For the first time in more than 60 years National City’s council chamber is in for a facelift.
The remodel of the council chamber and the adjacent conference room is an offshoot of National City’s Library Renovation Plan.
The council chamber, which hosts council meetings and meetings for the Planning Commission, was stripped of its existing wall coverings. New gray colored carpet was also installed, replacing the old, grungy orange carpeting.
“I think everyone felt it was time (for a remodel),” said City Manager Leslie Deese. “We’ve been waiting to do this forever.”
Deese described the new look as “soothing and more comfortable on the eyes” with its gray colored walls.
Kuna Muthusamy, assisting director of engineering and public works who helped with the project, said the council chamber is more aesthetically pleasing.
“It was a bit dark and moody, we just wanted to brighten the place up,” he said.
Previously the council chamber had rows of bench-like seating which was removed to make way for stand-alone chairs.
Deese said the city decided on stand-alone chairs so it can move chairs around for workshops and seminars.
Phase two of the council chamber’s remodel, which is soon to be under way, includes a makeover of the council dais.
Deese said it is unknown as of now whether they will renovate the existing dais or purchase a brand new one. She said the city is trying to figure out which option is the least cost effective.
The first phase of the renovations occurred when City Hall was closed during the two-week holiday furlough between Christmas and New Year’s, she said.
Deese said the city is looking into a more modern dais to be technologically savvy with the city’s efforts in going paperless.
Deese said National City is exploring televising their council meetings so upgrades needed to happen to the council chamber to be compatible with televising its meetings. Currently council meetings are solely webcasted.
Deese also said there are plans in the works to buy a new podium for members of the public when addressing the council. She said the podium would swivel and rotate to be more compliant with the Americans with Disability’s Act.
Deese said improvements couldn’t be made to the ceiling because, with the age of the building, there could be asbestos.
The estimated cost for the renovation is $100,000.
National City-based contractor M.A. Stevens Construction is the contractor for the project.
