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Board members flag storm damage, gas smell and trip hazards; urge city action on building repairs
Summary
Board members raised multiple safety and maintenance concerns after a storm, including a strong gas odor in a gas meter closet, water leaks into the children’s room and offices, a partially blocked emergency exit, and a trip hazard at the top of a stair; they asked staff to contact We Energies, the fire department and Public Works.
Board members at the Port Washington Library Board meeting pressed staff and city officials to address several building-safety and maintenance issues identified after a recent storm, including a strong smell of natural gas in a meter closet, new water intrusion in multiple locations, and a concrete trip hazard at the top of a stair.
A board member who reviewed the facility noted the gas odor in the gas meter closet and recommended having the fire department test concentrations before anyone re-enters the space; the member also suggested contacting We Energies (the regional gas utility). The director said she would contact We Energies and the fire department the next morning and would follow up with Public Works (Rob) about additional repairs.
Board members described water stains and waterlogged tiles in staff offices and the children’s room after a storm that produced roughly seven inches of rain; they said gutters and roof-related drainage appear to have been overwhelmed and that additional inspections are needed. Concerns included possible mold growth, damage to recently installed or planned flooring and general code and property-value impacts if the moisture problem persists.
Separately, the board noted an emergency exit in the children’s room is partially blocked by landscaping and said that impedes egress and may violate code; staff said they will follow up with Public Works on trimming/removal. Members also cited a raised section of concrete near the top of the stair that the board’s facilities report from 2021 had identified as a trip hazard; they urged the city to consider grinding or regrading rather than temporary fixes such as paint.
The board discussed the city’s 2021 PRA facilities report, which lists deferred maintenance items that were estimated in the meeting at roughly $1.6 million; several speakers said many of the items on that list remain incomplete. One board member suggested asking the city for a matching contribution to cover infrastructure items currently being paid from a “flexible facilities” grant, noting the grant was intended primarily for programming and amenity improvements rather than building maintenance.
Staff said the alarm system has been sensitive during construction-related dust, that both the security and fire alarms have been reported to the alarm vendor and to police and fire, and that they would coordinate on a plan to reduce nuisance alarms while keeping the building safe. The director confirmed she will follow up with We Energies and Public Works and will report back at a future meeting.
No formal board action was taken in this meeting on capital work or funding; members asked staff to pursue vendor, utility and city-department responses and to return with updates.
