Mold forces decision on police office

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Posted on Thu, Jun. 29, 2006

Mold forces decision on police office

Expert tells department it needs to fix its building or move this

summer

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/local/states/califor

nia/14928151.htm

By Karl Fischer

CONTRA COSTA TIMES

CA.

RICHMOND - If the city cannot stop winter rainwater from flowing

through the walls of Richmond's Hall of Justice, one of the East

Bay's busiest police departments must move -- this summer.

Recent testing shows air in the 57-year-old building contains

abundant mold, verifying conditions described in dozens of employee

injury claims that cite the building as a contributor to ailments.

Whether the city decides to repair the building or temporarily move

the department, a solution will likely cost millions and disrupt the

Richmond Police Department. Chief Magnus said the city hopes

to settle on an option within a month.

" There have been efforts in the past to do sort of patchwork

repairs, but the feedback we're now receiving (from a consultant) is

that we need a more permanent solution, " Magnus said. " I think it's

probably more a question of, 'When do we leave?' and 'Where do we

go?' "

While Richmond plans a new police building in its Civic Center

renovation project, Magnus said Wednesday the department cannot wait

until 2008 to remove employees from the moldy environment.

" For many years we have been dealing with an ongoing pattern of

water intrusion, ... which leads to mold, " Magnus said. " This cycle

has potential long-term health impact for our employees, and we are

very concerned about that. "

Air samples collected from different parts of the four-story

building in late May showed mold in unhealthy concentrations in some

places.

While the tests revealed no toxic mold, and therefore no immediate

public health risk, the city cannot predict long-term consequences

of daily exposure for people who work in the building, Magnus said.

The city ordered the testing after at least 28 department employees

filed workers compensation claims over a four-month period citing

exposure to mold and asbestos as a potential source of their

ailments, which ranged from chronic sniffles to skin infections.

Most did not expect compensation, union leaders said, but wanted to

document work conditions in case they became ill later.

The recent air testing found no elevated asbestos, lead or other

toxic materials in the department's air, Magnus said, though

asbestos and lead are in the building.

The city will hire a leak specialist to estimate repair costs in the

next week, Magnus said. Findings will influence the city's decision

to either repair the building or move.

Poor drainage and persistent leaks plagued the Hall of Justice for

at least 30 years, causing the basement to flood ankle-deep for

weeks at a time during each rainy season. Water steadily seeped from

ceilings and walls in some parts of the building.

Like other buildings ringing Civic Center Plaza, including the city

library, the old City Hall and the Memorial Auditorium, the Hall of

Justice also has seismic safety problems. City Hall workers moved to

a rental property in 2003.

" For a long time, nothing was done about it, but (Magnus) seems to

be taking it seriously, " said Sgt. Darren Monahan, vice-president of

the Richmond Police Officers Association. " Whether we get into a new

building or get the old one fixed, the sooner the better. As long as

it is safe. "

Regardless of whether the rest of the department moves, Magnus said

the basement property vault, one of the moldiest parts of the

building, must be relocated. So police must find a secure building

somewhere in Richmond where they can move about 6,000 square feet

worth of evidence, paper records and private property now stored in

the basement. Each item must be documented and its packaging

cleaned, Magnus said.

Moving the entire department would be much more costly and time

consuming, and require temporarily closing the City Jail. Police

would book prisoners at County Jail in ez, making arrests more

time consuming to resolve.

In addition to the difficulty of finding space for more than 200

employees who now work in the building, the police department has

specialized requirements for storage of equipment, weapons,

confiscated drugs, and hazardous materials. It needs sufficient

parking and locker rooms.

Magnus said the city has not found any suitable properties.

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