A community collective called the Nameless Project asked the Sioux City City Council to consider installing one or more self-cleaning public restrooms downtown, saying businesses have rescinded open-restroom policies and that a permanent restroom would address a documented gap.

"Downtown Sioux City does not have any public restroom and there's a documented need for one or more," said David Flores, co-founder of the Nameless Project. Flores said the group's short-term porta-potty placement on private property showed a decline in incidents and that a self-cleaning restroom could reduce maintenance burdens.

Council members and staff voiced support for the idea but expressed operational concerns. One council member who serves on the downtown partners committee said the city must consider cleanliness, vandalism and ongoing maintenance: "I have a lot of concerns over the cleanliness or the ability to keep them clean and not be damaged... that's the concern I have," the councilor said, noting challenges the parks department faces keeping park restrooms serviceable.

Flores offered to meet with staff after the meeting and said his organization would help maintain relationships with downtown users. Councilors said the issue warrants further conversation with downtown partners, parks and public works to identify locations, funding and maintenance responsibilities.

No formal action was taken; staff members said they would follow up with the presenter and consider where such facilities might fit in planning and budgets.