Administrative
Report
N.2., File # 21-3211 Meeting Date: 1/4/2022
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: SUSAN ANDERSON, LIBRARY DIRECTOR
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CHANGES TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO
ESTABLISH A PROCESS FOR THE PROMULGATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF RULES AT CITY
LIBRARIES
INTRODUCE 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 INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As part of the pilot program to enhance the City’s response to community concerns regarding homelessness, the attached, proposed ordinance would authorize 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, if approved, would allow City personnel to address the various concerns raised at Redondo Beach libraries.
BACKGROUND
On June 18, 2019, the City Council adopted budget modifications, approving a pilot program to enhance the City’s response to the impact of homelessness on residents and the community. As part of that pilot program, City Attorney Michael Webb, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Anastasia Papadakis, Senior Quality of Life Prosecutor Joy Abaquin, and Quality of Life Officer Keith Turner met with several residents to discuss the problems and issues they were experiencing due to the impact of people experiencing homelessness. Some of the issues discussed at these meetings related to inappropriate and disruptive conduct in the City’s libraries.
During the homelessness crisis it has been difficult to obtain compliance from some Library patrons because the facility rules, which have historically been set by the Library Commission, are not enforceable. Under the City Charter and Municipal Code only the City Council and City Manager can establish enforceable rules. Noncompliance with facility rules makes it difficult or 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 proposed ordinance would add Municipal Code Chapter 36 to Title 4, which grants the City
N.2., File # 21-3211 Meeting Date: 1/4/2022
The proposed ordinance would add Municipal Code Chapter 36 to Title 4, which grants the City Manager authority to promulgate rules for City meeting facilities. The ordinance would also require posting of the rules, individual advisement, and a separate warning before violators could be told to leave the library or facility. Violators would not be subject to arrest until all of the above steps have been taken and the violator still refuses to leave.
COORDINATION
The identification of the Library rules violation issue and the preparation of an ordinance to make Library rules enforceable has been a coordinated effort between the Library Director, the City Attorney’s Office, and the Police Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the staff needed to enforce the Library rules is available in the affected Departments’ annual operating budgets.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
Ordinance Libraries and Meeting Facilities