REPORT TO BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
SUBJECT
Title
Discussion and Action on Potential Revisions to City Charter Section 1012 and Section 1013 for Consideration by the Charter Review Committee
Report
BACKGROUND
At the November 3, 2025 Board of Library Trustees meeting, City Attorney Glen Googins informed the Board of the formation of the City of Santa Clara Charter Review Committee, assembled to recommend updates and improvements to the City Charter. As part of this process, all City of Santa Clara Boards and Commissions were to be invited to review applicable charter language and appoint a representative to make recommendations to the Charter Review Committee. Information was shared with the Board on existing charter language and the Ad Hoc Subcommittees.
It was discussed that at the Board of Library Trustee meetings scheduled for February and March 2026, the Board should develop their recommendations for revised charter language to share with the Charter Review Committee, and that more information on process and timing would be shared once available.
On December 1, 2025, the Board of Library Trustees appointed Chair Evans to represent the Board of Library Trustees in communications with the Ad Hoc Subcommittees of the Charter Review Committee, with Trustee Mohammed appointed as his second or backup. The Board agreed to allow staff to coordinate a special meeting in January 2026 if needed to coordinate with Charter Review Committee timelines.
DISCUSSION
The Board will hold discussion on potential changes to the charter language, with the goal of consolidating talking points for the Board of Library Trustees representative to discuss with the Charter Review Ad Hoc Subcommittee. Discussion will be focused on potential changes to sections 1012 and 1013 of the City Charter pertaining to the Board of Library Trustees. The discussion might consider other relevant items, such as ordinance 2.120.080 (Attachment 1), and the Anaheim City Charter section 908 (Attachment 2), which was reviewed by the charter review committee.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with Library staff and the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Board agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Action to direct staff to draft talking points consistent with the Board’s discussion and take any other action necessary to facilitate a meeting between Chair Evans, as the Board’s appointed representative, and the relevant Charter Review Ad Hoc Subcommittee.
Staff
Reviewed by: Sami James, Management Analyst
Approved by: Patty Wong, City Librarian
ATTACHMENTS
1. Charter and Ordinance
2. Anaheim City Charter Library Board