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Council approves library MOU after debate over who should handle trash and cleaning
Summary
Council approved a memorandum of understanding clarifying maintenance duties between the city and the Carnegie library after several council members expressed concern that the city’s current budgeted contribution exceeds the state minimum and that routine custodial duties should fall to the library.
The Thief River Falls City Council voted to approve a memorandum of understanding that sets out the division of responsibilities for building services, maintenance and facility operations between the city and the Carnegie library.
Council members pressed staff for details about costs and daily tasks. One council member said the city currently budgets about $174,000 for library support while citing a state minimum figure of $112,000; that member argued the library should be responsible for routine tasks such as emptying trash and vacuuming. "We are already paying well over what we are mandated by the state of Minnesota to pay," the council member said, urging changes to the MOU so the library handles its own trash and vacuuming.
Library‑related staff and other council members responded that certain daily tasks—such as morning checks by city maintenance staff and snow‑clearing the entryways—have been part of the historical arrangement and that the draft MOU was based on the 1990 intergovernmental agreement. Staff said the MOU specifies daily cleaning tasks (entryway vacuuming, bathroom cleaning, mopping, and winter HVAC checks) and that the Carnegie’s dumpster arrangements centralize service for the building.
After discussion about clarifying frequency and simplifying trips for city maintenance staff, the council approved the MOU by motion. The city will continue to work with the Library Board and may consider minor modifications if needed; the motion passed by voice vote.
