Union Gap City Hall employees to move on Thursday, according to - NBC Right Now/KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA |

UNION GAP, Wash. -- It was business as usual Wednesday morning for employees at City Hall, just days after toxic levels of mold were discovered inside the building.

About a dozen blue air-scrubbers or fans were placed throughout the hallways.

"Those scrubbers are put throughout City Hall. They're designed to attract and filter the air that's being moved through City Hall," explained Fire Chief Chris Jensen, with the Union Gap Fire Department.

City leaders met the night before to discuss relocation plans for their employees and how they would handle the court.

"The judge has expressed his concern about trying to remain as close to this location as we can, but still achieve the court security and all of those issues that come with moving a court," Chief Jensen said.

Individuals who are scheduled for court Thursday will be sent a notice in the mail with a new date and location, according to Jensen. He also said individuals coming to City Hall wanting to pay their utility bill would be redirected to the fire station, along with other options. "We're encouraging them to use our online bill pay, to use the mail drop system that we have here at City Hall, or the mail."

The city is currently working out the costs with its insurance company to see what will be covered.

"We're suppose to have a special council meeting on Monday and hopefully, we'll have those costs provided to the council," said Mayor Jim Lemon, with the City of Union Gap.

When asked if there were any indications of employees who were affected by the mold might consider taking legal action against the city, the mayor said he was not aware of any, but added "If there's something that can help them out from the damage they received, they should be helping to be taken care of and that's why they pay their L and I premiums."

"This is just really been a challenge for the city to overcome in a short time frame," Jensen said.

The move comes after the Department of Labor and Industries and the Health Department recommended City leaders shut down the facility to protect the health of citizens and employees.

The mayor said he isn't sure how long the cleanup will take, adding it could take up to a few weeks to several months until they reopen City Hall.

An emergency council meeting is scheduled for next Monday at 6:00 p.m. at the Ahtanum Youth Park Activities Building, located at 1000 Ahtanum Road in Union Gap.