City Council
MEETING DATE: 6/13/2018
TITLE:
Title
Authorization to Replace the Front Counter Workstations at City Hall
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FROM:
Tami E. Scott, Administrative Services Director
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the replacement of the entire front counter information and building license workstations to make the work environment more ergonomically functional in an amount not to exceed $26,500.
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BACKGROUND:
Earlier this year, the front lobby of City Hall was enclosed resulting in a new wall to be installed, which limits public access to private work areas of the city, to provide for the appropriate security of staff and to allow for better privacy when the public is dealing with community development plans.
DISCUSSION:
As a result of the construction of the new enclosure in the City Hall front lobby, there have been some unintended consequences, primarily because the workstation areas behind the enclosure are much lower than the countertop servicing the customer. Employees have difficulty reaching, sliding documents, poor posture positions, hearing and communicating with the customer without causing, in some cases, extreme physical discomfort to do their job. From a Risk Management standpoint, an ergonomic assessment was conducted and several solutions were recommended to be implemented. Many of the solutions included monitor arms for computer screens, chair mats, contour keyboards, wireless mouse, relocation of service drawers, ergonomic chairs, all of which have been implemented. The most significant issue identified was the need to completely redesign the current counter height and depth. The goal is to raise the workstation counter height to that of the customer counter and to make the depth of the workstation counter closer to the customer. Staff has spent a considerable amount of time working with local furniture companies, contractors and cabinet makers to determine the most cost-effec...
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