CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
August 7, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted By: Rene Guerrero, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION REGARDING THE GAZEBO AT MONTVUE PARK RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council discuss options regarding the disposition of the existing gazebo at Montvue Park and take one of the following actions:
Uphold the unanimous recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Commission to demolish the existing gazebo at Montvue Park and repair the walkway, as needed; or Direct Staff to repair the existing gazebo at Montvue Park; or Direct Staff to demolish the existing gazebo and construct a new gazebo at a more visible location in Montvue Park.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The disposition of the existing gazebo at Montvue Park was originally discussed by the City Council at its meeting of June 5, 2023. The existing gazebo is in a deteriorated condition due to age and consistent damage caused by vandalism. Council directed Staff to return to a future Council meeting with potential options and estimated costs to address its condition. Approval of one of the recommended actions will address the safety hazards posed by the gazebo in its current condition.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If the gazebo were to be demolished, work could be completed internally by staff and would have minimal fiscal impact. The fiscal impact of the other options are depicted in the table below:
Task
Estimated Cost (Contractor)*
Cost if Completed by Staff
Demolish Gazebo
$96,000
$0
Repair Gazebo
$81,000
N/A
Replace and Relocate Gazebo
$175,000
N/A
* Please note that there is currently no funding available for repairing the gazebo or replacing and relocating the Gazebo. If the gazebo were to be demolished and it was completed by staff, funding is available in the Public Works Department, General Fund FY 2023-24 Budget (101-4035-xxxxx-00000).
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On June 5, 2023, City Council directed staff to provide estimated costs to demolish the existing gazebo at Montvue Park, repair the gazebo, or reconstruct the gazebo at a different, more visible location in the park.
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 intended. The Parks and Recreation Commission voted 7-0 in favor of removing the gazebo.
Staff brought this item to Council on June 5, 2023 with the recommendation to demolish the gazebo. Council asked that Staff return to a future meeting after having the gazebo inspected by the City’s Building Department and provide estimates on the cost to repair, demolish, or relocate the gazebo. On June 8, 2023, the City’s Building Official inspected the structure and determined that the gazebo was structurally stable, but required the following repairs to promptly address safety concerns:
Roofing covering asphalt composition shingles are damaged and deteriorated requiring full removal and installation of new roofing material.
Roof sheathing and underlayment are damaged requiring full removal and installation of new material.
Wood facia boards are damaged due to poor roofing conditions requiring full removal and installation of new material.
Lighting fixtures are damaged due to vandalism and require removal and installation of new weather protective fixtures.
Given the immediate need to address the safety concerns noted above, Staff is recommending that Council approve the demolition of the existing gazebo, direct the repair of the existing gazebo, or direct the demolition and reconstruction of the gazebo at a more visible location in Montvue Park. However, Council should note that there are no funds available at this time if any of the three options are performed by a contractor. Staff can perform the demolition of the gazebo at no cost.
Prepared by:
Shandy Dittman
Public Works Fiscal and Project Manager
Discussion Regarding Gazebo at Montvue Park