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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLib Sp. Library Parcel Tax Committee ReportAGENDA ITEM NO: 3.1. DECEMBER 17, 2012 City of San Rafael --Special Library Parcel Tax Committee Report The Committee's sole function is to review expenditures of the revenues from the Special Library Services Parcel Tax adopted by Measure C on June 8, 2010 to ensure the monies have been expended in accordance with the authorized purposes of Measure C. Toward this end the Committee has reviewed the actual Library Budget for 2011/2012, the current and projected budget for 2012/2013, and the estimated budget for Fiscal Year 2013/2014. The Committee believes that the actual expenditures have been in accordance with Measure C. We have also reviewed the document "Key Results from San Rafael Public Library's 2012 Community Needs Assessment" as well as the draft of "San Rafael Public Library Highlights for Staff Report to Council in December". First of all, we would like to commend the Library Director and the library staff for undertaking a public survey to inform a long-range plan. In addition to this community needs assessment survey of more than 300 citizens, they reviewed the library collection and service use, reviewed San Rafael's demographic data, and held discussions with various stakeholders, including the Library Board of Trustees, the Friends of the San Rafael Library, and the San Rafael Library Foundation. The results of this thorough survey should certainly guide the direction of the Measure C Oversight Committee as well as the San Rafael City Council. It is noted that 90% of the respondents to the survey gave the San Rafael Library a 7 or better for service to their patrons. Almost 80% indicated that having clean and safe facilities was a high priority. About 63% said that open hours (seven days a week and four evenings) was very important to them. Only 32% responded that building a new library was very important to them. These results and others seem to lead the Committee to a conclusion mentioned in last year's Report to Council, that is, that if the economic picture remains difficult, a large set aside sum held in reserve at the expense of other priorities may be unwise. "The amount of money set aside, assuming the economy does not improve, will force the library to cut hours and services expected by voters from Measure C." Therefore, the Committee, after reviewing the draft document of the Library's Staff Report to the Council in December, would like to express support for the following library staff recommendations: File No: 4kpfty/Council Meefing Dlspcalton 6w f 1. Reduce the downtown library hours by four evening hours per week. It is documented that the library is least used from 8:00 to 9:00, so this cut will not have a significant impact on patrons. However, we agree that Pickleweed hours should remain as they are currently. 2. Fill the Assistant Director's position. The position is needed to provide coordination of the many projects listed in the strategic plan, including significant outreach to the schools, which is mentioned specifically in the Measure C language. 3. Use future Measure C Capital Set Aside funds for operational expenses if needed. The survey of San Rafael citizens clearly sets operational expenses at a higher priority than building a new library. This practice will be reviewed periodically by the Measure C Committee. Another purview of the Committee is to ensure that the Library maintains its share of the City's General Fund. The committee concluded, in accordance with the intent of the resolution, the Library continues to maintain its appropriate share. If the economy improves and the General Fund grows, the Committee would expect that the library would receive its historical share set in 2009-2010 at 4.41 %.