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Council agrees to grant application for city hall upgrades
City of Cranbrook council Feb. 8 authorized city staff to submit a grant application through the Investing In Canada Infrastructure Program – COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream, for upgrades to City Hall.
“Staff identified a significant opportunity to renovate council chambers and provide offices and a public gallery in the upper floor of City Hall. These areas are currently sealed off to the public due to hazardous materials including lead paint and asbestos. Abatement of these items carries a significant cost, and therefore, the spaces have been left sealed,” stated a report to council by Engineering and Development Services director Ron Fraser.
City staff identified a number of challenges that have affected the way they carry on business with the public, yet could be alleviated with this project, Fraser said.
He outlined a series of potential improvements including the removal of the hazardous materials ensures a safer work environment, allowing for the repurposing of the upper floor of city hall.
The upper floor will allow for the development of three to four office spaces to maximize use of City Hall and the upper floor will also host a public gallery that will accommodate between 14-18 seats, expanding public access by up to 60%, “alleviating the issue we have experienced with the public having to gather in the hallway outside chambers,” Fraser said.
Updates would also improve “efficiency and consistency in the provision of services,” the report continued, noting “with the growth in staff, there has been regular juggling of whole departments and functional areas such as bylaw, planning, engineering and communications. At times, some departments have been working out of two locations simultaneously because of the limited staff space, creating inconsistencies and confusion to our residents.”
Upgrades would also improve IT related services and extend the long-term viability of City Hall, allowing for the planning of future upgrades such as HVAC upgrades.
Council learned the funding program has a narrow window for the intake of applications, therefor the application was submitted to meet the January 27 deadline.
“Staff felt this was our best opportunity to remedy the issues noted above, with a grant that specifically identified city hall renovations as a primary focus,” the report stated.
If successful in the $1,511,716 grant application, the city should not have to spend own dollars on the upgrades.
If there are additional costs, they would be funded through the city’s Facilities Reserve, currently sitting at $532,000.
Lead image: Cranbrook City Hall. e-KNOW file photo
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