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Committee discusses expanding city building-management role as departments request services
Summary
Committee members and staff discussed whether to centralize management of municipal buildings and the staffing implications of adding properties to Building Management’s portfolio; staff said some recent projects (Lockwood-Mathews, Gallagher Mansion) are driving requests for centralized technical services.
Committee members discussed Feb. 5 whether to expand Building Management’s responsibilities to include additional city properties that are currently managed by individual departments.
Alan (city building management staff) told the committee that several departments — including the historical properties program (Mill Hill / Lockwood-Mathews), the fire department (some fire stations) and other municipal facilities — have approached Building Management seeking help operating more complex mechanical systems. He said the trigger for some requests is recent or ongoing capital work that installs more sophisticated HVAC or control systems the current departmental staff are not equipped to operate.
Alan said Building Management already manages a long list of properties (city hall, police headquarters, several libraries, recreation centers and others) and that adding more complex sites could require additional staffing. "At some point when we look at adding more buildings to Building Management's responsibility, it becomes an additional position," he said, describing a likely phased approach to consolidation rather than a single immediate transfer of responsibility.
Council members signaled support for centralization on efficiency grounds but emphasized the need for a budget and staffing plan. Council member Nicole Ayres said centralizing building expertise in one department is more efficient and urged a strategic plan for bringing additional properties under Building Management. Chair Barbara Smith and others suggested staff and the mayor’s office coordinate to produce a costed, multi‑year plan for committee review.
No formal vote was held. Committee staff and several council members agreed to pursue a follow-up meeting to consider staffing options and a phased approach before any formal transfer of responsibilities.
Outcome: Discussion only. Staff to follow up with a more detailed plan outlining staffing needs and phased inclusion of additional municipal buildings.
