HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-07-17 LT Regular Meeting Minutes
City of Palm Desert Page 1
LIBRARY TASKFORCE
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
MINUTES
Click HERE to review the meeting audio.
Click HERE to access the meeting agenda packet.
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Library Taskforce was called to order by City Clerk Mejia on
Monday, July 17, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. in the North Wing Conference Room, City Hall, located
at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Taskforce Members Jann Buller, Randy Bynder, Gustavo Gomez, Karen
Gonzales, Matt Johnson*, Carola Marcuse, Paul Murphy and Ralph Perry
*In accordance with AB 2449, Taskforce Member Johnson participated remotely.
Absent: Taskforce Member Jon Maldonado
Liaison(s)
Present: Jan Harnik and Evan Trubee, Councilmember Liaisons
Staff
Present: Chris Escobedo, Assistant City Manager; Anthony Mejia, City Clerk; and Michelle
Nance, Recording Secretary
3. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Glenn Vacchiano-Peters expressed support for the City to establish its own library system.
4. DISCUSSION/ACTION CALENDAR
A. TASKFORCE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
City Clerk Mejia presented on Taskforce roles and responsibilities and answered member
questions.
Monday,
July 17, 2023
12:30 p.m.
Regular Meeting
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Library Taskforce Minutes July 17, 2023
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B. LIBRARY TASKFORCE WORKPLAN DISCUSSION
Assistant City Manager Escobedo provided a presentation on Taskforce background,
workplan timeframe and answered member questions. Discussion items included:
College of the Desert plans for the current Library building;
Potential locations for future Library(ies);
Soliciting resident ideas on library programming; and
Immediate need of hiring a Library Director.
C. ASSIGNMENT OF SUBCOMMITTEES
Assistant City Manager Escobedo advised that the Taskforce will be divided into three (3)
working subcommittees relative to 1) Planning & Programming, 2) Governance/Finance,
and 3) Community Engagement.
City Clerk Mejia inquired about member preferences to serve on the subcommittees and
below are the subcommittee assignments:
Planning/Programming:
Johnson
Murphy
Marcuse
Bynder
Governance/Finance:
Gonzalez
Perry
Bynder
Buller
Community Engagement:
Gomez
Buller
Gonzalez
Maldonado
5. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS
A. LIBRARY TASKFORCE MEMBERS
Taskforce Member Murphy spoke on potential assistance from other California Library
systems available to the Taskforce.
Taskforce Member Bynder recommended that underutilized buildings also be looked at
as possible future Library locations; opportunities of guest speakers at future meetings
from successful City-run Libraries; and advised Taskforce members to encourage public
attendance at future Taskforce meetings.
B. CITY COUNCIL LIAISONS
Councilmember Harnik spoke on positive interactions with residents who shared ideas
regarding the Library.
Councilmember Trubee thanked staff for moving so quickly on the Library.
C. CITY STAFF
Assistant City Manager Escobedo gave the Taskforce an update on his regular meetings
with Riverside County staff regarding withdrawal from the County Library system.
D. ATTENDANCE POLICY – Policy provided; no action taken on this item.
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Library Taskforce Minutes July 17, 2023
City of Palm Desert Page 3
6. ADJOURNMENT
The Library Taskforce adjourned at 1:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Nance, Deputy City Clerk I
Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Chris Escobedo, Assistant City Manager
Staff Liaison
APPROVED BY THE HOMELESSNESS TASKFORCE: 9/27/2023
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