Chino Hills council extends City Hall fire emergency as repairs continue

The Chino Hills City Council on Tuesday voted 5‑0 to continue a previously declared emergency related to a fire at City Hall and authorized the city manager to continue negotiating and executing agreements needed to finish repairs.

City staff reported substantial progress on reconstruction. City Manager Ben Montgomery said work on first‑floor repairs is significantly advanced, staff have returned to second‑floor offices, and staff expect to begin moving some employees back to the first floor as early as next week. Montgomery said the elevator and other public‑facing counters remain key outstanding items before the public can be fully returned to the building.

Why it matters: The emergency declaration originally was adopted to speed recovery and to allow the city to use emergency contracting and procurement authorities. Continuing the declaration preserves those authorities while reconstruction and insurance processes proceed, staff said. The council adopted the extension by a 5‑0 vote.

Staff update and timeline: Montgomery told the council that insurance partners and damage assessors have been engaged and that temporary office areas will be released as permanent spaces are reoccupied. He emphasized the priority of returning staff to permanent workspace and reopening public service counters once safety and accessibility items (including the elevator) are resolved.

Ending: The council approved the extension of the emergency declaration and asked staff to return with updates as specific timelines for full public re‑occupancy and counter reopening become firm.