Is there an ordinance outlawing public pooping? Your Call the Courier questions answered

Q: Waterloo passed the ordinance on public urination. Is there an ordinance on public pooping in the city of Waterloo?

A: Public urination has been illegal in Waterloo. There is an amendment to the public urination ordinance coming to City Council that would add the word defecation to that ordinance. If you got caught pooping outside now, you would probably be charged with indecent exposure. So, hold it in.

Q: We are wondering how many empty buildings are there in Waterloo. It seems to be like there’s two or three of them on every block in areas.

A: The city’s Community Planning and Development Director Noel Anderson said that is a tough question to answer, but said this: "The city of Waterloo works feverishly to identify and work to eliminate blight, fill empty spaces, and renovate residential and commercial buildings throughout the city of Waterloo. There is a team of city staff who meet monthly to discuss how to best address such concerns, including myself, the City Attorney, Planning and Code Enforcement staff. We are seeing good activity on the rehabilitation of multiple homes acquired by the city of Waterloo, we are making great progress on the cleanup and redevelopment of some brownfield areas, and seeing some new larger scale commercial projects like the former Hy-Vee and former Kmart sites on University Avenue under renovation. If the caller has any other specific sites, please contact the Planning Department at (319) 291-4366."

Q: On June 11 President Trump was on national TV saying that Iowa has gas for $1.85 a gallon. How come nobody ever fact checks him? Why? That’s making everybody in the United States think is Iowa getting gas for $1.85. Come on reporters, fact check him.

A: Plenty of journalists have fact checked him, including a story in the Des Moines Register earlier this week about his comment made at the G7 Summit. President Trump was likely referring to when he saw E-85 gas at that price when he visited the state in January. E85 gas is used by flex fuel vehicles – or 8% of all vehicles in the U.S., according to the Renewable Fuels Association – so not what most people are using when they fill up. Average gas prices at that time in Iowa, according to a KCCI report in February, was $2.57.

Q: Who at the city is in charge of Friday Loo and My Waterloo Days and stuff? Anyway at the park for Friday Loo you have four bathrooms and then the people that were selling the beer tickets and stuff at My Waterloo Days, there was only one tent and they was lined up for half a block in the same way as the restrooms. So they need more than four toilets otherwise you’re going to kill Friday Loo and My Waterloo Days.

A: Friday Loo is run by Main Street Waterloo and My Waterloo Days is run by Experience Waterloo.

Q: You answered the question that said Zach Lahn voted in Iowa. Well he might vote in Iowa but does he also vote in Kansas when he votes so he’s voting in two states?

A: That would be voter fraud. While he has voted in Kansas in years passed, he registered to vote in Iowa in 2024.

Q: Veterans used to get free tickets to the Irish Fest. Why do we no longer get them. Do we not appreciate the veterans?

A: Iowa Irish Fest organizers said due to rising operational costs, they discontinued free admission for veterans and first responders beginning last year. The organization has donated more than 300 tickets to VetTix, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans and active-duty service members, which verifies service and provides the tickets at no cost. Volunteers also receive free admission for the entire festival.

Call (319) 291-1550 to leave a voicemail or email newsroom@wcfcourier.com with your question.