DeLand, FL – The place where the Volusia County Council meets is about to get a facelift nearly 30 years after it was first built.
By a 6-0 vote during Thursday’s morning session, VCC members signed off on a nearly $600,000 renovation for the Frank T. Bruno Council Chambers, the first since it was built in 1988.
Among the renovations include touch screens and a new sound system as well as a complete overhaul of nearly every part of the chambers to ensure that it complies with Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
The current audiovisual system – part of the original equipment installed – often causes glitches and forces staff to call recesses so that issues can be addressed during council meetings. The audiovisual improvements include new speakers, wiring, controls and 4 high-definition monitors.
The overhaul should also improve lighting throughout the chambers with more energy efficient fixtures and lighting control by council members.
The dais will also be replaced and improved with wider doorways to comply with the ADA. One end will be closed off for security.
District 2 Representative Josh Wagner did not vote because the company tasked with doing the job – Hall Construction of Daytona Beach – is owned by his uncle-in-law and brother-in-law.
The Democrat removed himself from the room during the entire discussion and vote because the Volusia County Charter would’ve required him to vote if he was in the room.
Hall was the only company to submit a qualified bid for the project, which came out to $599,500, according to county records.
During the discussion, District 3 Representative Deb Denys said she was unhappy that county staff went so far into the design process without consulting the VCC members, saying that there needs to be more work space on the dais for council members.
She also asked Volusia County Manager Jim Dinneen why the renovation didn’t include the ability to have VCC meeting video streamed online in real-time along with the real-time audio stream that’s currently available.
Dinneen said that should be a specific policy decision made by the VCC and that there were “ongoing costs” and “negatives” that need to be considered.
Many Volusia cities currently offer real-time video and audio streams of every meeting of their elected officials, including Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, Port Orange and Holly Hill.
All VCC meetings in December and January will be moved to the Volusia County Courthouse while construction is underway. The new chambers should be ready to go by the first meeting of February.
A pre-construction meeting with Hall is set for Friday, according to county officials.
Renderings above and below of the new chambers are courtesy of Volusia County.
Copyright 2015 Southern Stone Communications.