City Council Minutes 2020 07 28 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes July 28, 2020 Page 3 of 7 AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING A DISPOSABLE BAG TAX OF T1n1F_NTV-FIVE TEN CENTS PER BAG BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2022 AND PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION OF THE ORDINANCE TO A VOTE OF THE REGISTERED ELECTORS AT THE REGULAR ELECTION TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 3, 2020 TO AUTHORIZE IMPOSITION OF THE TAX IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWENTY-FIVE CENTS PER BAG Mayor Stolzmann introduced the item and asked if any Councilmembers had any disclosures. Seeing none, she opened the public hearing. Assistant City Manager Emily Hogan stated that on July 14 the Council approved first reading of the ordinance with ballot language for a proposed bag tax. The estimated total of single -use bags distributed in Louisville is approximately 4.5 million bags or 25 tons per year. Per Council direction, the proposed ballot questions would be structured as follows: • Applies to all retailers • Includes a similar definition of single use bags and exemptions as the City of Boulder • Restricts tax revenue to the program outreach and administration and other sustainability initiatives. The draft ordinance provides for earmarking of revenues, but also includes the authority to spend revenues on "other general purposes of the City." • A tax of $0.25 per bag with $0.10 retained by the retailer as a vendor fee and $0.15 remitted to the City • Start collecting January 1, 2022 At first reading, Council requested staff prepare alternative ballot language for consideration. These changes would amend the ordinance as follows: • Applies to grocery stores only • Includes a similar definition of single use bags and exemptions as the City of Boulder • Restricts tax revenue to the program outreach and administration and other sustainability initiatives. The draft ordinance provides for earmarking of revenues, but also includes the authority to spend revenues on "other general purposes of the City." • A tax of $0.10 per bag with $0.04 retained by the retailer as a vendor fee and $0.06 remitted to the City • Start collecting January 1, 2022 Assistant City Manager Hogan stated staff recommends approval of the ordinance with whatever changes the Council desires.