Council offices remodeling question still in info-gathering stage
City Council members continue to seek out information on a proposed remodeling project for the council offices at City Hall. Concept floor plans were posted on the city’s website along with cost estimates for carpet and furnishings and installation in the amount of more than $73,000.
Councilmember John Carioscia, who serves as the “office manager,” said nothing is set in stone as the research continues.
“The idea is being floated as we speak,” said Carioscia. “There’s a good chance it will not go forward. We haven’t voted on it, there are no plans, no financing and no contracts have been signed.”
Carioscia compared the remodeling project to the way the city currently is going about studying the creation of a Municipal Electric Utility.
“Did I vote to move it forward to get more information? Of course we all want more information,” Carioscia said.
Some on council suggested the idea just to see what is needed to upgrade the office environment.
“Can we do it all at once or do it piecemeal? There is no target date to get anything done,” Carioscia added. “There is no decision, and there won’t be until we all have a better working knowledge of the costs.”
The floor plans on the city website shows only the layout of the common office space with no details for upgrades to the council members’ offices.
“I’m happy the way things are,” Carioscia said. “I think the offices are OK the way it is. Frankly, I don’t think it will pass.”