Almost two pages of the Jordan Park and Recreation Commission's August minutes, which the city council accepted at a meeting tonight, detailed a thorough discussion of portable bathrooms.

"I'm appalled at the amount of discussion," Councilmember David Hanson said.

"Whoever takes the minutes for that meeting did share a lot of information with us," Councilmember Mike Shaw added. 

Why would there be opposition to portable potties? Hanson wondered aloud, as he brought up the discussion during the council meeting.

Hanson, who lives in the Bridle Creek neighborhood, said that a lot of people have more experience with children ages 2-5 than he does, but he knows this: "They don't hold their water very well."

Mayor Ron Jabs said the issues wasn't taken lightly by the park board, which had received a request for the restrooms from Katie Altenburg. The park board decided to do a trial run in Bridle Creek Park this summer.

According to the park board meeting minutes, the following comments were received by the city:

- concerns about appearance were expressed;

- great idea and hope it stays;

- people removed the bathroom from its spot for personal use;

- don't think it's needed;

- don't think it is something the city needs to provide;

- doesn't look nice;

- kids are playing in the bathroom;

- random vehicles stop to use the bathroom, leading to safety concerns with children;

- it is an eyesore;

- concerned about odors;

- other cities do not have bathrooms in neighborhood parks;

- and could it be moved to a different location.

At the park board meeting, Jabs said that more money spent on existing parks means less money for a regional park planned for the Bridle Creek area. 

The park board decided to let its test run finish out and later discuss constructing a permanent bathroom or a base for the portable one with more trees surrounding it.