a) REPORT 19-0715 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 8.64 OF THE HERMOSA
BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE TO EXPAND THE BAN ON
POLYSTYRENE FOOD SERVICE WARE TO INCLUDE A BAN
ON CERTAIN POLYSTYRENE PRODUCTS, SINGLE-USE PLASTIC
PRODUCTS, AND SINGLE-USE PRODUCTS AND AMENDING
CHAPTER 1.10 TO MAKE VIOLATIONS OF CHAPTER 8.64
AS AMENDED SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE
PENALTY PROCEDURES
(Continued from meeting of August 27, 2019)
(Environmental Programs Manager Douglas Krauss)
Strict interpretation of the upon-request requirement for non-plastic utensils would violate common sense with respect to eating utensils for on-site consumption of food that would be too messy to eat by hand. I assume that if it is not worth clarifying this in the resolution, then practical enforcement would allow vendors to voluntarily provide such utensils based on common sense without having the patron actively request it.
The Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce acknowledges that the City Council has environmental goals. We support sustainability but are also sensitive to costs borne by our local businesses.
We ask that rather than impose mandates on businesses, that you instead offer incentives. This allows the businesses flexibility to run their business in a way that meets their customer needs. Most importantly, this approach will give them an opportunity to do a cost/benefit analysis based upon incentives offered.
Recital E of the proposed ordinance notes the following:
“A ban on additional polystyrene products, single use plastic products and single use products will further the City’s goal of reducing litter”.
Referencing single use plastic products and single use products is not an innocuous statement. This leaves the door open to the city eventually banning such items from being sold in our community. It states an intention which lays the groundwork for eliminating any plastic bottles, any food items packaged in plastic, ziplock bags, etc. etc.
We ask that you remove this recital as it is overly broad.
Please never forget how challenging it is to run a business in California. Rents are high, the minimum wage is increasing annually and food costs continue to increase. Seasonal trends make it difficult to turn a profit in the winter months. Expecting a business to bear 100% of the cost/impact associated with policy decisions is not promoting a business friendly environment.
We ask that as you evaluate your goals, you pursue incentive based programs vs. punitive mandates. Far too often, bans are instituted, and the fallout and economic hardship falls upon businesses, many of which are owned by Hermosa Beach residents.
We hope you will consider the above input, and do so in a collaborative, incentive based manner.
Strict interpretation of the upon-request requirement for non-plastic utensils would violate common sense with respect to eating utensils for on-site consumption of food that would be too messy to eat by hand. I assume that if it is not worth clarifying this in the resolution, then practical enforcement would allow vendors to voluntarily provide such utensils based on common sense without having the patron actively request it.
The Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce acknowledges that the City Council has environmental goals. We support sustainability but are also sensitive to costs borne by our local businesses.
We ask that rather than impose mandates on businesses, that you instead offer incentives. This allows the businesses flexibility to run their business in a way that meets their customer needs. Most importantly, this approach will give them an opportunity to do a cost/benefit analysis based upon incentives offered.
Recital E of the proposed ordinance notes the following:
“A ban on additional polystyrene products, single use plastic products and single use products will further the City’s goal of reducing litter”.
Referencing single use plastic products and single use products is not an innocuous statement. This leaves the door open to the city eventually banning such items from being sold in our community. It states an intention which lays the groundwork for eliminating any plastic bottles, any food items packaged in plastic, ziplock bags, etc. etc.
We ask that you remove this recital as it is overly broad.
Please never forget how challenging it is to run a business in California. Rents are high, the minimum wage is increasing annually and food costs continue to increase. Seasonal trends make it difficult to turn a profit in the winter months. Expecting a business to bear 100% of the cost/impact associated with policy decisions is not promoting a business friendly environment.
We ask that as you evaluate your goals, you pursue incentive based programs vs. punitive mandates. Far too often, bans are instituted, and the fallout and economic hardship falls upon businesses, many of which are owned by Hermosa Beach residents.
We hope you will consider the above input, and do so in a collaborative, incentive based manner.
Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce