Agenda-Item-Number-3-DRAFT-Sonoma-County-Library-Commission-Appointment-June-16-2026-CC-Packet-Rev

Agenda Item Number 3

CITY OF SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM REPORT FOR MEETING OF: June 16, 2026
================================================================================= To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
Requestor: Councilmember Zollman
Responsible Department: City Manager Mary Gourley
Subject: Consideration of Appointment to fill the upcoming term for the City of Sebastopol’s representative on the Sonoma County Library Commission. ================================================================================= RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council select and appoint one of the interviewed candidates to the Sonoma County Library Commission to fill the current vacancy.

PROCESS OF AGENDA ITEM:

1. Council to make appointment as listed below.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Sonoma County Library Commission- 4 Year Term
The City of Sebastopol appoints one voting representative to the Sonoma County Library Commission, the governing body of the Sonoma County Library system. The current Sebastopol-appointed commissioner’s term expires on July 31, 2026. This item seeks City Council action to select and appoint one of the interviewed candidates to fill the vacancy.

BACKGROUND: The Sonoma County Library was established in 1975 pursuant to a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA). In 2014, a JPA Review Committee—comprised of representatives from the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and each incorporated city within Sonoma County—completed a two-year review and approved the First Amended and Restated Joint Powers Agreement governing the countywide provision of library services.

Each of the city councils of Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Sonoma, and Windsor appoints one library commissioner. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors appoints one commissioner, and the County and the City of Santa Rosa jointly appoint one additional commissioner, for a total of eleven members on the Sonoma County Library Commission (Commission).

The Commission serves as the governing and administrative body of the Sonoma County Library. It is responsible for operating, managing, and administering the integrated free public library system throughout Sonoma County. The Commission is authorized to exercise all powers granted to the County Library under the JPA and applicable law, including the appointment and evaluation of the Library Director, who is responsible for the day-to-day operation and management of the Library system.

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Agenda Item Number 3
DISCUSSION: City staff initiated a Call for Applications to fill the upcoming vacancy for the City of Sebastopol’s representative on the Sonoma County Library Commission (New Term Ending Date: July 31, 2030). The opening was noticed in the newspaper, on social media, and on the City website. As of the deadline, the City received two applications for consideration. The City Council conducted interviews with the candidates on June 16, 2026, and their information is provided below for the Council’s selection.

APPLICANTS
Fred Engbarth
Suzanne Turk White
STAFF ANALYSIS: The City received two applications within the recruitment period. This item follows the candidate interviews being conducted under Agenda Item No.1. The Council may use this item to select and appoint a candidate to the available seat. If the seat remains unfilled, City Staff will re-advertise the vacancy.

CITY COUNCIL GOALS / PRIORITIES / GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY: This action supports the City Council’s goals and priorities, including: • Goal 4: High-Performance Organization • Restoring public trust through transparent and inclusive appointment processes • Improving public communications and community engagement PUBLIC COMMENT: As of the preparation of this staff report, staff have not received public comments. If City staff receives public comment, public comments received after publication of this report will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials prior to or at the meeting.

PUBLIC NOTICE: This item was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was made available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.

FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this appointment.

RESTATED RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council select and appoint one of the interviewed candidates to the Sonoma County Library Commission to fill the current vacancy.

OPTIONS:

If the Council chooses not to make an appointment from the interviews conducted earlier in the agenda, the Council can direct staff to reopen the application period, This will delay appointment by the June 30, 2026 Deadline.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Sonoma County Library Job Description

2. Fred Engbarth Application Redacted

3. Suzanne Turk White Application Redacted
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Agenda Item Number 3
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 Sonoma County Library 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  Has strong interpersonal, listening, and communication skills Agenda Item Number 3
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 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 Wednesday of each month at 6:00 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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