City of Piedmont
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: January 5, 2026
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Rosanna Bayon Moore, City Administrator
SUBJECT: Consideration of Authorization for the City Administrator to Execute a Letter of Understanding (LOU) with the City of Oakland for Library Services for Fiscal Years 2026-28 with a one-time increase of 3% for a Total Amount of $360,985
RECOMMENDATION
By a single motion, authorize the City Administrator to Execute a Letter of Understanding with the City of Oakland for Library Services for Fiscal Years 2026-28 with a one-time increase of 3% for a Total Amount of $360,985
BACKGROUND
The City of Piedmont has never operated a municipal library. As early as 1918, Piedmont residents began obtaining library services from neighboring Oakland. Throughout the years, Oakland has advanced the concept of Piedmont achieving parity on a per capita basis with Oakland’s General Fund appropriation for library services.
Many Piedmont citizen led committees have examined existing library services and ways to secure similar services in the future. In 1996, a Piedmont Ad Hoc Library Study Committee report documented the relationship with Oakland as follows:
• For many years, library services were obtained from the City of Oakland for less than $5,000 per year, until 1970, when Oakland imposed a $7.50 per non-resident fee. Once paid, Piedmont residents received a $4.50 reimbursement from the City of Piedmont. • In 1974, a formal agreement between the two cities lapsed and access to the Oakland Public Library was lost until some point in 1975, when a new agreement was signed. The terms included a fee of $37,000 and called for annual increases, until Piedmont paid the same per capita as Oakland.
• In 1984, a new library services agreement was reached for $110,000 in year one and annual increases of $10,000. This agreement was in place for 11 years. • In 1999, a new agreement was reached. Payments to Oakland gradually increased over the next decade until FY 2007-08 when Piedmont paid $350,471.
For the last 17 years, Piedmont has paid this amount with no change.
DISCUSSION
Each year, substantial time is devoted to discussions about library services. Efficiencies can be achieved with the establishment of a multi-year Letter of Understanding. The Letter of Understanding will document terms of an agreement, including the scope of services, the annual payment amount, and a one-time 3% increase. Library services include ongoing and uninterrupted access to 18 locations of the Oakland Public Library that are open 6-7 days per week, 24/7 online services, and library cards with the same privileges as Oakland residents. No fees are charged to a Piedmont resident unless charged to an Oakland resident for the same purpose (such as for a lost book). City of Piedmont residents are also entitled to reciprocity from other State of California library systems. Residents of Piedmont are eligible to receive library cards from other library jurisdictions (for example, Berkeley Public Library, San Francisco Public Library, etc.).
FISCAL IMPACT
The City’s approved FY2025-26 General Fund budget includes a $360,985 line-item expenditure for library services.
CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed the staff report.