Conway council approves one‑month MOU to help clean Blackwater Market restrooms; vote 6–1

Conway City Council voted 6–1 on Dec. 1 to authorize the city administrator to enter a one‑month memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the owners of Blackwater Market to open and provide limited city support for cleaning and restocking a shared restroom facility during December.

City staff described the request as a response to unusually high demand in October that overwhelmed existing facilities; staff said the proposal is intended as a trial for December, not an ongoing subsidy of a private business. "We had a request from Russell Fowler at Blackwater Market," the city administrator said, explaining the market’s restroom is used by multiple downtown establishments and sustained heavy use during peak nights.

Council discussion centered on public benefit, scheduling, and limits to liability and responsibility. Supporters called the situation "unique" and argued the facility functions as a public amenity; several members emphasized that the MOU would be limited to cleaning and restocking and would not make the city responsible for plumbing or major repairs. One councilmember said any future arrangement should include clear schedules and signage and that business owners should share responsibility.

The mayor moved to authorize the city administrator to negotiate and execute a one‑month MOU; the motion was seconded and passed. The council requested staff return with a recommendation after the December test month. One councilmember recorded a 'no' vote citing concern about precedent and a slippery slope, though that member said they nonetheless supported the aims of the measure.

City staff said operational details — including cleaning frequency, staffing impacts, and whether the market will label the restroom as a public facility on city maps — will be set in the MOU and in follow-up scheduling discussions.