HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-19-2020 - BLT - PUBLIC COMMENTSOctober 19, 2020, BLT Agenda Comments
These comments on Newport Beach Board of Library Trustees (BLT) agenda items are submitted by:
Jim Mosher (jimmosher@yahoo.com ), 2210 Private Road, Newport Beach 92660 (949-548-6229)
Item 1. Minutes of the Sept. 21, 2020 Board of Library Trustees Meeting
Suggested corrections: The passages shown in italics below are from the draft minutes with
suggested corrections indicated in strikeout underline format.
Page 2 (6 of packet), Item 6, next to last paragraph: “Jim Mosher thanks thanked Chair Watkins
for addressing the difference between expressive activity areas and expressive use areas.”
Page 3 (7 of packet), Item 7, paragraph 1, sentence 4: “The FY 2019-2020 budget was $125,000,
$85,000 coming from the City and the State.”
Page 4 (8 of packet), Item 8, paragraph 1, sentence 2: “Four of the five members present of the
ad hoc subcommittee were present and agreed on one layout scheme.” [I seem to recall all those
in attendance agreed, but Council member Dixon was absent.]
Item 3. Library Activities
With regard to the herons nesting at the Balboa Branch, staff and the board may wish to be aware
that although the City has had concerns about the involved species of tree in the past (prompted
by a fatal accident on Irvine Avenue), three of the blue gum eucalyptus trees around the parking lot
(as well as two of the Canary Island date palms front Balboa Boulevard) are designated as
Landmark Trees in Council Policy G-1, which gives the trees (irrespective of the birds) additional
protection against their removal.
Item 9. COVID-19 Update and Reopening
I am mystified by the comment regarding the Central Library limited reopening (paragraph 4 under
“Discussion”) that “Public computers are available by appointment. Patrons can make an
appointment online by visiting our website or by calling 949-717-3800 option 2.”
I have stopped by Central two or three times on my way to meetings at the City Hall, and on each
occasion found the public terminals available for use without any prior reservation, much as they
were pre-COVID. The only differences I notice were that a substantial number were taped off, and
users were kicked off after one hour of use even though no one else was present, rather than
automatically “renewed” as they had been in the past. I don’t know if the one-hour limit is strictly
enforced (should one, for example, as for a “guest pass”), but the reason for it, in the absence of
users, was not self-evident.
In addition, since staff is monitoring the number of people going in and out of the building, it would
seem reasonable to let the board know the number of patrons estimated to be in the building at
various times. My impression was it was well under the 100 limit, with staff likely outnumbering
patrons.