Moorhead resident presses council on mold inspections, requests yes-or-no answer

Resident Jamal Abigas told the Moorhead City Council on Tuesday he has documented mold in a neighboring rental unit that the city licenses and pressed the council for a direct answer on whether the city inspects for mold.

"Does the city inspect for mold? Yes or no?" Abigas asked during the citizens-addressing-the-council portion of the meeting, repeatedly seeking a simple answer as he described pictures he had emailed to the city clerk and follow-up contacts with the city manager, building official and Fire Marshal Garvey.

Abigas told council members the building at 3015 Twentieth Street South is licensed to one name but managed by a different company and raised a concern he said is covered by the Moorhead City Charter: "Now those aren't the same companies, and I believe it's, Morehead City Charter, chapter 2, 1 8 2 dash 1 dash 8 says those licenses are not transferable." He also said the building had visible staples painted over and drainage pipes that will not carry water away from the structure.

Mayor Pro Tem Chuck Hendrickson and other council members declined to answer the question during the public-comment period, noting that the council does not usually engage in extended back-and-forth with speakers during that portion of the meeting. City Manager Molly told the council staff has been working with Abigas and with Fire Marshal Garvey and that staff could provide information to the council by email; she also said the council could place the topic on a workshop agenda if members want a fuller discussion.

Council Member Heather Niesemeyer said the pictures Abigas provided were "alarming" and asked the council to hold a future workshop to examine habitability and mold inspection questions once the council has capacity beyond work on the budget. "I don't want to let this go," she said.

Abigas told the council he is facing eviction in the broader dispute over habitability and asked the council to show greater concern: "I need you to be more upset. I need you to be more upset. I come up here upset. I'm upset in emails. I need y'all to be upset on our behalf." He said he was seeking a yes-or-no policy answer because, if the city does not inspect for mold, he intends to draft ordinance language to bring to the council.

City staff did not give a categorical yes-or-no answer during the meeting record; instead staff noted continuing contact with the resident and the fire marshal and offered to return more information by email or at a workshop. The council did not take formal action, make policy changes or set a timeline for a workshop during the meeting.