APPOINTMENTS
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: May 21, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Helen Tran, Mayor
Department: Mayor's Office
Subject: Library Board Re-Appointment of Valerie A. Lichtman (All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, approve the re-appointment of Ms. Valerie A. Lichtman to the Library Board.
Ms. Lichtman will serve with a term ending in May 2029. Council Office staff has verified the appointee is a registered voter within the City.
Executive Summary
The approval of the re-appointment of Ms. Valerie A. Lichtman is requested. There is no fiscal impact to the city. Ms. Valerie A. Lichtman has served on the San Bernardino Library Board since October 7, 2013.
Background
The Library Board was established under Charter Section 602 and is responsible for providing adequate library services; appointing a Library Director; administering the Library budget allocated by the City Council; making and enforcing all rules and regulations applicable to library services; and administering such additional matters as may be determined by ordinance.
Section 2.27.010 A of the municipal code states that whenever any vacancy of the Library Board occurs for any reason, and at least 60 days prior to expiration of any Library Board of Trustee member’s term of office, a vacancy notice must be posted to enable qualified candidates to apply. A vacancy notice was posted on March 15, 2025, at the following locations:
Feldheym Library, 555 W. 6th St, San Bernardino, CA 92410 Villaseñor Branch Library, 525 N Mt. Vernon Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92411 Howard M Rowe Branch Library, 108 E Marshall Blvd, San Bernardino, CA 92404 Section 2.27.010 B of the municipal code states that the Mayor shall determine the timing and manner of interviewing qualified applicants for the Library Board, which may include interviews with the Mayor, an ad hoc council subcommittee formed for that purpose, or setting of a special meeting with public interviews of those selected for interview. Each appointee to the Library Board shall be selected by a vote of the Mayor and entire City Council as provided in Charter section 304(b).
The commission is comprised of five (5) members who shall be appointed by a vote of the Mayor and entire Council, as provided for in section 304(b) of the Charter, to serve without compensation. The term of service for this reappointment will be a four-year term.
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
The proposed appointment aligns with Key Strategic Goal 2: Focused, Aligned Leadership and Unified Community by making appointments to Mayor and City Council boards, commissions, and committees.
Fiscal Impact
No fiscal impact to City.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, approve the re-appointment of Ms. Valerie A. Lichtman to the Library Board.
Ms. Lichtman will serve with a term ending in May 2029. Council Office staff has verified the appointee is a registered voter within the City.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – Commission application – Valerie A. Lichtman Attachment 2 – Ordinance No. MC-1483
Attachment 3 – Chapter 2.27
Attachment 4 – Notice of Annual Vacancies – 03/15/25
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
April 18, 2018 Ordinance No. MC-1483 enacting San Bernardino Municipal Code Chapter 2.27 related to the “Library Board” was adopted.