Agenda Item: 14
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: January 24, 2023
SUBJECT: FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 2 PERTAINING TO THE
LIBRARY CODE OF CONDUCT
DEPARTMENT: Human Resources and Library Services
PRESENTER: Shannon Vonnegut
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Board of Library Trustees approve the revised Library Code of Conduct and recommend codification.
City Council introduce an ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 2.70.040 OF THE
SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO LIBRARY CODE OF CONDUCT,” waive reading of the text and consent to read by title only, as listed on the agenda, pass to second reading and determine the ordinance is exempt from CEQA.
BACKGROUND
Chapter 2.70.040 of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code addresses the Santa Clarita Public Library’s (Library) Code of Conduct. The intent of the Code of Conduct is to provide a safe and appropriate environment within the Library that allows all patrons to use Library services and resources to the fullest extent, to enable Library staff to provide Library services and resources, to prevent disruption to such Library services and resources, and to foster an atmosphere of mutual respect and courtesy for all patrons, volunteers and staff in the Library.
The current Library Code of Conduct was last revised in 2017; however, it is recommended that additional revisions be included to ensure that the Library can remain a peaceful, quiet, and orderly environment. The three proposed revisions are summarized below.
• The first revision updates the definitions of the “children’s area” and the “teens area” of the Library. These definitions are important designations, needed to limit the presence of unaccompanied adults in areas of the Library that are specifically geared toward minor
patrons.
• The second revision will be adding language under the Criminal Conduct section that states the sale, distribution, or exhibition of obscene materials in a Library is a punishable crime.
• The third revision will state that the open display of obscene images is not allowed at the Library.
The Municipal Code outlines circumstances in which a Library patron could have their Library privileges suspended. The Code currently ties a suspension period to the number of violations a patron committed, without regard for the severity of the violation. For example, an individual who displays loud or disruptive behavior in the Library can be subject to having their Library privileges suspended for a week. This same one-week suspension also applies to someone who possesses weapons on Library premises. In order to clarify and establish specific suspension consequences, basing suspension upon the nature of the prohibited conduct, staff recommends amending the Municipal Code as outlined in the attached ordinance.
The proposed revisions to the Library’s Code of Conduct would promote enhanced public safety and address the escalation of incidents by allowing the Library to temporarily ban individuals, based on the nature of their prohibited conduct. An updated Code of Conduct will assist staff, volunteers and patrons in promoting safe, healthy, barrier-free access to all the resources and programs the Santa Clarita Public Library has to offer, and better address incidents as they arise.
CEQA REVIEW
City staff recommends that the Council determine that the project is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the State CEQA Guidelines, sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3), 15378, 15061(b)(3) and 15321 as more particularly described in Section 2 of the attached ordinance.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
None by this action.
ATTACHMENTS
Library Code of Conduct Amendment Ordinance
Redline - Code of Conduct