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CITY OF SAN LEANDRO
LIBRARY-HISTORICAL COMMISSION
TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2021 – 7:00 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
PRESENT: Chair Viveros-Walton, Commissioners J. Chang, J. Heystek, A. Lum, I. Polvorosa, Acting Library Director B. Sherwood and Recorder Y. Carrasco
ABSENT: D. Prola
GUESTS: Selena Reyes
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was MSC (Heystek/Lum) to approve the July 20, 2021 agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES. It was MSC (Lum/Heystek) to approve the minutes of the May 18, 2021.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Selena Reyes thanked Commission for their work on naming of facility for Robert J.P. Maginnis and new policies the library has implemented.
CORRESPONDENCE: None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
A. Election of Chair and Vice Chair.
Commissioner Heystek reported the Nomination Committee for Library Historical Commission Chair and Vice Chair nominate Commissioner Arlene Lum as Chair and Commissioner Jennifer Heystek as Vice-Chair and requested the nominee’s acceptance.
Commissioner Lum accepted the nomination.
It was MSC (Polvorosa/Chang) to nominate Commissioner Lum as Chair and Commissioner Heystek as Vice Chair
B. Discussion Regarding Expanding The Library-Historical Commission To Add Members With Focus on Historic Preservation
Acting Library Director B. Sherwood provided background on the request to add a Commissioner to the Library-Historical Commission with a focus on historic preservation. The Commission has been asked to discuss the request and provide feedback. The feedback will be given to the Rules and Communications Committee. Mr. Sherwood provided examples of other City of San Leandro Commissions that have additional members with special focus. Mr. Sherwood shared that 8 out of the 14 powers and duties of the Commission outlined in the Municipal Code are related to historical preservation.
Commissioner Viveros-Walton asked if there were any members of the public that wished to comment. No members commented.
Commissioner Chang asked if the appointments would be made by District. Mr. Sherwood shared, per Councilmember Cox proposal for consideration, the San Leandro Historical Society would select the nominees and the Mayor would appoint the members. This was one proposal, and the item is up for discussion.
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Commissioner Lum thought that an additional member with historical preservation could be beneficial as they would be more knowledgeable about the history of buildings; a weakness that the Commission currently has.
Chair Viveros-Walton asked if the Commission would want a person with historical preservation expertise even if they don’t live within the City. She asked if any other Board or Commission has a member that doesn’t live in San Leandro. Mr. Sherwood was not aware and of any Commission that has a member who does not live in San Leandro.
Commissioner Heystek thinks that it would be a good idea to have the representation on the Commission and her only concern is the possible difficulty of filling the seat as the Commission has a high turnover. Commissioner Heystek also asked if there were any other means for nomination and appointment of these seats other than the Historical Society making the nomination. Mr.
Sherwood provided a couple of options for the Commission to discuss which were self-nomination or a group of different organizations making the nomination.
Chair Viveros-Walton would like the Commission or Council to discuss the process of the appointment. To remain equitable and open to everyone she would like to see the City Clerks Office oversee the process as opposed to a non-profit organization. The non-profit organization can help get the word out to potentially interested parties, but the process be done by the City Clerks Office.
As this is a City Commission she feels if questions arise regarding who applied and the process, she is comfortable the records would be there, and the process would be equitable and there would be accountability regarding the nominating and appointing process.
Councilmember Polvorosa asked how long the Commission has to discuss. Mr. Sherwood provided a tentative timeline where the feedback from this meeting would be discussed with the City Attorney and provided to the City Council Rules and Communications Committee in September. The Rules and Communications Committee would draft the proposal and likely send it back to the Commission for a vote at the November Commission meeting, and it would then go to the City Council for final approval in January 2022.
Chair Viveros-Walton thought it may be helpful if the Rules Committee was given parameters to discuss and it may be helpful to let them know the Commission is open to the idea.
Commissioner Polvorosa thought it would be nice to have a member with historical expertise.
Commissioner Chang asked if the process would be the same as how the other of members of the Commission were appointed. Mr. Sherwood explained the process would be discussed at the Rules and Communications and based on the feedback provided by the Commission.
Commissioner Lum would like to emphasize that the adding of the Commissioners would be that the additional members have the expertise in historical preservation Mr. Sherwood will provide the Commissions feedback to the Rules and Communications Committee.
NEW BUSINESS: None
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY:
Mr. Sherwood provided an update on the expanded reopening phases at the Main Library and branch locations.
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Mr. Sherwood provided an update on the 2 vacancies on the Commission. The youth representative nominee is Francesca Carney. The nomination, appointment and swearing in are scheduled to take place at the September 7, 2021 City Council meeting, so she will be able to attend the September Library Historical Commission meeting. With the resignation of Xouhoa Bowen, District 5 is currently open and applications are being accepted through July 6. Applications will be given to Councilmember Lopez to select her nominee which will be given at the September 7, 2021 City Council meeting. The appointment will be made at the September 20, 2021 City Council meeting.
Councilmember Heystek asked what the plan was for the end of Summer Reading Program Celebration.
Mr. Sherwood advised prize packets would be distributed to participants who completed the program but there will not be an in person or virtual formal celebration.
REPORT OF CHAIR: Chair Viveros-Walton represented the Commission sitting on the community group interview panel for the Library Director position. The interviews took place on June 16, 2021. She thanked Pro-Tem Chair Lum for serving at the May meeting. Chair Viveros-Walton shared her son are doing well.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: None
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
Commissioner Heystek congratulated Chair Viveros-Walton on the birth of her new baby. She also has a book given to her by a former Commissioner that she would like to give to her. Commissioner Heystek also provided an update that the library app has reappeared on her phone.
Commissioner Lum shared the San Leandro Moon Festival will take place in the Karp/Estudillo Room on September 18, from 11AM to 4:00 PM. Non-profits will be given the opportunity to pass out information outside on this date.
ADJOURNMENT:
It was MSC (Heystek/Lum) to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Sherwood
Acting Library Director
Yolanda Carrasco
Recorder