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Council presses administration on 1500 W. Galbraith access after mold testing; ARPA abatement on the table
Summary
Council heard a DAV‑commissioned mold report for the 1500 West Galbraith building and disputed who authorized entry after council requested the building remain closed. Administration reported RWB has been contacted about asbestos abatement and an ARPA ordinance for up to $445,382.86 was under second reading.
John Stood, a junior vice commander for DAV Post 115, told council that an inspection and sampling of the East Wing at 1500 West Galbraith showed low quantities of mold inside but several outside types; he distributed the ProLab report to council and answered technical questions about sampling and whether the HVAC was running during tests.
Council members repeatedly raised an earlier June 16 email in which council asked administration not to permit re‑entry to the building for safety reasons. Several members said they were not told that the DAV or others had later entered the building for windows or testing; members called for clearer documentation of who authorized access and a review of the insurance/liability implications of allowing entry when the building contains asbestos and mold.
On the council agenda, Ordinance 5‑2026 (second reading) would authorize use of up to $445,382.86 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for asbestos abatement, demolition and related public‑works work at 1500 W. Galbraith. Council discussed demolition estimates, contractor scheduling and whether RWB (the selected abatement vendor) had confirmed a start date; administration said RWB had been contacted and understood the matter to be urgent but had not yet produced a calendar date.
Councilmembers asked administration to return with documentation listing who authorized entry, copies of reports and clearer cost estimates before final passage of the ARPA ordinance. No final appropriation vote on Ordinance 5‑2026 occurred during the meeting.
