Good afternoon Board members it is an honor to address you today. I am here to address you today because I am also, as a citizen, I also have a dual role as the chair of a group called Ann Arbor Residents for Nonlethal Deer Management. I am sure all of you are aware that there is a culling activity that will be, actually is, occurring presently in the City of Ann Arbor. It’s very contentious and I’m not going to bore you with all the pros and cons. The reason why I am here today is to let you know that Stapp Nature Area, which is, your library on Traverwood abuts, is in the culling zone. Culling shooting will start occurring at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and not on the weekends. There’s concern that coincides with your office hours out there. Now besides the pro and con of the safety of it the State of Michigan has a rule that says you may opt out like many residents are doing currently. I just submitted a package to the mayor and council and to the DNR that 9 out of the 23 parks residents of the parks have opted out by simply stating that they do not give permission for shooting to occur within 450 feet of their residence or place of business. Simple as that. Therefore, I am requesting that this board consider the safety of patrons at Traverwood Library and simply by board action opt out by stating that you do not give permission for shooting to occur within 450 feet of the building. That’s all it would take. Thank you and I appreciate the time and I definitely appreciate the schedule because we’ve been scrambling on this. Josie told me you have a meeting today and so I took advantage and came. Thanks again, I appreciate it.
16-005 V. DISCUSSION OF MICHIGAN SENATE BILL 0571
Trustee Leary, supported by Trustee Vander Broek, moved the Board adopt the following resolution
WHEREAS, the state legislature passed Senate Bill 571 which, among other things, prohibits local districts and other governmental entities from sharing information about their millages within 60 days of an election, and
WHEREAS, the sharing of information about millages is a responsibility of the district to help inform a citizenry about the facts around a millage, and
WHEREAS, citizens cannot make informed decisions without information from the governmental body that has placed the millage on the ballot, and
WHEREAS, public libraries and their governing boards have historically championed the right of free speech in America and Senate Bill 571 violates that right for all citizens in every election involving millage or bond questions, and
WHEREAS, the Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) is an independent governmental entity established under the laws of Michigan with its own taxation district, dedicated millage, and elected Board of Trustees;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
1.) The Ann Arbor District Library urges the governor to veto this legislation and return it to the state legislature for reconsideration.
2.) That all resolutions and parts of resolutions that conflict with the provisions of this resolution are rescinded.
Board members discussed and expressed their individual support of the resolution.
A vote on the foregoing resolution was taken and was as follows:
Director Parker noted that the Michigan Municipal League along with other associations held a press rally today requesting that the governor veto Senate Bill 571.
16-006 VI. ADJOURNMENT
President Barney Newman adjourned the meeting at 4:47 p.m.