REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Removal of Trustee Joshua Briefman from the Board of Library Trustees and Declaring a Vacancy
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
The Board of Library Trustees is a five-member body, appointed by the City Council, that is primarily responsible for the establishment, acceptance and continued supervision of the public library program. It makes and enforces by-laws, rules and regulations for the administration of the City's public library; approves or disapproves the appointment of the City Librarian; accepts donations into the library fund (subject to the approval of the City Council); and contracts with other governmental agencies to render or receive library services (also subject to the approval of the City Council).
Regular attendance at Board meetings is important to the functioning and effectiveness of the Board of Library Trustees. Section 1004 of the City Charter states that:
"If a member of a board or commission absents himself/herself from three regular meetings of such board or commission, consecutively, unless with permission of such board or commission expressed in its official minutes, or is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, or ceases to be a qualified elector of the City, his/her office shall be vacant and shall be so declared by the City Council."
The City Charter sets the standard of three consecutive absences, if unexcused by the Board, as cause for removal of an appointee of the Board of Library Trustees by the City Council.
DISCUSSION
On December 9, 2019, the City Council conducted Board of Library Trustee interviews to fill a partial term. At that meeting, the City Council interviewed two applicants (one additional applicant was unable to attend), and appointed Joshua Briefman to a partial term, expiring on June 30, 2021.
Following his appointment, Trustee Briefman missed three consecutive Board meetings on the dates identified:
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