Norman City Council Developing Mold Policy

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ECAB goes for the mold

Recommendations to be presented to City Council

12/20/02

Tom Blakey

After numerous hours of discussion over the past several months concerning

toxic mold and what the city should be doing to protect its residents from

the problem, members of the Environmental Control Advisory Board met

Wednesday and agreed upon several recommendations to be contained in a

letter to the Norman City Council.

ECAB will recommend existing codes be enforced, including Norman City Code,

Section 10-203, Health Nuisances and Section 10-110, regarding testing and

data sampling.

The recommendations include development of an educational program for Norman

tenants, landlords and the general public, training for code inspectors and

purchase of equipment to assist in performing mold inspections.

" It was a major victory for renters and mold victims alike, " said Norman

resident Larkin. " (The recommendations) can all be done at little or

no cost to the city. It only makes sense that the city take a proactive

approach to this issue as more and more cities are taking these small steps

to protect their citizens. "

Larkin initially asked ECAB to take up the mold discussion after members of

her family experienced health problems due to their exposure to mold in a

Norman rental apartment. It was the recommendatory body's fourth monthly

meeting addressing the mold issue.

Board members discussed the basic outline of the letter to council, which

board member Saxion volunteered to help ECAB Chair Walter Kelley

write in the weeks ahead.

ECAB members decided to include an appendix to the letter containing the

minutes of the past four meetings, and an Oct. 15 memorandum written by city

liaison Mark s outlining existing and applicable ordinances and city

codes.

After agreeing on background information and facts and findings to include

in the letter, board members talked over specific recommendations.

" Education is the most important thing, " Kelley said.

Several pamphlets were examined, and members recommended information from

the Environmental Protection Agency be accessed for distribution; an insert

be developed for inclusion in utility bills; and the city's Web site be used

to contain relevant links and local information.

Board members discussed a recommendation the city purchase additional

equipment, such as a moisture meter, boroscope and TV scope, as the budget

allows, to assist Inspectors in detecting toxic mold.

Finally, ECAB members deliberated over a third recommendation that city

inspectors receive minimum training and continuing education concerning

toxic mold.

" This is the exact program that is being looked at by city councils all

around the country, " Larkin said.

Reporter Tom Blakey covers city government and can be reached at 366-3540 or

via e-mail at tblakey@....