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Magistrate judge asks commission to address persistent janitorial problems at court building
Summary
A judge reported repeated janitorial deficiencies at the Levittown Magistrate Court (missing supplies, unclean windows, debris and odors), urged the commission to enforce the current contract or put services out to bid, and offered photos; staff said contract breach provisions or an RFP could be pursued.
An unnamed judge appearing during the meeting's discussion of janitorial services at the magistrate court told the commission the court building has not been cleaned properly since the move to the new building and urged action.
"The building is not being cleaned properly," the judge said, describing incidents that included no toilet paper in the public bathrooms during a jury trial, windows that had apparently never been cleaned until an ad hoc cleaning, and dead bugs left on the floor for weeks. The judge offered to share photographs documenting conditions.
City staff responded that there are two paths: if the contract is nearing its end the city can go out for an RFP; if the contract is ongoing, staff can issue a breach notice and allow a 30-day cure. The city attorney/manager (S5) said staff would sit down with the judge to identify specific deficiencies and determine whether to pursue contract enforcement or an RFP.
The judge said the matter has "boiled my blood" and urged the commission to let another vendor evaluate cleaning responsibilities if the contractor can't meet the contract standards.
Next steps: staff will review the contract terms and meet with court staff to identify which performance provisions have not been met, then pursue notice provisions or an RFP as appropriate.
