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• Page 6 <br /> Ms.Kaufman <br /> October 21,2011 <br /> same exact language on this issue as the City of San Jose ordinance and our legal Counsel has <br /> determined that this is the appropriate language to use. <br /> The way to interpret the draft ordinance language at issue is as follows:The ordinance prohibits <br /> the distribution of all single use bags except as provided in the following sections.Then, the <br /> draft ordinance says that stores may distribute recycled content bags and reusable bags, but if <br /> they do so,they must charge $0.10 for each bag. The "may" refers to whether or not the store <br /> chooses to provide recycled content bags or reusable bags at all, not to whether they may <br /> charge for them. <br /> Carry out bag restrictions as outlined in Section 4 (f),Alternative 1 and Alternative 2, are <br /> excessively restrictive and are above and beyond the scope of an ordinance that intends to <br /> regulate the use of carryout bags and promote the use of reusable bags. Businesses need the <br /> flexibility to provide reusable bags at no charge during limited time promotions with limited <br /> regulation to the definition of the number of days or types of events. Therefore, we request <br /> that Section 4(f) be deleted, and Section 4(e) remain. <br /> The language in the ordinance needs to be clear and enforceable. If it is not,the risk of legal <br /> challenge is increased. <br /> 10. Record Keeping and Inspection 7 (a, b, c) <br /> The requirement for stores to maintain records for inspection is excessive. The number of <br /> transactions or total revenue collected by a store for the sale of carryout bags is not relevant to <br /> reducing the use of carryout bags or increasing the use of reusable bags. <br /> The draft ordinance has been revised to respond to this comment. <br /> 11. Enforcement and Phasing 8 (a, b, c) <br /> As in item 4 above,violations of the ordinance provision cite the consequences of a <br /> misdemeanor or an infraction with separate offenses for each day. We recommend that the <br /> language be revised to restore local control and enforcement options to each jurisdiction. <br /> The draft ordinance has been designed to maximize local control,giving each iurisdiction <br /> approval/disapproval power over each enforcement action. If the jurisdiction does not want the <br /> WMA to play any role in enforcement,then it may choose to opt-out. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Nelson Fialho <br />