Council directs library advisory committee plan and asks staff to explore buying University Park Library

After extensive public testimony and council discussion about the city’s transition to a municipal library system, the City Council took two significant library-related actions on Feb. 10.

First, Councilmember Trish Trecedor moved and the council approved a directive that staff develop a plan for a library advisory committee as a Brown Act body with one appointee per councilmember and two at-large members; staff was asked to return proposed bylaws and a plan within 60 days. Supporters said a standing committee will increase transparency, provide steady community input during master planning and relieve the need for ad-hoc outreach. Opponents argued the existing Community and Library Services Commission already covers the work and cautioned against creating an additional layer of government.

Second, Councilmember Betty Martinez Franco moved that the city manager and staff explore the feasibility of purchasing the County-owned University Park Library property, with a staff report due in 90 days. Martinez Franco framed the request as exploratory, asking staff to identify likely costs, negotiation steps and possible funding sources, and to return options without committing the council to purchase. Multiple public commenters, including a representative of County Supervisor Katrina Foley, urged the council to consider acquisition to secure long-term local control of the facility. Staff noted the University Park lease began July 1, 2025 and runs for five years; Katie Wheeler is on a separate three-year lease that began Jan. 1, 2026.

Council approved the purchase-exploration direction on a unanimous vote and adopted the advisory-committee planning motion by 5–2. Several council members asked staff to consider coordination through the Community and Library Services Commission and to ensure any future negotiations are handled in a way that preserves bargaining positions.