The Tipton City Board of Public Works voted to close Court Street for the city's first street tree-lighting ceremony on Dec. 1, with members stressing the closure would not be full-day and must preserve courthouse access.

"This is for the city's first street tree lighting ceremony," the presiding speaker (Speaker 4) said when introducing the item, adding that the east entrance is currently the only courthouse entrance "for security reasons." Speaker 3 moved to approve the closure and Speaker 4 seconded; board members voiced aye and the motion passed.

The discussion quickly turned to restroom access for events that extend into the evening. Speaker 1 asked whether organizers would be required to provide porta-potties. "From a restroom standpoint, are all of these events gonna have to have porta potts?" Speaker 1 said. Speaker 4 replied that, in the short term, portable restrooms are likely required: "I think the answer the short term answer is yes. But long term..." and noted that when the library is open it can offer public restrooms to the community.

Board members and staff cited examples of higher-end trailer-style portable bathrooms used in neighboring towns. Speaker 3 described units "like the ones you see at Hyatt concerts" and referenced a $70 figure for those trailer units used in other communities as a possible option for city events.

The board did not adopt a formal new permitting requirement during the meeting; members agreed organizers should address restroom needs when applying for event approval and that staff should continue to work on longer-term public-restroom solutions.

Minutes from the Oct. 27 meeting were approved at the start of the session before the street-closure vote.