2018-064 Restroom Trailer UpdateDate: May 25, 2018 Report No. 2018-064
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Provide an update on the downtown public restrooms item that was presented to City Council on
February 27, 2018.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Staff presented information to City Council in a work session on February 27, 2018 regarding
options for increasing availability of public restrooms in the downtown area. City Council directed
staff to work with the stakeholders downtown to determine the demand for public restrooms, and
further research the restroom trailer pilot program that was presented.
Staff met with the Main Street Association on March 21, 2018 to provide background information
on public restrooms, discuss the direction staff received from City Council, and solicit feedback
from those stakeholders regarding their experiences. The members stated it was their experience
that there was not a lack of public restrooms in this area, rather the issues they encounter are related
to the homeless population. Members were concerned that additional public restrooms in the
downtown may increase issues and suggested that the funding being considered for a downtown
public restroom would be more effectively used towards other homelessness initiatives.
One option for a restroom trailer pilot program could be a trailer recently purchased by the Parks
Department for temporary use at Carl Young Park until the construction of permanent restroom is completed in fall 2018. The trailer is a three stall unit with one ADA accessible stall. Due to a
delay in the delivery of the purchased trailer, a larger five stall rental unit has temporarily been
provided at no cost to the City. Due to rental cost being equivalent to the purchase price, staff
decided to purchase the trailer for $39,989 using available motor pool funding. The restroom will
be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily to be consistent with the sprayground’s operating hours. Staff is researching methods to collect data to determine usage and inform future decisions. After the
permanent restroom construction is completed, this trailer can be used for other City needs,
including use at special events.
Photo of Restroom Trailer at Carl Young Park
Date: May 25, 2018 Report No. 2018-064
A work session is tentatively planned in June 2018 to provide an update on homelessness
initiatives, including recent data from the Homeless Information Management System (HMIS) and
to discuss homelessness concerns in the downtown.
STAFF CONTACT: Sarah Kuechler
Director of Public Affairs
Sarah.Kuechler@cityofdenton.com 940-349-8356