Vista council approves prefabricated restroom purchase, opens probe into park-cleaning contractor

The Vista City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to buy a prefabricated restroom for Lewes (Lou's) Duran Park and directed staff to pursue additional cleaning and enforcement options after residents described repeated unsanitary conditions in park restrooms.

Residents and youth-sport representatives told the council that restrooms at Luzeran/Lewis Duran Park are frequently unclean, lacking soap and paper products and subject to drug use and other illicit activity. Angel Harquin, who identified himself as a Vista resident and parent, said the bathrooms were in an “appalling” state and urged the city to ensure maintenance for new facilities.

The council approved a staff recommendation to purchase a prefab restroom for roughly $240,000; councilmember Contreras moved the item and Deputy Mayor Melendez seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Public Works Director R.C. Arcey told the council the current cleaning contract costs about $150,000 per year and that the contractor, Premier, cleans affected park restrooms twice a day. “They clean twice a day,” Arcey said.

Council members and residents raised concerns that twice-daily cleaning is insufficient for high-use fields and weekend tournaments. Mayor Franklin asked staff to provide costs to upgrade the contract and to consider additional weekend and after-hours presence. Contreras said she had asked staff to launch an investigation into whether the contractor was meeting contract obligations after multiple constituent complaints; she said the city had already increased funding to raise maintenance standards but would now verify compliance.

Representatives from local youth soccer organizations described ongoing problems. Alma, speaking for Tiffany’s Soccer Club, said the group wanted a new maintenance contract provider if Premier could not meet standards. Several residents also urged the placement of a phone number on restroom signage so the public could report unacceptable conditions immediately; Mayor Franklin said he supported a posted contact to improve responsiveness.

Council direction included: (1) approving the prefab restroom purchase, (2) asking staff to report back with the cost and feasibility of increasing cleaning frequency or modifying the contract, (3) initiating an investigation into contract performance, and (4) returning to council with options for weekend staffing and signage for reporting restroom problems.

The council also discussed the broader enforcement context: the mayor and council members said unlawful camping and drug use at park sites are prohibited under the city’s camping ban and that increased sheriff patrols and code-enforcement presence would be part of the response. Arcey said the city’s parks crew checks restrooms about three to four times per week and that the contractor’s supervisor meets quarterly with city staff; he added that the current contract is in its final year and will go out to bid again after July.

Council members said they will return with specifics on contract options and budget impacts. The council voted unanimously to approve the prefabricated restroom purchase and directed staff to return with contract upgrade cost estimates and enforcement/maintenance proposals.