Failure to Respond: “Organization Study of Library Operations” Consultant John Goss

City Council Agenda
Regular Meeting
February 6, 2007

XI. Orders of Council
A. Review the Organization Study of Library Operations from John Goss of Ralph Andersen & Associates and provide policy direction.

Soon after Consultant John Goss’ power point presentation to the public at the 29 November 2006 City Council Special Meeting, a Carmelite emailed the following to John Goss, Senior Associate, Ralph Andersen & Associates.

Since I was unable to attend the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Special City Council meeting on Wednesday, 29 November 2006, I am writing to ask you for clarifications on your oral presentation to the public at that meeting.

Regarding your recommendations, your first recommendation was the following:

1. Given the city’s tight finances, expenses should be reduced, or revenues increased, to support library services.

Questions:

1. Do you consider an annual budget of $11.75 million and reserves of almost $10 million “tight?”

2. Given the above fiscal condition of Carmel-by-the-Sea, would this information change your assessment that the city needs to reduce expenses to support library services, especially in the context that the city’s General Fund support for the library is already 3.6 times the National Average?

3. The mayor mentioned you would return in a “couple of months;” for what purpose?

Thank you for your time and responses.

COMMENT: Consultant John Goss failed to acknowledge correspondence or respond to questions.

Note: For Highlights of Joss Goss' presentation to the public at the 29 November 2006 Special City Council Meeting, click on the post title above.