WESTMINSTER : New Hall at the Mall Offers City Services

The city has opened an office at Westminster Mall that will enable residents to pay their water bills and inquire about city services while shopping.

“This is the greatest thing the city could do,” said Eber G. Knapp, 65, who joined about 100 other residents, city officials and employees at Friday’s opening ceremony. “This would bring the city government closer to the people.”

The City Hall at the Mall is in the mall’s lower level between Robinson-May and the Robinson-May Home Store. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Residents can also register to vote, sign up for recreation classes, pay traffic tickets and get information about senior citizen services.

“This will be a big help to some busy people,” said Penny Loomer, director of the city’s Community Services and Recreation Department.

Residents interviewed at the opening agreed.

“This is great. It’s convenient,” said Kim Statler, 32, a mother of two young boys who said she is active in some of the city’s sports programs.

“A lot of people who can’t go to the City Hall are more likely to come here,” said Eleanor Mados, 60, who lives about a mile away and shops at the mall often.

The mall management banked on exactly that when it agreed to provide space for the city office.

“When people come (to the city office), we hope that they stay and shop, eat in the restaurants or see the movies,” said mall manager Nancy Feightner.

In addition to the business office, a two-person police unit has been permanently stationed at the mall, according to Loomer. The mall is paying the city $130,000 a year to cover the salaries of the two police officers.

Police Sgt. Bob Amren, supervisor of the mall unit, said that one police officer is on patrol all the time the mall is open.

“They’re a deterrent,” said Amren, adding that a police bicycle team also patrols the mall on most afternoons.

He said there has not been any serious crime at the mall since a parking lot shooting incident earlier this year.

City officials said the City Hall at the Mall is one of the first in Southern California, which fits with the city’s image as a trend-setter among municipal governments.

“Just watch and see, other cities will be doing this,” said Councilwoman Charmayne S. Bohman.