Council members agreed that the most urgent building-safety step is a professional mold study of the firehouse and directed staff to proceed with that work while gathering bids for remediation and for targeted building improvements.

Finance Director Fred presented a building-improvement schedule that listed a mold study ($10,000), an estimated mold remediation and cleaning cost ($65,000 — estimate pending), and a possible remodel of firehouse living quarters (rough estimate $100,000). The total proposed building-improvement request amounted to approximately $425,600 before the mayor proposed deferring $69,000 of work into the next fiscal year; council agreed to prioritize urgent items.

Chief and staff told council the firehouse has had water infiltration and indicated the HVAC and ductwork may have allowed moisture to enter wall cavities; a third-party firm (Rosenberg) had flagged several units as high priority for replacement. The chief reported contractors viewed the kitchen hood at the Voigt Center as inoperable and said the hood should be repaired or replaced to meet safe-cooking practices. He said three companies that inspected the hood recommended replacement because the current design is costly and difficult to service.

Council discussed a quoted generator repair that could be roughly $20,000 for repairs plus duct/vent upgrades and an allowance to fully repair and get the generator serviceable. After discussion the council tentatively agreed to budget $30,000 as a repair line item for the municipal building generator so staff can order repairs and secure a second bid; staff will return bids and a more detailed scope before authorizing work above that amount.

On mold, several council members agreed the study should proceed immediately because remediation—if required—would involve cutting through walls, removing insulation and redoing drywall and finishes, and might overlap with other planned remodeling. The mayor and council asked staff to obtain three bids for remediation after the mold study returns results and to check insurance possibilities, though staff said mold claims are often limited.

Council also reviewed a list of smaller building maintenance items (interior painting, fire-bay painting and HVAC maintenance) and instructed staff to phase projects and seek multiple bids where practical. Staff will post a mold study report and vendor bids to the council packet when available so members can consider a targeted remediation budget amendment.