Huntsville Public Library management decided

Dec. 22—Library Systems and Services 10 year contract to be executed by City Manager

The Huntsville City Council will contract with Library Systems & Services LLC for management of the Huntsville Public Library for a period of 10 years, after a 6-3 vote Tuesday night. The decision came after a workshop with the company before the meeting.

The motion to authorize Huntsville City Manager Aron Kulhavy to privatize the Huntsville Public Library comes after months of executive sessions regarding library polices and the the employee handbook.

Councilwomen Daiquiri Beebe, Dolores Massey and Karen Denman voted against the measure, following an failed 5-4 motion by Councilwoman Vicki McKenzie to table the item until January.

The issue began in August when librarians at the Huntsville Public Library were asked to remove displays which contained LBGTQ positive books that were prominently displayed.

During a September meeting of the City Council, Kulhavy stated that "neither the city council nor city manager have banned any books."

Kulhavy said the library staff was asked to remove all displays in the library, "until such time as the city is able to review all policies and procedures governing said displays."

During that September meeting, Mayor Andy Brauninger asked the City Attorney Leonard Schneider to clarify that City Council did not instruct any displays to be removed.

In October, a Huntsville Police Officer was seen removing a book from the library in a video provided to the Item by Huntsville resident Amanda Louie.

Louie spoke again Tuesday, urging the council to consider the additional costs associated with licensing fees.

Tuesday's decision followed a lengthy public comment period with the majority of those speaking against the privatization of the city's library.

Library Systems and Services website draws a distinction between privatization and what they do as outsourcing and management services of libraries

Huntsville resident John Ryan urged council members to "do the right thing, and vote against the privatization."

Others questioned the transparency of the decision; several cautioned the council against rushing the decision and attempting to do things while fewer people were aware during the holidays.

Libraries are the great equalizer said one Huntsville resident, while another talked about the library staff. "Finding people who will invest in your children who aren't relatives isn't easy," said another.

Questions about staff retention were also asked. Representatives from LS&S conducted a workshop prior to Tuesday's meeting, promising that employees would be rehired and that the city would retain ownership of the library and all of the materials. Council was told that the company has a 98 percent rehire rate.

According to their website, LS&S's East Coast Headquarters are located in Rockville, MD. Their West Coast Headquarters is Riverside, CA.

In other business, the City Council recognized Walker County Judge Pierce thanking him for 20 years of dedicated service.

"Judge Pierce exemplifies all of the qualities I hope that one day people will say about me," said Mayor Brauninger.

Pierce said that one of his goals in becoming Walker County Judge was to improve relations with the city.

The Council also approved a Conditional Use Permit application for an expansion of a self-storage facility located at 3404 Powell Rd. City Planner Armon Irones indicated that the additional 74 units in two buildings would be approximately 10,000 sq. ft.

The project meets all conditions for approval and were agreed to by the applicant.

The council also authorized the purchase of several vehicles including police vehicles in Fiscal Year 2023 for the price of $660,449. Police vehicles cost approximately $75,000 each, including all of the equipment necessary to outfit the vehicle.

A policy for Public Improvement Districts (PID) was approved. The city has one that has been approved, with a second PID expected to come before the council early next year.

The mayor's appointments for various boards and commissions were approved. The city has 14 different boards. The mayor and council encouraged citizen participation.

The council approved the consent agenda, before adjourning into Executive Session. Following the Executive Session, the council moved to instruct the law firm of Olson and Olson to file a petition for review.

The city council meets regularly on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Huntsville City Hall Council Chambers, 1212 Ave. M, Huntsville.