Covina : Clash Over City Hall

The City Hall renovation project has again sparked friction on the City Council.

The council voted 4 to 1 Monday to hire a coordinator to oversee the contract. Two weeks ago, the council’s decision to award a $2.97-million contract for the project prompted renewed criticism from some community leaders who believe it would be more feasible to build a new City Hall.

Councilman Chris Lancaster, who last week vowed to begin voting no on all matters related to the renovation, cast the dissenting vote Monday.

“It’s just a matter of principle here,” Lancaster told Mayor Robert Low, who along with Councilmen Thomas O’Leary and Gary Coffey, want to renovate the 59-year-old City Hall instead of building a new facility.

Councilman Henry Morgan opposes renovation but said he will not try to block the project.