DHS Councilor Opposes $724,000 Restroom

Outdoor $724,000 restroom gains support from split City Council

DESERT HOT SPRINGS — Saying he was “flabbergasted” at the price tag of $724,350 for an outdoor restroom facility to replace the crumbling one at Guy J. Tedesco Park, City Council member Russell Betts was the lone dissenter in awarding a construction contract to the lowest bidder, Abboud Diamond
Construction Inc.

Abboud Diamond Construction Inc.’s bid was for $658,500, with a 10% contingency amount of $65,850, which brings the total project budget to $724,350.

It was one of five companies bidding for the project. Bids ranged from $658,000 to $792,000.

During the past years, the city of Desert Hot Springs has had a large increase in vandalism, security issues, and proper functionality of the restroom facility at Tedesco Park. While the restroom facility is currently operational, the continuing issues with vandalism, over-use, ADA accessibility, and failing infrastructure components require the city to close the restrooms for frequent repairs, according to city staff. City staff looked into options of upgrades, improvements, and/or replacements. Based on the existing conditions, total costs, and ultimate life expectancy of the structure, the restroom replacement option was determined to be the best alternative.

“I am not comfortable voting to approve $724,000 for a park restroom,” Betts said. He said the best solution was to revisit the issue so they could get a “reasonable price.”

“This is not reasonable,” Betts said. “It’s way too much money.”

Gardner argued that much of the money used for the project — $537,935 — will come Community Development Block Grant money.

Just because a huge portion of the money will come from CDBG funds doesn’t make a $724,000 restroom the right thing to do, Betts maintained.

“This is a project that’s been a long time coming and at the top of my list for a long time,” Councilmember Gary Gardner said. He said the current facility is “completely unacceptable,” and that the new restroom facility will be a “great enhancement” to the park.

He added that he hopes the city can get it “moving as fast as we can.”