The Camp Verde Town Council discussed the town’s deteriorating gazebo, capital improvement plan and tentative 2024 budget during its meeting on Wednesday, July 5.
The wooden gazebo south of the Public Works facility has been experiencing structural instability as its support posts have deteriorated, gradually becoming the “Leaning Gazebo of Camp Verde.”
On June 19, city building officials officially condemned the gazebo and secured the area.
The town is exploring four options for the gazebo’s future:
- Removal and replacement of the support posts and upgrading the structure’s electrical installation
- Demolition of the gazebo with preservation of the existing concrete foundation
- Demolition of the gazebo and the concrete foundation and installing a new sidewalk to connect the existing sidewalks on the west and east sides of the gazebo
- Demolition of the gazebo and erection of a new gazebo with a similar design
No action was taken at the meeting. Martin Smith, the town’s new capital improvement plan manager, recommended demolition of both the gazebo and concrete foundation and installation of an Americans with Disabilities Act Compliant sidewalk.
Vice Mayor Marie Moore stressed that she wanted to bring in local contractors to do the job, putting money back in taxpayers’ pockets.
Councilwoman Cris McPhail said that a reconstruction should not use wood or the town will be faced with the same problem in another 30 years. She recommended a steel structure instead. She also observed that since the town has the ramada, the space could possibly be used for something else.
Councilwoman Jackie Baker reminded the council that while the structure is not historic, it was built with community input and donations. She recommended they check with the community before making a decision.
Mayor Dee Jenkins wanted to see if they could get more bids at lower prices.
Finance director Mike Showers discussed the town’s proposed capital improvement plan, which he described as a constantly-changing document. The plan includes $30 million in new projects.
“When we budget, we budget for opportunity,” said Showers. The council unanimously approved the plan.
Showers also presented the town’s tentative budget for fiscal year 2024, which the council likewise approved unanimously. Once it is accepted, total expenses cannot be increased, only decreased or moved. The final budget will be presented on Wednesday, July 19.
