Hollywood Park City Council voted Nov. 15 to approve the city’s Economic Development Corp. offering up to $115,000 in its own funds to support upgraded technical equipment in the council chambers and at Voigt Center.

The EDC board on Nov. 1 passed three separate resolutions expressing the organization’s symbolic and financial support to mainly improve audio/visual capabilities at the council chambers and at the community center.

One EDC resolution offered $30,000 in corporation funds for acquisitions of new Voigt Center audio/video equipment, including integrated floor ports, touch control panels and Wi-Fi upgrades.

A second EDC resolution offered a maximum of $35,000 in EDC funds for new A/V equipment inside the council chambers, where the EDC board meets on a monthly basis.

Mayor Sean Moore said the EDC sought to offer financial support for infrastructure improvements at Voigt Center because the organization views the community facility as an ideal place not only for events but for business and marketing opportunities.

Moore also said the EDC has, at times, experienced technical difficulties with the council chamber A/V system when a vendor wanted to do an audio/visual presentation during a meeting.

“The opinion is [the equipment] is not in the best shape in the world.” Moore said.

Public Works director Kelly Cowan said audio/visual systems tend to get obsolete after a few years of usage.

“Anybody who knows anything about electronics knows this is outdated, so we’ve got to upgrade the system to keep it working,” he said.

A third EDC resolution offered up to $50,000 to fund other general touch-ups to the council chamber's interiors, including possibly ceiling tiles, carpeting, windows, chairs, paint and desks for city staff, City Secretary Patrick Aten said.

Some council members asked if the city could use available American Rescue Plan Act money for the A/V upgrades. Aten responded that the EDC offering its funds helped to reduce the burden on ARPA monies, which can be used elsewhere.

“ARPA is a possible source, but in the meantime, we’re excited about the things we can get done with these [EDC] funds here,” Aten said.