The new City Hall council chamber provides plenty of space for visitors, as well as electronic updates for more efficient meetings. (Photo by Dianne Swanson)
It would be completely understandable if you haven't noticed any changes as you drive by City Hall on 2nd St. S.E., Sidney. The exterior remains the same other than new treatment covering the doors of the old fire hall. Step inside, and the change brought about by B&B Builders and mostly local sub-contractors in just a few months, is remarkable.
Over $1.6 million in ARPA (federal American Rescue Plan Act) funds allowed the City of Sidney to expand City Hall and bring it into the 21st Century. Secretary-treasurer Jessica Chamberlin explained that every local government received money through the plan without having to apply for it. The City received the dollars in 2021 but sat on it, as some rules changed and they wanted to make sure they spent it in the right way. Since the city was receiving Infrastructure grants as well, they determined that the remodel was the right way to spend the money. Total cost of the project was between $1.8 and $1.9 million with the extra funding coming from dollars in a capital improvement fund the city had set up about seven years ago using excess oil and gas money. Those oil and gas dollars also fund the fire department and parks so the remodel was not a top priority until the ARPA grant money came through. The project actually came in under budget but fixing some drainage issues with the parking lot and/or new garage doors are possibilities for using the remaining funds.
The last time the building was remodeled was in 1963, with only minor updates since then. It was not ADA-compliant, the electrical and H-Vac systems were sadly out of date and there was limited space for staff or storage. Chamberlin explained that a top priority was to make the entire building ADA accessible. "You never know when you might have an employee, a council member or a member of the public who needs that accessibility," she said.
A new front door, including a push button opener if needed, leads to a larger entryway and an angled front counter which allows for social distancing. The hallway naturally flows from there to the new back offices and storage area as well as the rest of the building. The counter also features lower windows which the kids like because they get a sucker!
The former council chambers have been transformed into offices for the public works director and the fire marshal, plus a small conference room. Chamberlin said that the conference room is invaluable during events such as conference calls on bonding issues when privacy is a must. It can also be used for one-on-one meetings with employees or when a few employees need to meet. Tons of storage space, needed to hold files which are required to be kept for several years, was also created in that area.
The central office area on the other side of that angled counter now features designated spaces for employees who previously had floating spaces. Electrical cords are now in walls instead of on the floor and the beautiful cabinetry provides ample storage.
What used to be four offices has been transformed into two, one for Mayor Norby and one for the compliance officer. Chamberlin's space is now about three feet wider. "Just enough for two more file cabinets," she said, laughing. Her sliding glass doors have been changed to a partial wall and huge window with blinds that can be closed for privacy when needed, but enable her to see the front area and assist when necessary. Her favorite acquisition is the standing desk which she employs frequently.
City hall and the old fire hall are now internally connected. The fire hall kitchen became a break room with an ADA compliant kitchen which can be used by the public if they use the council chambers for an event. New bathrooms were also built in that area.
The new council chambers are stunning. The first thing you notice is the amazing artwork created by Stephanie Ridl, city parks and rec manager, which hangs above the council members' seating area. The piece depicts the Badlands of eastern Montana and the Yellowstone River as the sunrise emerges on the horizon. She created the piece entirely of trees removed from city property, and rock collected from the banks of the Yellowstone River. The Sunrise Rays are American Elm from the last standing elm in the Sidney Park System. It was removed due to Dutch Elm disease. The Eye of the Sunrise is made from a cedar tree that was removed from City Hall during the renovation. The Badlands are Russian Olive from a limb that failed after storm damage along the Sherry Arnold Fitness Trail. The river banks are from a Cottonwood which was removed from Carpenter Park along Lone Tree Creek due to severe storm damage. Ridl is also the featured artist for this year's Sunset Festival on July 13.
Where the old chambers could only seat about 30 guests, and was impossible to use during COVID, the new room can accommodate approximately 100 and allow for social distancing if needed. "We had to move city council meetings into the fire hall and do call-ins during COVID," Chamberlin said. "It was not professional or convenient."
Fully teched out with a sound system, mics, 3 TVs connected to cameras, and Zoom, the space is designed to provide the best possible experience for everyone. The Williston city attorney, or the planner from Billings, as well as members of the public, can join council meetings, confident in the connections. For in-person attendees with hearing difficulties, battery packs are available to connect to hearing aids via Blue Tooth.
Chamberlin said she used to have to use massive quantities of paper printing out spreadsheets, etc. Now she shows the data from her computer on the TV screens. Instead of rough estimates of the results of potential changes to the budget, she can pull up the actual work book and provide accurate numbers, saving money and valuable time for everyone involved. When a particular city department or a member of the public makes requests for dollars for a project, it's now easy to give immediate figures.
The TVs are also handy for presentations such as solicitations from consultants who prepare a power point which was previously printed out on paper. The presentations are now seen as they were meant to be.
The additional space was intentionally designed with the chamber, bathrooms and kitchen included in an area which can be locked separately from the remainder of the building, because the city wants the public to use the space and its technology. Safety meetings, training sessions and so much more, could be efficiently accommodated. Use of the space is free of charge.
Some less visible but essential upgrades were made to the building. The H-Vac system, which was insufficient long before COVID, has now been changed to four systems throughout the complex, creating much more efficiency. Additional supports have been put in the basement which is used for paper storage. The remodel provided staff with the opportunity to completely re-configure the space and reorganize and alphabetize the contents. At the fire department's request, a smoke hatch was installed which allows them to remove smoke from the basement and get to a fire more safely.
The curb entrance to what used to be the fire hall provides additional public parking on 2nd and will contain some handicap parking spaces which could be used for access to downtown areas.
The security system has been upgraded and cameras have been installed inside and out. The exterior cameras with their view of Central Avenue could provide valuable information to the police department. The city is also working on installing cameras in the parks and at the swimming pool for the safety of everyone.
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