Denton County Commissioners Court Courthouse on the Square 110 West Hickory, Denton, Texas * * * * * Formal Agenda Minutes
Not Official Minutes.  For official minutes, please contact the County Clerk at 940-349-2012.

May 19, 2000

Be it remembered that Commissioners Court of Denton County, Texas, held an Emergency Session at 10:08 am on Friday, May 19, 2000, with Judge Kirk Wilson presiding. Commissioners Jeff Krueger and Jim Carter were present, along with Bob Schell, Assistant District Attorney, Civil Division, on the approval of a contract between Denton County and Service Master Disaster Technologies for mold retardation of the Charlie Cole Building and approval of emergency funding.

Danny Brumley, Director of Facilities Management, explained to the court that the work would involve removing all stained and molded tiles and insulation from the building. Judge Darlene Whitten's offices would be moved out of the County Criminal Court #1 into some temporary space until leased space is available at 319 East Oak Street in Denton. This company will remove the furniture, decontaminate it and move it into the space at 319 East Oak. After removal of the insulation, the ceiling will be sprayed with an anti-bacterial substance and blow insulation into the ceiling. With this action, Juvenile and Adult Probation will be back to work Monday morning.

Judge Whitten asked if this type of clean-up would not take a longer time due to the washing of everything with bleach and water.

Judge Wilson asked Danny Brumley if the Provident Group had been consulted on this.

Danny Brumley assured the court that his department is following the State of Texas Health Department's guidelines as to the removal and abatement of this mold. Judge Whitten's furniture and files will be taken out and cleaned thoroughly.

Comm. Krueger stated that Provident would not be doing the actual clean-up but is strictly a consulting group.

Judge Whitten explained that after lengthy conversations with her Administrative Judge, Judge David Garcia, that any place she holds court has to have the approval of the Juvenile Board. She looked at the temporary place - 319 East Oak - cannot be approved by Juvenile Court. The Central Jury Room in the Denton County Courts Building would be suitable except for when it is in use, Monday and Tuesday morning. The other recommendation, as of December 1, would be the Ceremonial Courtroom on the second floor of the Denton County Courts Building. She was trying to cut the county's losses for expensive leased space.

Comm. Carter asked Danny Brumley how long a period before Judge Whitten can return to her own offices.

Danny Brumley could not speculate on that. The Charlie Cole Building must be evacuated, according to the engineers, during the reconstruction phase. Adult Probation will be out in the next few months but could not answer where the County Court at Law would go.

Comm. Carter suggested the use of the Commissioners Courtroom.

Judge Whitten reminded the court that there is no parking for this courtroom.

Danny Brumley reiterated that all any of them could do at this point was speculate on the amount of time it would take to correct the problem and move everyone back in their own space. He did not think the Ceremonial Courtroom would be large enough to support Judge Whitten's court docket.

Judge Wilson asked Judge Whitten what the problem was with 319 East Oak.

Judge Whitten agreed that parking was not a problem there but her staff plus a jury would not fit in the space.

Judge Wilson asked if a portable building next to 319 E. Oak would help.

Judge Whitten replied that that had been considered.

Comm. Carter stressed the need for innovation and people agreeing to work in less than satisfactory conditions. He suggested using the parking lot at the Carroll and using a shuttle for bringing people to the old courthouse. Also, Comm. Carter asked that the court look into asking for space from other governmental agencies - the City of Denton, FEMA, school districts, etc.

Comm. Carter asked Danny Brumley why Service Masters is being recommended to do the clean-up.

Danny Brumley answered that they are a reputable organization and he is simply trying to get Probation back in operation as soon as possible. The County Court at Law can possibly be contained and sealed off from the rest of the building. He did not realize that 319 E. Oak would not work temporarily but knows that there is no space at the Denton County Courts Building.

Judge Whitten assured the court that she is committed to working out a solution along with keeping her staff safe. She is willing to look at the Central Jury Room for holding court but not for her staff.

Judge Wilson suggested that for now Judge Whitten's staff needs to be moved to 319 East Oak but hold court in the Central Jury Room.

Judge Whitten apprised the court that her court is in session right now, holding court in the Juvenile Detention Facility.

Comm. Carter reiterated that he thinks the Commissioners Courtroom is the best place for Judge Whitten to hold court, she does not need a makeshift operation. Her offices will have to be elsewhere.

Judge Whitten said if she were to hold court in Commissioners Court, she would have to be in session 10 hour days, 4 days a week.

Judge Wilson reminded the court that there would be no place to store her files in the old courthouse.

Danny Brumley said that that there is possible leased space on McKinney but he needs more time to check into it.

Move to approve by Comm. Krueger a contract between Denton County and ServiceMaster
Disaster Technologies for Mold Remediation of the Charlie Cole Building, second by Comm.
Carter.
Motion Carried 3-0-0
Court Order #00-0247

Move to approve by Comm. Krueger, second by Comm. Carter for Emergency Funding
for the Contract between Denton County and ServiceMaster Disaster Technologies for Mold
Remediation of the Charlile Cole Building in the amount of $37,859.00, to be funded as an
Emergency from the General Fund Balance.
Motion Carried 3-0-0
Court Order #00-0248

Judge Wilson noted that we need second opinions before we take any further action an any buildings.

Comm. Krueger suggested that all the buildings in the county need to be inspected and tested for this mold.

Move to adjourn by Comm. Carter, second by Comm. Krueger.
Motion Carried 3-0-0

This set of minutes prepared by deputy clerk Kathleen Bransford and reviewed by County Clerk Cynthia Mitchell.