City Council Meeting Date: January 12, 2021
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Jayson Dwelle, Facilities Manager
David Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Review of City Hall Building Preliminary Improvement Concepts for Safety and Customer Interaction Changes.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council discuss the preliminary improvement concepts for City Hall.
Summary Report:
Northfield City Hall has been modified significantly over the last several years. Beginning with the large-scale remodel in 2013 followed by subsequent smaller departmental and room upgrades that have included cosmetic, customer service and safety enhancements. The proposed City Hall upgrades address several safety issues in the current building that we are presenting for discussion are a continuation of these ongoing efforts to improve the location.
Incidents involving city hall and workplace violence in recent history across a number of U.S. cities serve as reminders that there are basic physical building improvements that can be taken to safeguard officials and the public from potential violence while also improving customer service. The pandemic have provided additional focus and attention related to considering improvements that also can reduce the spread of airborne illness.
In the current layout several of the divisions does not allow for distancing or barriers for public health and safety concerns. While currently the COVID19 pandemic is the biggest threat, barriers also have the ability to increase individual safety with other airborne and droplet spread illnesses such as the common cold and flu. A redesign with reception areas with barriers increases safety from illness threats.
The redesign of reception areas also will assist in customer service, as customers know where to go and employees know which areas customers arrive at, increasing customer satisfaction. This redesign also reduces the possibility of customers...
Click here for full text