The Cottage Grove City Council voted 5-2 to instruct the city manager to regain control of a city-owned shower and restroom trailer and auction it at the earliest available opportunity.

The trailer, bought by the city in December 2020 for $59,929, has been operated in recent years by Community Sharing under an agreement that expired on Dec. 31, 2022. City staff presented two options at the meeting: renew the expired agreement or transfer ownership to Community Sharing by bill of sale. Councilors added a third option during debate1to reclaim and sell the asset.

Council discussion centered on public liability, the cost to the city of maintaining the trailer, and the nonprofit's claim of capital investment. City Manager Sauerwey told the council the city pays about $25.60 per hour for janitorial labor (roughly two to three hours weekly) to keep the unit clean and that the trailer is listed on the city insurance policy (about $366.77 last year). Community Sharing's representative, Mister Flack, said the nonprofit had invested roughly $29,575.56 in site improvements to make the program work and expected reimbursement if the city auctioned the trailer.

Supporters of auctioning said the city must be prudent with limited resources and avoid ongoing liability for an asset it no longer wants to operate. Opponents argued the trailer, and the nonprofit-run showers, provide a low-cost public good and that auctioning it would remove an important service for people experiencing homelessness. Councilor Lyman moved the reclaim-and-auction motion; it passed 5 to 2.

Next steps: the motion directs the city manager to advise staff on regaining possession and to schedule the trailer for auction. Council did not set a price or timeline in the motion; staff will return with the procedural details for regaining custody and the auction process.