CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
June 5, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted By: Rene Guerrero, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF REMOVAL OF GAZEBO AT MONTVUE PARK
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council approve the removal of the existing gazebo at Montvue Park.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Approval of the recommended action will affirm the unanimous decision made by the Parks and Recreation Commission at their April 20, 2023 meeting to remove the existing gazebo at Montvue Park due to its deteriorated condition as a result of both age and the consistent damage caused by the unhoused who consistently utilize it.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the proposed action as work will be completed by in-house Staff.
DISCUSSION:
On April 20, 2023, Staff provided a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission regarding the health and safety issues posed by the deteriorated condition of the existing gazebo at Montvue Park accelerated by persons experiencing homelessness. The issues include:
Deteriorated, rotted picnic shelter and missing wood fascia boards. The boards are removed by the unhoused to burn for heat.
The light at the top of the gazebo has been painted over numerous times so as to make it difficult to see the illicit activity occurring in the gazebo at night.
Dozens of cigarette butts on the floor and trash throughout the area.
Holes in the picnic tables caused by propane stoves.
Unauthorized painting of picnic tables in different colors.
Trashcans used for fires.
Nails placed in trees used for climbing by the unhoused to hide personal belongings at the top of the tree.
Several, recently planted oak trees have been vandalized.
Graffiti throughout the playground area.
It should be noted that the Montvue Park playground is one of the nicer playgrounds in the City, as new rubberized surfacing was recently installed and the playground was replaced just a few years ago because it was previously burned down. The issues noted above are an obvious deterrent to families from using this park as they should. The Parks and Recreation Commission voted 7-0 in favor of removing the gazebo. Approval by City Council will reaffirm their decision and allow Staff to remove the gazebo.
Prepared by:
Shandy Dittman
Public Works Fiscal and Project Manager
Approval of Removal of Gazebo at Montvue Park