HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5.2 AlaCntySupportSB566 (2)
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CITY OF DUBLIN
AGENDA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: August 9, 1993
SUBJECT
:
written Communication - Request from Alameda
County Library for city support of SB 566
(Roberti) relating to Library Services
Assessments
Report by Diane Lowart, Recreation Director
: /A.
/B.
/C.
RECOMMENDATION ~: Adopt resolution in support of SB 566;
:-, 1,0 I direct Staff to send resolution of
(~ support to Assemblyman Rainey
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None
EXHIBITS ATTACHED
correspondence from Linda M. Wood,
County Librarian
Fact Sheet on SB 566
Resolution in support of SB 566
DESCRIPTION : Correspondence has been received from Alameda
County Librarian, Linda M. Wood, requesting City support of SB 566
(Roberti) relating to Library Services Assessments. The bill has
currently received approval by the Senate and will be heard by the
Assembly after the Legislature reconvenes on August 16, 1993.
As proposed, SB 566 would allow a local agency that provides public
library services to establish a benefit assessment district directly
by providing notice to affected, property owners and conducting a
public hearing. The bill provides due process safeguards for property
owners and establishes procedures for formal written protest and
requires an election if the protest level is above ten percent. The
bill provides flexibility for local agencies which can set their own
assessment amount based on local needs. In addition, the funds are
restricted to use for library services and may be used for any library
service or facility costs. SB 566 is proposed as an urgency bill and
would take effect immediately upon enactment.
The Alameda County Library System has, in the past, relied heavily on
property taxes for almost its entire budget. with the current shift
of property taxes from local government to the state, this legislation
could provided a much needed revenue source for the library.
Attached in Exhibit C is Resolution in support of SB 566. It is
recommended that the city Council adopt the resolution and direct
Staff to send a copy of the Resolution to Assemblyman Rainey.
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CITY CLERK
FILE~
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EXHIBIT A
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2450 Stevenson Boulevard. Fremont. CalifornIa. 94638-2326
Phon~ (S 10) 745.1500 FAX (610) 793.2987
L I n daM. Woo d . C 0 u n t y Lib r a r I Q n
August 3, 1993 -
Mayor Pete Snyder
Dublin City Council Members
P.O. Box 2340
Dublin, CA 94568
Dear Mayor Snyder and Counpil Members:
SUBJECT: S8 566 (Roberti)
I am writing to ask you to take a position in support of SB 566 (Roberti). The bill will
be on the Assembly floor after the Legislature reconvenes on August 16. If the bill
passes the Assembly, it will then go to the Governor for signature.
SB 566 would create statutory authority for financing of public library services through
assessments on real property. Attached is a fact sheet on SB 566.
This enabling legislation is very much needed by the Alameda County Library In
Dublin because of the shift of property taxes away from the Alameda County Library in
the State budget. S6 566 would enable communities to choose whether they want to
pay through assessments for needed library services in'their areas. The Alameda
County Library, as a dependent special district which historically relied on property
taxes for almost its entire budget, needs this type of revenue raising capability.
As you know, the library seNices, staff and public hours were all drastically cut in the
1993/94 budget. However, the need for a high level of basic library services remains
at the Dublin Library which is a very busy library. This reduction of service is a
serious matter needing attention and a local solution, Which is pOSSible through SB
566; libraries need the type of support which would be provided by the enabling
legislation of SB 566.
The Alameda County Library Advisory Commission has taken a position of support for
S8 566.
F/6rtlOht MaIn Library
Albony . Bu~lneH library. Calif 0 Volley. Centervllle
Dublin . E)(ton~ion Servlcel . Irvlnglon . Newark
Nil..; . PI"olonlon . Son Lorenzo. Union City
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Mayor Pete Snyder
Dublin City Council
August 3, 1993
P ag e 2
Would you please contact your Assemblyman to support this bill, and notify the
League of California Cities of your support? If the bill passes, would you then contact
the Governor of your support of the bill?
Thank you for your continued support for libraries and for your consideration of tills
matter.
Yours truly,
r)):.n",,(, :hI . Jt h'-f
Linda M. Wood
Alameda County Librarian
LMW:SP:ej
Attachment
cc Guy Houston, Alameda County Library Advisory Commission
Richard Ambrose, Dublin City Manager
l:\assL\sbS66dub.ltr
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EXHIBIT B
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Cali(ornia Lib~ry Association · 7 I 7 K Stree~, Suite: 300 · Sacramento, California 95814 · 916/44 i -8541
SENATE BILL 566....ROBERTI_
L1SRARY SERVICE? ASSeSSMENTS
Descrlotlon; Under procedures outlined in S8 5613, a local agency I such ~ a city or county, can
establish a benefit assessment district directly by providing notice to affected property owners and
conducting a public hearing. The bill provides due process safeguards for property owners. It
establishes procedures for formal written protest and requires an election if the protest level is
above ten per cent. The bill provides flexibility for local agencies which can set their own
assessment amount based on local needs. In addition, the funds are restricted to use for library
services. Assessments may be used for any library service or facility costs. sa 566 is proposed
as an urgency bill and would take effect immediately upon enactment.
The Need: As a result of the State budget crfsls, most public libraries in California have suffered
budget, reductions at the local level. Public libraries have few alternatives than to shorten service
hours, reduce or eliminate book purchases, and even close library facilities. Public libraries
depend, either directly or indirectly, on property taxes for their funding, and have very limited, if
any, authority to charge fees. California's public libraries need a new, flexible revenue source to
provide adequate funding and to preserve public libraries as we know them today.
The California State Library issued a. report in January, 1993 on the impact of 1992-93 budget
reductions on California's public libraries which showed a statewide erosion of library services.
The report summarized the following reductions:
64% of libraries showed a decrease in funding for books and materials, with a 16% net
statewide decrease in just one year.
One third of all libraries suffered service hour reductions-a statewide 60/e reduction in
hours open in just one year.
8 libraries closed library facilities - including 2 clOSing 50% of their facilities and 1 closing
25%.
Overall, during the 15 years between 19n~78 and 1992-93:
~ staffing of public libraries decreased by 25%
- annual service hours decreased 24%
- service outlets decreased by 17%
. circulation Increased by 27%
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California already ranks 38th out of the 50 states In number of libraries per capita, and 47th out
of the 50 states in public service hours per capita. Public libraries in California are in serious
trouble, and do not have the means needed to keep pace with the current budget crisis at the
state and local levels. We need a solution that is long~term, provides flexibility to local decision
makers, and is equal to the size of the problem. sa 566 meets those objectives.
Status: The Senate approved S8 566 on June 9 on a vote of 27.9. The bill will go next to the
Assembly Local Government Committee for hearing. Once approved in committee, S8 566 will
go to the Assembly floor for vote. -
Summal;( 9f .].i1'-: The California Library Association is sponsoring legislation to create statutory
authority for financing of public library services through assessments on real property. The
legislation would add provisions to the Govemment Code to allow creation of assessment districts
for library services, and would contain the following elements:
.
Allows a local agency to form an assessment district in any area to which it makes library
services available. Applies to any local agency authorized by law to provide library
services, Including cities, counties, library districts and Joint powers authorities.
Annual assessments an properties In the district are based on the benefit of library
services to the properties. Zones with separate apportionment methods may be
established.
· Assessments may pay for Ell services and facilities provided by a local agency in
connection with a public library.
· Notice of public hearing is given by publication, posting and mailing to all property owners
In the proposed district.
· If written protests are received representing more than 10 percent but less than 50 percent
of totaJ annual assessment. the proposal must be approved by a majority of the voters In
the proposed district. If written protests are received by persons representing more than
50 percent of the expected revenues, the proposal must be abandoned.
District is established and maximum assessment is set by ordinance or resolution after
a noticed public hearing.
An annual report containing the annual assessments must be approved by the legislative
body after a noticed public hearing, with notice provided by publication and posting.
.
The annual assessments cannot exceed the maximum set when the district was formed,
except after a public hearing for which mailed notice has been given.
.
The legislation is proposed as an urgency measure to take effect immediately upon
enactment.
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EXHIBIT C
RESOLUTION NO.
- 93
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
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SUPPORTING SB 566 (ROBERTI)-
REGARDING LIBRARY ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS
WHEREAS, as a result of the state budget crlS1S, most'public
libraries in California have suffered budget reduqtions at the local
level; and
WHEREAS, public libraries depend either, directly or indirectly,
on property taxes for their funding, and have very limited, if any,
authority to charge fees; and
WHEREAS, legislation has been introduced by Senator Roberti to
create statutory authority for financing of public library services
through assessments on real property; and
WHEREAS, public libraries need a new, flexible revenue source to
provide adequate funding and to preserve public libraries as we know
them today.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the city
of Dublin does hereby support SB 566 (Roberti) relating to Library
Service Assessments.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 9th day of August, 1993.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk