Heavy rains on Feb. 28 revealed a leak in the council chamber roof last week during the city council's regular meeting. A trashcan was used to collect the rain and prevent water damage. The can was filled nearly to the top by the end of the meeting.

The city's general services department has been notified of the leak and is working on fixing the problem, according to the mayor's office. The leak was located near the council chambers, at the juncture of the roof and the façade. According to the mayor's office, the location is a common place for leaks in new buildings, because two different materials come together at that joint.

Tom Manheim, public outreach manager, said this is normal for new buildings. "You just wait for the rains, and then start tracking [the leaks] down," he said.

The council chamber leak is the only one that has been identified so far, Manheim added.

The new city hall opened for the first council meeting on Aug. 9, 2005, with a grand opening ceremony on Oct. 15. Since the building is new, it is still under warranty, and the contractor is fixing the leaky roof at no extra charge, Manheim said.

Voters approved the construction of a new city hall in 1996. Located at E. Santa Clara Street, the building includes an 18-story tower, a domed rotunda that rises 10 stories and 530,000 square feet of offices and public space.