REPORT TO BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
SUBJECT
Title
Discussion and Action on Recommendations for 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 (the “Board”) 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 provide input 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 meetings scheduled for February and March 2026, the Board should develop their recommendations for revised charter considerations to share with the Charter Review Ad Hoc Subcommittee, and that more information on process and timing would be shared once available.
On December 1, 2025, the Board appointed Chair Evans to represent the Board in communications with the Charter Review Ad Hoc Subcommittee, with Trustee Mohammed appointed as his second or backup. The Board also agreed to allow staff to coordinate a special meeting in January 2026 if needed to coordinate with Charter Review Committee timelines.
The Board held a special meeting on January 8, 2026 to discuss and review potential revisions to the City Charter sections 1012 and 1013 for consideration by the Charter Review Ad Hoc Subcommittee, also addressing those roles listed in ordinance 2.120.020 (Attachment 1). They discussed and sorted Board roles and duties according to those the Board was interested in maintaining, not interested in maintaining, and those that they might like to maintain or add. The Board expressed consensus regarding most issues, including a desire to be involved in selection of the City Librarian as well as in development of Library rules and regulations. The Board also confirmed that they were not interested in certain duties, such as day to day administration of the Library. The February 2026 meeting will focus on areas such as the Board’s role in accepting donations to the Library and the Board’s relationship with the City Council. For additional information, members of the public are referred to the recording from the January 8, 2026 Special Meeting.
DISCUSSION
The Board will hold discussion on the roles and duties as listed in City Charter sections 1012 and 1013 as well as roles the Board might like to maintain or add. The intended outcome is to reach consensus on those remaining items requiring further discussion, in preparation for providing input to the Charter Review Ad Hoc Subcommittee working on the Boards and Commissions provisions in the City Charter.
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 request staff to prepare draft talking points consistent with the Board’s discussion regarding possible updates to the role and function of the Board of Library Trustees as expressed in the City Charter 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