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Henning has new city hall [UPDATED]
Published 10:52am Tuesday, October 4, 2011 Updated 11:24am Tuesday, October 4, 2011Henning’s city staff, after nearly two months of operations in the new city hall along Front Street, give rave reviews to the remodeling and expansion of the former Johnson building. City staff moved into the new facility on Aug. 10.
On Thursday City Council member Bob (Beano) Lohse joined City Clerk/Treasurer Gina Ellingson, Administrative Assistant Jessica Osborne and Deputy Clerk Deb Haugdahl in conducting a brief tour of the new city hall. The ambulance service also is located in the remodeled and expanded Johnson building.
“This is a building city staff, the mayor, city council and all residents of Henning can be proud of,” said Lohse.
The new facility is located a block south of the old city hall where fire and police offices have move into space formerly used by the city staff. The city fire department stayed in its current location, adjacent to the old city hall, but now has more space since the ambulance service now is located in the new city hall complex.
“Moving the ambulances to the Johnson building is good for everyone, including city and area residents,” said Fire Chief John Thalmann. “With the ambulance services now at the new city hall, the fire department has gained two additional storage spaces.”
The police department, headed by Michael Helle, also moved into the old city hall from a building across the street. The location of the former police station now allows for an expanded city food shelf.
The remodeled project was accomplished through the current city budget and there are no tax increases for city residents. Henning’s city council saw the critical need for a drive-through for ambulances and more storage space for fire department supplies.
County agencies now can use some of the space at the former city hall. For instance, the county veterans service representative meets once a week with area veterans. Vets rep is Charlie Kampa.
Also using the freed-up space, periodically, will be County Human Services (social workers and others) and county public health employees, to name a few.
The project received unanimous support from the mayor and city council.
Mayor Jim Hermanson, council member Lohse and the other three council members: Nancy Oseien, Dave Brutlag and Doug Trana.
