six-year resident of Huntington Beach, also having raised two children here.

I spent over forty years in the telecommunications industry and have been both the issuer and the responder to RFPs. I’ve worked with the Federal government, the states, county governments and municipalities, as well as commercial organizations. I have seen more than my fair share of RFPs.

It should not go unnoticed that this proposal has also unleased a firestorm of public opposition from all quarters of the political spectrum. This is a deeply unpopular proposal with the public.

Sincerely,
David Rynerson
6272 Newbury Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
From: Gary Wilkinson
To: [email protected]
Subject: Please Maintain Current Library Status
Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 1:33:14 AM
Dear Council Members,
I hope and pray that we maintain the current status of our Huntington Beach library as a beacon of intellectual and cultural resource earning the envy of other communities.

Politics being politics, I understand the rhetoric elected officials campaign upon. Once elected, and I have been a resident and library patron for nearly 40 years, I have seen successive governments thrive with the natural wonders and intellectual status the HB library confers upon us all.

It is our legacy to the next generation.

Sincerely
Gary L Wilkinson
Sent from my iPhone Sent from my iPhone
From: Christine K.

To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Privatization of the HB Library
Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 8:11:08 AM
Dear HB Council,
I am writing to express my opposition of privatization of our HB Public Library. I have enjoyed the public services this library offers, including the free community classes, seed library and craft room. Much of community aspect of the library is successful because of volunteers such as Friends of the Library (FOTL). Many FOTL members have shared they will stop volunteering if the library is privatized since they don’t want their time and taxpayer money going to a corporation with no transparency.

Additionally, I have concerns of the privatization leading to controlling the content in the library, limiting access to books and resembling a cookie cutter bookstore.

Please listen to the hundreds of citizens who have emailed comments in opposition of this change. Don’t start a precedent of privatization of public services.

HB homeowner,
Christine Kahn
Sent from my iPhone
From: Drea L
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: HBPL
Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 10:09:33 AM
To whom it may concern,
I am a longtime resident of Huntington Beach since 1996. I grew up here, have many friends and family living here, and since middle school I have been a cardholder of the Huntington Beach Public Library. I strongly oppose the decision to hand over control of our library to private management.

The HBPL is our city’s treasure. There is no need for a private company to come in and change anything. This contract does not benefit anyone except the council members and executives who are in cahoots to line their pockets. It certainly does not benefit constituents, who to this day have not seen this unsolicited proposal.

If the city wants to outsource public services to private companies where their friends are shareholders, what will be next? Hiring private security to provide police services? Granting this contract will show how corrupt our local government really is, and it will guarantee to the decline of this once great City.

I will personally never vote for any decision maker who wants to gut our amazing library, and I will ensure that family and friends will follow my lead.

From: Heidi Jung
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-452 - DO NOT Privatize the Library Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 10:19:41 AM
Please listen to the residents of Huntington Beach and DO NOT privatize the Huntington Beach Public Library.

I was born and raised in Huntington Beach and am now raising two children in Huntington Beach. The library is an important foundation for families and individuals in this community, and has been for decades without any issues or concerns from residents.

There is absolutely no benefit to the discussion to privatize the library. This discussion in fact is damaging our city and the families who live here.

I urge you to REJECT the proposal from Managed Library Services and stop the process of trying to privatize the library.

Thank you,
Heidi Pallares
From: Lisa Swanson
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda item 24-452 Yes to Option A
Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 11:26:50 AM
Dear City Council Members, I am a dedicated patron of our wonderful City library system, and so I am writing regarding important Agenda Item 24-452. I strongly urge you to to adopt the City staff's Option A: Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Thanks & Regards,
Lisa Swanson
14+ yr resident SE Huntington Beach
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: City Council Meeting 6/18/2024. Agenda Item 24-452 Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 12:25:06 PM
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 regarding Agenda Item 24-452, to be presented at the June 18, 2024, Council meeting and request that Option A be chosen.

Privatization of the Huntington Beach Public Library is an issue the citizens of Huntington Beach do not support. The Council has two separate options, on this Agenda Item, Option A is the only item that allows this to happen.

There is only one organization which has shown interest in this proposal, this indicates additional studies and information need be gathered before being brought to the Council for consideration.

In view of the major impact on library proposed by the resolution it is necessary for the City Council to selection Option A.

Thank you, for your consideration.

Faith Vogel

From: Lisa Angela Gibilie
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: HB City Council Meeting Outsourcing our libraries Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 1:30:03 PM
I am in support of keeping our libraries public. By the looks of the video our Mayor made it appear she was too, and that she had not, in fact, painted our libraries as dens of pornography and pedophilia.

We Love Our Libraries with Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark (youtube.com) Councilman McKeon has a similar video. One wonders if these were made to make us look good for LS&S.

Making $! million a year from working with LS&S sounds good, but other cities have had difficulty working with them. LSS&S is part of a hedge fund and their goal is to make money. No doubt, like Escondido found, they removed the existing books and replaced them with books from their own publishing company. If we were to walk into our beautiful libraries and see them devastated that way, you would not have a moment's peace.

I suggest you call and speak directly to the Mayor or Council Members of cities who are not happy with LS&S to find out the pitfalls. In my last email, Santa Clarita saved $400,000 more in the first year of leaving them.

We Love Our Libraries with Mayor Gracey Van
Der Mark
As for Council Members with personal agendas, let's keep it local. We have a wonderful Constitution beyond the first two Amendments. God, Guns and Government is sacrilegious. Both the government and God have nothing to do with each other. We should have no other Gods before HIM.

As for guns, bump stocks are now legal. I have never heard any head of police in a large city like the idea of more guns. More guns make it harder to tell the good guys from the bad. Is this what kind of thing you want to b bring to HB?. I've lived here long enough to remember the summer riots. It took a bit of doing to clean this up and make it family friendly. You want to add guns to the summer heat and hot heads? You had better reach out to local law enforcement for their thoughts on the matter.

I also want the City Council members to treat each other with respect.. I have worked in many places with people who had many differences of opinion. Setting boundaries and standards of behavior are a good starting point. Washington is no place to emulate at this time. You can call someone any names you want in the privacy of your home, but when a hot mike picks up "Piece of shit" the person speaking that should be censured.

It would do the city good for people to focus on ideas to keep us safe and help our city grow, and to be a desired tourist destination. Appearing nationally on John Oliver is not a good look.

Before you decide on LS&S I hope you would make some phone calls and see what this looks like in the real world. Many of us are not fond of the fact, that this money will be used to fund a needless local election. Everyone knows voter ID is just a Republican ploy to lower the vote. As for all of the "illegals" we have the National Guard at the border in California now. We are safe.

Thank you,
Lisa Gibilie
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: Lorraine Gayer
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Vote No on Huntington Beach Public Library Outsourcing Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 3:12:19 PM
To: Members of the Huntington Beach City Council
From: Lorraine Gayer
16682 Lovell Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
714.504.2407
June 16, 2024
I have lived in Huntington Beach since 1970. I’m proud of my city and its public library system. I vote.

I urge you to reject all proposals to outsource the operation of the Huntington Beach Public Library system. Our library operates efficiently and at little cost to the city.

Every member of this city council ran on a promise to represent the will of the majority of the citizens of this city. The people you represent have spoken against outsourcing our beloved library in letters like this one, in appearances at city council meetings, and in public polls.

Listen to your constituents and vote no on outsourcing. Clearly, the people you represent do not want to turn the public library system of our city over to control by a private out-of-the- city for-profit company.

Thank you.

Lorraine Gayer
From: Teresa Madamba
To: [email protected]
Subject: Opposing Book Bans and Privatization of Our Public Library Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 4:15:34 PM
Dear Members of the City Council,
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding recent proposals to censor and privatize our public library. As a concerned citizen and a parent, I believe it is crucial to preserve the integrity and accessibility of our community's intellectual resources for all residents, without interference or profit-driven motives.

Firstly, I firmly believe that decisions about what books are suitable for children should remain with the parents of each individual child, not dictated by a blanket policy that affects every family. It is a fundamental right of parents to guide their own children's reading choices based on their personal values and beliefs. Furthermore, the idea of entrusting the review of books to untrained political appointees without defined standards is alarming. This approach lacks credibility. The process leads to discriminatory decisions that silence and exclude diverse perspectives, exhibiting a disdainful lack of regard for the needs of our community members.

Equally concerning is the proposal to privatize our public library. This would divert a significant portion—20% or more—of the library budget from community control into the hands of a profit-driven corporation. These funds would be dispersed without transparency nor accountability to the community. All this with the result of diminished quality and breadth of services compared to those currently offered by our library, including beloved programs like StoryTime, educational classes, and essential resources such as the Genealogy Library and Veterans Resource Center. Moreover, privatization would result in substantial cuts to library staff and reductions in the availability of books and other collection materials. This not only undermines the core mission of our library as a public institution, but also jeopardizes its role as a vital community hub.

In conclusion, I implore you to reject the bid from Managed Library Services for our public libraries, and immediately halt the Request for Proposal process. Our public library is a vital resource that belongs to all of us, and it is our responsibility to safeguard its accessibility, integrity, and community-centered mission. It should remain a place where decisions are made democratically and with input from all stakeholders, ensuring that it continues to serve as a beacon of knowledge, creativity, and inclusivity for generations to come.

Thank you for your fair and even-handed consideration of my views on this critical matter.

Sincerely,
Teresa Madamba
HB Resident
--
"We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action." - Frank Tibolt
From: Long Vo
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: No Library Privatization
Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 4:16:03 PM
Hello,
I am a resident of Huntington Beach, residing on Constitution Dr.

I’m addressing this email to the city council in strong opposition of the library privatization measure. The city does not need to outsource its library management to a private party. It’s a public institution and should be kept public, not privatized to a for profit organization.

Long Vo
From: Christina Skoski
To: [email protected]
Cc: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Subject: Library Privatization
Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 5:08:56 PM
As a resident of HB for almost 50 years, I am absolutely appalled with the plans to privatize our public library. The few dollars you think you'll save will in no way make up for all that will be lost to the community. So many programs now staffed by volunteers will be lost. The library offers much more than just lending books.

Our HBPLwill become a cheap discount Barnes and Noble south. It is so obvious that none of you actually use the library or care about the community's wishes in the matter. When was the last time you checked out a book and read it? or are you too busy just looking for sexual references in the kids section...it's ridiculous. You are the perverts and pedophiles, not the librarians.

SHAME on you.

Christina Skoski MD
From: j m
To: [email protected]
Subject: HBPL vote to support HB and the HBPL. Vote against any changes to HBPL Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 6:06:49 PM

[email protected]
[email protected]
June 16, 2024
City Council of Huntington Beach:

I am a resident of Huntington Beach and I am strongly against any significant changes to the Huntington Beach Public Library (HBPL) including changing the structure from a public library to a privately managed business.

The HBPL has been a pillar for the community and any changes, particularly against the will of the people, will bode poorly for HB, as well as those who push for it.

Please vote to support Huntington Beach community, VOTE NO to privatize, or otherwise make any significant changes to the highly respected, award winning HBPL.

Thank you
Julie Molitor
5142 Stallion Circle Huntington Beach 92649
From: Noel Ross
To: [email protected]
Subject: HB Library Concern
Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 7:44:54 PM
Please do not privatize our Library!
My wife and I are residents of HB for 50 years. We raised our children in the Ocean View School District and have used our Library for many years. It does not need to be fixed.

Please listen to your constituents and stop the RFP.

Noel and Claudia Ross
17611 Beckwall Lane
Huntington Beach, CA
92649
714.846.7282
Sent from my iPhone
From: Karen Lunsk
To: [email protected]
Subject: Reject proposal
Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 8:57:01 PM
To whom it may concern:

I reject the proposal for managed library services!
Sincerely,
Karen Lunsk
3691/Pirate Circle
Huntington Beach
92649
Sent from my iPad
From: Elizabeth SanFilippo
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Managed Library Services for Huntington Beach Public Library -- Reject Proposal Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 9:15:18 PM

I am a Huntington Beach resident for over forty years and a homeowner. I am writing to express my opposition to having Managed Library Services through LSS manage our public library. The proposal submitted by LSS should be rejected. 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 LSS. 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: Nathan Olsen
To: [email protected]
Cc: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Subject: Comment on the City Council agenda item to privatize the Public Library Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 10:05:25 PM
As a resident of Huntington Beach, I am writing to voice my opposition to privatizing our library system.

I do not want my tax dollars given to a PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT business that does not have any stake in the success or well-being of our library system. While they may be able to “save money” for the city, if that means they run the library system into the ground in the next ten years, then where will we be? Leave the library alone. It’s amazing as is.

Nathan Olsen
Huntington Beach Resident
From: Celeste Rybicki
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: AGENDA ITEM 24-452
Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 10:16:43 PM
HB City Councilmembers,
I urge you to vote for option A in regards to agenda item 24-452 and reject the proposal from LS & S. I can appreciate trying to save money for our city but the “possible” savings don't outweigh the disadvantages of this proposed contract. We have far too much to lose - from the wonderful volunteer services to our beloved library staff and all the amazing things that make our public library the gem it truly is.

Celeste
From: Steve Ruiz
To: [email protected]
Subject: Privatization of the city library - don"t do it Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 11:40:02 PM
I've been a resident and homeowner in HB for over 18 years now, and both my children grew up attending the library. We continue to make regular visits for the books and the programs.

The decision to privatize administration of the library would be disastrous for both the operation of the library and it's programs, but also for the cities finances. Privatization efforts like this one generally result in reduced/poorer quality services, as well as higher costs for our city, which ultimately means higher costs for me, taxpayer. Reject this motion. -Steven Ruiz
6881 Rook Dr, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
[email protected]
From: Sue Fullerton
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library
Date: Sunday, June 16, 2024 11:54:55 PM
I vote for Option A. Our library does not need a private company running it.

Do all of our council members have library cards? How often have they used the library this year?
If our council members are looking for a project, do something about laws for e-bikes.

L. S. Fullerton
From: Diane Bentley
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:28:30 AM
City Council Members, I strongly urge you to reject the proposal to outsource the management of our library to a private, for-profit organization. Our library has functioned well for many years on a shoestring budget, and it will continue to offer us the many services we rely on if left alone. Vote no on this item! Sincerely,
Diane Bentley
23 Year HB Resident
All the best,
Diane
Sent from my iPad
From: Irma Loper
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 7:29:48 AM
Please vote for OPTION A on Agenda Item 24-452. Do not select private-equity management of our library services.

From: adrienne low
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library RFP/Privatization
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 8:28:52 AM
I have been a resident of Huntington Beach for over 25 years. The key feature that attracted me to Huntington Beach was HBPL and Central Park.

I am opposed to the plans to privatize the library. Your politically driven decision to attack our beloved public library has backfired. It is time to step back and realize attacking the library is terrible for the city. In addition, it is hurting your political aspirations.

Sincerely,
Adrienne Low
From: Mathieu Royer
To: [email protected]
Subject: Item 47, 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 8:34:19 AM
Hello, my name is Mathieu Royer and I have been a Huntington Beach resident for 50 years! Please vote yes on “A” to reject the proposal to manage library services. Thank you! Sent from my iPhone
From: Anthony Daus
To: [email protected]
Subject: Opposition to Outsourcing Huntington Beach Public Library Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 9:17:31 AM
Dear City Council,

I am strongly opposed to outsourcing operations of our Public Library to LS&S, a private, for- profit private equity fund. Public Libraries should not be regarded as a “profit-generating” business.

If streamlining the library is necessary to make it more cost effective, those costs should go back into improving the library services, not lining the pockets of shareholders of a private-equity firm.

By its very nature, private equity is there to maximize the returns to its shareholders, not the value to the diverse citizens of Huntington Beach.

If this was such a great idea, why are so few libraries privatized? Roughly 0.25% of public libraries are privatized and no other library in OC is privatized. LSS has been rejected by other library systems in our county.

Tony Daus
Resident of Huntington Beach

From: Pat Goodman
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Vote No on Agenda Item 7, 6,18,2024
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:19:41 AM
Dear Mayor Van Der Mark and City Council Members,
Please vote no on Agenda Item 7, and reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library I believe that the citizens of HB have rightly expressesd their concern about privatizing/outsourcing library services and the negative impact it would have on program services, volunteer opportunities, fundraising and the current professional staff. I would like to see any of the proposals that have been submitted to the city for evaluation.

Thank you,
Pat Goodman
Pat Goodman
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]; [email protected]; Cheri Atkinson Subject: A no vote on Item 7- 24-452 on HBCC agenda for 6/18/2024 Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:57:27 AM
Attention HB City Council,
I ask you to vote No on Item 7 (24-452) regarding, Management of the Library by a private entity. Our HB libraries have been working well, and I concur with the opinion of Friends of the Library, and all who have spoken against this proposal at the City Council meetings.

Cheri Atkinson LCSW
HB Resident
From: JBaranec
To: [email protected]
Subject: Please don’t sell the library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 11:02:07 AM
Hi
Please don’t sell the library
James Baranec
Dockside Cir
Huntington Beach
Sent from my iPhone
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: NO to Privatizing any library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 9:57:30 AM

From: Vicky Shuttleworth <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2024 5:25 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: NO to Privatizing any library

Dear Huntington Beach City Council,
Do not go forward with the privatization of our Public Libraries. The track record of any of these companies is not very good, and they do not save the city's money. It is not in the best interest of our city to have anything but libraries that are PUBLIC in all senses of that word.

Sincerely,
Vicky Shuttleworth, homeowner in Huntington Beach for 37 years.

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Privatization
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 9:58:30 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Sonja Biele <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 5:49 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Privatization
To the City Council members:

Please vote no on LS&S outsourcing our library.

Sincerely,
Sonja
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 9:58:32 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Christy <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 6:59 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library
Do not change the way our Library is being run!!!
Sent from my iPhone
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: The library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:03:31 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Jan Conrad <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 9:12 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: The library
No. Just no. Please don’t mess with an amazing library system. Please listen to the citizens of HB. That’s your job- to work FOR the people of HB. Thank you for listening. Jan Conrad- a 44 year resident Sent from my iPhone From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library Privatization
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:03:44 AM

From: Margie Brennan <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 10:01 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library Privatization

PLEASE DO NOT VOTE to privatize our renowned Huntington Beach Library. The citizens of Huntington Beach should have the ultimate say by voting. Perhaps your efforts to cut costs should have been considered when you reached your covert, sweetheart deal with the promoters of the Pacific Airshow. There should NEVER have been a settlement, because the City of Huntington Beach had full rights to cancel the airshow because of the oil spill. The city's job is to protect its citizenry. It was unsafe to be on the beach. Safety should be considered before profits. I have been a citizen of Huntington Beach for 45 years. Our library is a city landmark. LEAVE IT ALONE! Sincerely- Margie Brennan
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:04:05 AM

From: Jeanne Whitesell <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 10:46 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library

Dear HB City Council Members,

Please, please do NOT outsource the management of our wonderful library. That would be a terrible mistake. Some argue that it would save money but I disagree. Losing all the resources the library has now would be cost prohibitive. For example the library would lose $300,000 donated annually by he Friends of the Library and lose thousands of dollars in grant money not available for a for-profit company. That's not even counting the loss of 11,000 volunteer hours.

Finally I object having my tax money meant to stay in HB go to company executives that do not live in our community.

Thank you,

Jeanne Whitesell
17922 Shoreham Lane
HB, 92649

Virus-free.www.avast.com

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Vote No on RFP
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:04:40 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: onewildart (null) <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 1:47 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Vote No on RFP
Dear CC members,
Residents are pleading with you to stop the privatization of our library. Call it what you will, our library is wonderful and needs no intervention.

A budget shortfall has many other options.

Please listen to your constituents!
Trudy Roe
48 year resident
Sent from my iPhone
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Huntington Beach Public Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:04:53 AM

From: Maria Sugranes <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 2:15 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Huntington Beach Public Library

Do not turn over the management of our library to a for-profit company.

Maria Sugranes
HB resident and homeowner since 1973
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: HB Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:05:12 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: loma dwyer <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 2:34 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: HB Library
I oppose privatizing our PUBLIC library.

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: DO NOT PRIVATIZE OUR LIBRARY
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:05:27 AM

From: Nancy Bigda <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 3:09 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: DO NOT PRIVATIZE OUR LIBRARY

Our library is a vibrant, wonderful community service JUST AS IT IS, and privatization would ruin that. THE PEOPLE do not want THIER library to be privatized. As a resident of Huntington Beach I use the library all the time and if it is privatized I will not be using it at all and will use the OCPL system instead. Nor will I support a privatized library in any way. The people of Huntington Beach deserve to have their library maintained just as it is.

Nancy Bigda
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Private Company to Manage Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:05:34 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Matthewson <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 3:23 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Private Company to Manage Library
This is a misguided proposal that is totally unnecessary and stinks of financial mismanagement because Mike Posey, a former city councilman, now works for the company that is making the proposal and the public knows he is going to benefit from any financial arrangement and that is very smelly. More importantly the library does not need private management for financial reasons. This is strictly a politically motivated action by four city council members in order to carry out their extreme agenda which the majority of HB residents are opposed to. A very very bad idea.

Sent from my iPhone
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:05:52 AM

From: Thomas Meisenhelder <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 3:42 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library

Dear City Council,

Every competent handy man knows "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Our library is not broken. To the contrary, it is a great success with more visitors than any other OC library; with a fantastic book collection; with amazing programs for youths and adults; and with a caring and talented staff.

Leave the library alone!

Tom Meisenhelder
Huntington Beach

Get Outlook for iOS
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Our public Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:06:00 AM

From: Marianne <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 3:45 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Our public Library

I am a Huntington Beach resident.I strongly object to the proposal for managed library services. Our wonderful public library offers so many programs and opportunities. It is inconceivable that people on our council want to fix something that has been serving us so well. Keep our library public!
Marianne Tobin
Park Street Huntington Beach.

Sent from AOL on Android
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Privatization of HBPL
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:06:15 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: LETITIA JOHNSON <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 3:48 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Privatization of HBPL
I am a FOTL member and patron of the HBPL and NOT in favor of the privatization of the library.

Regards
L Johnson
Sent from my phone. I purple.

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Privatization of HB Public Libray
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:41:26 AM

From: Barbara Thacker <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 3:59 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Privatization of HB Public Libray

As a citizen of Huntington Beach for 60 years, I am NOT in favor of “Privitization” of library services.

Barbara Thacker
18601 Newland St, Space 117
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:42:16 AM

From: joshea2 <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 4:53 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library

I oppose privatizing the library
Joanne Shea
HB taxpayer and citizen
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:42:33 AM

From: Gerald Donohue <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 4:54 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library

People are telling me left and right, they don't want to reveal that they live in HB. We can do better. Drop this outsourcing proposal and fix a pothole on Heil in the bike lane north side of street 50 yards west of Bolsa Chica Road.

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Privatization of HB Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:42:54 AM

From: Shannon D. <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 4:58 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Privatization of HB Library

I strongly object to the proposal to outsource the management of our wonderful public library. Please vote against delivering the library to a private organization to manage.

Regards,
Shannon Davis
Homeowner in downtown HB

Any book worth banning is a book worth reading…
- Isaac Asimov
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Public Libraries
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:43:09 AM

From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 5:16 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Public Libraries

Dear City Council Members,

The public libraries of Huntington Beach have performed very well without outsourcing of management/administration. There is no reason to privatize any aspect of our public libraries.

Sincerely,
Annette Berman
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Urgent Appeal to Reject Proposal for Managed Library Services and Privatization Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:43:39 AM

From: Amy Holte <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 6:25 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Urgent Appeal to Reject Proposal for Managed Library Services and Privatization

Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to you as a lifelong resident of this city, a mother of two, and a high school educator with over twenty years of experience, to express my vehement opposition to the proposal for Managed Library Services and the privatization of our beloved local library.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Amy Holte
20692 Tiller. Circle
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
[email protected]
714 264 5127
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Keep HB Library PUB:IC
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:43:50 AM

From: Elizabeth Callaghan <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 6:28 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Keep HB Library PUB:IC

Listen to the majority of the Huntington Beach citizens. You are here to represent the citizens. Keep the library public. It was working well for decades. Do not change something that is already lovely and in good order.

Beth Callaghan
resident of HB for 35 years

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Public Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:44:06 AM

From: thomas moore <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 7:03 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Public Library

Privatize the library? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Thomas G Moore
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW:

Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:44:21 AM

From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 7:52 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject:

Support option a
Sent from AOL on Android
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Privatization of the Central Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:44:43 AM

From: Cheryle Johnston <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 8:29 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: RE: Privatization of the Central Library

I am a volunteer at the Library and very much oppose the privatization of the Library. I love volunteering; my area is the Used Book Section. This valuable Section takes donated books and recycles them for sale; this sale brings in $15,000 per month or more to the Library. Volunteers collect the books, sort them,price them, place them on the shelves, and sell them. This recycling and sale service will disappear if the Library is privatized.

We volunteers enjoy the socialization at the Library and the sense of helping achieve something valuable for the community. This will all disappear if the Library is privatized.

As a member of the Huntington Beach community I make my most earnest plea against privatization. Privatization will be a horrible mistake! From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:45:02 AM

From: Trudy J. Le Clair, Ed.D. <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 8:35 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 24-452

Attention City Council Members:

Please reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for our library. Our library does not need to be privatized.

Trudy J. Le Clair, Ed.D.

Le Clair and Bradley Enterprises
7171 Warner Avenue #B-307
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Be mindful of what you toss away.

Be careful what you push away,
and think hard before you walk away.

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 24-452 (Option A - Vote to Reject) Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:45:10 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Betty Kanne <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 9:09 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 24-452 (Option A - Vote to Reject) Re: Agenda Item 24-452 (Option A - Vote to Reject)
City Council Member:

Respectfully submitted,
Betty Kanne
Huntington Beach homeowner, resident, unfailing voter for 42 years. 16331 Woodstock Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Proposal regarding the privatization of the HB Library Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:45:29 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: janet hermer <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 9:15 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Proposal regarding the privatization of the HB Library To Whom This Concerns:

Previous letters have shown that libraries paid more for this privatization than they had been paying and the public was less well served.

The people who care deeply about our library have told and shown you time and time again that we here in HB like our library to remain public.

We like and respect out librarians, they are well trained in what they do. That is why it is called library science.

They know what They are doing.

Do not ruin our library too! Is nothing sacred in your hands! I’m writing this on Saturday evening at 9:15pm and therefore should be in your hands do before the 9am deadline.

Janet Hermer
18772 Park Brook Lane,
HB, 92648
Sent from my iPad
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Concerns Regarding Book Review Board Ordinance and Library Privatization Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:45:44 AM

From: Tammy Nguyen <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2024 9:36 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Concerns Regarding Book Review Board Ordinance and Library Privatization

Dear Huntington Beach City Council,
I hope this email finds you well. As someone who frequently relies on the Huntington Beach library, I am writing to express my concerns regarding two important matters.

1. Repealing the Book Review Board Ordinance: I urge the City Council to repeal the Book Review Board Ordinance. While I understand the importance of maintaining community standards, I believe that this ordinance will limit intellectual freedom and access to diverse viewpoints. As a library user, I appreciate the wide range of books available, and I believe that any review process should prioritize inclusivity and open dialogue.

2. Opposition to Library Privatization: The library is a vital resource for residents and non-residents alike. Privatizing it could have adverse effects on accessibility, services, and community engagement. Public libraries serve as educational hubs, providing essential services such as free access to books, digital resources, and community programs. I implore the City Council to explore alternative funding models that preserve the library’s public status and ensure its continued accessibility to all.

Thank you for your attention to these matters. I trust that you will consider the broader impact on the community when making decisions related to the library and intellectual inclusivity.

Sincerely,
Tammy Nguyen
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Please Save the Crown Jewel of HB
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:46:17 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Wilkinson <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2024 12:46 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]>; Gary Wilkinson <[email protected]>
Subject: Please Save the Crown Jewel of HB
Dear Council Members,
I hope and pray that we maintain the current status of our Huntington Beach library as a beacon of intellectual and cultural resource earning the envy of other communities.

It is our legacy to the next generation.

Sincerely
Gary L Wilkinson
Sent from my iPhone
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Privatizing Knowledge
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:46:37 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: nick cormier <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2024 7:26 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Privatizing Knowledge
Stop being a detestable city! Time and again you people have attempted to ruin the city my Father loved! EVERYONE has a right to knowledge and that library was not built with private funds but public ones.

Stop being detestable.

Stop it now.

Warmest Regards,
Nicholas J Cormier
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: HBPL
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:46:51 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Drea L <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2024 10:17 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: HBPL
To whom it may concern,
I am a longtime resident of Huntington Beach since 1996. I grew up here, have many friends and family living here, and since middle school I have been a cardholder of the Huntington Beach Public Library.

It’s been sad to watch as our once beautiful city falls into corrupt hands. You city council members care more about giving your buddies lucrative contracts than you fulfilling your responsibilities to residents as elected officials.

The HBPL is our city’s treasure. Nobody asked for a private company to take over. This contract does not benefit anyone except the council members and executives who are in cahoots to line their pockets. It certainly does not benefit constituents, who to this day have not seen this unsolicited proposal.

If the city wants to outsource public services to private companies where their friends are shareholders, what will be next? Hiring their buddies’ private security company to provide police services? I will personally never vote for any decision maker who wants to gut our amazing library, and I will ensure that family and friends will follow my lead.

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 24-452 - DO NOT Privatize the Library Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:47:17 AM

From: Heidi Jung <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2024 10:17 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 24-452 - DO NOT Privatize the Library

Please listen to the residents of Huntington Beach and DO NOT privatize the Huntington Beach Public Library.

There is absolutely no benefit to the discussion to privatize the library. This discussion in fact is damaging our city and the families who live here.

I urge you to REJECT the proposal from Managed Library Services and stop the process of trying to privatize the library.

Thank you,
Heidi Pallares
19691 Clancy Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Proposed Private running of our Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 12:01:52 PM

From: Gerry de Boer <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2024 11:59 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Proposed Private running of our Library

I am extremely pleased with our Public Library! As a resident of Huntington Beach, (50 years), the Library has always been my mainstay. I have taken my grandchildren to story time, and have been a volunteer. I have also been a supporter and member of "Friends of Library".

Do not take the concept of "community" out of our Library!

Gerry de Boer and Bren de Boer
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library Privitization
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 12:06:28 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: William Miller <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2024 3:05 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library Privitization
City Council,
I’m asking you to re-consider turning our libraries over to a private company. Obviously all of your decisions have to consider cost, but just as obvious is weighing the effect on the people of the city.

This seems to be shaking a tree that doesn’t need shaken. Intrinsically a public library should belong to the people.

This is obviously true for Huntington Beach when you consider all of the volunteers who donate their time and effort strictly for the joy of the environment and the thought of helping their community.

You also have to admit that it looks a little shady when it is being given to a company with a sales manager who is a former mayor.

How much money is really being saved here? You guys were elected on a platform of no political shenanigans and this doesn’t pass the sniff test.

You can do better.

While I have your attention or at least hope that I do, when are you going to pave Bolsa Avenue between Springdale and Edwards? What is so “special” about that stretch of Bolsa that it is such a mess? Regards”
William Miller
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: VOTE NO ON OUTSOURCING THE HBPL
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 11:24:07 AM

From: Susan Stephan <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 8:30 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]>; [email protected] Subject: VOTE NO ON OUTSOURCING THE HBPL

June 17, 2024

Dear Council Members and City Manager,

I urge you to vote NO on outsourcing the Huntington Beach Public Library to Library Systems and Services (LS&S).

Outsourcing to LS&S will likely increase costs for the city and degrade the quality of our library services. Additionally, there is a concerning conflict of interest with the former mayor's involvement in submitting the bid.

Please protect our community resources and vote NO on this proposal.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Susan O’Malley Stephan
Financial supporter of Friends of the Library
Homeowner and resident of Huntington Beach

From: Sue Brewsaugh
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library RFP
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 11:30:26 AM
I’ve written several times about how detrimental to our community outsourcing the management of our library would be. It will destroy many people’s trust in our local government. It will cost the city more in the long run (LS&S raises their prices by 2.5 to 6% each year according to their contracts with other cities). Library union employees have bumping rights- which will reverberate amongst many city departments. LS&S saves money by not buying much of anything but best sellers, which will not satisfy the research needs of our community. Our Friends groups will not work for a for-profit company. The library and city will lose almost $400,000 in donations and the equivalent of 20 FTEs. And, please, if we’re going to make the library a profit center at least keep the profit in Huntington Beach.

Aside from the financial and union issues, there would be an enormous emotional cost to this proposal. I’ve been collecting signatures for the petition to require a public vote. The stories I’ve heard are usually similar. Either I grew up in this library and want my children to have that same experience, or part of the reason I moved here was this gorgeous library. Even many conservative voters think this proposal is unnecessary and government overreach.

I know library supporters have been accused of disseminating misinformation. I am a retired research librarian. I have done the research on LS&S. While they do good work with mismanaged or underfunded libraries, they are not a good fit for our jewel of a library.

Please do the right thing and vote to discontinue the RFP evaluation.

Thank you,
Sue Brewsaugh
39 year resident of Huntington Beach and loyal library patron From: Akemi Royer
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Please choose option "A" - Item #7, 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 11:45:32 AM
Dear City Council Members,
I am a lifelong Huntington Beach resident and library
user. Our library system depends on thousands of
dollars of donations and valuable volunteer hours to
deliver high-quality services; losing all of that (or even a part of it) is just too risky. Please consider listening to the many residents who have reached out to you regarding
not privatizing the Huntington Beach Public Library.

I urge you to choose option "A" - to reject proposal for Managed Library Services (Agenda Item #7 - 24-452).

Respectfully,
Akemi Royer
From: Rick DUFRESNE
To: [email protected]
Subject: Vote Option A on Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 12:13:26 PM
Dear City Council Members, I respectively ask you to vote for OPTION A ON AGENDA ITEM 24-452. A vote on Option A will help reduce the divide that has developed in our community. The library has been a jewel in our community, let’s not out source it’s operation.

Also, by not pursuing this the proposal from Managed Library Services LLC, it would help our City Staff manage their workload. This way they would have more time to smoothly implement the multiple fees increased during the June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting, hopefully without the need of overtime.

Thank you, again please vote for Option A on Agenda Item 24-452.

Respectfully, A 33-year Huntington Beach Resident
Richard J DuFresne
17452 Valeworth Circle
Huntington Beach CA 92649
From: Greg Statton
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Reject the Proposal for Managed Library Services!!! Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 12:26:06 PM
I am still in shock that the city is even considering the privatization of public resources like our public library. This is becoming a massive embarrassment as a Huntington Beach native who is now raising a young family in this fine city.

Please Choose Option "A", reject the proposal for a Managed Library Service. This is *not* the direction the residents of the city want.

Thank you
Greg Statton
From: Shawn
To: [email protected]
Subject: Private Management of the Public Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 12:56:30 PM
This is a terrible idea. It is literally the "Public" Library and should not be turned over for private management.

Shawn Larner
HB Citizen

From: Lisa Williams
To: [email protected]
Subject: Reject proposal for Managed Library Services for HB Public Library Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:09:01 PM
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to request that you reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

The library represents only 1.9% of the city budget with just 27 FTEs, yet the city launched a secret study to consider outsourcing our public library to a private equity-funded corporation that caters to its investors — not Huntington Beach residents. Would the city outsource our police services to a private security company? Or our legal department to a national law firm? Those budgets have a lot more meat than the library’s lean budget. Our library system is the most efficient in Orange County, costing residents only $27 each year.

Also, if cost savings is such a priority for the City Council why did you spend $480,000 to place the charter amendments on the March ballot instead of the November general when it would have only been $80,000?
How about you just review all City departments (get feedback from the departments themselves) and look at ways to save money and enhance efficiency internally.

At the 6/18/24 City Council meeting, please vote for Option A and reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Sincerely,
Lisa Williams
Concerned 30+ year HB resident
From: Howard Miyashiro
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Cc: Carla Tengan
Subject: Please Do Not Privitize the HBPL
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:15:37 PM
Attachments: image001.png
image002.png
Hello Huntington Beach Leaders,

Please do not privatize HBPL.

Specifically for Agenda Item #7, 24-452.

Please choose option “A” - reject the proposal for Managed Library Services

35 Year Resident of Huntington Beach

Howard Miyashiro

Mobile: (949) 302-1343
Email: [email protected]

From: Lorraine Crawford
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re; Library privatization -- If it ain"t broke, don"t waste time and $$ Fixing it Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:24:09 PM
Dear city council members,
Since Huntington Beach library has an established reputation for being top notch, with thousands of supporters donating $$ and volunteer time, please take a step back and stop wasting staff time and resources to privatize it. There is no evidence that privatization will save much money without a substantial decline in quality, programs and volunteer support.

If you are serious about reducing the city’s budget, please look carefully at the frivolous losing lawsuits that you have approved the city attorney to take on – at least 8 out of 9 losses resulting in huge legal expenses, increased staffing and creating unnecessary divisiveness within our community.

Please redirect your energy and staff resources to the fundamentals of running our city – police, fire, roads, parks -- and stop wasting our resources and our property tax dollars on fixing an outstanding library program that ain’t broken.

Sincerely,

Lorraine June Crawford
Friend of the Library and Literacy Tutor
309 11
th Street 92648
949-838-7824
From: Taylor Bentley
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item #7 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:31:21 PM
Hello,
As a long-time HB resident, I attended a recent City Council meeting in opposition to the privatization of Huntington Beach’s renowned library. I am writing to express my continuing opposition. It would be tragic to witness this transition.

I choose Option “A” - Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services Regards,
Taylor W Bentley
I.A.T.S.E. Local 44
(714) 951-6325
From: John Dempsey
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:41:06 PM
From a Library Rat who has spent many hours at the Library. Don't contract it out it is to nice and valuable to Huntington Beach.

From: Carla Tengan
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Re: Agenda item #7, 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:44:05 PM
Dear Huntington Beach City Council,
I am writing to voice my opinion on agenda item #7, 24–452.

As a child, I grew up using the facilities and services of the Huntington Beach Public Library system. Today, over 40 years later, I continue to value the HBPL, the professional staff, dedicated volunteers, and the services and materials provided.

I urge you to choose option “A” and reject the proposal for managed library services. There is simply no need to privatize a beloved public institution. Privatization comes under the guise of immediate cost savings, but this is a shortsighted claim. Please do not privatize HBPL.

Sincerely,
Carla Tengan
Huntington Beach resident and longtime HBPL patron
From: Akira BladesRoyer
To: [email protected]
Subject: Opposition to privatization of the HBPL
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:52:07 PM
Dear City Council,
I strongly oppose the privatization of the Huntington Beach Public Library of any form. I strongly urge you to choose option A.

Thank you,
Akira Aspas Royer
From: Akira BladesRoyer
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Against RFP process for HBPL, Item #7 (24-452) Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:57:00 PM
Dear City Council,
I’m strongly against the privatization of the Huntington Beach Public Library in any form. For agenda Item #7 - 24 - 452, I am asking for you to choose option A and reject proposal for Managed Library Services.

Sincerely,
Akira Aspas Royer

From: Mark Baksic
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Reject the Proposal for Managed Library Services Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 2:05:09 PM
Dear Huntington Beach City Council,
I am writing to strongly advocate for Option A: Rejecting the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library. Please prioritize retaining local control and preserving the quality of our community's library services.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Best regards,
Mark Baksic
562-400-6482
From: Samantha Baksic
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Choose Option A: Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 2:06:24 PM
Dear Huntington Beach City Council Members,
I hope this message finds you well. My name is Samantha Baksic, and I am a resident of deeply concerned about the proposal to transition our beloved library to managed library services. I am writing to urge you to reject this proposal for several compelling reasons.

Firstly, our community values the personal touch and expertise of our local library staff. They are not only knowledgeable about our community's needs but also provide personalized services that enhance our library experience. Introducing managed library services may jeopardize these invaluable connections and diminish the quality of service we currently enjoy.

Moreover, our library is more than just a repository of books; it serves as a cultural and educational hub for residents of all ages. Local librarians play a crucial role in curating collections, organizing events, and promoting literacy initiatives tailored to our community.

Outsourcing these responsibilities to a managed service could undermine these tailored programs and diminish the library's effectiveness as a community resource.

Additionally, a managed service may prioritize cost-cutting measures over community-centric initiatives, potentially leading to reduced access to resources, limited program offerings, or increased user fees. Such outcomes could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations who rely on the library for essential services and educational opportunities.

I strongly believe that maintaining local control over our library operations is essential to preserving the unique character and effectiveness of our community library. I urge you to consider the long-term implications of this proposal on our community's access to quality library services and to vote against the transition to managed library services.

Thank you for considering my views on this matter. I look forward to hearing your decision and remain hopeful that you will prioritize the best interests of our community in this important issue.

Sincerely,
Samantha Baksic
714-330-2021
From: pablo aspas
To: [email protected]
Subject: Reject the privatization of our Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 2:06:43 PM
Dear City Council Members,
I am a Huntington Beach resident. I refuse the outsourcing of our public Library. Our system depends on thousands of dollars of donations and the value volunteer hours to deliver high-quality services; losing all of that (or even a part of it) is just too risky. Please consider the big amount of residents who are against the privatization of the Huntington Beach Public Library.

I urge you to choose option "A" - to reject proposal for Managed Library Services (Agenda Item #7 - 24-452).

Respectfully,
Pablo Aspas
From: msakioka
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 2:07:54 PM
I would like to voice my concern over this item.

I do not believe that we should outsource our library's operations. I continue to strongly believe that it is a waste of our tax dollars to "try to fix" something that is not broken and has been operating effectively and efficiently for decades.

Pursuing this course of action has resulted in a huge loss of support from the many volunteers who help make our library and community great. It doesn't just affect our library volunteers, it also affects the other organizations within our community who believe that such actions undermine the spirit of convivial cooperation.

The loss of donations and volunteers is a real threat to a smooth operation of our library. I hope that you will keep that in mind when you consider this measure.

Thank you for your consideration.

Melinda Sakioka
From: Melody Tokunaga
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 2:21:00 PM
Dear City Council Members,
Reject the proposal for managed library services for the Huntington Beach Public Library! As a citizen of Huntington Beach for over 50 years, I have visited our award winning Huntington Beach Puplic Library with my children, grandchildren and students (Ocean View School District) for years. We enjoyed many exciting and enriching programs, books and knowledge because of the dedicated librarians, staff, and many volunteers - such the Friends of the Children's Library and Friends of the Library.

Please vote Option A on Agenda Item 24-452 on June 18th - reject the proposal for managed library services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Thank you,
Melody Tokunaga
From: J Shim
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Vote Against Privatizing Huntington Beach "PUBLIC" Library. June 18 2024 HB city council Agenda Item#7 re 24- 452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 2:27:34 PM
To HB City Council:
-This email to request choosing Option A and foregoing Option B. -Do not privatize the Central Library or any library within Huntington Beach. Firing employees and barring access to the library and its "PUBLIC" resources by reducing library hours is no solution, and hurts the people it is intended to serve.

Jennifer Shim

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS

7. 24-452 Consider Proposal Received as Part of the Request for Proposal Process for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach.

Direct staff to take one of the following actions:

Option A: Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Option B: Begin negotiations for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library and continue the meet and confer process with labor groups. Direct staff to return to the City Council for consideration of the potential agreement.

From: Mary Baksic
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Reject the Proposal for Managed Library Services Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 2:32:13 PM
I am writing to strongly advocate for Option A: Rejecting the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library. Please prioritize retaining local control and preserving the quality of our community's library services.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Mary Baksic
715-369-4683
From: dineka ringling
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 3:36:19 PM
Dear Members of the Huntington Beach City Council,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposal to privatize the Huntington Beach Public Library as outlined in Agenda Item 24-452. The public library is a cornerstone of our community, providing invaluable resources and services to residents of all ages and backgrounds. Privatizing this essential institution would be a grave mistake, undermining its mission and accessibility.

Public libraries are more than just buildings filled with books; they are community hubs that foster learning, provide access to information, and offer a safe space for community engagement. The Huntington Beach Public Library has been a beacon of knowledge and culture, offering free access to books, technology, educational programs, and more.

Privatization threatens to compromise these services by prioritizing profit over public good.

There are several key reasons why I urge the council to reject the proposal for Managed Library Services:

1. Quality of Service: Public libraries are managed by professionals who are dedicated to the principles of public service, literacy, and education. Privatization could lead to cost- cutting measures that diminish the quality and range of services provided to the community.

2. Access and Equity: One of the core values of public libraries is equal access for all.

Privatization could introduce fees or reduce hours and services, disproportionately affecting low-income families and individuals who rely on the library as a critical resource.

3. Community Trust: The public library is a trusted institution, deeply rooted in the community. Privatization could erode public trust, as the management of the library would no longer be accountable to the residents of Huntington Beach but to a private entity whose primary concern is profit.

4. Employee Impact: Privatization often leads to job losses, wage cuts, and reduced benefits for library staff. The dedicated employees of our public library deserve job security and fair compensation for their hard work and commitment to our community.

5. Long-term Costs: While privatization might offer short-term financial savings, the long-term costs, both monetary and social, could be significant. The loss of control over library operations and potential deterioration of services could result in higher costs to the community in the future.

I strongly urge the City Council to choose Option A: Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library. By doing so, you will be preserving the integrity and accessibility of our beloved library for future generations. The Huntington Beach Public Library is a public good that should remain in the hands of the community it serves.

I urge you to make the right decision to support and invest in our public library, ensuring it continues to thrive as a vital community resource.

Sincerely,
Dineka Ringling
HB Resident
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Privatizing Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 12:25:32 PM

From: ROSE SAYLIN <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2024 3:41 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Fwd: Privatizing Library

From: "Brian G. Saylin" <[email protected]>
Date: June 16, 2024 at 11:04:31 AM PD
Subject: FW: Privatizing Library
One of the saddest things I’ve seen come out of this City Counsel is the privatization of our library. The library has long been one of the bright spots in Huntington Beach. The librarians have bee professional and helpful to all who visit. To replace them with persons who don’t qualify as librarians severely hurts the citizenry of this once-great city. Moneys have been wasted on frivolous lawsuits against the state for which our city will pay substantial damages as attorney’s fees. Save that money by careful consideration about those lawsuits, but don’t take it out of our library.

Brian G. Saylin

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Privatization of our Public Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 12:25:46 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: GERALD MONIZ <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2024 4:06 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Privatization of our Public Library
Do not “fix” what is not broken. Our library should always remain in the hands of the city, not some for profit company who will increase their profits by decreasing services. But of course, you know this.

Instead devote your energy to the very considerable safety hazard of children using electric bikes. That is, if you actually care about children, as you have said.

Sincerely, 50 year residents (and voters and taxpayers) Diana and Gerald Moniz Sent from my iPad From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library Agenda Item
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 12:26:02 PM

From: Brandi West <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2024 4:56 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library Agenda Item

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed management change of our cherished Huntington Beach Public Library to Library Systems & Services (LSSI). The potential shift to a privately managed model deeply concerns me, particularly in light of the involvement of former Mayor Mike Posey, who stands to benefit from this transition.

The lack of financial transparency in this deal raises significant concerns about accountability and the true cost to our community. With private management, we risk losing the open and public accounting that is essential in public service operations, particularly when such operations are funded by taxpayer dollars.

Our public library should prioritize the public's interest, not the financial gain of individuals. The transparency of this process and the motivations behind it are questionable, given the potential conflicts of interest. I urge the Council to consider the long-term implications of privatizing our library services and to seek alternatives that maintain the library's status as a wholly public institution, thereby ensuring that it continues to serve the best interests of Huntington Beach residents.

Thank you for considering my viewpoint on this critical issue. I trust that the Council will make a decision that reflects the values and needs of our community.

--
Brandi West
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 24-452 Library Privatization
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:49:00 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: James Taylor <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2024 5:37 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 24-452 Library Privatization
I strongly recommend rejecting the proposal for Managed Library Services for a number of reasons:

1. The Huntington Beach Public Library is doing an excellent job as it is. We shouldn’t try to fix something that isn’t broken.

2. Ww should not trust the operation of a valued resource like our library to a company controlled by a private equity firm (who typically only cares about short term profit).

3. Moving to a profit-driven company is likely to result in the loss of many of our excellent library staff members.

4. Privatization is also likely to cause library volunteers, who care about the library but won’t want to provide unpaid help or charitable contributions to a profit-driven company, to stop their volunteer work and contributions.

5. Even if the City does proceed with a privatization process, it should receive at least 3 competitive bids — not a sole source bid from a company executive with ties to current council members.

Given the tendency of the current Council majority to disregard the majority of comments they receive from citizens, I assume that this is probably a done deal with the LS&S VP of Marketing (who appears to have friends on the Council), but can hope that maybe this will be different this time. If not, we have an excellent city-managed library in Newport Beach that will serve us until we can terminate the LS&S deal.

James Taylor
16851 Phelps Lane
Huntington Beach
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Our Public Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:49:13 PM

From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2024 5:56 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Our Public Library

Dear Members of the City Council,

As Huntington Beach homeowners for 40 years, we urge the council to vote NO on any further attempts to privatize our library system. I taught at Oka Elementary for 20 years and raised 4 sons here. We all used the library services frequently. It has long been a pillar of our community which does not need fixing.

I urge you all to vote NO on pursuing this. The people of our community deserve to be heard.

Thank you, Vanessa and Jeff Webster
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Reject the privatization of our library!
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:49:36 PM

From: Claudia Ross <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2024 7:08 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Reject the privatization of our library!

Please vote for Option A. Keep our library as OUR library! We have been residents of Huntington Beach and patrons of the library for almost 50 years; how many of you can say that?

BE HONEST!!! Tell all the hard-working volunteers that they are no longer valued!!!

Vote for Option A!!!

Sincerely,
Claudia Ross
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Save our Public Library? Say No to Censuring and a Private Takeover.

Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:49:52 PM

From: christine rogan <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2024 8:02 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Save our Public Library? Say No to Censuring and a Private Takeover.

Dear City Council Members,

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent developments surrounding our local library. As a member of the Huntington Beach community and an advocate for education, I strongly urge you to take action to save our library from censorship and a potential private takeover.

One of the most troubling issues at hand is the newly established Book Review Board, which is censoring books for anyone under 18 years old. This decision undermines the fundamental principle that parents should have the right to decide what books are appropriate for their own children. It is not fair for a select group of individuals to make decisions that impact the reading choices of everyone's children.

Furthermore, the lack of defined standards for reviewing books by untrained political appointees raises serious concerns about the credibility and fairness of their decisions. It is essential that book reviews are conducted by qualified individuals who possess the necessary expertise in literature and child development.

What is even more alarming is that the decisions made by this politically appointed Board are unappealable and will be in effect indefinitely. This means that once a book is deemed inappropriate, it will be permanently removed from the library's collection. This restriction on access to diverse literature not only limits intellectual freedom but also hinders the educational growth and development of our young readers.

In addition to the issue of censorship, there is a looming threat of a private takeover of our library. This would result in a significant reduction of the library budget, with an estimated 20% or more being cut. The money saved from these cuts would be directed towards a private, profit-driven company located outside of our community. This raises several concerns:

1. Staff and program cuts: Beloved programs such as StoryTime, Classes, Genealogy Library, Veterans Resource Center, Literacy, and Makerspace would be at risk of being eliminated or significantly reduced. These programs play an integral role in fostering a love for learning and supporting the diverse needs of our community members.

2. Reduction in collection materials: Books and other valuable resources that are currently available to our community would be greatly reduced. This would limit the access to knowledge and information for all library patrons, hindering their educational and personal growth.

3. Lack of transparency: Taxpayer money would be allocated to a corporation with no transparency. This means that the community would have limited knowledge and control over how their hard-earned money is being utilized.

4. Loss of community control: A private takeover would result in a loss of community control over our library. Decisions regarding the library's operations, policies, and services would be made by individuals who may not have the best interests of our community at heart.

Our library is a vital resource that promotes literacy, education, and community engagement. It is our responsibility to protect and preserve it for the benefit of current and future generations. I trust that you will give due consideration to the concerns raised in this letter and take the necessary steps to safeguard our library.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Christine and Steve Robertson
4636 Wellfleet Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Privitization of library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:50:05 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: DAVID SANDIFER <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2024 6:26 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Privitization of library
As a 35 year resident of Huntington Beach, I have been a frequent user of the library, for my children, for activities offered there, as a Literacy Volunteer, and as a voracious reader.

I urge the city council to be responsive to the many requests to discontinue the idea of privatizing our library.

Sincerely, Nikki Sandifer Sent from my iPhone
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: PLEASE REJECT ANY CONTRACT WITH LS&S
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:50:42 PM

From: martha bergman <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2024 10:32 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: PLEASE REJECT ANY CONTRACT WITH LS&S

REGARDING AGENDA ITEM 24-452
I strongly support the REJECTION of the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Our library system has functioned wonderfully under its traditional management and does not need to be changed. I have resided in Huntington Beach for 52 years and have used our library that entire time.

Sincerely,
Martha Bergman

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Stop the privatization of the library!!!
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:50:54 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: Jennie Austin <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 12:54 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Stop the privatization of the library!!!
Start representing us!! Stop with YOUR individual schedule!!! Jennie Austin
FoTL member!!!
Active voter and citizen!!!
Sent from my iPhone
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 24-452 - Reject
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:51:14 PM

From: Annie <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 7:36 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 24-452 - Reject

No clear and valid pain points with the library have been articulated by City Council to warrant its outsourcing.

The facts, never mind the optics, do not reflect favorably on pushing for privatization in this rushed, sloppy, and short-sighted manner. This does not benefit HB residents so who is intended to benefit here?
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: VOTE NO ON OUTSOURCING THE HBPL
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:51:30 PM

From: Susan Stephan <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 8:30 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]>; [email protected] Subject: VOTE NO ON OUTSOURCING THE HBPL

June 17, 2024

Dear Council Members and City Manager,

I urge you to vote NO on outsourcing the Huntington Beach Public Library to Library Systems and Services (LS&S).

Please protect our community resources and vote NO on this proposal.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Susan O’Malley Stephan
Financial supporter of Friends of the Library
Homeowner and resident of Huntington Beach

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: #7 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:51:42 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: Mathieu Royer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 8:33 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: #7 24-452
Hello, my name is Mathieu Royer and I have been a Huntington Beach resident for 50 years! Please vote yes on “A” to reject the proposal to manage library services. Thank you! Sent from my iPhone From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Private Managment of HB Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:52:06 PM

From: Shelly Gartner <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 8:54 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Private Managment of HB Library

I am unable to attend the upcoming city council meeting tomorrow, but wanted to voice my concerns about the intent to make our city's library a privately managed business.

In my 70 years of living in Orange County, I have never observed a city that can't support its library and lose control of its government functions!! What is happening here? Why are we not able to manage our budget? Where are our taxes being spent? How much money are we losing to legal actions we entangle ourselves into and other areas where money is ill spent?

All of the council members are elected to preserve and improve our quality of life. I don't think diminishing public functions or services is enriching or enhancing our residents.

I urge you to keep the library and all other public services intact and act fiscally responsible!

Rochelle Gartner
HB resident
[email protected]

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Vote NO on the RFP.

Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:53:00 PM

From: Nadine <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:10 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Vote NO on the RFP.

City Council Members

I am a 40 year resident of Huntington Beach, a Homeowner and taxpayer, and voter. I am against privatization of the library. I am strongly against changes to the Huntington Beach Public Library,

Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Vote NO on the RFP.

Nadine Davis
5142 Stallion Cir
HB 92649

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: RFP for Managed Library Services - Reject
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:53:46 PM

From: Steve Bochman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:19 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: RFP for Managed Library Services - Reject

Please reject this proposal. The agenda item says this RFP was issued by the city of Huntington Beach. Technically that is true. But it fact is was really issued by 4 people on the board who are targeting the library (among other things) for reasons I don't understand.

Everyone I know is happy with how the library functions. As the saying goes "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". This is a "solution" looking for a problem.

Steve Bochman
HBHS class of '71
Resident of Huntington Beach since 1983
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:54:00 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: PATRICIA COENEN <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 11:19 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library
Please don’t privatize the library. As a FOTL member/volunteer for many years , I feel that things are being run efficiently. The needs of the community should be considered. The will of the 4 city council members should not override the will of the community members.

Patricia Coenen
FOTL member/volunteer and resident of Huntington Beach for 50 years.

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Privatization of our Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:54:13 PM

From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 11:19 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: RE: Privatization of our Library

From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 9:54 AM
To: '[email protected]' <[email protected]> Subject: Privatization of our Library

Please do not vote for this measure. Our Library is perfect as it is. The Librarians are great, the facilities are great, and the wide-ranging book selection is great! We do not need or want a private company to come in and ruin our Library. I raised two children who grew up at the Children’s Section of our Central Library. Every time I come to the Library, I’m so happy to see all the excited children. They can’t wait to get their hands on a book to read or look at. I also notice the high school and college students use the resources and find a quiet place to study. It would be a crime to lose all these benefits to our residents and the wider community at large.

Hopefully, you will see at the Council Meeting an overwhelming support for this and many emails and letters sent to support our Library as it is.

Thank you,
Veronica Allen

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:54:46 PM

From: Jill Thrasher <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 12:32 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 24-452

Good morning,

Tomorrow you will vote on Agenda Item 24-252 to determine if the city "pursues privatization of the Huntington Beach Public Library."

Your support of keeping the library in the city's capable hands is needed.

Please stop this pursual as it is not needed. The library represents only

1.9% of the city budget with about 25 full-time employees. Only $30.00 of our taxes go to the library, a great return for the services provided.

As a tax payer of two properties in Huntington Beach, I urge you to vote no on this agenda. I am willing to pay $60.00 a year to keep our libraries out of private for-profit hands.

Please vote no and let the library continue its success.

Also, lets use the anniversary of the main library's building as a chance to bring the community together and support our one of a kind library. It would be great positive publicity for Huntington Beach, which is what were in dire need of.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
E. Jill Thrasher
23 year resident and homeowner

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Libraries
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:55:11 PM

From: Jim Proctor <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 12:46 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Libraries

Dear Council: If you proceed with privatizing the libraries, the electorate will hold you responsible. Y'all hangin' way too far out on this one.

Best regards,
Jim Proctor
Voter
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: No Library Privatization
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:56:04 PM

From: Lindsay DuFresne <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 12:58 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: No Library Privatization

I would like to let the City Council know that I support Proposal A; to not pursue privatization of our library.

I began taking my children to the library after moving to Huntington Beach in 1990. We participated in story hours, summer reading programs, and chose a lot of books together over the years and did a lot of research for school. 30 years ago we participated in the tile wall fundraiser. I love to go in and look at that little piece of HB history of which we became a part.

As an Ocean View teacher, I often referred children and parents to use the library and participate in the summer reading program.

I currently volunteer at the Concierge Desk at the Senior Center in Central Park. Books are brought from the library for seniors to take and return on the honor system. It is used regularly by many seniors.

There are times when we refer our SC visitors to the library for services we don't provide.

Would these be unaffected?

I don't see volunteer programs continuing under the hand of a for-profit company.

Literacy volunteers, used book sale cashiers, summer reading volunteers, gift shop.workers may not feel inclined to work under a company whose bottom line is to make themselves money. Additionally, I understand Friends of the Library currently raises a large amount of funding for the library each year.

It is my hope that the City Council will look at protecting the library as a nonpartisan issue that could do more to bring the community together rather than to divide it. Please vote to take this proposal off the table.

Thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Lindsay DuFresne

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Reject the proposal for Managed Library Service for HB Public Library Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:56:06 PM

From: Lisa Williams <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:08 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Reject the proposal for Managed Library Service for HB Public Library

Dear City Council Members,

I am writing to request that you reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Would the city outsource our police services to a private security company? Or our legal department to a national law firm? Those budgets have a lot more meat than the library’s lean budget. Our library system is the most efficient in Orange County, costing residents only $27 each year.

How about you just review all City departments (get feedback from the departments themselves) and look at ways to save money and enhance efficiency internally.

At the 6/18/24 City Council meeting, please vote for Option A and reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Sincerely,

Lisa Williams
Concerned 30+ year HB resident
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Opposition to privatization
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:58:27 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: Peggy Tracy <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:24 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Cc: Nt Norman Tracy <[email protected]>
Subject: Opposition to privatization
Dear city council,
Please vote no on the proposal to privatize the hb city library system. This is a terrible path to go down. Remember all of the librarians who testified how poorly it turned out for them in their cities.

Our library is a diamond in our city. Our librarians are amazing. Let them do their jobs in peace.

Sincerely,
Peggy Tracy
714 330 8630
[email protected]
17831 Whitford lane
Hb. Ca. 92649.

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item #7 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:59:28 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: Taylor Bentley <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:34 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item #7 24-452
Hello,
As a long-time HB resident, I attended a recent City Council meeting in opposition to the privatization of Huntington Beach’s renowned library. I am writing to express my continuing opposition. It would be tragic to witness this transition.

I choose Option “A” - Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services With Kind Regards,
Taylor W Bentley
I.A.T.S.E. Local 44
(714) 951-6325
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Against the privatization of the Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:59:45 PM

From: pablo aspas <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:53 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Against the privatization of the Library

Dear City-Council members,

I am a HB resident and I refuse that the city is even considering the privatization our Public Library.

Please Choose Option "A", reject the proposal for a Managed Library Service. This is *not* the direction the residents of the city want.

Pablo Aspas
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 2:33:09 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: Cheryl Rustvold <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 2:18 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library
Dear Council Members,
I have lived in Huntington Beach for over 50 years and I have used the library many times for myself, my children and grand children. We have a wonderful library as it is and I feel it doesn’t need fixing or interference from our city council! I am STRONGLY opposed to ANY censorship and I definitely don’t want a “committee” deciding what books are or are not appropriate! I would like you to continue to leave that job to the professional librarians. I am also STRONGLY opposed to privatization of OUR citizen’s PUBLIC library!!! Thank you for your time,
Cheryl Rustvold
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Opposing censorship and privatization of library Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 3:42:23 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: Kalee Rustvold <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 2:56 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Opposing censorship and privatization of library My name is Kalee Rustvold. I have 4 children and live in Huntington Beach. I Oppose the censorship and privatization, and the book review board.

You are infringing on my parental rights by censoring books or telling me what my children are allowed and not allowed to access. That is my sole right as their parent. I say No on all above stated matters.

Kalee Rustvold
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Voting choices
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 3:42:48 PM

From: KAREN Stewart <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 2:58 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Voting choices

Dear Council Members,

I did vote for all but one of you in the last election based on my assumption that logic and common sense would prevail.

Before commenting on the library issue, I want to state that I agree with the majority vote re:
the LBGQT+ flag waving. My reasoning is that raising it would open a Pandora's Box.

Should
we then consider the Black Lives Matter flag? Native Americans? Or perhaps a Palestinian flag
or maybe an Israeli flag? Is there a flag for abortion...or not? The point is all is based on individuals and our beliefs. I vote for the KISS principle: federal, state and local government;
I.e. the collective and our freedoms.

Regarding this important library vote, I humbly ask that you maintain the status quo. I have not seen or read the book Mayor Gracie objected to, but I think she has every right to object. It seems as
though, however, that any parent's concern can be addressed within the current framework.

With the social media platforms that are prevalent today, it seems as if a parent can generate mass support to receive cooperation from the current staff.

I do not know the cost of each library choice you have, but I urge you to uphold the fiscal conservative stance that is a part of any responsible public servant's platform. (Or should be)
With kind regards,
Karen Stewart

Get Outlook for iOS
From: [email protected]
To: Switzer, Donna
Subject: Re: “Dear Huntington Beach City Council,…”
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:47:18 PM
Attachments: image001.png
Donna,
Here is my message sent another way:

Dear Huntington Beach City Council, June 15, 2024
My wife and I have lived in Huntington Beach since 1965, 59 years total, and have enjoyed it all. However, now it appears the City Council has decided to destroy one of the main assets of the city, the Huntington Beach Library. Following are a few points that the City Council should consider before a huge mistake is made by turning the library operation over to a private enterprise situation.

Item 1
: it should be noted that the Friends of the Library Foundation (FOTL) contributes between $250,000 and $300,000 every year through their effort of gathering, sorting, and re- selling donated books to the library. They also operate a gift shop at the main library. If the library is privatized, this organization (FOTL) will cease to exist, causing a significant amount of financial assistance to likewise cease to exist.

Item 2
: All of the now supplied labor man hours provided by the FOTL will stop. Since this group supplies much of the labor for the day to day library operation, additional personnel will need to be hired to fill the gap. This could amount to hundreds of thousands of man hours during a years time. Privatization of the library would require hiring much additional personnel, at the expense of the library budget.

Item 3
: It has been brought to light that within the RFP (Request For Proposal), a requirement for maintaining the present condition of personnel employment, such as pay rate, cost of living allowance, and other related employee guidelines is required. Unfortunately compliance with this part of the RFP has been awarded a value of only 10% of the final RFP value. Essentially, this means the applying candidates can discount the entire present personnel section, thereby losing only 10% maximum of the final judgement value. Is this fair to the present employees? Item 4
: Past review of the present contenders for this effort have shown poor results and basically catastrophic history in this area. Fact sheets are available with the delineation of these aspects.

In closing, I highly recommend that the privatization of the library be given more thought. At a minimum, this effort should be placed on the ballot for the residents of Huntington Beach to decide and not a group of City Council members. When everything is considered, I find changing to something other than a Huntington Beach City operated library is a poor decision.

A concerned resident,
Ronald Minear
8211 Lambert Dr.

Huntington Beach, Ca.

On Monday, June 17, 2024 at 04:18:50 PM PDT, Switzer, Donna <[email protected]> wrote:

Good afternoon, Ronald:

I am unable to open up the shared you submitted as a Supplemental Communication for tomorrow night’s City Council Meeting.

Please submit your comments in the body of your email, or you may attach a pdf of the document, so that it can be included in the record for this item.

Please feel free to give me a call should you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Donna Switzer, CMC
Senior Deputy City Clerk
City of Huntington Beach, City Clerk’s Office
(714) 374-1649

From: Fikes, Cathy <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 1:53 PM
To: Agenda Alerts <[email protected]>
Subject: FW: “Dear Huntington Beach City Council,…”

From: RONALD MINEAR <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 9:06 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: “Dear Huntington Beach City Council,…”

Open my shared note:

Dear Huntington Beach City Council,…
Notes

Sent from my iPad
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Outsourcing HB library Services
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 3:43:08 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: S Gauldin <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 3:26 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Outsourcing HB library Services
Council members,
As elected council members, I hope that you welcome input about items before you from the citizens you represent.

As a 28 year resident of HB, I have had the opportunity to utilize many resources at our outstanding public library. I have always viewed the central library as a gem within our city and as a local elementary school teacher, have referred many students/parents to our outstanding librarians for resources.

My husband and I are strongly against the idea of outsourcing our city library services. This seems to be a “solution in search of a problem.”
Rather than spend council time and resources on investigating library alternatives, we would suggest your energy be better spent on improving city infrastructure, addressing safety issues and planning for rising sea levels issues. The library, as is, is currently well managed and staffed and a credit to our community.

Thank you for considering the opinions of HB voters.

Sue Gauldin
Dan Gauldin
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: AGENDA ITEM 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:44:03 PM

From: Kat <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:19 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: AGENDA ITEM 24-452

Hello City Council,

Please support Option A

Please vote Option A:

Option A: Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library

Thank you!!!

Ms. Lingan of Huntington Beach

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Outsourcing L/Privatization of our Public Library Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:44:13 PM

From: Kimberly Banovitz <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:26 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Outsourcing L/Privatization of our Public Library

Huntington Beach City Council Members:

While I see many, many reasons why the City Council should NOT move forward with the proposal for Managed Library Services, I would ask that you focus on one, and the loss
if Managed Library Services is adopted.

Please take the time to look at the Friends of the Library's website, It is amazing what these dedicated volunteers contribute to our community. The Butterfly Project, Seed Catalog, Used Book Store, Veterans Center, tutoring services ~ the list goes on.

Look at the entire website to understand how the loss of these services will impact our entire city for years to come.

Regarding Agenda Item 24-452 - PLEASE vote for OPTION A and REJECT the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Sincerely,
Kimberly Banovitz

the
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: City Council Mtg Agenda Item #7, 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:44:34 PM

From: MMori <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:43 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: City Council Mtg Agenda Item #7, 24-452

Dear Huntington Beach City Council,

In regards to agenda item #7, 24-452. I am voicing my choice for option A, rejecting the proposal for Managed Library Services. Please do not privatize HBPL.

The Huntington Beach Public Libraries are an asset to our community and because they are city run and funded they can balance budgets while providing services our citizens depend on. Our libraries, especially our Central Library attract a wealth of volunteers who commit not only their time but financial support to help our city library system flourish.

Respectfully,
Mitzi Mori, Concerned Huntington Beach Resident
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: From a LONG Time Huntington Beach Resident.

Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:44:45 PM

From: Luis Pedroza <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:43 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: From a LONG Time Huntington Beach Resident.

I oppose privatizing the library.

Luis Pedroza
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: HB Library - profit company take over
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:53:05 PM

From: Rayne Mountain <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:45 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: HB Library - profit company take over

Greetings,

Very concerned about what is happening with my Huntington Beach Library.

I oppose the privatization of the Huntington Beach Library. Please do not do this.

Elaine Pedroza
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library Privatization
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:53:24 PM

From: Patti Akers <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:49 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library Privatization

DO NOT issue a contract to privatize the library. The city will lose great value for the money you save. We had a surplus and now a deficit. The listing of how our budget changed should be a public notice.

If it has been listed somewhere, please let me know.

Thank you

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: File 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:53:46 PM

From: Elaine Parker <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:51 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: File 24-452

Members of the City Council,

As a resident of Huntington Beach and a member of the Friends of the Children's Library, I implore the council to reject the proposal for LS&S. It is unnecessary to turn our public library over to a private company. It does not make any sense and do you even have any idea of how much money it would save? If any money is saved, is it enough to make any difference and what effect will it have on the staff?

Our library has been in existence since the early 1900s and has been a beacon of learning for our community. We have five wonderful branches - each serving portions of Huntington Beach, with Central as the star.

What will happen to all the services that the library offers? Will the new company attempt to keep services such as Makerspace, VRC, Literacy, Homework Club, and others? Will the company work with the volunteers to ensure these services are continuing?

Sincerely

Elaine Parker

From: Perry Clitheroe
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:15:28 PM
Hello, my name is Perry Clitheroe.

Regarding Agenda Item 24-452…
Our libraries are awesome!
I strongly urge the City Council to reject the proposal for the privatization of the management of library services. -Perry Clitheroe
From: MMori
To: [email protected]
Subject: City Council Mtg 6/18-Agenda Item #7, 24-52
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:40:44 PM
Dear Huntington Beach City Council,
In regards to agenda item #7, 24-52. I am voicing my choice for option A, rejecting the proposal for Managed Library Services. Please do not privatize HBPL.

The Huntington Beach Public Libraries are an asset to our community and because they are city run and funded they can balance budgets while providing services our citizens depend on.

Our libraries, especially our Central Library attract a wealth of volunteers who commit not only their time but financial support to help our city library system flourish.

Respectfully,
Mitzi Mori, Concerned Huntington Beach Resident
From: Patti Akers
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library Privatization
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:44:02 PM
DO NOT issue a contract to privatize the library.

Listen to your constituents.

From: MMori
To: [email protected]
Subject: City Council Mtg 6/18-Agenda Item #7, 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:45:46 PM
Apologies-resending as I had the incorrect agenda item listed in the subject and message body.

Corrected below-
Dear Huntington Beach City Council,
In regards to agenda item #7, 24-452. I am voicing my choice for option A, rejecting the proposal for Managed Library Services. Please do not privatize HBPL.

Respectfully,
Mitzi Mori, Concerned Huntington Beach Resident
From: [email protected]
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Our libraries
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 4:47:05 PM
To the Huntington Beach City Council members,
I am writing to let you know that I am opposed to Huntington Beach privatizing our library system. Our award winning libraries serve our community, providing books and services to everyone. The affect of libraries on a community can not be quantified and is not suitable for a business-like setting.

Our public libraries are worth the money needed to keep them public. Privatizing them would be a tragedy.

Do not privatize our city's library system.

Carol Keane
9432 Leilani Dr.

Huntington Beach
From: Richard Morris
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Our library system
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 5:00:04 PM
To the Huntington Beach City Council,
Vote NO on privatizing our Huntington Beach Libraries. Public libraries are one of the most cherished institutions in our country. I do not want to see available books and services our libraries offer pared down. If Huntington Beach privatizes, I fear that the Friends of the Library will be pared down and the donations and volunteers will dry up when the library is run as a business. Certainly, I won't want to donate to a private company that does not share how they spend their money.

Again, vote NO on privatizing our libraries in Huntington Beach! Richard Morris
Huntington Beach 92646
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item #7, 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 5:37:09 PM

From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 5:02 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item #7, 24-452

Vote for Option A and REJECT the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library. Any vote for Option B is forfeiting the right to call our library system "public" and appears to be nothing more than partisan hackery posing (Posey-ing?) as a money saver. Shameful.

C. Elliott, Resident of HB since 1980
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Book Review Board Ordinance
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 5:37:33 PM

From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 5:16 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Book Review Board Ordinance

Hello, City Council of Huntington Beach!

I've lived in HB for 25 years, 23 of which I've owned a house, raised a son single- handedly, and taught science for 30 years in LBUSD.

We've been so very fortunate to have our local libraries that come very close to rivaling those of Newport Beach. I can get most books that I choose from Goodreads at our local HB libraries. Our libraries are a source of refuge in times of Covid and literary /intellectual despair for those of us who cannot afford JAMA, New England Journal of Medicine, Google Scholar, and other prestigious periodicals.

I am pleading with you to allow our local libraries to continue to prosper and offer the wonderful resources that are currently in place. Please allow us residents to continue to read and learn for FREE from a variety of authors, references, and subjects.

Sincerely,
Georgia Cunradi
714-960-8004

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library Board-Privatization of the Library Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 5:51:22 PM

From: Liz Richardson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 5:41 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library Board-Privatization of the Library

I've been a citizen of Huntington Beach for over 30 years. I have never seen such abuse by a city council. The majority has NOT taken into account the wishes of the citizens. There has been extreme waste & abuse since the present majority has taken office. There is no longer transparency!!!

The privatization & restriction of books for children in our library is a waste of taxpayers dollars. The extreme agenda has to stop. Hiring a company without even considering the lack of expertise or experience is clearly going to hurt the community. Why break the library system, that was working for the community? Are we becoming Germany from the 1930's with the book banning? Is this McCarthyism ("under god" was not in the Pledge of allegiance until 1954)? It is truly disgusting!

I served my country for 30 years & was deployed in two different wars, 4 times to combat zones. I never thought I'd be living on the brink of fascism. This City Council majority is clearly marked by centralization of authority, subject to stringent governmental controls, suppression of the opposition, and having a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.

As I have learned from many concerned neighbors, it's unlikely that any of our comments will be considered. It is not fiscally responsible to spend taxpayers' money on privatization & irresponsible legislation exposing us to senseless lawsuits from the county & state.

E. Richardson
USMCR Colonel, retired
From: Kathleen Abler
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 6:02:01 PM
While gathering signatures in front of Central Library and the Senior Center, I hear three things again and again:
1) People don’t usually refer to it as the library, but as OUR library. And they don’t want OUR library to change in order to fund THEIR lawsuits (City Council Majority and City Attorney). 2) HB voters are grateful and say, “Thank you for doing this.” 3) As they walk away they often ask, “When can we sign the recall petition?”
I urge you to choose Option A.

Kathleen Abler
49-year HB voter
From: Terri
To: [email protected]
Cc: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Subject: Don’t Privatize HBPL
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 6:13:30 PM
To whom it may concern:

Regarding Agenda Item #7, 24-452
I urge you to choose option “A” - reject the proposal for Managed Library Services Don’t privatize HBPL
We vote and will be voting in the next election with this issue being of the utmost importance.

Thank you.

Terri Rembuskos
Sent from my iPhone
From: Sharon
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda item 24-452 - Vote Option A
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 6:26:14 PM
As to the above mentioned agenda item, slated for the June 18th city council meeting, I strongly encourage you to vote option A, to reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Thank you,
Sharon Hathaway
30 year resident and registered voter in Huntington Beach From: Leah Rustvold
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 6:29:17 PM
To Huntington Beach City Council Members:

I support Option A for Agenda Item 24-452.

I urge city council to reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Leah Wasson
Huntington Beach Resident since 1980
From: Danica Campos
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 6:38:37 PM
To Huntington Beach City Council Members:

I support Option A for Agenda Item 24-452. I urge city council to reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Danica Campos
From: Letitia Johnson
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-452: Vote Option A Reject the Proposal Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 6:45:22 PM
Dear City Council,
For Agenda Item 24-452, vote option A: Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Our library is well-managed and represents less than 2% of the entire city budget. Surely, there are other areas in the budget that can be cut or reduced. The library is ranked as one of the top institutions of the city and is not broken. Why try to fix something that's not broken, especially by taking such a drastic step like outsourcing the staffing, collection, and programming to a for-profit corporation that lacks transparency? Thanks,
Letitia Johnson
HBPL Patron and Member of Friends of the HB Library
Sent from my phone. I purple.

From: Chris Varga
To: [email protected]
Subject: Keep the Libraries public run
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 7:09:50 PM
Agenda Item 7 (24-452): I oppose privatization of our award winning libraries. Keep your hands off our libraries!
Chris Varga
Huntington Beach
From: Kate Yznaga
To: [email protected]
Subject: Our terrific Library
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 7:23:22 PM
To Huntington Beach City Council Members:

I support Option A for Agenda Item 24-452. I urge city council to reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library. Please support this.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Kathleen Yznaga (40 year Huntington Beach resident)
Sent from my iPhone
From: Patricia King
To: [email protected]
Subject: Do not privatize management of Huntington Beach Library/ Do not give the business to your FRIEND MIKE POSEY
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 7:43:37 PM
Our library is a treasure, its staff superb. Please do not privatize our Library. Other cities who have done this now wish they had not.

Patty King
8642 Lowmead Drive
HB
From: Marissa Chamberlain
To: [email protected]
Subject: Comment on Administrative item 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 7:53:55 PM
Regarding administrative item 24-452, please choose "Option A: Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library." The Huntington Beach Public Library is already the most visited library in Orange County. It has award-winning storytimes, a wealth of programming for all ages, is open seven days a week, and provides dedicated and excellent customer service. People come from all over California to visit HBPL. These services will not be maintained if HBPL is operated by Library Systems & Services. They promised the City of Escondido that they would be open on Sundays, and have yet to have Sunday hours. Libraries should serve their communities, not the profit margins of a company.

The promised savings of up to a million dollars is a hollow sales pitch. LS&S has promised that to other cities. A million dollars is 20% of HBPL's current budget. A savings that large could not be achieved without cuts to staff, operating hours, and digital resources. The RFP stated that bidders must maintain current staffing levels at current salaries, current operating hours at all five branches, and level of service and programs. How exactly does LS&S propose to save this million dollars? Certainly this savings does not account for the loss of $300,000 in donations from the Friends groups. Neither the Friends of the Library nor the Friends of the Children's Library will donate to a private company.

Please reject the bid. LS&S may promise more, but Huntington Beach will end up with less.

Sincerely,
Marissa Chamberlain
Virus-free.www.avast.com
From: Paula Shawa
To: [email protected]
Subject: No on Item 7 / No on outsourcing HB library / City Council Mtg June 18 Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 7:58:22 PM
No, it's not okay to outsource the Huntington Beach library's operation.

This extremist City Council is destroying the city of HB. Their actions are so egregious and violate the residents' feedback. They do not want any changes to the library.

Paula Shawa, HB resident for 20 years
From: Jaime Kauffman Palumbo
To: [email protected]
Subject: Public Comment for June 18
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 8:04:58 PM
I am writing about Agenda Item 7, considering the proposal for the privatization of the library. I am extremely against this proposal. The public library should stay public. Our library is well run and should never have the management handed over to a for profit private equity firm. LS&S has a bad reputation and would destroy our library and its benefits to our community. Several cities have had their libraries decimated by this company and have had to pay even more money to get out of ever an increasing contract. There is no cost savings to outsourcing our management. In between the lost donations, lost volunteer hours, and lost grants on top of losing our librarians, this is a losing proposition for everyone except the people making the deal. Makes us wonder why this city council majority is pushing so hard against the overwhelming opposition to this proposal. Do not do this to our community.

We do not want it.

Huntington Beach Resident,
Jaime Palumbo
From: Paula Schaefer
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Agenda Item # 24-452 VOTE YES on Option A / REJECT the LS&S Proposal Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 8:05:31 PM
Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and Council Members:

VOTE YES on Option A and REJECT the LS&S Proposal!
Each of you takes pride in listening to your constituents. This would be a great time for you to do so.

In the past few weeks, I have spoken to over 400 hundred Huntington Beach residents while they visited the Central Library. Only one (1) person told me that he approved of privatizing (or outsourcing library management services). One person! It appears that within one week a number of city staff worked diligently to evaluate LS&S' proposal. I think it is an understatement to describe City residents' views as being "significantly opposed". Here are the top 10 reactions from the City residents:

1. 99% opposed to privatization,

2. stunned that the City's crown jewel would be privatized,

3. mad as heck (although some used stronger language than I am here),

4. concerned that beloved librarians will lose their jobs,

5. wondering why the RFP process even started,

6. uncertain as to why the response time to the RFP was so short,

7. doubtful that the RFP would have been issued if a former Mayor had not met with Council Members,

8. curious as to how other cities with fewer resources are not considering privatizing their libraries,

9. worried that services such as literacy tutoring, citizenship classes, vet's resource center, book clubs, would be discontinued or require payment, and,

10. shocked at the idea of a privately managed PUBLIC library.

If you want more examples of resident reactions, I'm happy to speak with any of you.

However, this should be enough for you to know that YOUR constituents do not back the majority four's pursuit of privatizing the library.

Paula A. Schaefer
HB resident for 30+ years
From: Sue Welfringer
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Item #24-452. Reject the Proposal. Better yet, remove it from the agenda.

Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 8:39:24 PM
Dear Mayor, Mayor Pro-Tem, and City Council Members.

Please select Option A: Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

After reading the text associated with item #24-452, we can identify what is clear to the public and what is not so clear about this proposal.

What is clear:

Hundreds of community speakers, thousands of emails have voiced “significant opposition.” (Opposition not only to this threat, but to your year-long attack on our library system.) The arguments are passionate, compelling, substantial – from residents who regularly visit and proudly support our libraries. Opposition is greater than “significant,” it is profound; and yet these pleas have clearly been ignored by four council members.

Another point of clarity: there is not “potential” but rather, “certain loss” of volunteers and donations.

It is clear to those of us who use and support our library that the four members and city attorney who brought this item forward must not be regular patrons or supporters of library services. Clearly, this year-long attack on our librarians would not have happened if you had personal experience working with these compassionate professionals as regular library visitors.

What is not clear:

What exactly does a “lengthy and challenging transition process” look like for our staff and library patrons?
What specific features and services unique to the HBPL system are expected to be lost?
How, exactly, can this for-profit corporation save our city “up to” $1 million? What exactly does “up to” mean?
Who is on that “multi-departmental panel?” I’m curious: were our senior librarians included?
What is the true motivation behind this effort to outsource? Not clear.

It is my request and deepest hope that city council rejects the proposal from LS&S.

Sincerely,
Sue Welfringer
27-year resident and Community Volunteer

From: Tricia Ivison
To: [email protected]
Subject: HBPL
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 8:40:08 PM
Dear City Council,
I am very concerned about the potential for censorship if the city council votes to privatize the public library. Please vote against the proposal to change the current system.

Thank you,
Tricia Ivison
Resident of HB
822 San Nicolas Circle
Sent from my iPhone
From: Gabriela Peschiera
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Agenda Item 24-452 - Consider Proposal Received as Part of the Request for Proposal Process for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 8:55:22 PM
Dear Council Members,
This email is a request for the Huntington Beach City Council members to select OPTION A - Reject the proposal for the Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach City Public Library, item number 24-452 on the June 18, 2024 City Council Meeting agenda.

Thank you for your attention to this very important matter to our community.

Our public libraries are very valued to our residents.

Gabriela Peschiera
HB Resident
From: Brynn Noble
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 9:06:51 PM
To the members of the HB City Council,
I am a lifelong HB resident and avid Huntington Beach Public Library user. I am writing in regard to Agenda Item 24-452. I urge you to please reject the proposal for Managed Library Services. I am all for fiscal responsibility and evaluating where spending can be trimmed, but handing our library over to be managed by an outside company is too risky a move. Our libraries are a shining example of what our city has to offer and we must keep them under our control to ensure they stay that way.

Thank you,
L. Brynn Noble
From: Tamiw
To: [email protected]
Subject: agenda
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 9:08:05 PM
Agenda Item 24-452
To Huntington Beach City Council Members:

I support Option A for Agenda Item 24-452. I urge city council to reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Thank you.

Sent from my iPhone
From: Lindsay Klick
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library Services Privatization/Outsourcing
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 9:30:39 PM
This decision should be easy. If, as promised, this is all just a standard exercise to explore ways to save the taxpayers money, you should have come to the conclusion by now that outsourcing library staffing and services to private, for profit company LS&S does not make fiscal sense. Huntington Beach Public Library is both the most used library branch in Orange County as well as the most “lean” utilizing relatively few full-time, benefitted employees. The only way HBPL is able to function as it does with a wide array of programs for a diverse patron base is the additional man hours and $$$ provided by the Friends of the Huntington Beach Library and Friends of Huntington Beach Children’s Library. The Friends have already stated they will not donate to a private corporation.

Losing their support will be disastrous for the library as will LS&S siphoning upwards of 20% of their payment towards their profit margin. The clear vote is “no” if the goal is to keep the award winning HB Public Library functioning as it does now.

However, if you are voting “yes," it is hard to see the decision as anything other than either a handout a former colleague in the form of Mike Posey (Southern California Sales Executive for LS&S) or as retaliation against the library staff for doing their jobs. Or perhaps both.

I am a librarian. I help people of all political stripes, all ages, all backgrounds and socioeconomic levels find the information and books they want or need. I see firsthand how people appreciate the library everyday and it fills my heart with joy to be able to help them. I think you underestimate how deeply unpopular this move has been with the public, both in Huntington Beach and beyond. Whether you call it “privatizing” or “outsourcing” they understand that a for-profit company should not be in control of, or profiting from, the public library. The library is for everyone. If you truly “love your library” you will vote no.

Sincerely,
Lindsay Klick
Mother, Children’s Librarian, HB Resident for 20+ years From: Claudia Locke
To: [email protected]
Subject: Vote OPTION A on Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 9:31:53 PM
Good evening HB City Council Members,
We are writing to ask you to please vote OPTION A on Agenda Item 24-452. Please reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library. Please decline the only one proposal received from Library Systems & Services (LS&S).

The Huntington Beach Public Library System is a gem in our City and should not be "sold" to the only company that has bidded during a process that has taken a very short time. If your true desire is about "privatizing" one of our most valuable resources and the one that represents one of the least cost to our City, do a good job on getting some competitive bids from other organizations interested in managing our library. Do not go out with the only bid received! This should be a thorough and transparent process available to all the HB taxpayers!
Thank you for considering this request.

Please VOTE OPTION A!
The Locke Family
30 + years HB residents
From: Stouts Momma
To: [email protected]
Subject: AGENDA ITEM 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 9:36:10 PM
I am writing you to share my dissatisfaction with the council's push to privatize the library.

Writing the RFP in such a way that only Mike Posey's LS&S can submit their bid makes it all seem even more fishy. You have shown yourselves to not be believable and not act in good faith. You campaigned on things that you have done NOTHING for. You campaigned to end homelessness in 90 days and have done NOTHING. Instead you go after the pride flag and the library. You've taken a big city surplus and now have the city in a deficit. Privatizing the library will not help you dig out of the hole.

My vote as a HB citizen is for you to
Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library
Do something right for once!
Christy
From: Sam Katsuta Melwani
To: [email protected]
Subject: City Council
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 9:38:41 PM
Agenda Item #7, 24-452
I reject the proposal for Managed Library Services.

Huntington Beach Library should stay public.

Tomoko Melwani
4241 Calhoun Dr.

Huntington Beach
From: Bernadette Vargas
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda item 7 24 462
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 9:48:17 PM
We are writing to express the following:

Agenda Item 7 24-462 - support Option A - Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library
We do not support the privatization of management of our libraries. If the council is looking to save money then stop enabling our city attorney to file frivolous lawsuits against the state.

This effort to procure L&S is a blatant insider deal which would not benefit our first in class, well loved and admired library. Keep our library as is! Thank you,
Bernadette Vargas
Marco Santibanez
Residents and voters from
Chipper Lane, Huntington Beach
From: Joanne Waters
To: [email protected]
Subject: Keep our library public
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:05:26 PM
June 13, 2024 City Council of Huntington Beach:

I am a home owner in Huntington Beach.

I am strongly against any significant changes to the Huntington Beach Public Library (HBPL) including changing the structure from a public library to a privately managed business . The HBPL has been a pillar for the community and any changes, particularly against the will of the people, will bode poorly for HB, as well as those who push for it!! Please vote to support Huntington Beach community, VOTE NO to privatize, or otherwise make any significant changes to the highly respected, award winning HBPL. Take this to heart, it’s an overwhelming show of support to keep HBPL as is. These/we are the kind of community members that are registered voters and actually get out to vote. rThank you
Martha Waters
6801 Canterbury Dr, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
From: Tim Channel
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Please Withdraw 6/20//2024 agenda Item #7 (24-452) Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:17:14 PM

17 June 2024

Huntington Beach Council Members,

I am a 35 year resident and homeowner in Huntington Beach. I urge the council to WITHDRAW agenda item #7 (24-452) “Consider Proposal Received as Part of the Request for Proposal Process for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library”. This proposal is a total loser. It helps no one in the city that is not in on your backroom deal. Everyone else loses. It violates the Public trust.

Where will it end? What is next? Will you try to privatize the Police and Fire Departments?

We know the non-existent library pornography available to children was never a problem, so what is the end game? I think jumping on the rewriting of history bandwagon for political gain is likely the majority’s intent. Will LS&S begin to ban history books that they don’t like? - with the council majority’s nod and a wink?

Oh no, I hear, “Nobody has banned any books. You are simply uniformed”.

Also, the argument that the city needs the money it will save is not believable when we know that the insider payouts and un-winnable fighting of cases against the State of California is where the big money is being wasted. For what? - oh yeah for your own personal political gain. At the expense of the tax paying citizens that are your own constituents, the overwhelming majority of whom ARE AGAINST IT.

If you’ve made it this far, I offer this. Please try not to drool over it as I’m quite sure this is quite an exciting model for part of your dream goals.

Sincerely,
Timothy Channel
Huntington Beach

From: Barbara Voelkel
To: [email protected]
Subject: Vote For Option A on Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:18:08 PM
I strongly urge this Council to vote for Option A of the Recommended Action on Agenda Item 24-452 and put an end to this ill-advised, unnecessary, and, as far as I can see, extremely unpopular plan to outsource management of our award-winning Huntington Beach Libraries to a private, for-profit company.

Well, you’ve had your Request for Proposals process. As someone who was a public purchasing official for over 20 years, I found the process significantly lacking. A one-week response time? Not a shock you only received one response - from the company that submitted the unsolicited proposal.

Surprisingly I thought the RFP was quite detailed, though it was lacking key items like performance metrics. So I think it certainly should have taken longer than one week to review and evaluate the proposal for responsiveness and make a recommendation. But here we are.

I think your City Manager’s office has given the majority a gift – a way to save face and end this farce by selecting Option A. Despite the notion that the City may save UP TO $1,000,000 (and we all know it would be significantly less), this action is very unpopular with the City’s residents. I volunteer in the Library and talk to Library patrons regularly. In addition, I have been out talking to residents while gathering signatures for a ballot petition. I can tell you that this is not a partisan left/right issue. Residents of all political leanings love the Library and do not want it changed. If the majority proceeds with accepting the LS&S proposal, voters will remember. It will be your legacy that you dismantled a beautiful, award-winning Library system, and you will be held responsible for the inevitable reduction of services that LS&S will have to implement to meet their cost-savings promise.

Do the smart thing. Drop this idiotic idea. Maybe address truly serious issues that the City faces – infrastructure, homelessness, even the "menace" of E-Bikes. Stop creating “solutions” for problems that do NOT exist. Vote for Option A, and leave the Library alone.

Barbara Voelkel
HB Resident
From: Stephen MacDowell
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 7 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:21:39 PM
Dear City Council Members,
I respectfully request you reject proposals for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Library. Our library should stay as it is, skillfully managed by librarians who are city employees. The HB library system is one of the jewels in HB's crown. Please keep it as it is.

Respectfully Yours,
Stephen MacDowell
5601 Middlecoff Dr
Huntington Beach, CA
92649
(714) 747-6683
From: Pam B
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Agenda item #24-452, 06/18/2024
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:24:04 PM
June 17, 2024

Honorable City Council,
Once again, I write in opposition to outsourcing our Library Services. There is no legitimate reason to turn operations over to a for-profit corporation. Our libraries don’t need “fixing,” but it appears that the fix is in. Shame on you for even considering this, despite majority opposition by residents. Those libraries belong to us, and they must remain ours. They don’t belong to the City Council, for you to dismantle.

Regarding Agenda Item #24-452, I support Option A, to Reject the Proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Pamela Beard, resident since 1960
8447 Leeward Dr
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
714.536.5181
--
~Pam
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." --Mark Twain
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda items #7, 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:46:59 PM
Choose option A- reject the proposal for managed library services.

Kyla Bentley
From: Jessica Bensberg
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 11:15:58 PM
Hello
I am again writing in opposition to library privatization. Reject agenda item 24-452 and keep our library public! Please listen to what the community actually wants. Our library is great and one of the best parts of the city! -Jessica Bensberg
Sent from my iPhone
From: Armin Kasravi
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library Management Service.

Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 11:18:29 PM
Dear City-Council members,
have been a citizen of HB for over 25 years and used to go to the public libraries as a kid and my children used to go there. It is a wonderful place for all ages.

Please Choose Option "A", reject the proposal for a Managed Library Service. This is NOT what the residents of the city want.

Thank you,
Armin Kasravi
Sent from my iPhone
From: Tim Noble
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 12:03:35 AM
To the HB City Council,
Please say NO to outside control/management of the library. I was told by Casey that this would be transparent and it doesn't seem like it is. We had another bidder and they were forced out of offering a proposal. I am a lifelong HB resident of over 15 years and regular Huntington Beach Public Library use and I donate regularly. I am writing in regard to Agenda Item 24-452. I urge you to please reject the proposal for Managed Library Services. I am all for fiscal responsibility and evaluating where spending can be trimmed, but handing our library over to be managed by an outside company is not good for HB or the library. Our library is better left alone to be the great example of what our city has to offer and we must keep it under our control to ensure it stays that way. At the very least put it up for a vote or take longer to consider more offers and bidders.

Thank you,
Tim Noble
Director of Technology & Product Development
From: Larry Slonim
To: [email protected]
Subject: Supplemental Comments on HB City Council Agenda, dated June 18, 2024 Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 12:08:46 AM
To the Huntington Beach City Council,
My wife and I implore you to vote FOR option A and AGAINST Option B, as defined in the City Council’s Agenda dated June 18, 2024, under Administrative Item 24-452.

Our public library system does not need to be, nor should it be, managed and/or operated by a FOR PROFIT corporation.

That statement is backed by the hundreds upon hundreds of supplemental letters submitted to the city since this proposal was first introduced as an item on a CC agenda. It is backed by the hundreds of HB residents publicly voicing their objections at every CC meeting since the proposal’s introduction for consideration. It is backed by the hundreds upon hundreds of legal petitions, approved by the City Attorney, as well as the thousands of HB residents seeking us out and lining up to eagerly sign their support for placing yet another amendment to the City’s Municipal Code on the ballot, in order to protect their public library system from being turned over to any outside, private entity.

There is NO adequate justification, fiduciary or otherwise, to begin any negotiations with outside entities for “Managed Library Services”.

REJECT the proposal!

Larry and Susan Slonim
Home Owners in HB, continuously, since 1980
From: MARILYN Boehm
To: [email protected]
Subject: OPPOSED to Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 12:17:13 AM
I am opposed to the privatization of our public library and urge you to vote for Option A.

This majority City Council appears to be obsessed with destroying our award-winning libraries. Why is it that you find it necessary to make cuts in the library budget when it is such a small portion of the budgetary pie? I suspect a hidden agenda.

I have lost all respect and faith in the four members of the majority HB City Council members, along with the City Attorney. They are not doing the work of the city but are leaning their efforts towards political favor. In the past, we didn't even know the party affiliation of our Council members. They actually worked together for the good of the City. This corrupt bunch clearly works for MAGA ideals. Destroying our library system is a step too far.

VOTE for OPTION A.

Marilyn Boehm, HB resident

From: [email protected]
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: City Council Meeting 6/18/2024, 6pm
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 1:42:40 AM
File 24-452, Agenda Item 7

I support that we begin negotiations for Managed Library services (Option B).

Let’s see what this would look like. I believe that we, the tax paying citizens, are getting the raw end of this deal. We are spending $5,000,000 per year for this operation to run amok and indoctrinate our kids with pornographic material. These “library experts”, are being lead by a Marxist in charge. She is an admitted Marxist and has no loyalty to our children.

I am for seeing a professional group manage our library. Let’s see what these potential people have to offer and put some #’s to the proposal.

Robert Cloyd
Huntington Beach resident

From: J C
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: 6-18-24 City Council Meeting, 6pm
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 1:56:43 AM
File #24-427, Agenda #7
I support lower Library costs
Excuse me folks, but I had no idea that the City of Huntington Beach was spending $5,000,000.00 per year
(aka) $50,000,000.00 every ten years on the Library.

I also was unaware that besides the Main Library, Huntington Beach had 4 branches.

I would call this an excessive perk at best. This is ridiculous.

Not only am I for cutting costs, but I think all the branches should be shut down.

Bidenomics makes it mandatory.

I thought I would add a comment regarding the 6-6-24 City Council Meeting:

Kalmick, Moser and Bolton leaving was the best thing that ever happened.

Too bad it’s not permanent.

Jean Cloyd
resident of huntington beach
From: qw
To: [email protected]
Subject: Public Comment Items 3 & 7, Tuesday, June 18, 2024 Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 2:56:50 AM
Public Comment Items 3 & 7, Tuesday,
June 18, 2024
I'm in opposition to item 3. 23-977 - 7225
Edinger Avenue. Quite frankly, I'm not a
fan of this project. I have concerns & I
refuse to list them all off at this time. It says
13 "moderate income" units. Should
the city be aiming for 25, or 50 in a specific
city planning location? In terms of this
location, I'd absolutely like to see a large
community farm instead. I urge a denial or
redesign of the project. I am disappointed
in this continuing theme from this city
council organization. A Powerpoint is not
enough.

I'm in opposition to item 7. 24-452 - For-
profit outsourcing of Huntington Central
Library. According to the USDJ website it
is illegal to HELP TO LEGITIMATE AND

ILLICIT BUSINESSMEN, JOB BUYING
AND POLICY BUYING. I believe that this
item goes far beyond legal outsourcing &
into book industry buying. The city council
should instead reject the city budget until it
is correctly deliberated. I urge a
unanimous vote of Option A: Reject the
proposal for Managed Library Services for
the Huntington Beach Public Library.

I request major inquiries of the legal
dealings of these two items being in
accordance with federal & state agencies -
Ben
From: Christopher Rini
To: [email protected]
Subject: Vote no on Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 3:13:14 AM
Dear City Council,
I ask you to vote no on Agenda Item 24-452. The accompanying RFP process has been uncommonly swift and private. Indeed, one bidder--EveryLibrary Institute--released a statement saying in part (italics mine):

We were concerned that the RFP requirements
had been written in such a way that only
one company could be scored as a fully qualified bidder...

The City declined to name what cost savings they hope to see in a successful bid. It is not possible for us to create an accurate and actionable proposal without this information. We were surprised when reviewing the RFP that the City did not mention significant current conditions, such as an existing employment contract between it and the local union. We also asked the City for assurances that it would address ambiguities about that issue and other legal and political issues within the RFP process. They did not provide what we consider to be adequate responses to those important questions. It does not give us certainty about doing business with the City. https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/statement_huntington_beach_privatization_rfp Recent City Council meetings have underscored the absolute necessity of tourism in balancing the City's budget. Indeed, it appears that we're trending a 1.2% population decline (https://ktla.com/news/local-news/these-shrinking-california-cities-are-still-seeing-home- values-skyrocket/) and our image to the world matters more and more. Statement's like EveryLibrary's reflect poorly on the city and can only hurt us in the future. Please improve Huntington Beach's reputation by stopping the RFP now.

Christopher Rini
Native resident
MLIS
Virus-free.www.avast.com
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: item 24-452 support option A
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 5:05:06 AM
Hi
I support Option A, to reject the proposal for managed Library Services

There was no public comment period on the RFP, basically no public input. The whole process has been rushed. LS&S has a checkered history with managing Libraries. LS&S does well when no services exist, and they develop a program. However, when taking over the management of existing libraries, they have notable failures.

Huntington Beach has a history of running our own Library since 1909.

Finally, with clear community divisions on this, for this case, the issue should be put on the ballot as soon as possible.

Charlie Jackson
23 year resident of Huntington Beach
From: Ann Palmer
To: City of HB Public Presentations; [email protected] Subject: A Palmer slides June 18 2024 CC mtg Public Comments re Library Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 5:40:21 AM
Attachments: Ann Palmer June 18 2024 CC mtg slides Library recap.pptx RECAP 2023-2024
• Mistakes were made.
• Books were shelved inappropriately.
• NO apology from HBPL.
• Disingenuous campaign: Telling
community that “Everyone Poops”
was banned by CC is ridiculous.
• A lot of energy to prove what?

“THEY WILL

PRIVATIZE THE

LIBRARY
!
”

NOW, 6.18.24
• Privatization = Outsourcing
• It is just an RFP
• RFP is a Request for Proposal
• Could objectives be met by
HBPL? If so, how and when?
• And about Outsourcing. . .

MANY HBPL

OPERATIONS

ALREADY ARE
OUTSOURCED.

SirsiDynix, Overdrive, EBSCO +
Enterprise
Libguides
Overdrive
Springshare LibCal
Enterprise
SirsiDynix ILS Example +
Curated Lists
Templates
Posters
Bookbinding
Workshops
Promotional
Curated Content
Email
Training modules
Discord monitor
Ebook provider
Labeling
Other 3rd Party &
Outsourced Items,
Examples
HBPL Librarians & Staff

1. Care about all children

2. Be less clever

3. Win the RFP

4. Innovate great solutions

5. Collaborate in good faith with
Parents and Community
From: Colleen Wurzell
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 5:54:03 AM
Agenda Item 24-452
To Huntington Beach City Council Members:

I support Option A for Agenda Item 24-452. I urge city council to reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Colleen Wurzell
Sent from my iPhone
From: Steven C Shepherd Architect
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: AGENDA ITEM #7 - REJECT LIBRARY PRIVATIZATION
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 6:34:57 AM
HB City Council -
I oppose any/all attempts to outsource Library Services in the City of Huntington Beach.

The entire process leading up to the issuance of this RFP has been completely inadequate and severely lacking in public engagement and transparency.

Privatization (outsourcing) of services needlessly distances the public from the service provider.

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

I oppose the outsourcing of Library Services in Huntington Beach.

Steve Shepherd
Huntington Beach 92646
From: Deborah Harvey
To: [email protected]
Subject: Reject the proposal!
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 7:20:48 AM
Keep the library as is. Why change something that works fine. Fix Council and the Mayor’s Office first. Please and thank you.

Deborah Harvey
Homeowner
Sent from my iPhone
From: Duc Nguyen
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Agenda Item 7 #24-452 - Support Option A
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 7:21:51 AM
Dear Huntington Beach City Council,
I'm a Huntington Beach resident for 13 years. My son grew up here and we spent much time at the libraries. He even volunteered as a teen at the central park library.

I'm against some of the council members decision to hire a private company to manage our libraries. KEEP THE LIBRARIES PUBLIC.

I'm voting for “Agenda Item 7 #24-452 - Support Option A - to REJECT the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Libraries.

Libraries are sacred places for the public. HANDS OFF IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR JOB.

Duc Nguyen
4901 Heil Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92649.

From: Dina Chavez
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-452 DO NOT PRIVATIZE OUR LIBRARY! Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 7:26:02 AM
City Council Members,

I am writing to urge you to vote for Option A on Agenda Item 24-452. Reject any attempts to privatize our beloved PUBLIC Library. The people of Huntington Beach have spoken loud and clear, we love our library, our librarians, and staff. The assault on our librarians that has been ongoing for nearly a year needs to stop. A public apology is long overdue.

LS&S is not going to build a new library, or help you ban books. Stop the gaslighting and prioritize transparency. If you are in desperate need of a library project, there are fountains to fix and leaky roofs to repair.

Dina Chavez
From: Ingrid Erickson
To: [email protected]
Subject: Reject the proposal!
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 7:28:57 AM
Sent from my iPhone
From: Helen Lee
To: [email protected]
Subject: Reject the proposal
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 7:34:04 AM
My name is Helen Lee and am a resident of Huntington Beach. Reject the proposal tonight.

Thank you
Helen Lee
Sent from my iPhone
From: Larry Slonim
To: [email protected]
Subject: Supplemental Comments, Part 2, on HB City Council Agenda, dated June 18, 2024 Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 7:34:44 AM
To the Huntington Beach City Council,
My wife and I implore you to vote FOR option A and AGAINST Option B, as defined in the City Council’s Agenda dated June 18, 2024, under Administrative Item 24-452.

Our public library system does not need to be, nor should it be, managed and/or operated by a FOR PROFIT corporation.

This city’s, this COMMUNITY’S heart and soul, is woven into the fabric of our PUBLIC Library system! It’s the dedicated and passionate people running it that have made it so, and continue to make it so! Outsourcing it to a private corporation will kill that. The Friends of the Library will leave, along with all of what makes our library system such an integral and beloved part of what they contribute to make our City not only livable, but a place we can be proud of, cherish and want to share with family and friends.

Our Public Library system is FAR more than just a collection of facilities to consider outsourcing, only to be run more monetarily efficient! It’s more than just a place to oversee and check out books. This is part and parcel of who we are as a community, of who we are as residents of Huntington Beach. We can no more easily give that up than we can our beaches! The City Council’s fiduciary responsibility goes beyond dollars and cents, here. It goes beyond simply and coldly balancing the City’s annual budget! A private corporation will not care about ANY of what makes our community unique and revered by us, and all who visit it. It is the City Council’s responsibility to see that, and PRESERVE that, as they would do for their homes that they, themselves live in, and that WE live in and have raised our children in! THIS is what we see and hear from the thousands of HB residents seeking us out and lining up to eagerly sign their support for placing yet another amendment to the City’s Municipal Code on the ballot, to protect their public library system from being turned over to any outside, private entity.

There is absolutely NO adequate justification, fiduciary or otherwise, to begin any negotiations with outside entities for “Managed Library Services”.

REJECT the proposal!

Larry and Susan Slonim
Home Owners in HB, continuously, since 1980
From: Buffie Channel
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Support Option A, Agenda Item 7–24-452
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 7:36:08 AM
To City Council:

Well here we are. Today is the day that you seal your legacy in this town.

What will it be?
Will you choose the swamp ? Lining the pockets of one of the most controversial former Council members, Mike Posey, who has been lobbying you for months? What has he promised you in return?
Will you choose depravity? Making the RFP magically fit only one company’s eligibility and refusing to work with other bidders? Posey’s handiwork.

Will you choose secrecy? Refusing to let - we the people - see the contents of the RFP? Will you choose resentment? Willfully ignoring the hundreds - possibly thousands - of speakers, emails, and phone calls from concerned citizens voicing their opposition to privatizing our library services?
Will you choose corruption? Proving you have made back room deals with Posey and a company that only has their profit to worry about while decimating our popular library services and programs?
Will you choose hate? Refusing to support our long time and BELOVED Librarians and Historians - sitting on the Dias with your smug smirks while your church congregation yells “pedophile” at them and a librarian resigns publicly, right in front of you, at the podium — in tears?
What will you choose?
Because right now, Burns, Strickland, Van der Mark and McKeon - you are THE MOST hostile and detested City Council members in the history of this town. Even Republicans are mad at you!
Keep your swampy, depraved, corrupt, secret, vengeful, and hateful hands off of our beloved libraries! And our books!
Vote for Option A on Agenda Item 7 —24-462.

Reject the proposal from LS&S. Reject Managed Library Services for our PUBLIC libraries.

Save our Libraries. Protect our Librarians.

Today is the day.

Your decision - will you be able to walk around this town without forever being resented? It’s your legacy.

Sincerely,
Buffie Channel
35 year Resident and Tax Paying Homeowner
From: Craig Erickson
To: [email protected]
Subject: Reject the Managed Library Services proposal!
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 7:36:34 AM
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Reject Proposal for Managed Library Services, Agenda 24-452 Date: Monday, June 17, 2024 6:48:59 PM

From: Lee Marie Sanchez <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 6:23 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Reject Proposal for Managed Library Services, Agenda 24-452

Dear Huntington Beach City Council ~

I am in favor of Option A for Agenda #24-452, Reject Proposal for Managed Library Services Thousands of your citizens agree.

Please listen to your constituents this time. We don't want our Library privatized. There appears to be not one good reason to do this, including cost savings, as you will know if you are reading about the other libraries who have chosen to do this. This has cost them lots of money to get out of their agreements, after they had spent lots of time and money trying to transition to make it work, losing staff and wonderful volunteers in the process. We have a gem of a library system, the envy of many other communities. Please be responsible with our money and our precious Library.

OPTION A

~ Rev. Lee Marie Sanchez (retired and voting)

From: Lynne Deakers
To: [email protected]
Subject: library privatization
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 7:53:54 AM
I do not support privatization of our libraries. Please vote no on this proposal. The library is the cultural center of HB and free to all of us. Please do not take that individualized approach to libraries away from the citizens who value its diverse offerings.

Timothy Deakers
43 year resident of Huntington Beach
From: Lynne Deakers
To: [email protected]
Subject: privatization of library
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 7:53:58 AM
I do not support privatization of our libraries. Please vote no on this proposal. The library is the cultural center of HB and free to all of us. Please do not take that individualized approach to libraries away from the citizens who value its diverse offerings.

Lynne Deakers
43 year resident of Huntington Beach
From: Roz Esposito
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Library / book banning
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 7:56:31 AM
I am strongly opposed to privatizing our public libraries! This council is clearly acting against the majority of residents who want to keep the libraries public.

I am also strongly opposed to this committee of people who are reviewing books. The professional librarians are the ones who know what books are best to have on the shelves and parents are best to make choices for their children. This is a free country where we have choice and those choices CANNOT be taken away by the four members of this council with political agenda.

We will not let this stand!
Blessings,
Roz Esposito
"She who can see the invisible can do the impossible." Frank Gaines From: Joan Elliott
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:00:33 AM
Hello,
I vehemently oppose any consideration for the private management of the Huntington Beach libraries!! The libraries offer wonderful services to the community. They are a living part of our community.

The Friends of the Huntington Beach Libraries bring in thousands of dollars of donations each year. Residents provide a huge number of volunteer hours to enrich the offerings at the libraries.

For me, it is like trading a luxury sedan, driven by an experienced driver who is trained for safety maneuvers and mechanics, for the cheapest subcompact car. Oh yes, and let's have a teen, who just passed their driving test two weeks ago, drive the vehicle.

I am outraged at the consideration to ruin our library system by bringing in a for profit company!
Sincerely,
Joan Elliott
From: Tim Holland
To: [email protected]
Subject: Don’t sell my public library
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:06:12 AM
It is clear there is no real profit in destroying our public library. But you don’t care. Thousands of citizens are requesting you listen but you don’t care. There must be some other reason for it.

Why are you afraid to say it out loud so we all can hear it? Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
From: stephanie stichka
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Agenda item 7 24-452
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:06:32 AM
I am writing to you today as we are strongly opposed to agenda item 7 24-452. LS&S is a horrible choice for our city and community - please learn from other cities who have pulled out of contracts with this company, they have destroyed other libraries across the country. It is the wrong choice for HB.

Regards,
The Stichkas
From: Adam Kelly
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Agenda item 24-452 - Vote no on outsourcing
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:16:08 AM
I'm writing again to urge the counci to vote to reject the proposal for managed library services.

This outsourcing of our library services has no decernable benefit for the city of Huntington Beach and the community that uses the library. The only ones to benefit will be LS&S, the former mayor, and the current council majority for the "anti-woke" performance points it will earn them.

I hate that writing this feels like a pointless endeavor. Gracey and her corrupt consortium have shown that they do not respect the multitudes that have already given heartfelt pleas to keep the current library structure.

Between the attacks on the 1st amendment, book bans, flag bans, the corrupt airshow payout, corrupting the human dignity policy it is clear we have four out and out fascists on this city council with an uneducated proud-boy supporting holocaust denier as their leader. Gracey is an abhorant person and Huntington Beach doesn't deserve a clown like that for mayor.

BTW, has Pat Burns told his wife about his girlfriend? Asking for a friend.

From: Robert Wasson
To: [email protected]
Subject: Fw: agenda
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:18:57 AM
Agenda Item 24-452
To Huntington Beach City Council Members:

I support Option A for Agenda Item 24-452. I urge city council to reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Thank you.

Sent from my iPhone
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item #7
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:22:12 AM
When considering Agenda Item #7 for outsourcing the management of the HB Public Library, please accept Option A. As has been said many times before, the HB Public Library is managed extremely well on a shoestring budget. Due to the overwhelming public support for the library, a significant portion of the budget for books and for labor is donated via the Friends of the Library. A private company would either have to pay for all of that or simply go without. If a private company had to pay for all that donated labor, there would be no room for profit. If they went without all the volunteer staffing, the library as we know it, would cease to exist.

Creating and disseminating the RFP for private management of the HBPL was an exercise in futility and it's time to stop and get back to managing the whole city and stop the intense focus on one of the most popular elements of the city. Please accept Option A.

Sincerely,
Dianne James
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library Privatization Agenda Item 7, 24-452 Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:54:12 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: COURTNEY HUMBLEGARRARD <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 6:57 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Cc: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library Privatization Agenda Item 7, 24-452
Dear Council Members:

Please reject the proposal for managed library services. I ask you to truly consider the impact of privatizing the public library.

First and foremost, you are deciding on dismantling a service that impacts your community without hearing what your members truly want.

Second, you are ripping apart a department full of people who have worked tirelessly to provide services to all of Huntington Beach. You are dishonoring the employees and volunteers by saying what they are doing isn’t good enough because for some reason the City Council knows better and can find better service from an outside contract.

That same contract that will need to be profitable to the company that wins the bid. How will they stay profitable? It won’t be by providing services above and beyond. Our current team doesn’t have to answer to shareholders but instead can apply for grants and has volunteers who believe in the public library system. What does this reflect about our city? What does that say to staff? Your service doesn’t matter. It’s the same as the community. Your voice doesn’t matter.

Lastly, your goal of privatizing is merely a ploy to control something that isn’t controllable. You can’t control every piece of information that goes out to children. It turns out they hear it on the playground, find it on internet, or hear it when adults speak. I’d much rather my children learn about periods, being gay, or pooping than have to look at adults that feel it necessary to act out on some ridiculous agenda that serves their baggage, hate, and fears.

Sincerely,
Courtney Humble-Garrard
Sent from my iPhone
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 24-452 re: Managed Library Services Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:54:15 AM

From: EMILY <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 7:09 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 24-452 re: Managed Library Services

My name is Emily Anne Keller and I am a 45 year resident of Huntington Beach.

I want the City Council to know that I oppose Agenda Item 24-452 aka the Privatization of the Library services.

Is the plan to "save" $1 million if this passes going to help offset the legal costs that the city has incurred from being sued by the State of California over the past couple of years? Respectfully,
Emily Anne Keller
19931 Rothert Lane, 92646

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library Privatization
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:54:25 AM

From: Linda Moore <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 7:24 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library Privatization

As a resident of Huntington Beach, this item does not have my support.

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: library privatization
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:54:42 AM

From: Gail Brown <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 8:00 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: library privatization

Our Library system should not be part of a national political religious based agenda.

It is ours! Leave it to the people of H.B.

The system works!
Let us vote on this type of unauthorized authority.

This is a MAJOR community change.

If you trust you have the citizens support then show us. Let us decide.

We respect and support our HB owned library system.

There is no need to hand us over.

Take a noble position.

Be transparent.

--Gail and Stewart Brown

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library Privatization
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:54:51 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Barrett <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 8:06 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library Privatization
Please don't even consider such a stupid move!
Jim Barrett

HB, CA USA
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 7 City Council Meeting
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:55:00 AM

From: Sean Drexler <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 8:25 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 7 City Council Meeting

Hello Mayor and City Council,
I am writing in regards to Agenda Item 7 “Consider Proposal Received as Part of the Request for Proposal Process for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.” I urge you to reject the proposal for managed library services for the Huntington Beach Public Library. Public institutions belong in the public’s hands, not in those of private companies. Moves to negotiate with private companies for managed library services have been met with broad opposition from the public across the political spectrum. As an Orange County resident, I urge you to listen to your constituents and reject this proposal for managed library services.

Sincerely,
Sean Drexler
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: HBPL
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:55:14 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Tricia Ivison <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 8:53 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: HBPL
Dear City Council,
As a resident of Huntington Beach, I am deeply concerned that privatization of the public library would actually do more harm than good. I am concerned mostly because of the potential for censorship and loss of general public control in what books are allowed. I hope you will reject the proposal to change our current system.

Thank you,
Tricia Ivison
822 San Nicolas Circle
Sent from my iPhone
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: AGENDA ITEM 24-452
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:55:29 AM

From: Stouts Momma <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 9:36 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: AGENDA ITEM 24-452

I am writing you to share my dissatisfaction with the council's push to privatize the library. Writing the RFP in such a way that only Mike Posey's LS&S can submit their bid makes it all seem even more fishy. You have shown yourselves to not be believable and not act in good faith. You campaigned on things that you have done NOTHING for. You campaigned to end homelessness in 90 days and have done NOTHING. Instead you go after the pride flag and the library. You've taken a big city surplus and now have the city in a deficit. Privatizing the library will not help you dig out of the hole.

My vote as a HB citizen is for you to
Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for
the Huntington Beach Public Library

Do something right for once!

Christy

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 7 24-462
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:55:43 AM

From: Rebecca Spongberg <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 9:55 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 7 24-462

Dear City Council,

For Agenda Item 7 24-462 please vote for Option A, and Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Thank you.

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Vote for Option A on Agenda Item 24-452
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:55:59 AM

From: Barbara Voelkel <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:19 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Vote for Option A on Agenda Item 24-452

I strongly urge this Council to vote for Option A of the Recommended Action on Agenda Item 24-452 and put an end to this ill-advised, unnecessary, and, as far as I can see, extremely unpopular plan to outsource management of our award-winning Huntington Beach Libraries to a private, for-profit company.

Barbara Voelkel
HB Resident
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Privatization/Outsourcing of Huntington Beach Public Library Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:56:17 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Jean Peterson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:25 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Privatization/Outsourcing of Huntington Beach Public Library City Council Members;
It has all been said and commented on. I’m not going to make impassioned pleas or beg for you to NOT privatize/outsource our wonderful public library services. I ask that you please do the proper thing, and put the proposal of LS&S in the inactive pile, to never be seen again.

There is no need to act on private agendas, seek retribution or revenge, applaud ignorance and hate. There are so many other ways you can do that. Please do our community a favor and leave private administration out of our library’s daily activities.

Don’t do the “right” thing. Do the decent thing and vote no on the proposal.

Sincerely,
Jean Peterson
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda items #7, 24-452
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:56:25 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:48 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda items #7, 24-452
Choose option A- reject the proposal for managed library services.

Kyla Bentley
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 7 24-452
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:56:30 AM

From: Rebecca Spongberg <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 10:50 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Agenda Item 7 24-452

Correction - my comments are in regards to item 7 24-452 On Monday, June 17, 2024, Rebecca Spongberg <[email protected]> wrote:

Dear City Council,

For Agenda Item 7 24-452 please vote for Option A, and Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Thank you.

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Management of Library Services.

Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:56:38 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Armin <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 11:17 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Management of Library Services.

Dear City-Council members,
have been a citizen of HB for over 25 years and used to go to the public libraries as a kid and my children used to go there. It is a wonderful place for all ages.

Please Choose Option "A", reject the proposal for a Managed Library Service. This is NOT what the residents of the city want.

Thank you,
Armin Kasravi
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Comments on HB City Council Agenda, dated June 18, 2024 Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:57:01 AM

From: Larry Slonim <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 12:14 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Comments on HB City Council Agenda, dated June 18, 2024

To the Huntington Beach City Council,
My wife and I implore you to vote FOR option A and AGAINST Option B, as defined in the City Council’s Agenda dated June 18, 2024, under Administrative Item 24-452.

Our public library system does not need to be, nor should it be, managed and/or operated by a FOR PROFIT corporation.

There is NO adequate justification, fiduciary or otherwise, to begin any negotiations with outside entities for “Managed Library Services”.

REJECT the proposal!

Larry and Susan Slonim
Home Owners in HB, continuously, since 1980

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Comments, Part 2, on HB City Council Agenda, dated June 18, 2024 Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:57:54 AM

From: Larry Slonim <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 7:37 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Comments, Part 2, on HB City Council Agenda, dated June 18, 2024

Our public library system does not need to be, nor should it be, managed and/or operated by a FOR PROFIT corporation.

There is absolutely NO adequate justification, fiduciary or otherwise, to begin any negotiations with outside entities for “Managed Library Services”.

REJECT the proposal!

Larry and Susan Slonim
Home Owners in HB, continuously, since 1980

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Strong Opposition to Privatization of Library Management Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:58:06 AM

From: ANITA COLBY <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 7:45 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Strong Opposition to Privatization of Library Management

I strongly oppose the privatization of library management of the Huntington Beach Public Library. While LS&S is far from transparent about its finances, evidence from cities that have sued to break their contract with LS&S makes the promised cost savings unlikely.

The negative effects on services, hours, programming and collections are guaranteed.

The way in which the idea of privatizing library management has been pursued reeks of collusion.

Anita Colby
Huntington Beach Resident and currently member of FOTL
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Against privatization of Huntington Beach library Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:58:24 AM

From: James Abowd <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:00 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Against privatization of Huntington Beach library

City Council members
I object to the privatization of our Huntington Beach library by the city council.

This is not in the best interest of our city nor appropriate for the citizens of Huntington Beach.

--
Thanks
James Abowd
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Don’t sell our public library
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:58:41 AM

From: Tim Holland <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:13 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Don’t sell our public library

You’re not stupid—— you know there is no financial reason to sell our library while continuing to pay for the Infrastructure for the next decade. You’re not stupid—— you know the real value of our public library is the people that run it and the programs they create for the citizens. You’re not stupid——- there must be something in this plan for you. You are Cowardly to not speak this truth to the public.

Thousands of people want to know.

Tim

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library Privitization: Against
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:59:02 AM

From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:28 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library Privitization: Against

City Council:

I’ve been a resident of HB since graduating college in 1966, 58 years ago. I’m a clinical psychologist, having worked in HB until retirement. I’ve been involved in our Adult Literacy Board as a tutor and, for several years as President of the Literacy Board. I’ve been impressed with the quality of services provided by our librarians as well as our army of volunteers.

There is simply no moral or economic reason to privatize our award winning library. I urge you to vote for an action which will benefit our city and your constituents. I know that Natalie, Dan and Rhonda will vote for the needs and benefit of the citizens of HB; I’d love to see the other four of you vote less like sheep.

I urge support of Agenda item 7-24-452 and support Action A, rejecting proposal for privitization of our well-run HBPL.

Hopefully,

Janed Sax, Ph.d.

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Privatization of the Library
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:59:19 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Barbara Creighton <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:36 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Privatization of the Library
To the Members of the Huntington Beach City Council:

I am completely opposed to the privatization of the Huntington Beach Central Library. As a taxpayer and citizen of Huntington Beach for over 45 years, I have been proud to support our library and consider it to be one of the jewels of our community. I do not, at all, believe that hiring a private company will be less expensive or more efficient in terms of running the library AND continuing the high quality services it offers.

I am also categorically opposed to appointing a citizens committee to determine what is appropriate reading material within the library. I believe this is a role of a trained library. I consider having a citizens committee akin to censorship. I am beyond disgusted that we are, at this moment in time, and given the history of censorship in the world, even considering this move. It has and should always be the role of parents to determine appropriate reading material for their children.

I have always considered myself a moderate voter. I have voted for both Republicans and Democrats for City Council, because I believed that individual served the interests of Huntington Beach. I choose to believe that the four of you in the “far right” voting block in no way represent the majority of citizens in Huntington Beach. Rather than spending time and energy dealing with real concerns of real citizens, you decide to immerse yourself in culture wars, politicizing issues that should be left to individuals. Leave the library alone and get your nose out of social issues.

Barbara Creighton
Sent from my iPad
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Public Library item
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:59:30 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: William Hennerty Jr. <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:47 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Public Library item
Good Morning City Council,
I wanted to write in support of keeping our public libraries staff operated and not outsource to Michael Posey. The entire thing stinks and sounds like a grift. This is complete unnecessary. If you have any questions or want to explain how and why this is even happening I would like to know the details and who is involved in this. There are rumors within the community but this fight is not worth it and will cause a bigger divide within the community. Stop listening to the city attorney and focus on what is import. Stick to stopping HDD, public safety, homelessness, public works.

Thank you,
Bill Hennerty
Sent from my iPhone
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:59:51 AM

From: Julie Meneghini <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:49 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library

Please leave our library alone. City Council has not offered any substantial reasons or explanations for destroying our library system; it seems this is more of a political statement than an actual problem that needs to be addressed.

Julie Meneghini
Huntington Beach resident for 25 years.

From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: In opposition to privatization/ outsourcing of HB Public Library Services Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 9:00:08 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Cathy McCabe <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:51 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: In opposition to privatization/ outsourcing of HB Public Library Services Honorable Council Members,
If the beach is the heart of Huntington Beach, the library is its soul. The activities and resources at the library build community. The volunteers and Friends of the Library help build relationships and skills in our neighborhoods. It supports literacy, veterans, seniors and career building. This will be dissolved under a corporation led library. A corporation serves its stockholders, not the citizens.

Huntington Beach Public Library, and its branches, is a source of pride for our city. Let us not denigrate a jewel in the crown of HB .

Huntington Beach resident of 44 years,
Cathy McCabe
Sent from my iPad
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Opposition to Agenda Item #7 and public apology by Council members Pat Burns and Tony Strickland Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:44:57 AM
Importance: High
Dear Council Members,

I just completed the 9 week Citizen’s Academy and vehemently oppose the privatization of our public libraries.

1. The library is efficiently run by professional and volunteers and has been since I have lived here and probably since its inception.

2. The library is an extremely small percentage of the total city budget

3. According to what we learned about the 2024 strategic plan priorities, the library contributes to one of the 8: public engagement.

4. It does not appear that there are any plans to increase the libraries budget in the future

5. In my opinion, the privatization of the library is the “pet project” led by 1 council member and is not a unanimous decision, although I realize that the posse of 4 does what they want when they want as long as it is in their best interests regardless of what the majority of citizens say or feel

6. It also seems to me that the “leading” company has a former mayor in an executive sales position (Regional Sales Executive at Library Systems & Services, LLC) and would benefit from being selected but, in my opinion, may be considered a conflict of interest

7. LS&S has received bad reviews: Over the years the threat of privatizing the library has been stopped by concerned citizens. Recently there was a movement to put cost savings ahead of services to the community. A representative from the private company Library Systems and Services (LS&S) was invited to give a presentation to the Library Board of Trustees. Over the years many communities have rejected contracting with LS&S or ended their contracts with them. The bullet-pointed items below are some of the more compelling issues that have been recorded by those libraries that have left LS&S or rejected the company’s offer to manage their library:

• Savings not as expected. Escondido’s contract has the city paying for all technology, software, and maintenance costs as well as being billed for the cost plus 5% handling fee for materials. Santa Clarita Public Library in California found the net cost to operate the library in- house at the same staffing level as LS&S would save the city approximately $400,000 the first year after leaving LS&S. Calabasas Library saved $68,000 the first year after leaving LS&S.

• Reductions of service. Some libraries have less service and more reduction of hours due to staff cutbacks resulting from the loss of professional staff.

• Loss of local connection to the community. LS&S has been reported to substitute a remote reference service for local reference librarians. Also, with their standardized high volume buying there is a minimal collection of Spanish language materials.

• Library Programming is controlled by LS&S. It is no longer up to staff to determine what best serves the local population’s needs and interests.

• Negative Effect on library staffing. LS&S Staff serves at the pleasure of LS&S. They replace unionized workers with nonunion employees and often cut wages. This can cause the loss of experienced staff and result in a high turnover rate.

• Negative effects on the library collection. When LS&S takes over, they get control of the library collection and they do the ordering. LS&S saves money by narrowing the library collection and focusing on best sellers. This can result in the loss of ability to adapt to the needs and interests of local patrons.

• Lack of transparency of finances. San Juan City Library in Texas left LS&S stating that LS&S would not divulge its profit margin. The Oregon State Library reported LS&S spent 28% of money from Jackson County on “other” but would not identify what constituted “other.”

• Lack of willingness to talk in a public setting was given as one reason Prince William County, Maryland rejected LS&S.

Privatization of the library would take control of managing the library out of the hands of local staff and place it in the grasp of a for-profit company whose previously stated goal has been to generate outstanding returns and grow revenues and profits for their investors.

I say the only option is Option A: Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach
Public Library
.

Secondly, based on Pat Burns’ inappropriate comment, I feel that at least, he owes the 3 council members he was referring to a public apology…at best, he needs to resign from public office until he learns diplomacy and tact.

Third, a feel that Tony Strickland needs to also owe the 3 council members he was referring to a public apology for his comment. In my opinion, crooked Tony Strickland is a short-timer, using the City of Huntington Beach which he moved to after the citizens of Ventura wanted him out, as a springboard to move up to Sacramento.

Last but not least, since I am granted the right to free speech by the United States constitution, beware the Christian Nationalists whose mission is to destroy democracy as we know it in the US.

Terry Rose, 40+ year resident of Huntington Beach &
homeowner

From: Dana Lee
To: [email protected]
Subject: Reject Outsourcing of Library Management
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:45:00 AM
With regards to Item 7, file #24-452 I urge you to select Option A: Reject the proposal for managed library services for the Huntington Beach PUBLIC Library.

Do not direct taxpayer money to have a for-profit company run our stellar library system. Our libraries are already extraordinarily efficiently run by the librarians, city staff, and volunteers.

You would be hard-pressed to find quality staff or volunteers who would want to work for and give their time to a privately managed for-profit library. You are jeopardizing valuable community resources such as the:

Veteran’s Resource Center
Homework club and tutoring
Computer coaching
Adult literacy
Seed library
Makerspace
Genealogy
Friends of the Library/Children’s Library donations, funds raised from the book sale and gift shop, and numerous outside grants cannot be awarded to a private company.

Who would even want to donate their time or money, so that a for-profit company can further line their own pockets? Hundreds of thousands of dollars in library funding would be threatened, and with it, all the things that money supports: all-ages programming, events, library equipment, and the very books that fill the library’s shelves.

And when that money and those service hours evaporate, a private company is not going to make up for it out of the goodness of their heart. Services to the public will be diminished and our outstanding libraries will be tarnished.

Do not destroy such a spectacular and beloved library in this way. I hope you do the right thing tonight (and into the future) and reject outsourced management of library services.

Dana Lee
HB resident and lifetime patron of the library
From: Julie Meneghini
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:49:40 AM
Please leave our library alone. City Council has not offered any substantial reasons or explanations for destroying our library system; it seems this is more of a political statement than an actual problem that needs to be addressed.

Julie Meneghini
Huntington Beach resident for 25 years.

From: Mary Ann Celinder
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: 7 24 -452 option A
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:50:31 AM
We strongly support option A to reject privatization of our public library.

You have heard the arguments against this plan. The four can pretend its fiscally responsible but if you really care, it’s NOT.

The only reason we can see for voting in favor is a kick back to the four and the three running this fall to rubber-stamp your agenda come election time. Pandering to the airshow and the crazy payoff put you on a roll. The corruption is so transparent.

You were hired to protect the city, our people and our assets.

This is wrong on so many levels.

Karl and Mary Ann
21341 Fleet Lane
Huntington Beach Ca 92646
studio 714 962 8361
From: Laura Janssen
To: [email protected]
Subject: AGENDA ITEM 24-452
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 8:58:14 AM
Dear Council Members,
I urge you to reject the proposal to privatize our city library. However, if you decide to go down that road you should 1) commission an independent study as to why it is necessary to privatize our library. From everything I've read, the library runs within budget. This would provide transparency as to the necessity of privatization. 2) You should expand the RFP process to get additional proposals. Only getting one proposal from a company with ties to a former council member is favoritism and collusion, plain and simple. Our city should behave better than that. 3) You should study and make public the track record of Library Systems & Services.

I'm extremely disappointed that this majority council feels it's necessary to decimate our fine library. For what purpose? Certainly not to make the library better. Studies have shown privatization is the death knell for public libraries.

Sincerely,
Laura Janssen

City Council/Public Financing AuthorityJune 18, 2024

City Council/Public Financing Authority
June 18, 2024