Sebastian Police Department

Sebastian employees seek compensation

A recent clean bill of health given to the Sebastian Police Department building by an environmental consultant won't prevent several past and current department employees from seeking compensation for alleged unhealthy working conditions, said one of the attorneys for the employees.

Orlando attorney Mick O'Brien and Rockledge attorney Arna Cortazzo represent 26 Police Department employees, who allege they suffered various illnesses from mold, mildew and toxic chemicals at the building on Main Street.

The employees want the Florida League of Cities to pay them for medical expenses and two-thirds of their wages from lost work because of alleged illness, in some cases dating back to 1993, O'Brien said. The alleged illnesses range from dizziness and sore throats to breast cancer.

Claims began being filed in January, although some employees have said past claims have fallen on deaf ears.

Rene Salazar, a certified industrial hygienist from Salazar and Spaul Environmental Consultants Inc., of Tampa, inspected the Police Department building earlier this month and said only minimal changes are needed.

Salazar noted indoor conditions were superior to those of similar indoor settings because of past improvements by city officials. He did note some "minor deficiencies" needed correction and recommended vacuuming the department's furniture with a high-efficiency vacuum and verifying proper operation of the return air system in various building sections.

O'Brien disagreed with Salazar's report. "Those are all major problems, not minor," O'Brien said. "It shows the equipment handling the air coming into the building is poor. Calling for vacuuming is suggesting that vacuuming office furniture is going to solve a problem, and that's just silly. That only vacuums up indoor air particulates not inhaled by the occupants."

Salazar said he was unable to comment Monday without permission from Sebastian city officials.

O'Brien and Cortazzo are scheduled to meet March 15 with Florida League of Cities officials, O'Brien said, regarding a possible claims settlement. He said employees are still contacting him and he could have 30 to 40 claims by the meeting. A monetary settlement figure wasn't available. "Right now it's hard to set a figure until we find out the extent of injuries, how long each employee worked in the building and what part of the building they were in," O'Brien said. City Manager Terrence Moore said the latest inspection was done "to ascertain if the building is of sound air quality. We wish to constantly ensure all facilities in Sebastian represent a healthy place to work."

Any changes called for by Salazar involve simple maintenance, he said, and the Building Department has been directed to take care of them. Moore referred questions about the workers' claims to the league.

Alison Schefer, the city's attorney who works with the Florida League of Cities and is investigating the workers' claims, could not be reached for comment Monday.

The Police Department building received a new, computerized air circulating system a few years ago, said Sebastian General Services Administrator Paul Wagner. The updated system came after a 1996 inspection by Salazar and Spaul Environmental Inc. found plugged outdoor air filters and ducts. The building also was inspected in March 1999 by the same firm, which gave it a clean bill of health.

Moore said the latest inspection "confirms what I've said all along, that the building is a sound, healthy place to work. During the last problems occurring over there, any and everything was done. This is simply a confirmation of it."

O'Brien, however, maintained employees must be moved out of the building, saying, "Any further delay means more medical expenses for city of Sebastian and more misery for police officers."

Salazar will discuss air quality of the Police Department at a public workshop for department employees and city officials from 2-4 p.m. Thursday in City Council chambers.