HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2023-047RESOLUTION NO. 2023-047
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, WITHDRAWING FROM THE
RIVERSIDE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM, ASSUMING THE
PROVISION OF LIBRARY SERVICES IN THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, AND INDICATING ITS INTENT TO ESTABLISH AN
INDEPENDENT MUNICIPAL LIBRARY
WHEREAS, the City of Palm Desert is currently part of the Riverside County Library
System, a county-free library system pursuant to Education Code section 19100 et seq.
(“RCLS”); and
WHEREAS, at its meeting on April 4, 2023, the City’s Parks and Recreation
Committee established a subcommittee to study issues related to library operations; and
WHEREAS, at its meeting on May 2, 2023, the Parks and Recreation Committee
made recommendations for City Council consideration including that the City provide
enhanced services for the upcoming year, take over the management of the library, and
potentially assume the County’s lease of the library building, or alternately purchase the
portion of the library building occupied by the Desert Community College District; and
WHEREAS, the City Council received the Parks and Recreation Committee’s
recommendations at a Study Session on May 11, 2023, during which the City Council
directed City staff to research the option of assuming complete control of the Palm Desert
Library and operating it as a municipal library; and
WHEREAS, at its regular meeting on June 8, 2023, the City Council voted to form
and appoint a Library Taskforce; and
WHEREAS, at its regular meeting on June 22, 2023, the City Council received a
presentation and research updates from City staff regarding options for enhancing
services at the Palm Desert Library, after which the City Council unanimously voted to
endorse the formation of a City of Palm Desert municipal library; and
WHEREAS, the City of Palm Desert desires to withdraw from the Riverside County
Library System; and
WHEREAS, as required by California Education Code Section 19106, the City of
Palm Desert published once a week for two successive weeks, in a newspaper
designated by the City circulating throughout the City, notice of the City’s intent to
withdraw from the Riverside County Library System, assume the provision of library
services in the City, and establish an independent municipal library, and such notice
provides the date and place of the meeting at which these contemplated actions are
proposed to be taken; and
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WHEREAS, on October 12, 2023, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert held a
public hearing on the matter of withdrawal from the Riverside County Library System and
intention to establish an independent municipal library; and
WHEREAS, as required by California Education Code Section 19116, the City is
authorized to withdraw from the Riverside County Library System and assume
responsibility for providing public library services by notifying the Board of Supervisors of
Riverside County that the City no longer desires to be a part of the county free library
system and indicating whether the City intends to acquire property pursuant to subdivision
(c) of California Education Code, Section 19116; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to withdraw from the Riverside County Library
System as of July 1, 2024, or upon the transfer of any property, whichever is later, and to
provide library services directly to the public as a municipal library.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Desert, California, as follows:
SECTION 1. That the above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated
herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of Palm Desert hereby approves the
withdrawal from the Riverside County Library System and determines and directs that
City staff notify the Board of Supervisors of Riverside County that: a) the City no longer
desires to be part of the county free library system, b) the City desires to assume the
County’s lease with Desert Community College District of the library building and to
acquire all mutually agreed upon personal property within, c) as of July 1, 2024, or upon
the transfer of property, whichever is later, the City of Palm Desert will withdraw from the
Riverside County Library System and shall assume the responsibility for the provision of
library services within the City’s jurisdiction, and d) the City requests that the County
shall take all necessary actions to redirect to the City, effective July 1, 2024, residual
property tax funds and pass through funding pursuant to the Education Code and to
redirect such funds to the City annually thereafter.
SECTION 3. The City Council hereby directs staff to begin negotiations with the
County, regarding the lease of the library building and contents, the transfer of funds for
library operations, and the drafting of an agreement regarding these and all related
matters, including the unwinding of previous agreements related to the library, in
accordance with California Education Code, Section 19116.
SECTION 3. The City Council hereby expresses its intent to establish an
independent municipal library and directs staff to take all necessary steps and actions in
order to effectuate the transition of the Palm Desert Library from the Riverside County
Library System to a municipal library.
SECTION 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
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SECTION 5. The City Clerk shall certify passage of this Resolution.
ADOPTED ON OCTOBER 12, 2023
KATHLEEN KELLY
MAYOR
ATTEST:
ANTHONY J. MEJIA
CITY CLERK
I, Anthony J. Mejia, City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 2023-047 is a full, true, and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a
regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Desert on October 12, 2023 by the
following vote:
AYES: HARNIK, NESTANDE, QUINTANILLA, TRUBEE, AND KELLY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
RECUSED: NONE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of Palm Desert, California, on ______________.
ANTHONY J. MEJIA
CITY CLERK
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10/12/2023