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West Bend board reviews MOU to let library serve as emergency shelter; members press for plans on space, security and authority
Summary
Board members discussed a recently signed emergency-event MOU that would make the library available as a shelter or command post during emergencies. Members questioned who signed the agreement, whether the board should approve such MOUs in advance, and how sheltering would affect staff, security, designated spaces and operations.
Board members raised questions about an emergency-event memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would allow the West Bend Community Memorial Library to be used as an emergency shelter or command post, and some members said the board should be informed when such agreements are signed.
"We weren't we did not approve this, nor did we even discuss this," the board president said, prompting discussion about who signed the MOU and whether the board needed preapproval. Board members noted Tim had signed the MOU; the president said the signature should have been by the library entity, not an individual staff member.
Library Director Steve, who said he would make the operational call during an incident, told the board the MOU means city or county emergency managers would contact him first and handle the logistics of running a shelter, so the library staff would not be expected to provide food and similar services. Several board members agreed the city stepping into building responsibilities made the arrangement more acceptable.
Board members and other speakers pressed for clarifications on security and space allocation. One board member asked whether there would be "a designated area" for sheltering to avoid mixing shelter activities with normal library operations and raised concerns about identification, security and the possible presence of people with criminal records. Steve said the library has rooms and basement spaces that could be used and that each emergency would be addressed case-by-case.
Some members said using the library as an alternate facility is common practice among local entities and argued having an alternate shelter is prudent if city hall or other primary facilities are unavailable.
The board did not vote to approve or reject the MOU at the meeting; members asked for better notification procedures and for staff to coordinate a broader emergency-management discussion with the city and county in the future.
