City Council
MEETING DATE: 8/29/2018
TITLE:
Title
Ordinance Banning Plastic Straws
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FROM:
Charles McClendon, City Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council introduce and provide first reading, by title only, to an ordinance banning plastic straws from distribution by restaurants in Cathedral City.
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BACKGROUND:
Mayor Pro Tem Greg Pettis requested that an item be placed on the Study Session Agenda to discuss whether the City Council would like to consider an Ordinance banning plastic straws. Council discussed the proposal during study session on August 8, 2018 and asked for an ordinance to be prepared for consideration on August 29.
DISCUSSION:
Staff, utilizing the City Clerk's listserve, requested copies of Ordinances that have been adopted by other cities banning plastic straws. The following is a list of cities that responded that they have an ordinance banning straws and/or acceptable packaging and products:
San Luis Obispo
Malibu
Sant Cruz
Ojai
The City of Santa Barbara will be considering this in September. The ordinances received are attached for your information.
The draft ordinance for consideration is attached. It includes provisions for a waiting period of 90 after the effective date of the ordinance to give businesses a chance to use their existing plastic straw inventory. After the waiting period restaurants in Cathedral City will not be allowed to provide plastic straws to patrons. There is an exception in the law for disabled persons who may receive a straw upon request.
Information on the ordinance, if adopted, will be distributed via mailers to restaurants, through the City website and social media and via the Chamber of Commerce. Karen Riley of the Scrap Gallery has indicated that her students would like to prepare educational materials as well citing the benefits to the environment of going straw free.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There will be some minor costs associated with the preparat...
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