HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5c - Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1713 (Shopping Carts) Item 5c
Department: Public Works
Cost Center: 5001
For Agenda of: 6/7/2022
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Shelly Stanwyck, Assistant City Manager
Prepared By: Matt Horn, Public Works Director
Greg Cruce, Deputy Director – Maintenance Operations
Rebecca Bernstorff, Business Services and Administrative Manager
Brendan Pringle, Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1713 (2022 SERIES)
AMENDING THE SAN LUIS OBISPO MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD
CHAPTER 8.10 (SHOPPING CARTS), REQUIRING THE PRIVATE
MANAGEMENT OF SHOPPING CARTS AND RETRIEVAL OF CARTS
FROM PUBLIC SPACES
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Ordinance No. 1713 (2022 Series) entitled, “An Ordinance of the City Council of
the City of San Luis Obispo, California, amending Title 8, Health and Safety, of the
Municipal Code to add Chapter 8.10 pertaining to the unauthorized removal of shopping
carts from retail establishments and to facilitate retrieval of abandoned shopping carts.”
DISCUSSION
Background
On May 17, 2022, the City Council introduced Ordinance No. 1713 (2022 Series),
amending Title 8 of the Municipal Code, to add Chapter 8.10 requiring the private
management of shopping carts and retrieval of carts from public spaces. The Council
discussed the recommendation at length and unanimously approved the introduction of
the ordinance.
Summary of Ordinance
This proposed ordinance adds Chapter 8.10 to the City’s Municipal Code to facilitate the
retrieval of abandoned shopping carts in the City of San Luis Obispo and defines
“abandoned or unattended shopping cart” as a cart that is “left unattended, discarded or
abandoned upon any public or private property other than the premises from which the
shopping cart was removed, regardless of whether such shopping cart was removed from
the premises with the authorization or consent of the cart’s owner.” The ordinance would
deem abandoned or unattended shopping carts found off the premises of retail
establishments, on either public or private property, to be a public nuisance, subject to
abatement by the City if the private retail owners of the shopping carts do not ful fill their
obligations to maintain their carts on-site or retrieve those that have migrated off -site.
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Item 5c
The objective of the ordinance is to provide a mechanism to place primary responsibility
for managing carts with retailers who provide shopping carts to their customers and to set
requirements for the prompt retrieval of carts that have been taken off business premises.
It is narrow in scope, balancing business interest with community impact. The ordinance
establishes requirements for cart containment and retrieval by cart owners, outlines
procedures for impoundment of abandoned carts by the City, and defines the recovery
from the cart owner of fines and costs incurred by the City. Businesses with 25 carts or
more would be required to submit an Abandoned Shopping Cart Prevention and Retrieval
Plan (Attachment B) that includes the following elements: cart identification, community
outreach, and loss prevention measures.
Policy Context
Enacted in 1997, Chapter 19 of the California Business and Professions Code (Sections
22435 to 22435.13) known as the “California State Shopping Cart and Laundry Cart Law,”
guides shopping cart abatement and impoundment. The California Business and
Professions Code permits cities to develop an ordinance with regulations to eliminate the
accumulation of abandoned shopping carts within city limits so long as it does not conflict
with State law. However, those regulations only apply to a shopping cart that has a sign
affixed to it. Since the cited provisions do not require shopping cart owners to affix the
signs, many cities in California have adopted local ordinances to require signs and to
further expand upon the provisions for management of shopping carts within their
jurisdictions. The proposed ordinance is consistent with Sta te law, which makes it
unlawful to remove a shopping cart from business premises or to possess it after it has
been removed and following all notification and impoundment guidelines.
The proposed Ordinance does not add any additional penalties against individuals for
unlawfully removing a shopping cart. Individuals can already be cited under State law for
this violation. The focus of the proposed ordinance is cart recovery and management by
shopping cart owners. Staff believes that the implementation of the proposed additional
language provides a clear, cost-effective and responsible approach to address the matter
through proper responsible parties.
Public Engagement
The focus of public engagement has been to inform, educate, and listen to concerns. T he
public engagement on the topic of shopping carts has included business community
outreach to businesses with shopping carts, the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce
and Downtown SLO. Last year, the Police Department and others met with managers of
large stores that have shopping carts to explore options to manage and retrieve errant
carts. Additionally, in March and prior to consideration of this ordinance, staff have sent
a follow up letter to all stores that have 25 or more shopping carts, making them aware of
this proposed ordinance.
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Item 5c
CONCURRENCE
This report reflects a multi-departmental effort with the City Attorney, Administration,
Police, Fire, and Community Services Group, including Community Development, Parks
and Recreation and Public Works, all in concurrence with the above-described approach
and recommendation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), it can be seen with certainty
that there is no possibility that the proposed Municipal Code Amendm ent regarding the
security of shopping carts will have any effect on the environment (General Rule
Exemption CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15061(b)(3)).
Additionally, the proposed ordinance would be exempt per CEQA Section 15301 Existing
Facilities, as there would be negligible or no expansion of use; CEQA Section 15308
Actions by Regulatory Agencies for the Protection of the Environment, as the proposed
ordinance is intended to assure the maintenance and protection of the environment; and
15311 Accessory Structures, regarding potential placement on-premise signage needed
for public notification associated with the proposed ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: N/A Budget Year: FY 2021-22
Funding Identified: N/A
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $0 $0 $0 $0
State
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total $0 $0 $0 $0
There are no direct fiscal impacts associated with this action, although significant staff
time is being expended to deal with abandoned shopping carts. While this cost is covered
through the annual budget appropriation for the various programs that are affected, this
ordinance would allow staff to concentrate on service and p rogram delivery to the
community.
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Item 5c
Additionally, the City will be offering an incentive program that utilizes $60,000 in
economic development grant funds that have been set aside for this purpose.
ALTERNATIVES
While staff believe the ordinance presented is complete work, Council may want to pursue
the following:
1. Modify the ordinance as proposed. The City Council may modify the ordinances
before adoption. Depending on the scope of changes proposed, modification of the
ordinances may require reintroduction during a subsequent public meeting.
2. Do not adopt the ordinance as proposed. This action is not recommended by staff
as cart retrieval has become a significant effort, diverting important resources and City
staff to the removal efforts instead of to the City’s core programs and services.
3. Provide further direction to staff regarding the ordinance.
ATTACHMENTS
A – Ordinance No. 1713 (2022 Series)
B – Draft Abandoned Shopping Cart Prevention and Retrieval Plan Template
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O 1713
ORDINANCE NO. 1713 (2022 SERIES)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 8, HEALTH AND SAFETY,
OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD CHAPTER 8.10 PERTAINING TO
THE UNAUTHORIZED REMOVAL OF SHOPPING CARTS FROM
RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS AND TO FACILITATE RETRIEVAL OF
ABANDONED SHOPPING CARTS
WHEREAS, The City has a substantial interest in promoting the public health,
safety and welfare of its residents, visitors and businesses, and the aesthetic qualities of
the City; and
WHEREAS, Abandoned or unattended shopping carts off the premises of retail
establishments can interfere with pedestrian and vehicle traffic and the use of public
streets, sidewalks, public areas, and public rights-of-way, can constitute a hazard to
streams, riparian areas and other natural areas, and contribute substantially to litter,
clutter and visual blight; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of this ordinance is to promote the public health, safety
and welfare, and the aesthetic qualities of the City by regulating and prohibiting the
removal of shopping carts from the premises of retail establishments, including
designated parking areas, without the authorization or consent of the cart’s owner, and to
regulate the retrieval and disposition of abandoned or unattended shopping carts that are
found off the premises of retail establishments so as to:
1. Provide for pedestrian and vehicle safety;
2. Ensure that the flow of pedestrian or vehicle traffic, including ingress into or
egress from any residence, place of business, street, sidewalk, public area,
public right-of-way, or any legally parked or stopped vehicle, is not
unreasonably interfered with;
3. Help protect streams, creeks, riparian areas, and other natural areas within the
City;
4. Reduce litter, clutter, and visual blight associated with abandoned or
unattended shopping carts;
5. Divert cart waste from the landfill; and
6. Balance the rights and interests of those engaged in commercial activities that
provide shopping carts for use by customers with the rights and interests of
those who do not want to be disturbed by abandoned or unattended shopping
carts on private and public property.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
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Ordinance No. 1713 (2022 Series) Page 2
O 1713
SECTION 1. Findings. The Council hereby finds and declares the following:
1. The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by
reference.
2. The presence of abandoned or unattended carts, or parts thereof, on private or
public property is found to create a condition tending to reduce the value of
private property, to create blight and deterioration, interfere with pedestrian and
vehicular traffic, to be injurious to health, safety, and general welfare, and
contributes to landfill waste. The presence of abandoned or unattended carts,
or parts thereof, on private or public property, except as expressly hereinafter
permitted, is declared a public nuisance which may be abated as such in
accordance with the provision of this chapter.
3. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), it can be seen
with certainty that there is no possibility that the proposed Municipal Code
Amendment regarding the security of shopping carts will have any effect on the
environment (General Rule Exemption CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15061(b)(3))
and the proposed ordinance would be exempt per CEQA Section 15301
Existing Facilities, as there would be negligible or no expansion of use; CEQA
Section 15308 Actions by Regulatory Agencies for the Protection o f the
Environment, as the proposed ordinance is intended to assure the maintenance
and protection of the environment; and 15311 Accessory Structures, regarding
potential placement on-premise signage needed for public notification
associated with the proposed ordinance.
SECTION 2. Chapter 8.10 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code is hereby added
to read as follows:
8.10.010. Authority and Purpose
This Chapter is adopted pursuant to Business and Professions Code Sections
22435 through 22435.8 and the City’s general police powers for the purpose of
regulating and prohibiting the removal of shopping carts from the premises of retail
establishments, including designated parking areas, without the authorization or
consent of the shopping cart’s owner, and to regulate the retrieval and disposition
of abandoned or unattended shopping carts that are found off the premises of retail
establishments.
8.10.020. Applicability
This Chapter applies to all businesses located in the City that provide shopping
carts for customer use and to all shopping carts on and off the premises of
businesses within the City.
8.10.030. Administration
The Director is authorized to administer this chapter which includes, without
limitation, the ability to promulgate administrative policies and procedures to
interpret, implement and enforce this chapter.
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Ordinance No. 1713 (2022 Series) Page 3
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8.10.040. Definitions
“Abandoned or unattended shopping cart” means any shopping cart which is left
unattended, discarded or abandoned upon any public property other than the
premises from which the shopping cart was removed, without the authorization or
consent of the cart’s owner.
"Abandoned shopping cart prevention and retrieval plan ," shall mean a document
required to be submitted by the responsible business owner, pursuant to this
chapter.
“Agent” means the person or persons designated by the owner of a shopping cart
authorized to perform or provide retrieval services on behalf of the owner. The
agent may be the owner, store manager, employee or a private cart retrieval
company.
“Director” shall mean the Assistant City Manager, or Director of Utilities or Director
of Public Works, or the Director of Community Development for the City of San
Luis Obispo, or such other Director, as designated by the City Manager, to
administer the appropriate sections of this chapter.
“Occurrence” means the retrieval or impoundment by the City pursuant to this
chapter of all shopping carts of an owner in a one -day period.
“Owner” means a person who owns or provides shopping carts for use by
customers in connection with the operation of a business. “Person” includes,
without limitation, individuals, corporations, partnerships, and all other legal
entities, and officers, employees, and authorized agents of an owner.
“Premises” means the entire area owned and utilized by a retail establishment that
provides shopping carts for use by customers, including any parking lot or other
off-street area provided by an owner, or shared with other ret ail establishments,
for use by customers for parking automobiles or other vehicles.
“Public property” means the outdoor common area of any building, business
premises, apartment building or complex, or other premises or portion thereof
which is adjacent to public property, open to the public, and which contains a
shopping cart or shopping carts visible at street or ground level from the adjacent
public property.
“Retail establishment,” with regard to shopping carts, means any business located
in the City of San Luis Obispo which offers or provides shopping carts for the use
by customers of such business regardless of whether such business is advertised
or operated as a retail or wholesale business, and regardless of whether such
business is open to the general public, is a private club or business, or is a
membership store.
“Shopping cart” means a basket mounted on wheels or a similar device generally
used by a customer for the purpose of transporting goods of any kind within a retail
establishment or designated parking or loading area of that business
establishment.
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Ordinance No. 1713 (2022 Series) Page 4
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8.10.050. Required Signs and Identification
A. Cart identification and removal warning signs required.
Pursuant to Section 22435.1 of the Business and Professions Code, every
shopping cart owned or provided by an owner shall have a sign permanently
affixed to the shopping cart that includes the following information:
1. The owner’s name, business address and phone number.
2. Notice of the procedure to be utilized for authorized removal of the
shopping cart from the premises.
3. Notice that unauthorized removal of the shopping cart from the premises
or parking area of a retail establishment, or the unauthorized possession
of the shopping cart, is a violation of state law and this ch apter.
8.10.060. Prohibitions
A. Unauthorized removal unlawful.
It shall be unlawful for any person, either temporarily or permanently, to remove a
shopping cart from a business premises or be in possession of a shopping cart
with a permanently affixed sign as provided in Section 8.10.050, that has been
removed from a premises without written consent of the owner authorized by this
chapter or for the purpose of repair, maintenance, or disposal authorized by this
chapter.
An owner may permit customer off -premises use of a shopping cart for
transportation of purchased items. The authorization must be in writing with date (s)
and time(s) of authorized use. Any shopping cart taken off premises must be
returned to the owner’s premises within seventy-two (72) hours.
B. Abandonment prohibited.
It shall be unlawful and a public nuisance for any person to cause or permit any
shopping cart to be abandoned or remain unattended on or upon any sidewalk,
street, alley or other public area, other than the premises of the owner of such
shopping cart.
8.10.070 Cart Containment and Retrieval by Owners
A. Mandatory Secure Containment of Shopping Carts After Hours.
Every shopping cart owner must lock or otherwise securely contain all shopping
carts of the owner after business hours in a manner that prevents theft or removal
from the premises. All shopping carts located on the premises of a retail
establishment, other than an establishment open for business twenty-four hours
per day, must be collected at the end of each business day by the owner,
employees, or authorized agents of the retail establishment and be collectively
confined in a secured manner in a designated cart confinement area on the
premises until the commencement of the next business day.
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Ordinance No. 1713 (2022 Series) Page 5
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All shopping carts located on the premises of any retail establishment open for
business twenty-four hours per day, other than carts then currently in use by a
customer, must be collected by the owner, employees, or authorized agents of the
retail establishment and returned to a designated cart confinement area on the
premises at least twice per calendar day between the hours of twelve p.m. (noon)
and twelve a.m. (midnight) on each day the retail establishment is open for
business. This section does not apply to:
1. Shopping carts located within an enclosed building.
2. Shopping carts removed from the premises of a retail establishment for
purposes of repair or maintenance that are in the possession or custody of
the party to whom removal has been authorized in writing by the shopping
cart owner.
3. Shopping carts being transported by the owner, or an officer, employee, or
authorized agent of the owner, to or from a business location of the owner.
B. Mandatory Retrieval of Carts.
All abandoned shopping carts of a retail establishment that are found off the
premises of the retail establishment must be retrieved as soon as practicable by
the owner, or an authorized agent of the owner, including a cart retrieval service
retained by the owner. The City shall notify the owner of an abandoned shopping
cart when such shopping cart is located in a place that can be accessed safely by
the owner. Such notice may given be by telephone, email or text message to the
owner or owner’s agent designated in the abandoned shopping cart prevention
and retrieval plan, if an approved plan is in place, and shall include the cart’s
location. Within three (3) business days from the date the owner of the cart is
provided with notice by the City that an abandoned shopping cart of the owner has
been located, the owner or agent shall cause the identified shopping cart(s) to be
retrieved.
C. Retrieval Services.
Persons retained to perform shopping cart retrieval services must carry written
authorization from the owner to be presented upon request by the Director or
designee. Vehicles used by retrieval services must bear conspicuous signs
identifying the name of the cart retrieval service.
8.10.080. Impoundment and Retrieval of Abandoned Shopping Carts
A. The Director or designee may immediately retrieve and impound any shopping
cart, in accordance with the provisions outlined in Business and Professions
Code Section 22435.7.
B. Impoundment Following Three-Day Notice.
A shopping cart that has a sign affixed to it in accordance with the provisions
of this chapter and Business and Professions Code Section 22435.1 may be
impounded by the City provided both of the following conditions are met:
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Ordinance No. 1713 (2022 Series) Page 6
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1. The shopping cart is located outside the premises or parking area of a
retail establishment; and
2. Except as provided in the Impoundment Without Three -Day Notice
section of this chapter, the shopping cart is not retrieved within three
business days from the date the owner of the shopping cart, or his or
her agent, receives actual notice from the City of the shopping cart’s
discovery and location.
C. Impoundment Without Three-Day Notice.
1. The City may retrieve and impound any abandoned shopping cart
without first giving three-days’ notice provided:
a. The Director or designee provides actual notice to the owner, or
his or her agent, of the impoundment of the shopping cart within
twenty-four (24) hours following the impound;
b. The notice informs the owner, or his or her agent, of the location
where the shopping cart may be claimed;
c. Any shopping cart reclaimed by the owner, or his or her agent,
within three (3) business days after the date of actual notice to
the owner, or his or her agent, of the impound, must be released
and surrendered to the owner, or his or her agent, at no charge,
including the waiver of any impound and storage fees or fines
which otherwise would be applicable; and
d. The shopping cart is held at a location that is both:
i. Reasonably convenient to the owner of the shopping cart;
and
ii. Open for business at least six (6) hours of each business
day.
D. Immediate Retrieval and Impoundment by City for Impeding Emergency
Services.
The Director or designee may immediately retrieve and impound any shopping
cart from public or private property if the location of the shopping cart impedes
emergency services.
E. Any cart reclaimed by the owner or their agent within three (3) business days
from the date the owner of the shopping cart, or their agent, is given actual
notice by the City of the shopping cart’s discovery and location, or
impoundment, shall not be deemed an occurrence for purposes of this chapter.
F. The owner of any shopping cart that is not reclaimed within three (3) business
days after the date the owner has been given actual notice by the City of the
shopping cart’ s discovery and location, or impoundment, is subject to
prosecution or the imposition of administrative costs, fees, fines, interest and
other penalties applicable under this chapter commencing four (4) business
days after the date of notice.
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Ordinance No. 1713 (2022 Series) Page 7
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8.10.090. Abandoned Shopping Cart Prevention and Retrieval Plan
A. Abandoned Shopping Cart Prevention and Retrieval Plan Required. Every
owner who provides or intends to provide twenty-five (25) or more shopping
carts to customers shall develop, implement and comply with the terms and
conditions of an approved abandoned s hopping cart prevention and retrieval
plan to prevent the unauthorized removal of shopping carts from a premises
and, if removed, to retrieve the shopping cart within three (3) business days
after knowing of the cart’s removal from the premises or after re ceiving notice
from the City that the shopping cart has been abandoned. Owners of shopping
carts who provide less than twenty-five (25) carts can self-certify and are not
required to submit an abandoned shopping cart prevention and retrieval plan.
To be effective, an abandoned shopping cart prevention and retrieval plan must
be approved by the Director. To be eligible for approval, an abandoned
shopping cart prevention and retrieval plan shall include the following elements:
1. Name. The name of the owner and the business name, the physical address
where the business is conducted, name, address and phone number(s) of
the on-site and off-site owner, if different.
2. Inventory of Carts. A complete list of all shopping carts maintained on or in
the premises.
3. Community Outreach. A description of a community outreach process
under which the owner shall cause notice to be provided to customers that
the removal of shopping carts from the premises is prohibited and is a
violation of state and City ordinance. This notice may include, but is not
limited to, flyers distributed at the premises, warnings on shopping bags,
signs posted in prominent places near door and parking lot exits, direct mail,
announcements using intercom systems at the premises, web site or other
means demonstrated to be effective to the reasonable satisfaction of the
Director.
4. Cart Identification. Signs and shopping cart identification requirements
which conform to state law. Owners shall attach an example of the proposed
shopping cart ownership identification sign which shall conform to California
Business and Professions Code Section 22345.1.
5. Languages. The information required above must be provided in English
and Spanish or in such other language the Director may reasonably require.
6. Loss Prevention Measures. A description of the specific measures that the
owner shall implement to prevent shopping cart removal from the owner’s
premises. These measures may include, but are not limited to, electronic or
other disabling devices on the shopping carts so they cannot be removed
from the premises, effective management practices, use of courtesy clerks
to accompany customers and return the shopping carts to the store, use of
security personnel to prevent removal, security deposit for use of shopping
cart, or other demonstrable measures acceptable to the Director that are
likely to prevent shopping cart removal from the premises. Cart owners shall
conduct regular maintenance to ensure disabling devices and/or security
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Ordinance No. 1713 (2022 Series) Page 8
O 1713
deposit systems are working properly. If at any time, a cart owner
determines the disabling device installed on a cart is not working properly,
the cart shall be pulled from circulation until it is repaired. The cart owner
shall inspect, test, and repair all abandoned carts returned to the owner prior
to making the returned carts available for use.
7. Employee Training. A description of an ongoing employee training program
that shall be implemented by the owner and that shall be designed to
educate new and existing employees on the abandoned shopping cart
prevention plan and conditions contained therein at least annually.
8. Mandatory Cart Retrieval. A plan for retrieval of abandoned shopping carts
by the owner within three (3) business days after knowing of a cart’s
removal from the owner’s premises or after receiving notice from the City
that the shopping cart has been abandoned.
B. Failure to Submit Plan. The plan must be submitted to the City within sixty (60)
days after the ordinance that implements this chapter becomes effective or
alternatively, if a business opens after th e date the ordinance that implements
this chapter becomes effective, then within thirty (30) days after a business that
uses carts commences operations. Any owner who fails to provide the
abandoned shopping cart prevention and retrieval plan shall be required to pay
the City $100 for each calendar month the plan is not provided, as a penalty for
not complying with this Section 8.10.090.
8.10.100. Recovery of Fines and Costs by City
A. Pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 22435.7(f), any owner that
fails to retrieve the owner’s shopping cart or shopping carts within three (3)
business days from the date of being given notice of the cart’s or carts’
discovery and location, or impoundment, by the City, is guilty of a violation of
this chapter and may be punished with an administrative fine of fifty dollars
($50) for each occurrence in excess of three (3) during the six-month period
starting January 1 and ending on June 30 or the six-month period starting July
1 and ending December 31 of each calendar year.
B. In addition to the fines imposed above, the owner shall pay the City’s actual
costs for retrieving and storing the owner’ s shopping cart or carts except when
the owner, or their authorized agent, reclaims their cart or carts within three (3)
business days from being given notice of the cart’s or carts’ discovery and
location, or impoundment, by the City, in which case, all fines, costs and fees
shall be waived.
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Ordinance No. 1713 (2022 Series) Page 9
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8.10.110. Disposal of Abandoned Shopping Carts
The City may sell or otherwise dispose of any shopping cart:
1. That is not reclaimed from the City within thirty (30) days of receipt by the
owner, or the owner’s agent, of actual notice from the City of the cart’s
discovery and location, or impoundment.
2. If the owner of the cart cannot be determined.
3. If the cart is rendered unusable (e.g., mangled, destroyed).
8.10.120. Violation – Penalties
Any person who violates any provision of this Chapter is guilty of an infraction and
is subject to punishment as provided in Chapter 1.12 (General Penalty) or as
provided under Chapter 1.24 (Administrative Code Enforcement Procedures).
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Ordinance No. 1713 (2022 Series) Page 10
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SECTION 3. Publication. A summary of this ordinance, together with the names
of Council members voting for and against, shall be published at least five (5) days
prior to its final passage, in The New Times, a newspaper published and circulated
in this City. This ordinance shall go into effect at the expiration of thirty (30 ) days
after its final passage.
INTRODUCED on the 17th day of May 2022, AND FINALLY ADOPTED by the
Council of the City of San Luis Obispo on the______ day of______, 202 2, on the following
vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
__________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
__________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
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City of San Luis Obispo
Abandoned Shopping Cart
Prevention and Retrieval Plan
Instructions
Unless otherwise indicated, please complete all sections of this form, and attach any necessary
documentation. Plan (with documentation) must be mailed to the City of San Luis Obispo (919
Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401) or sent via email by August 6, 2022, or alternatively, if
your business opened after that date, then within 30 days after your business commences
operations. This form is mandatory if your grocery store or retail establishment has 25 or more
carts.
Penalty for Failure to Submit:
Failure to submit this plan will result in a noncompliance penalty of $100 per calendar month.
General Information
Business Name:
Business Owner:
Physical Address
of Business:
Business Registration
Certificate Number:
Expiration Date:
Business Hours/Days:
On-Site Manager’s Name:
Daytime Phone: Email:
Exemptions
Any business owner may request an exemption from the requirements of this chapter if the owner
provides written documentation and demonstrates to the satisfaction of the City that the business
has less than 25 carts on the premises or has otherwise received approval for exemption from
the Public Works Director.
Explanation of Request for Exemption:
□ My store has less than 25 carts on the premises □ Other (note below):
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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Cart Information & Identification
Please indicate the total number of carts on the premises for public use: __________________
Every cart owned or provided by any business owner must have a sign permanently affixed to
the cart that contains the following information in English and Spanish, in compliance with
California Business and Professions Code Section 22345.1:
1. The owner’s name, business address and phone number.
2. Notice of the procedure to be utilized for authorized removal of the shopping cart
from the premises.
3. Notice that unauthorized removal of the shopping cart from the premises or
parking area of a retail establishment, or the unauthorized possession of the
shopping cart, is a violation of state law and Chapter 8.10 of the San Luis Obispo
Municipal Code.
>DOCUMENTATION: Please provide samples or photos of signs and other cart
identification.
Signage
Every business that owns or provides carts for the use of its customers within the City shall post
conspicuous signs at or near each entrance to its parking lot and the public entrance doors to its
store notifying its customers that removal of carts from the premises is prohibited. Signs and
shopping cart identification requirements must conform to state law and comply with applicable
provisions of Chapter 8.10 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code.
>DOCUMENTATION: Attach an example of both the signage and shopping cart owner
identification noted above to this document.
Containment System Installation
Has a physical or electronic containment system for the purpose of preventing shopping carts
from leaving the property been installed? □ Yes □ No
If yes, is the system currently operational? □ Yes □ No
Please provide specific details on the type of system installed and/or attach any vendor
documentation that will assist us in determining the sufficiency of the method used to contain
carts. Also, please attach photos as an addendum to this document. If the system is not
currently operational, please explain why not:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Page 34 of 652
Community Outreach, Loss Prevention, Employee Training and Retrieval
Community Outreach: Please provide a description of the community outreach process under
which the owner shall cause notice to be provided to customers that the removal of carts from
the premises is prohibited, and a violation of state and City ordinance. This may include, but is
not limited to, flyers distributed on the premises, warnings on shopping bags, signs posted in
prominent places near door and parking lot exits, direct mail, announcements using intercom
systems on the premises, website or other means demonstrated to be effective to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Director. Any posting of signs must comply with applicable
provisions of Chapter 8.10 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Loss Prevention: Please provide a description of the specific measures used to prevent cart
removal from the premises. These measures may include, but are not limited to, electronic or
other disabling devices on the carts so that they cannot be removed from the premises, security
deposit systems, modifications to the carts and/or the retail location, use of courtesy clerks to
accompany customers and return carts to the store, use of security personnel to prevent
removal, or other demonstrably effective measures acceptable to the City, likely to prevent cart
removal from the premises:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Page 35 of 652
Employee Training: Please provide a description of an ongoing employee training program
that shall be implemented by the owner and that shall be designed to educate new and existing
employees on the Abandoned Shopping Cart Prevention and Retrieval Plan and conditions
contained therein at least annually.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Cart Retrieval: Please provide a plan for retrieval of abandoned carts by the owner within three
(3) business days after knowing of a cart’s removal from the owner’s premises or after receiving
notice from the City that the shopping cart has been abandoned, or a copy of a contract with a
business registered to operate in San Luis Obispo and approved retrieval service. All contracts
for retrieval must include language prohibiting limits on daily loads and/or limits on daily or
weekly drop-off of abandoned carts.
Note: Persons retained to perform shopping cart retrieval services must carry written
authorization from the owner to be presented upon request by the Director or designee.
Vehicles used by retrieval services must bear conspicuous signs identifying the name of the cart
retrieval service.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Other Attachments:
Please attach any supplemental photos or documents noted in the sections above to this plan
prior to submission.
Clear photos of cart containment system
Vendor documentation for cart containment system (optional)
Clear photos of required signage
Clear photos of cart identification
Page 36 of 652
Item 5d
Department: Administration
Cost Center: 1021
For Agenda of: 6/7/2022
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager
Prepared By: Kevin Christian, Deputy City Clerk
SUBJECT: ADVISORY BODY APPOINTMENTS FOR CURRENT VACANCIES ON
THE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, PERSONNEL BOARD,
AND TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOARD, AND
MODIFIED TERM LIMIT ON THE TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT BOARD
RECOMMENDATION
Confirm the appointment of Jill Caggiano to the Active Transportation Committee (ATC),
Linda Mielke to the Personnel Board (PB), Lori Keller to the Tourism Business
Improvement District Board (TBID), and to extend the term of Clint Pearce on the TBID
by one year.
DISCUSSION
Annual appointments to the various City Advisor y Body Committees were made at the
March 15, 2022, City Council meeting. The process for those appointments included
recruitment by the City Clerk’s office, interviews, and recommendations by the respective
City Council sub-committees, with final confirmation of those recommendations made by
the full Council. The applications of qualified candidates who are not chosen for
immediate appointment are held for one -year for possible consideration in the event an
unscheduled vacancy occurs. When unscheduled vacancies occur throughout the year,
outreach to the qualified applicant list is conducted along with any necessary new
recruitment for the given vacancies.
Active Transportation Committee: Due to a resignation in May 2022, there is an
unscheduled vacancy on the ATC. Using the qualified applicants list from the annual
recruitment, the Council Liaison Subcommittee members assigned for the ATC,
Councilmembers Christianson and Pease, recommend Jill Caggiano to fill the vacant term
ending March 31, 2023.
Personnel Board: Due to a lack of applicants during annual recruitment, one seat on the
PB has been vacant since April 1, 2022. Recruitment continued to fill this seat and was
successful in attracting a qualified candidate. The Council Liaison Subcommittee
members assigned for the PB, Councilmembers Shoresman and Christianson,
recommend Linda Mielke to fill the vacant term ending March 31, 2026.
Page 37 of 652
Item 5d
Tourism Business Improvement District Board: Due to recent resignations from the TBID,
there have been as many as four concurrent vacancies on this board in the past two
months. Recruitment has been ongoing since the first resignation in late March 2022. The
Council Liaison Subcommittee members assigned for the TBID, Councilmembers
Christianson and Shoresman, recommend Lori Keller to a four-year term ending March
31, 2026, to begin immediately. Additionally, to correct for a discrepancy in term lengths
on the board, they recommend that the term of recently appointed Board Member Clint
Pearce1 be modified to end March 31, 2026, rather than March 31, 2025 (see policy
context below). At the time of this report writing, recruitment remains open for two
remaining vacancies.
Policy Context
The Advisory Body Handbook, last adopted by City Council in September 2021, outlines
the recruitment procedures, membership requirements, and term limits for all advisory
bodies. Additionally, the City Council Policies and Procedures Manual, last updated April
2022, describes the “Appointment Procedure” and “Process” for Advisory Body
appointments. Recruitment and appointment recommendations were performed in
conformance with all recruitment procedures, processes, and bylaws found in these
resources. Further, the Council Policies and Procedures section 6.7.2.1 states, “The term
of office for each appointee to an advisory body shall be a maximum of four years. The
length of a term is dictated by the principle that no more than two terms on any committee
shall expire each year.” The recommendation to extend the appointment of Clint Pearce
will achieve the desired term ending balance that no more than two terms expire each
year for this board, while not exceeding the four-year term length maximum.
California Government Code Section 54972, Local Appointments List (Maddy Act),
requires that on or before December 31st of each year, each legislative body shall prepare
an appointments list for their boards, commissions, and committees whose members
serve at the pleasure of the legislative body. This obligation was met and is on -going.
Public Engagement
Notices that the City was accepting applications for City Advisory Bodies were placed in
The New Times, on the City’s website and “e-notification” service, listed in the annual
Local Appointments List (Maddy Act Notice – GC 54972) on the City Website and City
Information kiosk, and distributed via City social media outlets, in November 2021 for the
annual recruitment. Following Maddy Act guidelines, notices were posted in the City
Information kiosk outside City Hall and on the Advisory Body Vacancies page of the City’s
website alerting the public that the City was specifically accepting applications for the
vacancies on the ATC, the PB, and the TBID, when the vacancies occurred.
CONCURRENCE
The Council liaisons for the ATC, PB, and TBID concur with the recommendation.
1 Council Agenda Report dated May 3, 2022
Page 38 of 652
Item 5d
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in
this report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines
Sec. 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: N/A Budget Year: N/A
Funding Identified: N/A
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $N/A $ $ $
State
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total $N/A $N/A $N/A $N/A
Advisory body members serve as volunteers and donate their time. The costs related to
recruitment is accounted for in the annual budget appropriation in the City Clerk program.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Council could recommend changes to the sub-committee recommended
appointments or direct staff to re-open recruitment for additional candidates.
This is not recommended as there were sufficient qualified candidates for the
positions, and the Council Liaisons for the committee feel that they have been quite
thorough in their consideration of applicants and the Council’s needs in their selection
process.
2. Council could recommend changes to the term length recommendation for Clint
Pearce on the TBID. This is not recommended as the intent is to comply with the
Council Policies and Procedures which helps ensure that the Board membership does
not drop below a quorum and aides in the annual recruitment efforts.
Page 39 of 652
Page 40 of 652
1010 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 546-8208 . FAX (805) 546-8641
PROOF OF PUBLICATION
(2015.5 C.C.P.)
STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
County of San Luis Obispo,
I am a citizen of the United States and a resident
of the county aforesaid; I am over the age of
eighteen years, and not a party interested in the
above entitled matter. I am the principal clerk
of the printer of the New Times, a newspaper
of general circulation, printed and published
weekly in the City of San Luis Obispo, County
of San Luis Obispo, and which has been
adjudged a newspaper of general circulation by
the Superior Court of the County of San Luis
Obispo, State of California, under the date of
February 5, 1993, Case number CV72789: that
notice of which the annexed is a printed copy
(set in type not smaller than nonpareil), has been
published in each regular and entire issue of said
newspaper and nor in any supplement thereof on
the following dates, to-wir:
;Soft Z
in the year 2022.
I certify (or declare) under the the penalty of
perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Dated at San Luis Obispo, California, this day
Z of `AJIVC- .2022.
Patricia Horton, New Times Legals
Proof of Publication of
SAN LUIS OBISPO
CITY COUNCIL
ORDINANCE NO. 1713
(2022 SERIES)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING
TITLE B.
HEALTH AND SAFETY, OF THE MUNICIPAL
CODE TO ADD CHAPTER 8.10 PERTAINING TO THE
UNAUTHORIZED REMOVAL OF SHOPPING CARTS
FROM RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS AND TO FACILITATE
RETRIEVAL OF ABANDONED SHOPPING CARTS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of
the City of San Luis Obispo, California, at its Regular
Meeting of May 17, 2022, introduced the above titled
Ordinance upon a motion by Council Member Marx,
second by Vice Mayor Christianson, and on the
following roll call vote:
AYES:Council Member Marx, Pease, Shoresman, Vice
Mayor Christianson, and Mayor Stewart
NOES:None
Ordinance No. 1713 (2022 Ser'esI - This is a City
Ordinance to amend Title 8, Health and Safety, of
the Municipal Code to add Chapter 8.10 pertaining
to the unauthorized removal of shopping carts from
retail establishments and to facilitate retrieval of
abandoned shopping carts. The objective of the
ordinance is to provide a mechanism to place primary
responsibility for managing carts with retailers who
provide shopping carts to their customers, and to set
requirements for the prompt retrieval of carts that
have been taken off business premises.
A full and complete copy of the aforementioned
Ordinance is available for inspection as part of the
published agenda packet for the June 7, 2022 Council
Meeting, or you may call (805) 781-7100 for more
information.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of
the City of San Luis Obispo will consider adopting the
Ordinance at its Regular Meeting of June 7, 202Y, w
6.00 p.m. in the Council Chambem at City Hall, 990
Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. The City Council meeting
will be televised live on Charter Cable Channel 20 and
live streaming on the Citys YouTube channel httDJI(
youtube.slo.ciN. Public comment, prior to the start of
the meeting, may be submitted in writing to the City
Clerk's Office, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA
93401 or by email to emailcounciMigcity om.
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
June 2, 2022
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