Title
Study Session Summary of February 25, 2020 - Fines Amnesty (2019 Study Issue)
Summary
Call to Order:
Vice Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
City Councilmembers Present:
Mayor Larry Klein
Vice Mayor Nancy Smith
Councilmember Glenn Hendricks
Councilmember Russ Melton
Councilmember Michael S. Goldman
Councilmember Mason Fong
City Councilmembers Absent:
Councilmember Gustav Larsson
Study Session Summary:
Cherise Brandell, Director of Library and Community Services and Ellen Giarrizzo, Circulation Manager delivered a presentation that discussed the options for elimination of fines on overdue library materials to remove barriers to library use.
Councilmembers asked questions and made the following comments:
• Fails to see connection between declining library usage and increasing balance of billed fees.
• Agrees with the purpose of having fines and fees; materials should be returned so others may use them.
• Consider lower cost fines and fees.
• Does not want to subsidize fine revenue losses by using the Service Level Set Aside.
• Would be interested in a one-year pilot program.
• Would want to review policies to determine the best way to waive fines and fees.
• How would we encourage patrons to return materials? We should have a caveat for patrons that don’t return multiple materials.
• If we are unable to wipe fines and fees for all, let’s do it for the children, they should have access to books.
• Framework policy should be in place to allow the Director of Library and Community Services to waive fines and fees, no need to come to Council.
• Is curious about removing fines (amnesty) for adults every three to five years.
• We should hire a consultant to run a fines amnesty program like other cities do.
• Supports the amnesty program to remove past fine debt.
• Agrees to amend schedule for fines but keep the fee schedule the way it is.
• Wants to eliminate all fines, not just for children.
• How would we envision piloting a year-long program?
• Are we requesting anything different than what other libraries have done?
• Likes the approach of taking the increase in revenue from Community Services class fees and using it to help with the loss of revenue offset.
• What percentage of disabled accounts are fine vs fee based?
• We should ask patrons for donations to go towards children’s blocked accounts.
Public Comment:
Members of the public made the following comments:
• Is in favor of the study issue.
• Concerned about not billing patrons for expensive items.
• Fines and fees on unique collections vs printed books.
Adjournment:
Vice Mayor Smith adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.