Four years after receiving a state grant to replace aging public restrooms in city parks, the Lemon Grove City Council is getting closer to a decision on how to spend the money.
The city received a $400,000 Local Assistance Specified Grant from the California Department of Parks and Recreation in October 2021 to replace restrooms at Lemon Grove Park and Berry Street Park.
After receiving a staff report that said the grant would not cover an estimated $566,000 cost to replace just the Berry Street Park restroom at its Dec. 3, 2024, meeting, the City Council balked at the expense and asked for alternative designs.
The December discussion on the restroom was heated at times, and one man during the public comment section of the meeting saying City Manager Lydia Romero’s contract should not be renewed because Lemon Grove was “spending large amounts of money for stupid stuff like a $600,000 bathroom instead of replacing a road.”
The council composition has changed since then, with two new members and a new mayor, and Tuesday’s discussion of the restrooms was calmer, but still without a final resolution.
Public Works Director Izzy Murguia presented the council with new estimates for pre-fabricated restroom designs, with a $425,000 cost for the Berry Street restroom and a $325,000 cost for the Lemon Grove Park restroom. The state grant would provide $400,000, but with the extra costs of demolition and other expenses to prepare the sites, the city would have to come up with $500,000 for the two projects.
City Council Member Jennifer Mendoza proposed using the state grant just to replace the restroom at Lemon Grove Park, which she said is popular and has a new playground, and putting off discussions about repairing or replacing the Berry Street one with other funding at a later date.
“I see more kids and families using that park, including me,” she said. “My grandson does not want to go to Berry Street Park anymore. It’s boring. Everything’s broken. He wants to go to the new park, but the bathrooms are just a shame.”
City Council members agreed to explore funding just the older, wooden Lemon Grove Park restrooms. They also liked the add of adding a family stall to the restroom, which could increase the cost to $500,000.
Murguia said a state official has said amending the grant for just one restroom should be OK, but he will have to return to the council after receiving official approval for the amendment.