Resident Karina urges safer placement of portable toilet at Jim Connor Field after winter flooding

Karina, a resident who lives near Jim Connor Field, told the Parks & Recreation Committee the portable toilet at the field has been placed in a low-lying area that floods in winter and that, "especially January 2024, it was just free floating there." She said the backwash from that flooding has allowed water to reach nearby properties and that she contacted environmental health, which told her the unit "shouldn't be there."

Karina said she discussed the issue with city staff and that staff member Jill indicated the unit had been left in place because of tight budgets; Karina suggested temporary options such as placing the unit on a removable platform or trailer and adding portable stairs to raise it about three feet in winter so it would not sit directly in floodwater. She also said the unit was scheduled to be removed after the coming weekend.

Committee members and staff agreed the Parks & Recreation Committee has limited direct authority over utility placement but noted the committee can relay concerns to public-works and environmental-health staff. The committee encouraged residents and staff to coordinate on alternative locations, negotiation with local businesses for rental discounts, or a pooled-community solution to cover seasonal rental costs.

The discussion stressed two consistent points: preserving recreational access at Jim Connor Field while ensuring stormwater and public-health risks are addressed, and documenting options for a lower-cost seasonal solution rather than leaving portable toilets in flood-prone spots year-round.