Personnel committee accepts facilities—funded encapsulation after asbestos found under Room 234 carpet

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen Personnel & Administration Committee voted July 23 to proceed with an encapsulation option for asbestos remediation in Room 234, accepting an offer from the facilities department to cover the encapsulation cost.

"I was relying on the expertise of the facilities department and the contractors to make sure that the bids were accurate," Director Gracia said, explaining why the issue returned to committee. Kevin, the facilities staff member who described the technical options, said, "the process by which we're gonna remove the asbestos is the same process that we use majority of the time throughout city hall, and it is perfectly safe." The committee recorded a 5-0 vote to accept the encapsulation route.

Gracia told members that initial testing in March identified asbestos beneath the carpet in spaces used by a secretary and some aldermen. Contractors and facilities staff found that the solvent used in abatement could chemically react with the carpet backing, creating the need either for a chemical barrier layer (encapsulation) or removal and replacement of the wood subfloor. Facilities offered to pay the encapsulation work; full removal and replacement would require additional board funds.

Committee members reviewed cost estimates: Director Gracia cited roughly $8,885 for installing a replacement subfloor and about $2,250 for the encapsulation-related work referenced by facilities; Kevin and other staff clarified line items (a $6,009.52 subfloor estimate was mentioned along with contractor figures of $2,585 and other contractor costs). Committee discussion emphasized that both approaches would reduce asbestos below EPA tolerance levels and that encapsulation was the more affordable option for FY27's tight budget.

Alderman DeVoe summarized the safety point after staff remarks: "...under your proposal, the asbestos will be removed and remediated... and there is no health risk," to which Kevin replied that either option would be within EPA limits. Aldermen said they preferred the less expensive option if safety outcomes are equivalent. The committee chair then moved to accept facilities—offer to fund encapsulation; the motion passed with five aye votes.

Next steps: facilities and the selected contractors will schedule the encapsulation work in Room 234 and ensure procurement documents in the project drive match the chosen scope. Director Gracia also asked STLTV/captioning staff to make sure transcription is turned off before the committee moved into closed session to discuss unrelated personnel matters.