HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 08 - Library FeesMEMO TO:
FROM:
MEETING DATE:
SUBJECT:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER
DECEMBER 4, 2018
APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE AMENDING LIBRARY FEES
RECOMMENDATION: City Council to consider an ordinance amending Chapter 13 Library of the
Grapevine City Code eliminating extended use fees and fees for lost
cards.
FUNDING SOURCE:
BACKGROUND:
Revenue from extended use fees has been reduced 66% over the last two
years due to the easy renewal procedures available online and via smart
phone use. The new express check out machines take credit cards for all
charges, but when the cost of the credit card use fees, staff time
reconciling receipts, and taking deposits to the bank are factored in, the
monetary benefit from the fee is minimal.
Many libraries in the Metroplex have ceased charging overdue fees and
have moved to putting the cost of the materials on the patron record till
materials are returned. If not returned, then they owe the cost of the
material. This process has been very successful in getting materials back
and reducing conflict with front-line library staff over minimal fees.
The mobile library will be arriving in early spring and making stops no later
than June 1.
Having to charge extended use fees would not be the most productive
way to kick off this new service and it would be preferable to not carry
cash on the mobile library.
With the new app for cell phones, the library card number can be scanned
from a smart phone on the express checkout machines, so having the card
present is no longer necessary, minimizing the need for replacement
library cards.
The estimated budgetary impact of this fee elimination, is approximately
$10,000, before credit card fees are assessed or the administrative
burden of collection and reconciliation of the fee. The non-resident use
fee will remain in place.
The Library Board has reviewed this recommendation and concurs with
staff to recommend approval.
ORDINANCE NO. 2018-087
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, AMENDING THE GRAPEVINE CODE
OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 13 LIBRARY,
SECTION 13-3 LIBRARY FINES; REPEALING CONFLICTING
ORDINANCES; PROVIDING A PENALTY OF FINE NOT TO
EXCEED THE SUM OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS
($500.00); PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, constitutional and statutory prerequisites for the approval of this
ordinance have been met, including but not limited to the Open Meetings Act; and
WHEREAS, the City Council deems the adoption of this ordinance is in the best
interests of the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS:
Section 1. That all matters stated herein above are true and correct and are
incorporated herein by reference, as if copied in their entirety.
Section 2. That Chapter 13, Section 13-3 of the Grapevine Code of Ordinances is
hereby amended by adding the following:
"Sec. 13-3. Library Fees.
(a) A fee of$25.00 per year per family is hereby established for library patrons
residing outside of Grapevine. All entities having a reciprocal or interlocal
agreement for library services, and Grapevine city employees are exempt
from said fee.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person who has borrowed library materials to fail
or refuse to return the same to the public library within (30) days afterwritten
notice has been provided. The cost of the material will be placed on the
account and patron blocked from checking out other materials till all
materials are returned or paid for in full."
Section 3. That all ordinances or any parts thereof in conflict with the terms of
this ordinance shall be and hereby are deemed repealed and of no force and effect.
Section 4. That all ordinances or any parts thereof in conflict with the terms of
this ordinance shall be and hereby are deemed repealed and of no force or effect;
provided, however, that the ordinance or ordinances under which the cases currently filed
and pending in the Municipal Court of the City of Grapevine, Texas, shall be deemed
repealed only when all such cases filed and pending under such ordinance or ordinances
have been disposed of by a final conviction or a finding not guilty or nolo contendere, or
dismissal.
Section 5. Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in a sum notto
exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each offense and a separate offense shall be
deemed committed upon each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues after
the notice period provided herein has expired.
Section 6. If any section, article, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase orword in
this ordinance, or application thereto any person or circumstances is held invalid or
unconstitutional by a Court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance; and the City Council hereby declares it
would have passed such remaining portions of the ordinance despite such invalidity,which
remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 7. The fact that the present ordinances and regulations of the City of
Grapevine, Texas are inadequate to properly safeguard the health, safety, morals, peace
and general welfare of the public creates an emergency which requires that this ordinance
become effective from and after the date of its passage, and it is accordingly so ordained.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS on this the 4th day of December, 2018.
APPROVED:
William D. Tate
Mayor
ATTEST:
Shawna Barnes
Assistant City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney
Ordinance No. 2018-087 2