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Library advisory committee reviews proposed ordinance changes on fees and committee duties ahead of July council hearings
Summary
The Library Advisory Committee reviewed proposed revisions to library ordinances — including lower room‑rental fees and reworded committee duties — and members were advised the measures will go to City Council for intro/public hearing on July 7 and council consideration on July 27.
The Laredo Library Advisory Committee on June 24 reviewed a package of proposed ordinance changes that would revise library fees, update room‑reservation schedules and reword the committee’s duties to emphasize its advisory role.
During a presentation of the ordinance packet, staff showed a fee table that lowers some charges (for example, the multipurpose room fee was proposed to drop from $150 to $100) and explained that the package also strips and reorders several duty clauses in the chapter that governs advisory bodies. "This will still allow you to make presentations. This is not taking any of those away," the presenter said, noting the change is intended to make the committee’s language more concise and clearly advisory.
Several members questioned specific deletions. One member asked why a provision to "evaluate library resources and services with special attention to economy, efficiency and value to the public" was removed from the enumerated duties; other members said that language seemed to reflect an important ongoing role. Staff responded that, while the draft rewrites the duties for concision, the committee retains the practical ability to research and present findings and that members may address the issue to their council representatives if they want the language restored.
Staff told the committee the ordinance package is scheduled for an introductory/public hearing at the July 7 City Council meeting and for council consideration on July 27. Members were encouraged to contact their council representatives or appear at the council meetings if they wished to comment on or oppose portions of the proposal.
The committee did not take a formal action on the ordinance itself; staff recommended the body provide feedback to council and noted that any final changes will be made by council during the public hearing process.
Next steps: the ordinance packet will appear on the City Council agendas in July for formal public hearing and final council action.
