Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/18/2005, C4 - FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR TRACT 2401, A 54-LOT RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION AT 11955 L counat I"=W`°� J=uary 18,200 j acEnaa uEpoizt 1�Numbo . CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO �,•l FROM: Jay Walter, P.E.—Public Works Direct ! + Prepared By: Robert A. Livick, P.E.—Su g Civil Engineer ,. SUBJECT: FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR TRACT 2401,A 54-LOT RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION AT 11955 LOS OSOS VALLEY ROAD [OBISPO ESTATES-LOUR-SLO, LLC (R.W. HERTEL) SUBDIVIDER] CAO RECOMMENDATION Adopt resolution (Attachment 1) accepting the public improvements and releasing the bonds for Tract 2401 (Vicinity Map, Attachment 2). DISCUSSION This item was first brought to City Council on December 7, 2004. After three owners testified during the public comment period regarding alleged construction defects with their homes and debris and silt being deposited on the sidewalk after rains or heavy irrigation, Council directed staff to re-inspect the public improvements, with representatives of the Homeowners Association (HOA) invited to observe the inspection. On January 4, 2005 City staff met with representatives of the subdivider and HOA onsite to conduct the second final inspection. As with the first final inspection, this inspection confirmed that all of the public improvements and common area private improvement, as shown on the public improvement plans, met City standards. The inspection also revealed that the problems with silt and debris washing on to the sidewalk was for the most part the result of heavy rainfall in combination with inadequate landscape maintenance by the new homeowners, i.e. bare soil, inadequate maintenance of onsite drainage features, or poor landscape construction practice. The HOA will be working with the new homeowners to correct this problem. Discussions during the inspection reinforced the requirement for regular maintenance of common area and median landscaping. The required subdivision improvements approved with the tentative map, per Resolution No. 9169 (2001 Series) approved April 3, 2001, have been completed to City standards and specifications. The subdivider has requested acceptance of the public improvements by the City and release of the respective sureties. Public improvements included approximately 2200 linear feet of new public streets (including portions De Vaul Ranch and Tonini Drives along with Farrier and Singletree Streets, water, sewer, storm drain and typical utility company mains and services. The final map for Tract 2401 was approved, per Resolution No. 9313 (2002 Series), on May 21, 2002. Included with the final map approval was a subdivision agreement that allowed the Subdivision Labor and Materials and the Faithful Performance bonds to be released upon City Council acceptance of the subdivision improvements and upon receipt of a guarantee for ten percent of the cost of the public improvements. The cost of the public improvements was estimated Final Acceptance of Tract 2401 Page 2 to be$2,017,000.The subdivider has provided a surety bond in the amount of$201,700. This guarantee is to insure that the subdivider will remedy any defects in the improvements arising from faulty workmanship or materials or defective construction of said improvements occurring within twelve (12) months after subdivision acceptance, in accordance with City Council Resolution 9313 (2002 Series) and Sections 66499.7 and 66499.9 of the Government Code of the State of California. CONCURRENCES Representatives of the HOA met with City staff to observe the second final inspection. As with the first final inspection, this inspection confirmed that all of the public improvements and common area private improvement, as shown on the public improvement plans, met City standards. The HOA representatives concur with this conclusion. FISCAL IWACT Typical maintenance and operation of public facilities will be required for sidewalk and water infrastructure. The cost for maintenance and operation of the water facilities will be offset by the monthly service charges. The costs for street maintenance and other non-enterprise fund items such as park services, fire protection and police protection are general fund costs. ATTACHMENTS 1 -Resolution 2 - Vicinity Map i:tcouncil agenda,reports\2005 agenda reports\transportation and development review (bochum)\development review(livick)\final acceptance of public improvements-tract 2401.doc 1 Attachment 1 RESOLUTION NO. (2005 SERIES) A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ACCEPTING THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR TRACT NO.2401 WHEREAS, the City Council made certain findings concerning Tract 2401, as prescribed in Resolution No. 9169 (2001 Series);and WHEREAS, the City Council approved the final map for Tract 2401 per Resolution No. 9313 (2002 Series); and WHEREAS, the subdivider has satisfactorily completed the public improvements for Tract 2401, in accordance with City standards, specifications and the subdivision agreement, and has requested acceptance of the public improvements for maintenance and operation by the City. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council hereby accepts the public improvements for Tract No. 2401. The current Faithful Performance surety is hereby reduced to $201,700, being ten percent of the total cost of the public improvements, to be held for one year from this date, in accordance with the subdivision agreement. The Labor & Materials surety may be released at this time, since the conditions of Section 66499.7 of the California Government Code have been met. On motion of seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing Resolution was adopted this_day of , 2005. ATTEST: Mayor David F. Romero City Clerk Audrey Hooper Approved as to Form: C(ty torney Jonathan P. Lowell i:Lcouncil agenda reports\2005 agenda reports\transportation and development review(hochum)\development review (livick)\final acceptance resolution-tract 2401.doc N i i Attachment 2 Vicinity Map Tract 2401. "Obispo Estates" Y' ract 2401 \ }` "Obispo Estates" � I RECEIVED JAN 18 200) - -- - — SLO CITY CLERK From: "Adam M. Daner"<amd@danerlaw.com> To: <ahooper@slocity.org> Date: 1/18/05 4:09PM Subject: Agenda Item No. C4 for Tonight Dear Ms. Hooper: This office represents R.W. Hertel &Sons, Inc., ("Hertel"). Item No. C4 of tonight's City Council agenda deals with Hertel's public bond arising from the Rancho Obispo development. Hertel is currently working with the Rancho Obispo Homeowners Association to resolve recently raised issues at the development.Accordingly. Hertel hereby requests that item C4 be pulled from tonight's agenda, and rescheduled to the next scheduled City Council meeting while Hertel works with the Association to resolve any and all outstanding issues. Thank you, Adam M. Daner I - COUNCIL' TCDD DIR ICAO e'FIN DIR ACAO GFIRE CHIEF ATTORNEY fGPW DIR ,2rCLERK10RIG LPOLICE CHF Adam M. Daner ❑ T. EAD .- ZGREC DIR . z( ;�UTIL DIR fe rHR DIR Daner Law Firm,A Professional Corporation _ ----- — 4251 S. Higuera, Suite 402 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Telephone (805)544-2757 Facsimile (805) 544-2767 RED FILE amd@danerlaw.com Mt ING AGENDA DATEAX& ITEM #_L _` f, ) RANCHO OBISPO HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION 3563 Empleo St., Ste. B, San Luis Obispo CA 93401 (805) 544 - 9093 (Fax) 544 - 6215 January 14, 2005 �ICOUNCIL04�21",CLEPK/OFIIG CDD DIR AO FIN DIR The Honorable Mayor and City CouncilCAO SIRE CHIEF San Luis Obispo City Hall TrORNEY -2-PW DIR 990 Palm Street Z POLICE CHF ❑ DEPT HEADS -8'REC DIR San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 � -UTIL DIR r HR DIR Honorable Mayor and City Council, We would like to thank you for requiring a walk through of Rancho Obispo with R.W. Hertel and members of the city staff. We were able to identify and reach agreement on many issues. R.W. Hertel agreed to repair a large low spot in the alley area that was causing rain water to puddle, and the association will take care of re-planting some landscaped areas. One major problem still remains. Because of reported roof leaks, the association has been asking Hertel to inspect and repair all roofs on lots 19-53. The association is responsible for the repair, maintenance, and replacement of these roofs. To date, 26 of these homes have reported roof leaks and water intrusion. Some of these leaks have resulted in toxic mold-related problems. Hertel was asked to take care of these problems by the association well before the current rains. They refused to acknowledge the association's right to request repairs. Because of their inaction, many more homes have been damaged. The association urges your Council to require Hertel to address these construction problems by inspecting and repairing each lot listed above as soon as possible. Please refrain from releasing RW Hertel & Sons, Inc. from its bond until it completes these needed inspections and repairs to the satisfaction of the Rancho Obispo Homeowners Association's contractor and your city inspectors. Thank you for your consideration of this very serious matter. Sincerely, RED FILE Jim Hobbs, C�CiAaM� Mt ING AGENDA Agent to the Board DAT�ITEM # =RECEIVEDCommunity Association Manager - 1 Page 1 of 1 SLO Citycouncil-Rancho Obispo Homes/RW Hertel RECEIVED From: Neil Wasserman<wassermanneil@yahoo.com> SLO CITY CLERK To: <slocitycouncil@slocity.org> Date: 1/17/2005 10:50 AM Subject: Rancho Obispo Homes/RW Hertel CC: <council@siocity.org> Dear Honorable Members, This is concerning the Construction defects,mold,water leaks and other related problems in your fine City with the,RW Hertel project known as Rancho Obispo.I have seen the insurance reports and photos of serious Mold,Water leaks and Roof Leaks,to name a few.There is obviously a very serious problem with this entire development.I understand several home owners have contacted the City Building dept. in the past year to complain of many of these same problems and NO action was taken? Now I am told the City is somewhat getting involved. I have recently met with some of the owners and their Insurance Investigators and now have a in depth picture of how serious this issue is.I know of One major Insurance carver that has concluded some of the homes are'Defective"and the policies will be rescinded for cause. I would encourage the City to take all legal avenues available to them as soon as possible in order to protect the city as well as the owners from legal action and causes of action.It has been brought to my attention several homes were Worked"on by RW Hertel in the past several months without the required permits and that some ofthe"Affordable" homes have been short changed on both materials and workmanship,this itself may be a serious HUD and Housing Discrimination Violation if true, if there is Government money involved.I would encourage the City Government to NOT take a passive approach to these problems as more Insurance Companies get notified of claims,and as I now understand some families have experienced.Health related problems that may be related to the Mold now growing in 5-8 Homes that are now known to residents in the area. I implore you all to take a pro-active approach and protect the Cities residents. Sincerely, Neil Wasserman Do you Yahoo!? � Yahoo! Mail-now with 250MB free storage.Learn more. I OUNC _[CDD DIR Z..-,/'C.40 $ FIN DIR .�J ACAO _,2-FIRE CHIEF ATTORNEY ,2-FW DIR iy�CLERK ORIG -.O POLICE CHF ! ❑JI�IEAD 7_�/HR E0 DIR TIL DIR DIR RED FILE MG AGENDA DATE 1 ITEM # '� file://C:\Documents%20and%2OSettings\slouser\Local%2OSettings\Temp\GW}000O1.HTM 1/18/2005 DANER LAW FIRM RED FILE A Professional CorporationMI G AGENDA DATITEM T2� ADAM M.DANER Attorney at Law Admitted in California&Nevada 4251 S. Higuera St., Ste.402 Tel: (805)544-2757 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Fax: (805)544-2767 E-Mail: amd@danerlaw.cwm January 14, 2005 Mayor Dave Romero VIA HAND DELIVERY San Luis Obispo City Hall 990 Palm Street COUNCIL CDD DIR San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 CAO FIN DIR ACAO FIRE CHIEF ATTORNE`( C3 p'0 DIR Re: Consent Agenda Item No. C4 for January 18, 2005 ! CLERK/OR10 M POLICE CHF DF HEADS r❑ IL DIR REC DIR Dear Mayor Romero: ❑ R DIR I represent R.W. Hertel and Sons, Inc. Consent Agenda item no. C4 for this week's agenda deals with the final acceptance of public improvements for Tract 2401, developed by R.W. Hertel and Sons, Inc. at 11955 Los Osos Valley Road. I write to address this agenda item and to address recent claims which have been reported in the local media. I will be unable to attend the meeting, as I will attempt to travel to Riverside County that evening on business. KSBY recently aired a"story" concerning claims arising from the Rancho Obispo subdivision. (A copy is included for your reference along with my correspondence to KSBY addressing the issues.) The report was based upon a single source, with little to no apparent effort made by KSBY to independently investigate that source, or the claims made, prior to running the story. Other media sources have investigated the same source of the claims as recently as April of 2004..(See, Daniel Blackburn's story of April 7, 2004 from the New Times.)This appears to be an ongoing problem with the media in general, as dramatically demonstrated by the recent CBS airing of the purported National Guard memos. As to the Rancho Obispo subdivision in San Luis Obispo, R.W. Hertel and Sons, Inc. diligently and aggressively responds to homeowner issues as they arise, in strict compliance with Title 7 of the California Civil Code. R.W. Hertel and.Sons, Inc. builds quality housing. The subdivision is a benefit to the community and provides much needed housing. Like any other newly manufactured product, problems are sometimes discovered following severe weather conditions. R.W. Hertel and Sons, Inc. endeavors to an a and correct reported problems promptly as they arise, and as weather permits. RECEIVED This correspondence, and the materials within it are proffered so that you can 'JAN 14 2005 SLO CITY COUNCIL independently investigate the assertions made by some as to R.W. Hertel and Sons, Inc. As always, I am available to discuss with you any concerns or questions you might have as to what is actually occurring at the Rancho Obispo subdivision. Thank you for your consideration of the above. Very truly yours, DANER LAW FIRM ADAM M. DANER Enclosures "URIU1116 uctck.w k.au311125 u18 yivutcuib rage 1 of 1 G*rQ PRINTTHiS Building defects causing bog problems By:Adrienne Moore Homeowners in one Central Coast neighborhood say problems with leaky roofs, mold, and other faulty construction are the direct result of a greedy developer. More than a dozen homeowners in the Rancho Obispo subdivision in San Luis Obispo say the problems were caused by cheap materials used by their developer, Ventura-based RW Hertel and Sons. "One of the homes here had such high levels of toxic mold that Hertel had to buy it back 1 from her," says homeowner Scott Barnes. "They tested my home. My home ended up with having toxic mold." The city building inspector and code enforcement officer have since stepped in to make sure repairs are completed with the proper permits. The San Luis Obispo City Council approved the land to be developed, but council member Christine Mulholland says she is outraged by what she had hoped would provide more affordable housing in the city. "Cheap, shoddy crap construction, I'm sick and tired of it," says Mulholland. 'They sell it for top dollar, and to buy a brand new home is a dream for most people, and to be in there less than a year and have to move out, especially around the holiday time as some people have done is absolutely disgusting." Several homeowners say Hertel has known about the building defects for months, but have failed to fix them in a timely fashion; some claim they have been harrassed by Hertel's staff. "The city was here again today and that's when a Hertel employee said, 'I'd better watch out if I keep complaining,'" says Barnes. "I don't take threats from anybody and definitely our association will get involved and discuss legal action." Hertel had no comment on the matter. The Rancho Obispo Homeowners Association will be meeting on Friday with a Los Angeles-based law firm to weigh their legal options. The city council says they'll be addressing some of the problems with the Rancho Obispo subdivision at their next meeting on January 18. Find this artide at: hftp:/ANww.ksby.com/homelheaclliresM349496.html Check the box to include the list of finks referenced in the article. http://www.pfintthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Building+defects+causing+big+problems+... 1/13/2005 1 � DANER LAW FIRM A Professional Corporation ADAM M.DANER Attorney at Law Admitted in California&Nevada 4251 S.Higuera St.,Ste.402 Tel:.(805)544-2757 San Luis Obispo,CA 93401 Fax: (805)5442767 E-Mail:amd@danedaw.com January 14, 2005 Tim Perry VIA HAND DELIVERY President/General Manager KSBY-TV 1772 Calle Joaquin San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 Re: `Building Defects Causing Big Problems"by Adrienne Moore Dear Mr. Perry: I represent R.W. Hertel and Sons, Inc. I write to discuss the above referenced story carried by your station last night, and currently running on your website. The story was unfortunately run without any apparent effort to independently investigate or confirm the allegations lodged by the single cited source, Scott Barnes. Given the current CBS News fiasco, it has again become clear that broadcasting stories without conducting proper independent investigation can have embarrassing results. Enclosed for your reference, and which would have been discovered upon the simple running of a"Google" search in less than five minutes, is a story written by Daniel Blackburn of the New Times on.April 7, 2004. The story,entitled"Mystery Guy",details various episodes involving media manipulation allegedly practiced by Mr. Barnes over the years. Upon learning of Mr. Barnes' background, Penny Harrington.removed Mr. Barnes from the Citizens Oversight Committee investigating local law enforcement. As to the Rancho Obispo subdivision in San Luis Obispo,R.W. Hertel and Sons, Inc. diligently and aggressively responds to any and all homeowner issues, in strict compliance with Title 7 of the California Civil Code. Enclosed,please find a copy of the recently prepared mold investigation report of Mr. Barnes' residence prepared by Environmental.Test&Report, Inc. on January 4, 2005. In contrast to Mr. Barnes reported assertion that"They tested my home:My home ended up having toxic mold.,"the report clearly states that no remediation is warranted as"none of the areas sampled had a significant increase in mold spores." (See, Page 8, Recommendation 1.) 1 .. A It is my hope that future reporting by KSBY will involve a rededicated effort to independently investigate allegations which might be otherwise planted for political or monetary gain. The failure to do so unfortunately results in the unfair mischaracterization of businesses and individuals. Thank you for your consideration of the above. Very truly yours, DANER LAW FIRM G'Cll�vz2�wZ_--- ADAM M. DANER LJ New Times Logo r. •• Mystery Guy Whether true or not, Scott Barnes'yarns have caught the attention of ABC's Peter Jennings, the CIA, and Ross Perot ' of ' BY DANIEL BLACKBURN classifiedsPHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER GARDNER connections • datesHERE TO HELP menus Scott Barnes recently offered to mo%Aes help the Citizens Oversight the _ _ a Committee investigate local law a„ enforcement. His personal aboutclaims made organizer Penny _ Harrington suspicious.At first glance, Scott Barnes looked like a man with something important to offer: a wide array of globetrotting experiences, for example, and expertise in complex investigations and military disciplines. He was retired, with lots of free time. And he apparently had independent resources. Barnes popped up recently at meetings of a citizens' oversight committee that is forming to examine SLO County Sheriffs Department policies and procedures. He has in recent months also spent a great deal of time at his own expense looking into the 2002 GHB-related death of Cal Poly student Brian Gillis, a 19-year-old Sigma Chi fraternity member. In both endeavors, Barnes was making genuine progress. His assistance was welcomed. He reportedly told Patricia Gillis, Brian's mother, that he was a retired private investigator and others that he was a former federal investigator for numerous agencies including the FBI. He told New Times he specialized in probing the circumstances of suspicious workplace deaths involving youth. Penny Harrington thought she smelled a rat. "He had too many stories in the air," she said of recent county transplant Barnes. She just didn't know how many stories. An experienced investigator in her own right and former chief of police in Oregon, Harrington is spearheading the citizen oversight group. She thought http://www.newtimes-slo.com/archive/2004-04-07/cover/index.html 1/13/2005 i she had encountered in Barnes a man who could be an asset to the fledgling organization. She soon learned that she had a world-class chameleon-a man whose personal story could shift with the wind-in her sights. Indeed, Barnes is a man with a past, albeit fascinating, colorful one that caught the attention of ABC's Peter Jennings, put him before a Senate Select Committee, and in the middle of the controversy surrounding Texas billionaire H. Ross Perot's sudden demise in the 1992 presidential campaign. Bames also finessed himself into a key role in U.S. attempts in the mid-1980s to recover missing American POWs from Southeast Asia, and in the process buffaloed the legendary Army Green Beret Col. Bo Gritz. He publicly embarrassed the outgoing Carter administration. His actions forced ABC's news anchor Peter Jennings to make a humiliating retraction on the air. And Barnes was the subject of a full chapter in a book titled "The 60 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time." Ever adaptive, Barnes-at various times in his career-is said to have presented himself as an Army military police officer, a Navy SEAL, a Green Beret, a DEA agent, and even a CIA assassin. (He acknowledges the first, denies ever claiming the next two, and coyly declines to discuss the fourth: 'That's an area we don't discuss," he says.) By his own assertion, he also has been involved in civil defense operations, nuclear-weapons training, real estate, and retail clothing endeavors as part of his "cover." As engaging as he is enigmatic, Scott Tracy Barnes is probably best described professionally as a freelance soldier of fortune. He's authored a book about his exploits, "Bohica," which is a versatile Navy SEAL term meaning "Bend over, here it comes again." He has hobnobbed with international personalities, the famous and infamous. Names of people known and clandestine roll easily off his tongue. He has the places, the people, the pertinent facts, all ready to deliver. He's a compact man with an easy smile and a level gaze who at 50 is losing the battle of the bulge. His thinning gray hair is often covered by a hat. He walks ata leisurely pace, like a guy with some time on his hands. But at this particular moment he is sitting . at a creekside table at Higuera Street's Novo restaurant. He's savoring a sampling of ceviche and pondering a reporter's question. "You know," Barnes confides, "I really don't know why people say some of the things about me that they do." A 1972 graduate of Redondo Union High School in Southern California, Barnes grew up in the shadow of two of the nation's biggest storage grounds for transitory CIA and other covert agents. TRW Space and Defense Park and Hughes Aircraft facilities to this day host a virtual parade of incoming and outgoing intelligence officers and spooks. http://www.newtimes-slo.com/archive/2004-04-07/cover/index.html 1/13/2005 � J After graduation, the teenage Barnes almost immediately took off on a year- long journey during which he traveled to Mexico, Tahiti, American and Western Samoa, Fiji,Tonga, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Australia, Bali, Cuala Lamphoor, Hong Kong, China, Philippines. And Vietnam. (A U.S. Senate Select Committee 20 years later would see proof of that journey in Barnes' passport, and hear his explanation that he funded the trip by cashing in some inherited stocks.. Barnes told committee members that the trip had been a vacation-except for Vietnam. Pressed by the committee to reveal the purpose of the trip to Vietnam, Barnes invoked the Sth Amendment against self-incrimination.) Upon his return from the fast-paced trip, still just 19, he enlisted in the Army. According to his swom testimony before that Senate committee, Barnes received Advanced Individual Training (ATT) at.Fort Bragg, which he described as "counter-insurgency, recognition of booby traps, guerilla warfare, data analysis, body language courses." By his own assessment, soon after his initial training was completed, he was assigned to "work with" Army military police intelligence units on drug interdiction operations involving traveling military personnel. He spent several years at Fort Lewis in Washington state, according to military records produced by the Senate committee, ferreting out illicit drugs hidden in the coffins of service personnel killed in action. After that, Barnes' life apparently began to get really interesting. In 1974, by his reckoning, Barnes was approached by two men who introduced themselves as "CIA" and offered him the opportunity to get an "early drop pass"-to get out of the Army early and join them, in a roundabout sort of way: He would go back to college, get his degree, and then enjoy recruitment from all of this nation's intelligence community. He.eamed a two-year degree at EI Camino College in Torrance in 1976. For the next few years, as documented in data developed by the Senate committee, Barnes did a variety of things, including involving himself in religious activities, only partly as a cover. A self-expressed believer, he helped run Hope Chapel in Maui with a friend, and even walked the sands of Hermosa Beach preaching the gospel according to Barnes. In 1981, Barnes said he was contacted by an anonymous female who said she worked for Hughes Aircraft in EI Segundo. She wanted to know if Barnes had ever heard the name lames Gordon Gritz. Barnes had not. She asked if Barnes would be interested in helping Gritz gather information on American prisoners of war still in captivity years after war's end. Though skeptical that such captives still existed, Barnes affirmed his interest. SMELLED A RAT Penny Harrington of the Citizens Oversight Committee showed Scott Barnes the door after sniffing out inconsistencies in his story and investigating his past. httpJ/www.newtimes-slo.com/archiive/2004-04-07/cover/index.html 1/13/2005 Fast forward to April 2004. Bo Gritz is growling into the phone: "Scott Barnes? I haven't heard that name in 10 years, and it's too damned soon now." Gritz (pronounced gr-EYE-tz) is as close to a military war hero as exists today, partly because of his bold career and partly because of his expert self- marketing. Gritz was the principal character in the United States' attempt to find and rescue any leftover POWs from the Vietnam struggle. He says Barnes presented himself as someone who could assist in gaining access to portions of Laos and Cambodia by introducing Gritz to a man named General Vang Poa, a Thai tribal leader. Meanwhile, Barnes reportedly approached Poa with the same offer: He could introduce him to the American war hero with whom Poa was familiar. Bames told Poa that Gritz was his friend and he'd make the arrangements. That introduction paved the way for a series of top-secret U.S. incursions into Southeast Asia in search of the missing POWs. None were successful. Gritz and Vang Poa would become lifelong friends, and only much later would they realize that Barnes had known neither of them at the time, yet had nonetheless finessed the introduction. Gritz said Barnes manipulated himself onto the rescue team, comprised of highly trained Special Ops personnel, and soon was in Laos. Three weeks into the sojourn, Gritz, overseeing the operation from a separate command post, said he got a call from his field leader. "He said, 'Get this guy the hell out of here before we kill him and bury him.' And they would have," said Gritz. Barnes had not made a big impression on the rescue team. Bames, reminded recently about the incident, grins widely. "Boy, that's true," he says. "They would have." Barnes doesn't say why. And Gritz probably doesn't smile when he remembers what happened next. http://www.newtimes-slo.comlarchive/2004-04-07/cover/index.html 1/13/2005 a .—,.. —�-a—.. a. _ �.�... �..rir� �....a ova f 1{L�'Y ✓ Vl / t 'That sonofabitch Barnes went back to the states; contacted a bunch of newspapers, and told them all that Iwas trying to assassinate the remaining U.S. Vietnam-era military missing in action in order to validate the American government's assertions that there were no more.MIAs," said Gritz. "I'd have killed him myself if I'd have seen him then." Bames, however, was just getting started. And his next project was going to get a whole lot of attention. In 1983, a Hawaiian businessman, Ronald Rewald, went on trial to answer fraud charges that he had looted his international investment firm for millions of dollars. At his trial, Rewald claimed that his company had been set up as a CIA front and that all of his activities were done.at the behest of his immediate superior, the local CIA station chief. Astoundingly, Rewald had the documents to prove his allegations. The intelligence agency remained mute, until Scott Barnes made a spectacular charge: ABC's Peter Jennings breathlessly reported to a transfixed nation that Barnes had been hired by the CIA to terminate Rewald and put an end to Rewald's stories. The source of that story was none other than Barnes himself. In response, the.CIA-breaking its historic tradition of stonewalling-sent a top spook lawyer to prosecute the case, and he successfully debunked the story. That forced Jennings to suddenly reverse field and retract ABC's version on the air. Rewald's documents never made it into the public record; he was convicted of fraud and sentenced to 80 years in federal prison. The presiding judge died a decade later, and a scant 30 days later Rewald was paroled and soon disappeared. And so, for all practical purposes, did Barnes, reappearing in 1992 to make his biggest mark. He had spent the years following the.ABC debacle in the campaign to locate MIA/POWs. He would approach families of missing military personnel and support groups to update them on current news and, occasionally, to seek funding for private searches in Southeast Asia. "I'll say this about Barnes," Gritz said recently. "I don't think he ever did that for money.That wasn't his motivation. He was really just trying to attach himself to people.who were doing something important." Barnes had managed to establish a friendship with H. Ross Perot because of their mutual interest in the MIA/POWs, and the two had frequent telephone conversations. As the three-way presidential race heated up between Bill Clinton, George Herbert Walker Bush, and Perot, Barnes approached the latter with a disturbing story. Author Gerald Posner, in a 1996 book titled "Citizen Perot," identified Barnes as the person responsible for Perot's sudden and surprising withdrawal from the presidential campaign; even though he was pulling at least 20 percent of http://www.newtimes-slo.com/archive/2004-04-07/Cover/mdex.html 1/13/2005 ' I voters his way at the time. Posner wrote that Perot dropped from the race "after receiving multiple reports that there was a Republican plot to disrupt Perot's daughter's wedding, and to distribute a computerized false photo of the daughter showing her in compromising positions with other women." Perot appeared on CBS's "60 Minutes" to elaborate on his astounding decision. "Some aspects of this scandal have long been known, yet the details were always murky," wrote Posner. "The full account reveals that while Perot did have some basis for his bizarre charges, he appears to have relied on sources of dubious credibility." That would have been Scott Barnes.. Barnes told Posner that"no such pictures existed and that he concocted the story. But [Barnes] insists he did so on explicit instructions from Perot so that Perot would have an excuse for his withdrawal from the race. It is hard to imagine, though, that Perot, so concerned about the privacy of his family, would encourage anyone to circulate such a story." But before the fiasco concluded, Barnes would carry the matter all the way to wearing an FBI wire in an attempt to get top Texas Republican Central Committee members to admit to the conspiracy on tape. That failed, of course, because the GOP supporters in fact had absolutely no knowledge of the plan. Posner concluded that Barnes' intention was to force Bush out of the campaign by laying responsibility for the events at Bush's door, but the idea backfired royally. Today, Barnes insists that the FBI was responsible for the information provided to Perot, and that"we used Posner. because we needed to." Barnes identified "we" as Intelligence Support Activity (ISA). In a book titled "Secret Warriors: Inside the Covert.Military Operations of the Reagan Era," by Steven Emerson, the author calls ISA "the least known and most classified unit within the realm of U.S. special operations. It is a small, highly trained and capable intelligence unit." The agency's existence was not revealed until 1982, when reconnaissance over-flights revealed a possible locationof POWs still believed held by the Viet Cong. A rescue operation was planned involving Seaspray, Delta Force, and the ISA. But, ISA also sponsored the parallel, secret mission by Gritz,an scion that caused ISA to be pronounced a "rogue" outfit by Congress. Barnes shrugs off criticism from others with an air of"what can a guy do?" He's heard all this stuff before. "You have to look at things in a grander scale. Who is really working for whom?" he wonders rhetorically. "I just retired from the federal government last year"-and here he displays a laminated identification card from the U.S. Department of Defense. "I couldn't have worked for them in the capacity that I did had any of the negative stuff been even dose to accurate." I retired as a senior investigator, got a great pension, worked for a lot of agencies under those auspices." What does he think about Bo Gritz's observation that "I consider it my http://www.newtimes-slo.com/archive/2004-04-07/cover/index.html 1/13/2005 patriotic duty to warn the American people about Scott Barnes"? Barnes chuckles. "Good old Bo. He's one flamboyant Green Beret. He was just never brought in on the loop. He was used, too, sad to say." Penny Harrington says she doesn't plan to be used. She's shown Barnes the door, and will do without his help on the citizens' oversight committee. Pat Gillis will reserve judgment on Barnes; she says she can use all the assistance she can get in her efforts to find out how her son got the fatal dose of GHB. Either way, it's okay with Barnes. "I just do what I do," he says. "I'm an absolutely honest man." ? News Editor Daniel Blackbum can be reached at dblackbum@newtimesslo.com. Search Pick up New Times at over 600 locations in San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara Counties. 55 fiction I about new times I ad info I archives I avila bay watch I best of slo classifieds I connections I cover story I hot dates I menus movies I the shredder Fx1 New @2003 New Times Magazine San Luis Obispo,CA USA Web site hosted and maintained by TechXpress http://www.newtimes-slo.com/archive/2004-04-07/Coverfindex.html 1/13/2005 Mold Inspection Report Client R.W Hertel & Sons, Inc. Location I 1744 Singletree Lane, San Luis Obispo I Date of Sampling December 21, 2004 I Report Issued on I January 4, 2004 Report prepared by Deborah Christianson, President Environmental Test & Report, Inc. P.O. Box 2980, Ataseadero, CA 93423 Cell 805-748-4093 FAX 805-438-3454 ENVIRONMENTAL IBackground A. History 1) Purpose: to determine the presence and extent of mold in the residence at 1744 Singletree Lane in San Luis Obispo. 2) Requested by: R.W. Hertel & Sons, Inc. 3) Known water damage history: the residence has had a history of roof leaks that caused water infiltration above the fireplace in the living room and from the HVAC vent, chandelier, header and an electrical outlet in the dining room. Roof repairs have been made. Some of the drywall above the fireplace has been replaced. The homeowner wanted to know if there was any mold growth inside the affected walls.. IB. Authorization Spore Trap Location Outside Location Chimney wall C Location Dining Room Header Location Dining Room Ceiling C. Sam lin Protocol SporeTrap Sample ID# 191-1 191-2 191-3 191-4 Volume of air 75 liters 45 liters 45 liters 45 liters Height 4 feet 7 feet 7 feet ceiling Location 20 feet from Cdinte-red Dining room Between I front door on above header Chandelier concrete chimney &HVAC vent walkway D. Site Description 1) Type of building: X residential ❑ commercial ❑ one-story X two-story 2) Exterior. X stucco ❑ wood siding ❑ concrete block ❑ other 3) Foundation: X concrete slab ❑ raised over soil ❑ other 4) Roof ❑ concrete tiles X asphalt shingles ❑ wood shingles ❑ other 2 1 Sampling Available A. Culturable vs. non-culturable methods Currently,there are no widely accepted protocols or regulations regarding biological air sampling. I In the absence of standards, common sense should prevail. Some and fungal spores can cause disease only when they are alive (viable), while others are capable of producing allergies or irritation even when no longer living. Also, while cultures may permit greater accuracy in I speciating some fungal organisms present, spores vary widely in their ability to grow and compete on laboratory media. This may result in an inaccurate characterization of the area sampled. Therefore, a complete sampling protocol for the biological flora in any environment uses both a culturable and non-culturable sampling method. Yet often, due to time and budget constraints, I this is not always possible. In these cases, non-culturable spore trap samples provide a more accurate"snap-shot"of the air and are the best choice when only one sampling method may be used (EMLAB,2000). B. Culturable air sampling—Agar Impaction The Aerotech 6 is a precision-tooled viable bioaerosol sampler modeled after the N6, a sampler that was specifically designed by NIOSH researchers for microbial sampling. The Aerotech 6 is machined from aircraft grade aluminum using state of the art CNC machining stations. Air is Idrawn at a flow rate of 28.3 liters per minute through 400 precision-drilled 0.25-mm holes and impacted onto an agar surface(Aerotech,2002). The air is pulled through the sampler using a high volume GAST rotary vane vacuum pump and an in-line rotameter is used to monitor the flow rate. MEA agar is used for most fungal genera while cellulose agar is used for the slower-growing i Srachvbotrys. IC. Non-culturable sampling— Spore Traps The Air-O-Cell cassette is a unique sampling device specially designed for the rapid collection and analysis of a wide range of airborne aerosols. The cassette collects both viable and non-viable particulates such as mold spores, insect parts, particles, fiberglass, cellulose, combustion particles, pollen, skin cell fragments, and much more. The Air-O-Cell operates upon the principle of inertial impaction. Air flow is accelerated as it is drawn through the tapered inlet and directed through a slit towards a small slide containing an optically clear collection media. Particles become impacted upon the media and the air flow continues out the exit orofrce (zefon,2000.Air is drawn through the cassette at a flow rate of 15 liters per minute using a high volume GAST rotary vane vacuum pump and an in-line rotameter is used to monitor the flow rate. Air-O-Cell spore traps can be used to measure room air and wall cavities. An adapter called the WallChek is attached to the Air-O-Cell cassette in order to collect wall cavity or dead air samples. The WallChek has a'/.-inch Teflon tube attached to the other end that is inserted through a '/.-inch hole drilled in the wall surface. The insertion point is taped closed to prevent air from entering the wall cavity through the insertion point. D. Surface Sampling The primary purpose of a direct microscopic examination of a surface is to determine whether or not mold is growing on the surface sampled, and if so, what kinds of mold are present. 3 1 Secondarily, most surfaces collect a mix of spores that are normally present in the environment. A direct microscopic examination of a surface shows exactly what is there, without any skewing by laboratory procedures. Surface sampling is inexpensive, and consists either of a tape lift or a bulk sample of building materials such as drywall, insulation, carpet, carpet pad, paint, wallpaper or any other surface suspected of supporting mold growth. Surface sampling may also reveal indoor reservoirs of spores which have not yet become airborne(EMLAB,2000) A tapelift is taken by adhering a piece of clear plastic tape to the most moldy section of a surface, gently peeling it loose,and sealing it in a ziplock bag. The tape is examined microscopically in the lab. Bulk samples consist of a piece of moldy material, approximately I to 5 centimeters in length, that is sealed in a ziplock bag and examined microscopically in the lab. A Culturable Surface and Bulk Sampling Surfaces can be tested by wiping asterile swab across a.surface and sealing it in a sterile tube. The swab is then soaked in a sterile medium which is diluted 1:10, 1'100, 1:1,000 and 1:10,000. These dilutions are used to inoculate Cellulose,DG-a and MRA plates that are incubated for a period of time,usually 7-10 days. Bulk samples are soaked in a sterile medium which is then diluted, inoculated and incubated as above. E.Moisture, Temperature & Relative Humidity Readings A non-penetrating Tramex moisture meter is used to measure the moisture content of surfaces in the home such as wood, timber, drywall, roofing, plaster and brick. Generally, moisture readings are taken in areas where high moisture content is suspected. Readings of 15% or higher for wood and 55%or higher for other building materials would_ indicate possible mold growth in those. materials. A pin-type Delmhorst BD-10 penetrating moisture meter is used in areas where the Tramex meter will not physically fit. It is also used at times to substantiate high moisture readings made by the Tramex meter. For comfort, most buildings are maintained at a temperature is 65 to 75 degrees F. This temperature range is also hospitable to many environmental microorganisms, some of which can even survive at temperatures below 50 degrees F and others above 122 degrees F(Macher, 1999). In order for mold to grow at any temperature, it also requires moisture and a food source so a favorable temperature alone is not sufficient for mold growth. Many advisory groups have recommended maintaining relative humidity(RH) values in an occupied space below 60% to limit microbial growth (Flannigan, 1992;Morey, 1994)Morey, 1995). Indoor humidity should be reduced to less than 60%(usEPA, 1991)by increasing ventilation and/or 19 by the use of de-humidifiers(May,2001). Maintaining room RH below 60% may keep materials fairly dry, but does not eliminate the possibility of microbial growth because local cold spots and water intrusion may allow the RH of air adjacent to a surface to exceed 70%(Flannigan, 1992). Temperature and relative humidity are measured using an Extech Humidity/Temperature Pen. Fi 4 i F. Laboratory All samples are submitted to Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Inc. (EMLAB) in San Bruno, CA by overnight courier. EMLAB is a participant in the American Industrial Hygiene Association's EMPAT proficiency program,receiving top scores for 10 rounds over a three-year period,out of over 60 participating labs. Their EMPAT#is 102856. EMPAT stands for Microbiology Proficiency Analytical Testing. Observations and Results The following observations were made: q Table 1 — Humidity, erature and Odor Rooml Outside juvin Room Dinin Room Humid' %RH 39% 450—/6--f—Window open Temperature OF 620 610 " Odor na good good Table 2- Ph ical Observations Room Living Room Dining Room Attic Visible mold none none none Visible water none Raised area on None visible from ® damage (Pictures show water header drywall access door �I stains from ceiling to (Figures 2&3) fireplace) (Figure 1) Moisture content of drywall low 100% Fire lace wall& Header, ceiling, na celin exterior wall moderate_ 400'/0 high-(60--100%) Moisture content of wood low 6-12% none na na moderate 1416% high-(17-45%) 5 Table 3 - Spore Count Levels from Spore Traps Sam le Location. Chimney Wall Dining Rm Header Dininq Rm Ceiling Sample# 191-1 191-3 191-4 Spore Count Level Mold-Type Mold Type Mold T ® Slight increase Stack of s unremarkable unremarkable— Significant nremarkableSi nificant increase 14 Very Sign. Increase Extremely Sign. Increase Table 4 - Laborato_ Results (spores permeter3) Mold Type Outside Chimney Dining Rm. Dining Rm. Air Wall Wall Ceiling Ascospores 107 0 0 0 ® Basidiospores 533 89 89 0 Botrytis 13 0 0- 0 Cladosporium 853 89 89 89 Epicoccum 53 0 0 0 Oidium 13 0 0 0 Penicillium/Aspergillus 107 267 178 89 Stachybottys 0 22 0 0 Stemphylium 13 0 0 0 U/ocladium 13 22 0 0 Total Spores/M3 19705 511 378 178 6 i Health concerns of the mold types found at this property: Ascospores have been poorly studied in regards to allergenic effects. Many toxins are produced by this group, but vary greatly by genus and species. Some ascospores are a form of Penicillium or Aspergillus. Many of the species in this group are plant pathogens(EMLAB,2002). Asper ig llus sp. has been associated with hay fever, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, allergic fungal sinusitus, cutaneous, ear and corneal disease. . Various toxins are produces by various species. This genus grows on a wide variety of substrates (EMLAB,2002). Basidiospores have been associated with hay fever, asthma,hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and mushroom culture hypersensitivity. Since mushrooms fall into this category, mushroom toxicosis (poisoning)results from the ingestion of particular species. Several species are the agents of"dry rot"in wood(EMLAB,2002). It is not uncommon to have mushrooms growing inside a building where basidiospores are present(May,2001). Bo tis sp. has been associated with hay fever, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and winegrower's lung. It is found in soil and on stored fruit and vegetables. It is a plant pathogen on flowers, leaves, stems and fruit. It can also cause leaf rot on grapes, strawberries, lettuce, cabbage and onions(EMLAB,2002). Cladosporium sp. has been associated with hay fever, astlirna,hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and moldy wall hypersensitivity. The compounds produced by these molds are not highly toxic. It has been observed growing on many substrates including textiles, wood, moist windowsills and in refrigerators (EMLAB,2002). Oidium sp. has been poorly studied and little information is available. ® Penicillium sp. has been associated with hay fever, asthma,hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and 7 moldy wall hypersensitivity. Various toxins are produced by various species. It is commonly found in house dust,and grows in water-damaged buildings on wallpaper, wallpaper glue, decaying fabrics,moist chipboard and behind paint. It also grows on many types of food such as fruits,cheeses,dried foods, herbs, spices and nuts (EMLAB,2002). ® Stachvbotrys chartarum has been associated with dermatitis, cough,rhinitis, itching or burning 7 sensation in mouth, throat, nasal passages and eyes (EMLAB,2002).-More serious conditions have been associated with Stachvbot?ys,butthe results are not conclusive(xYcnH,1993). It is commonly found on wet indoor materials containing cellulose, such as wallboard,jute,wicker, straw baskets and other paper materials.Stachvbotrvs is slow growing compared to Penicillium and may not compete well in the presence of other molds. However, when water availability is high for prolonged periods in cellulose-containing materials,Stachybotrvs may gradually become the predominating mold(EMLAB,2002). VA Stemphylium sp. has been associated with hay fever and asthma. It rarely grows indoors. In nature, it is found in soil, on wood and decaying vegetation(EMLAB,2002). sp. has been poorly studied. Very little is known about this genus (EMLAB,2002). Nocladium sp. has been associated with hay fever and asthma and can cross-react with Allernaria, adding to the allergenic burden ofAlternaria-sensitive patients. Outdoors, it is found in soil; dung, grasses, fibers, wood, decaying plant material, paper and textiles. Inside, it can be found on gypsum board,paper, paint, tapestries,jute and other straw materials. Ulocladium has a high water requirement cEMLns,2002>. Recommendations 1) Area needing remediation: no remediation is warranted at this time. Continued vigilance in identifying roof leaks is recommended. Any additional leaks could promote mold growth. a) Contamination level: none of the areas sampled had a significant increase in mold spores. The presence of a single Srachybotrys spore is not sufficient grounds for remediation since single spores can be collected in similar volumes of outside air. The Penicillium/As 99r flus count is double the outside count but still so low that it would probably be invisible to the naked eye. b) Damage level: potential water staining on drywall and studs. C) Containment perimeter: none recommended. If preferred by the homeowner, containment r�o t set up mound the fireplace area for the purpose of containing dust when drywall is . d. d) Initial demolition: none recommended. If preferred by the homeowner, the drywall above the fireplace could be removed as a precaution. 2) Remediation protocol: a) All personal items should be removed from the containment area. b) Containment should be set up using 3 mil plastic sheeting taped to the floor, ceiling and walls in the location indicated above.A Tipper or a slit with a sealable flap may be installed for easy access. c) All remediation personnel should wear N-95 respirators. The disposable items should be sealed in a plastic bag immediately upon exiting the containment. d) The initial demolition should begin by removing the items indicated above.and sealing in Plastic bags (large items should be wrapped in plastic before removal). Inspect any exposed insulation and remove it if darkened by mold. e) Inspect the edges of the initial demolition for mold growth. If mold if found growing at any edge, expand the demolition until clean building material is found on all sides of the opening. Remove contaminated insulation as before. f) Wipe down any affected studs with 10%bleach. g) NEPA vacuum the demolition area to remove any dust. h) Clean all surfaces including exposed wall interiors with clean cloths soaked in 10%bleach and allow to dry. i) Wipe down entire containment including the floor, ceilings and walls with 10% bleach and allow to dry. s I. j • •. xA?!y riFtjs1`a3RIP ra-•" x x c� ��3,: � , •Yry � 'c x 'yi''hl�„ '7 iy�M1y,q ZA 4*-1�'N. ���."�7( ••7.`x r �.Y + + l+.r :� 7• ilm. Ij���f:, ,x 3M''Ay� I, yet �S �g'� ,• a Y G'�r PYA, R •, � \ ��� a'«.'. n �yf���ee -{ as ",Zi��-::xy.r y 6 .,xti�^C ah,�'r"i' ��..r. �(j•,•i Pte. xac 4 0y � y f l_ Ft l ' �•�' aYT S t iP��y'T`rte .. V ,�,� r`��~ �.,. I — 1 1 M f Y V Nib S '.f I �C J IReferences Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Inc.: Characteristics of Some Commonly Encountered IFungal Genera.. Janet Gallup and Miriam Valesco, DR. P.H., compilers, San Bruno; CA (2002). Flannigan, B.: Approaches to Assessment of Microbial Flora of Buildings. In: IAQ '92, I Environments for People, pp. 139-145. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air- Conditioning Engineers,Atlanta, GA (1992). IMacher, Janet,ed.: Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control. ACGIH, Cincinnati, OH (1999). May, J.C.: My House is Killing Me! The Home Guide for Families with Allergies and Asthma.. IThe John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD (2001). Morey, P.R: Suggested Guidance on Prevention of Microbial Contamination for the Next I Revision of ASHRAE Standard 62. In: Proceedings to ASHRAE IAQ '94,Engineering Indoor Environments,pp. 139-148. American Society of Heating,Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,Atlanta, GA(1994) . Morey, P.: Biocontamination Control Guidelines for the Revision of ASHRAE Standard 62. In: Proceedings of Healthy Building '95.Milan, Italy (1995) New York Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental &Occupational Disease Epidemiology.: Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments. New York,NY(1993). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Building Air Quality Document. Washington, D.C. (1991). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Indoor Air Facts No. 4 (revised): Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). Washington, D.C. (1991). I 10 Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Inc. 1150 Bayhill Drive, Suite 100, San Bruno, CA 94066 (650) 829-5800 Fax (650) 829-5852 www.emlab.com Client: Environmental Test& Report, Inc. Date of Sampling: 12-21-2004 C/O: Ms. Deborah Christianson Date of Receipt: 12-22-2004 Re: Hertel-191 Date of Report: 12-27-2004 SPORE TRAP REPORT: NON-VIABLE METHODOLOGY Location: 191-1: 191-2: 191-3: 191-4: Outside air Chimney wall Dining room Dining room header ceiling Comments(see below) A None None None Lab ID-Version$: 5535641 553565-1 553566-1 553567-1 iiw ct. spores/m3 raw ct. spores/m3 raw ct. spores/m3 raw ct. spores/m3 Alternaria Arthrinium Ascospores* 8 107 Aureobasidium Basidiospores* 40 533 4 89 4 89 Bi olaris/Drechslera group Bo is 1 13 Chaetomium Cladosporium 64 853 4 89 4 89 4 89 Curvularia E icoccum 4 53 Fusarium -Myrothecium Nigrospora Oidium 1 13 Other brown 1 22 1 22 Other colorless Penicillium/As er illus es 8 107 12 267 8 178 4 89 Pithom ces Rusts* Smuts*,Periconia,Myxomycetes* Stach bo s 1 22 Stem h lium 1 13 Torula Ulocladium 1 13 1 22 Unknown Zygomycetes Back-ground debris 1-4+ 2+ 4+ 3+ 4+ Sample volume liters 75 45 45 45 TOTAL SPORES/M3 1,705 511 378 1178 Comments:A)32 of the raw count Cladosporium spores were present as a single clump. *Most of these spore types are not seen with culturable methods(Andersen sampling),although some may appear as non-sporulating fungi. Most of the basidiospores are"mushroom"spores while the rusts and smuts are plant pathogens. t The spores of Aspergillus and Penicillium(and others such as Acremonium,Paecilomyces)are small and round with very few distinguishing, characteristics.They cannot be differentiated by non-viable sampling methods.Also,some species with very small spores are easily missed,and may be undercounted. f Background debris indicates the amount of non-biological particulate matter present on the trace(dust in the air)and the resulting visibility for the analyst.It is rated from 1+(low)to 4+(high).Counts from areas with 4+background debris should be regarded as minimal counts and may be actually higher than reported.Background debris also affects the reporting limit for some spore types.The reporting limit is dependent ftm on spore size,background debris,sample volume,and the percentage of the trace analyzed.It is important to account for sample volumes when evaluating dust levels.The minimum reporting limit is based on a raw count of one,which the lowest count that can be detected. t A"Version"greater than I indicates amended data. EML ID: 126460,Page I of 1