TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: MELISSA VOLLARO, RECREATION AND HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR
DATE: OCTOBER 14, 2025
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH CXT INCORPORATED FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF TWO PREFABRICATED VAULT RESTROOM FACILITIES AT THE CLAREMONT HILLS WILDERNESS PARK (FUNDING SOURCES: DONATIONS AND WILDERNESS PARK PARKING LOT FUND)
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SUMMARY
The Claremont Hills Wilderness Park (CHWP) encompasses more than 2,500 acres and 15 miles of trails and welcomes hundreds of thousands of hikers, cyclists, and equestrian riders each year. Current restroom accommodations are limited to portable chemical toilets and do not adequately serve this high level of visitation. The installation of two permanent restroom facilities to replace the two existing portable units on Cobal and Burbank Trails, commonly referred to as the “Loop,” will significantly improve visitor experience, provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant amenities, and reduce environmental impacts associated with insufficient restroom capacity. This project is funded primarily through a generous donation from the Friends of the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park.
CXT Incorporated is a nationally recognized manufacturer and installer of precast concrete restroom buildings. The company has successfully completed restroom projects for municipalities across California, including the City of Claremont’s recent Joāt Park (formerly Cahuilla Park) restroom project.
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with CXT Incorporated for the purchase and installation of two prefabricated vault restroom facilities to be located within the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council:
A. Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with CXT Incorporated in the amount of $158,936 for restroom fabrication and installation services related to the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park Restroom Installation Project, and authorize a ten percent contingency of $15,894, for a total authorized amount of $174,830;
B. Authorize acceptance of $148,236 from the Friends of the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park to partially fund the project; and
C. Find that this item is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information from staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The purchase and installation of the prefabricated restroom facilities is being made through Sourcewell, a member cooperative that entitles the City to access competitively bid national
contracts, and complies with all City and State purchasing guidelines. Contract documents are available for review in the City Clerk's office.
The cost of restroom purchase and installation services provided by CXT is $158,936. With a recommended ten percent contingency, the total not to exceed project amount is $174,830. This project is partially funded through a $148,236 donation from the Friends of the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park. The balance will be paid for with funds already appropriated in the existing contract services budget in the Wilderness Park Parking Lot Fund.
The staff cost to prepare this report and administer the project is estimated at $875, which is included in the operating budget of the Recreation and Human Services Department.
ANALYSIS
The Claremont Hills Wilderness Park is one of the region’s most popular outdoor recreation destinations, attracting over 500,000 residents and visitors each year. However, restroom improvements have not kept pace with the park’s increasing popularity. In 2016, the City Council adopted the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park Master Plan. Section 4.3.2 of the plan states, “The two porta-potties on the main loop are heavily used and the limited-service level has generally not been adequate for the amount of use.” As a result, the CHWP Master Plan’s associated Implementation Plan recommends in section 5.4 that the City install composting toilets along the trail in lieu of chemical porta-potties. However, shortly after this plan was released, staff determined that composting toilets would not be able to handle the number of users, making the recommended vault toilets the best possible option. Transitioning from portable restrooms to vault toilets will reduce the number of service trips required to pump out waste material from twice a week to once a month, significantly reducing the impact on the trail surface and park visitors.
CXT prefabricated restrooms are durable, vandal-resistant, ADA-compliant, and designed for long-term, low-maintenance service. Installing two vault restrooms at separate high-use locations will distribute amenities more effectively across the park and address visitor needs during peak periods. These vault restrooms are commonly found in national and state parks throughout backcountry areas. Staff have selected the “Rocky Mountain” model, which features a faux stone base and faux horizontal lap, to maintain a similar design to the existing shade structure and kiosk found in the CHWP. Furthermore, the restroom buildings will be painted to match existing park structures. Additional information on each restroom’s features can be found in the attached brochure (Attachment).
Staff determined that prefabricated restroom structures provide the best balance of cost efficiency, durability, and expedited installation when compared with traditional site-built construction. The City of Claremont is a member of Sourcewell, a member cooperative that entitles the City to access competitively bid national contracts. Sourcewell has an existing contract with CXT Incorporated for prefabricated restroom facilities, and the pricing included in this agreement is based upon the Sourcewell contract pricing. Utilizing this contract enables the City to save on the list price for the delivery and installation of the restroom facility. The City utilized CXT Incorporated for the Griffith Park restroom replacement and the Joāt Park (formerly Cahuilla Park) restroom replacement and CXT provided excellent service. Completion of the project is expected to take place within six to eight months after entering into an agreement with the contractor, with a tentative opening date of June 2026.
While this project only replaces the two trail-based portable units with permanent vault-style structures, staff is currently working on an application to obtain Measure A grant funding through the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District to install four permanent flush-style restrooms, coupled with a small visitor center, at the Mills Avenue trailhead in lieu of the existing portable units. Should funding become available, this trailhead structure would match the same style as those proposed in this agreement.
LEGAL REVIEW
This agreement has been reviewed by the City Attorney and approved as to form.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: Council Priorities, Economic Sustainability Plan, General Plan, 2024-26 Budget, and the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park Master Plan.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is categorically exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303(c) - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures. None of the exceptions in Section 15300.2 apply.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Melissa Vollaro Luis Vaquera
Recreation and Human Services Director Recreation and Human Services Supervisor
Reviewed by:
Eric Ey
Recreation and Human Services Manager
Attachment:
CXT Vault Restroom Brochure