Dallas City Manager Kimberly Tolbert told the city council she would prefer a clear answer from the city council on the future of Dallas City Hall before developing a budget over the summer. “We’re definitely trying to get to clarity and guidance – and hopefully that’s what we’ll get be fore you head into the summer,” Tolbert said Wednesday. City council members spent most of Wednesday going over what a phased approach to repairs to the 48-year-old, seven-story building might look like. The presentation for a phased repair program was a result of a March 4 council resolution that also authorized Tolbert to explore other location options for city government. Engineering consultants on Wednesday told council members there would be varying levels of difficulty in repairing City Hall. Areas like roof replacement and sealing the underground parking garage were listed as “low complexity” systems, according to documents shared Wednesday. Other repairs, like HVAC, electrical and plumbing are designated as “high complexity systems”, in the report. District 10 council member Kathy Stewart said the presentation provided needed context. “My anxiety level has actually come down based on the information that you all have provided,” Stewart said. “Because now we’re talking real-life scenarios, you’re just giving us facts, and that is so important as we go through this.” An AECOM report in March listed the estimated repair costs for city hall at $329 million on the low end. No cost estimates for repairs, taken in phases over a decade, were presented on Wednesday. Tolbert said more details would be shared at a planned second hearing for phased repairs. Tolbert also said the council’s direction after the June 3 briefing will guide next steps on timing for a vote on whether to move the city government out of city hall. “If council wants to move forward with a repair program, we are currently building the budget, and we want an opportunity to understand where council might be,” Tolbert said. ...read more read less