Administrative
Report
H.5., File # 22-3552 Meeting Date: 1/11/2022
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: SUSAN ANDERSON, LIBRARY DIRECTOR
TITLE
ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY ORDINANCE NO. 3227-22, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADDING MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 36 TO TITLE 4 REGARDING LIBRARIES AND MEETING FACILITIES. FOR SECOND READING AND ADOPTION.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council, on January 4, 2022, introduced and approved for first reading Ordinance No. 3227- 22 authorizing the administrative promulgation of rules protecting the shared use of City libraries and meeting facilities. The ordinance would also make a refusal to leave after advisement, warning, and exclusion from the facility a violation punishable as a misdemeanor.
The Ordinance is now recommended for 2nd reading and adoption and would become effective thirty days after adoption.
BACKGROUND
Historically the Library Commission has set rules to address inappropriate and disruptive conduct in the City’s libraries, but it has been difficult for library staff to obtain compliance, because the rules are not enforceable. Under the City Charter and Municipal Code, only the City Council and City Manager can establish enforceable rules. Noncompliance with library rules makes it difficult, if not impossible, for libraries to fulfill their intended purpose. Such disruptions have included aggressive behavior directed towards staff and other patrons, extreme body odor, blocking aisles with personal belongings, and blocking stairwells to charge cell phones.
The attached ordinance would add Municipal Code Chapter 36 to Title 4, which recognizes the Library Commission’s authority to set library rules. The ordinance would also grant the City Manager authority to promulgate rules for City library facilities and require posting of the rules, individual advisement, and a separate warning before violators could be told to leave the library. Violators would not be subject to arrest until all of these steps had been taken and the violator still refused to leave, at which point a refusal to leave would be a violation punishable as a misdemeanor.
COORDINATION
Preparation of the Ordinance was a coordinated effort involving the City Attorney’s Office, the Library Director, the Police Department, and the City Manager’s Office.
H.5., File # 22-3552 Meeting Date: 1/11/2022
FISCAL IMPACT
The continuation of enforcement efforts under existing and future regulations is part of the Departments’ annual work programs and can be accommodated with existing resources.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
Ordinance No. 3227-22
January 4, 2022 Staff Report - Library Rules Ordinance