Willows Council approves revised MOU returning structural maintenance of Carnegie-era museum to city

The Willows City Council on July 22 voted to approve an amended memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Museum Society of Willows that returns responsibility for the museum building's structural maintenance to Willows City while leaving exhibit and daily operations with the nonprofit society.

The council and staff said the change is intended to reduce the risk that a small nonprofit with limited fundraising capacity would be left responsible for major and potentially expensive structural repairs on a 1910 Carnegie-era building. The MOU amendments require the museum society to make an annual presentation to the council about activities and to notify the city if the museum will be closed for 30 days or more.

Council member Hanson, who said he serves as vice president of the Museum Society, told the council the volunteer board performs much of the routine maintenance and that the society manages operations and fundraising. Hanson said the society's banked funds total roughly $80,000 in combined checking and savings (raised through donations) and that the society has historically done many repairs and projects with volunteer labor and modest outlays.

Council member Busby asked whether staff expected immediate large maintenance liabilities, such as roofing or foundational repairs; Brown and Hanson said the museum was generally in good condition for its age but acknowledged known issues (including bats in the belfry and other aging-building needs) and noted the society and city had discussed cost-sharing for a planned bat-exclusion contract. Brown said the museum's bat-exclusion work had been timed to follow a separate city repair in the Civic Center so exclusion work would be effective. Hanson said the museum's annual operating contribution from the city in recent years had been modest (the staff report referenced a museum maintenance line item that the council said had been $1,500 in recent years).

Several council members urged caution about the city accepting open-ended liability for a historic building and asked staff to identify thresholds for shared costs or dollar limits where council approval would be required. The council discussed insurance appraisal work done earlier in the year and staff said the city had recently updated appraisals for many city assets.

The council approved the MOU amendment by voice vote (ayes) and directed staff to continue working with the museum board on any imminent structural needs and cost estimates.