CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Meeting Date: June 21, 2022
To: Honorable City Councilmembers
From: City Administration
Subject: Interview: Sonoma County Library Commission City Representative: Vacancy is to Fill Term for the Position on the Sonoma County Library Commission for a Representative from Sebastopol (New Term Ending Date: July 31, 2026)
Recommendation : That the City Council Conduct the Interview and Discuss Appointment Later in the Agenda
Funding: Currently Budgeted: _______ Yes _________ No XX N/A Net General Fund Cost:
Amount: $
Account Code/Costs authorized in City Approved Budget (if applicable) ___AK_____ (verified by Administrative Services Department)
INTRODUCTION:
This item is to request that the City Council Interview to Fill the Upcoming Term for the Position on the Sonoma County Library Commission for a Representative from Sebastopol (Current Rep: Fred Engbarth: Term Ending Date: July 31, 2022) and discuss appointment later in the agenda for new term ending date: July 31, 2026).
BACKGROUND:
The Sonoma County Library was established in 1975 with a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA). In 2014 a JPA Review Committee with representatives from the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors as well as from city councils of each incorporated city within Sonoma County completed a two-year review process and approved the First Amended and Restated Joint Powers Agreement for the County-Wide Provision of Library Services by the Sonoma County Library. The city councils of Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Sonoma and Windsor, along with the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors each appoint a library commissioner. The City of Santa Rosa and the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors also jointly appoint one library commissioner for a total of an eleven-member governing board.
At the May 20, 2014 Sebastopol City Council Meeting, the City Council approved the Amended Sonoma County Library Joint Powers Agreement. Applicants need not be a resident of the City but may be appointed from the City, Sebastopol Greater Area or any other location within Sonoma County.
The Commission generally meets monthly, with additional special meetings as needed. Each commissioner is liaison to a Library Advisory Board (LAB), attending LAB meetings and participating in an ex-officio capacity.
Commissioners may be asked by the Chair to participate in one of the library commission’s committees (advocacy, finance, director evaluation, etc.). Committees generally meet monthly and make recommendations to the Commission on various policy matters. Commissioners are encouraged to regularly liaison and to report annually to their appointing authority.
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City Council Meeting Packet of: June 21, 2022
DISCUSSION:
City staff initiated the process for Call for Applications for the upcoming opening on the Sonoma County Library Commission City Representative: Vacancy is to Fill Upcoming Term for the Position on the Sonoma County Library Commission for a Representative from Sebastopol (New Term Ending Date: July 31, 2026). Opening was noticed in the newspaper, social media, City web site; Facebook, City newsletter. As of the deadline the City received one application for consideration. An Interview has been scheduled as follows:
Time of Interview Name of Applicant
5:30 pm Fred Engbarth
GOALS:
This item relates to City Council Goal 5: Provide open and responsive Municipal Government Leadership, as it communicates the CAC’s work to the Council and general community. It also relates to General Plan Goal CSF 6, policy SCF 6-1, Continue to maximize public participation in local government actions and maintain excellent levels of City government services.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
As of the writing of this staff report, the City has not received any public comment. However, staff anticipates receiving public comment from interested parties following the publication and distribution of this staff report.
Such comments will be provided to the City Council assupplemental materials before or at the meeting. In addition, public comments may be offered during the public comment.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
This item was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to schedule meeting date.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No funding impacting for this item tonight.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council City Council Interview to Fill the Upcoming Term for the Position on the Sonoma County Library Commission for a Representative from Sebastopol (Current Rep: Fred Engbarth: Term Ending Date: July 31, 2022) and discuss appointment later in the agenda for new term ending date: July 31, 2026).
Attachment:
Application
Description of Commissioner
Letter from Sonoma County Library
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City Council Meeting Packet of: June 21, 2022
4/4/22
Sonoma County Library Commissioner Job Description
Summary
Provides governance for the Sonoma County Library; lends expertise and experience to the organization; establishes policy; sets goals and objectives; hires and evaluates the director; establishes and monitors the annual budget; exercises such other powers, consistent with the law to foster the effective use and management of the library.
Responsibilities
• Hires, sets salary, evaluates and supervises a qualified Library Director to implement commission decisions and directions and to carry out day-to-day operation of the library and its programs and services
• Determines and adopts written policies to govern the operation and services of the library • Works with the director to establish short and long range goals for the library • Attends all regular and special meetings of the Commission and participates in subcommittees as necessary
• Attends appropriate library functions including Library Advisory Board meetings, fundraisers, special events and other activities
• Sets an annual budget and approves expenditure of funds; monitors budget and expenses throughout the year
• Represents the interests and needs of the community; advocates for the countywide library system
• Reports activities to local officials, acts as liaison to inform the public of library services and needs
• Sets parameters and authority level for library management’s labor negotiations with the Union; adopts MOU contract; serves as the employer to library staff • Has an interest in library issues, laws, and trends, and their implications for library use • Is familiar with the Joint Powers Agreement governing the Library; understands the Brown Act and public meeting requirements
Qualifications
• Interested in the library and its services, understands and subscribes to SCL mission and values
• Has the willingness and ability to devote time and energy to the role • Is able to represent varied needs and interests of the community and of the library Agenda Item Number: 1 Agenda Item Number: 1
City Council Meeting Packet of: June 21, 2022
4/4/22
• Has strong interpersonal, listening, and communication skills • Knows how to build partnerships with governing bodies, agencies, elected officials, library staff and members of the public
• Has the ability to handle opposition and make decisions in the interest of library service • Demonstrates common sense and sound judgment
• Can work with diverse groups and ideas in a constructive way • Understands effective decision making processes; can be decisive and comfortable with large-scale decisions
• Values collaboration; works to build consensus
Desired Experience
• Familiarity with the Sonoma County Library
• Experience working in diverse communities, education, literacy, information technology, finance, human resources, fundraising, public relations, or other relevant field Time Commitment
• The Commission meets monthly at a time convenient for members. (Currently, meetings are held the first Monday of each month at 6 pm). Meetings can last up to four hours, and considerable preparation time is typical prior to each meeting. • It has been common practice for the Commission to devote 1-2 half-day workshop meetings to budget planning.
• Commissioners may serve on one or more subcommittees or ad hoc task forces in addition to their regular duties.
• Commissioners are expected to attend Library Advisory Board (LAB) meetings of the community they represent and be in communication with LAB chairs and branch managers. • Under terms of the Joint Powers Agreement, trustees shall hold their office for four years from the date of appointment and until their successors are appointed. • Special meetings or committee meetings may be called as necessary at times that are convenient to members and that comply with the open public meeting law.
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City Council Meeting Packet of: June 21, 2022
April 22, 2022
Dear Sebastopol City Council Members,
Thank you for your service to the people of Sebastopol during these unusual and challenging times. I’m writing today to ask your support in building diversity on the Sonoma County Library Commission, because you play a key role in appointing Commissioners.
As you know, Sonoma County Library is a community hub where learning, the arts, technology, and people intersect and thrive. Our branch libraries are destinations, with friendly, knowledgeable staff and welcoming, comfortable spaces. We help people and organizations develop, learn, and connect. We work tirelessly to improve the overall quality of life for everyone in Sonoma County.
Throughout the pandemic, we provided educational and entertaining material to the residents of Sonoma County but we also used the opportunity to reexamine and reimagine our goals and our role within our diverse communities. We are actively recruiting staff and making changes that better reflect and serve our patrons and attract more users.
We are also looking at our Library Commission. One of our most important strategic goals is to actively champion diversity. However, the Commission does not currently reflect the diversity of Sonoma County.
We need your help with this crucial goal. If your incumbent Commissioner chooses not to apply for reappointment, we ask you to encourage candidates of all ethnicities, genders, ages, and abilities to apply. We commit to actively training Commissioners to be effective and comfortable in their roles. We look forward to a Commission that reflects and serves our community.
The Sonoma County Library is an independent public agency. As directed by its Joint Powers Agreement, the Commission acts as the governing body, which includes oversight of the Library Director, responsibility to approve and monitor a $40 million-plus annual budget, and approval of library policies. A Commissioner job description is attached.
Library Director Ann Hammond and I would be delighted to talk to you or staff about this.
Thank you very much for your attention.
Deborah Doyle
Chair, Sonoma County Library Commission
[email protected]
Mobile (707) 978-1707
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City Council Meeting Packet of: June 21, 2022