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City Council <br />Meeting Minutes <br />July 28, 2020 <br />Page 5 of 7 <br />Councilmember Brown asked if the ordinance would allow Council to start with applying it <br />to just food stores and then expand to all stores without going to another vote of the <br />electorate. City Attorney Kelly stated as written and if approved, Council would have the <br />option to approve an ordinance at a later date that would modify the rule to include <br />nonfood stores. <br />Councilmember Brown stated he wants to do something impactful but also likes the <br />flexibility for Council to be able to make changes, making it stricter if needed. <br />Councilmember Lipton stated he supports the second version with more flexibility. The <br />most important thing is to get something passed tonight, we need to do something. <br />Councilmember Leh stated he likes the option to start at ten cents with options to go <br />higher. He also agreed with the proposed change to limit the proceeds to administration <br />and sustainability programs. <br />Public Comments <br />Tiffany Boyd, 550 Grant Avenue, stated local action is what will get this done. This is a <br />small step that allows bigger steps down the road. She supports 25 cents at all <br />businesses. <br />RJ Harrington, 457 East Raintree Court, stated we need to consider the cost of this on <br />future generations. He supports 25 cents on all retailers. <br />Mayor Stolzmann stated she supports 25 cents as by the time this is implemented in 2022 <br />it will be the right price. She added the State may ban these before that date so this tax <br />might never go into effect. The goal is not to raise money but deter use. She supports <br />imposing it on all stores. She feels the community will support this. Councilmember Fahey <br />agreed. <br />Mayor Pro Tern Maloney stated he prefers more tools in the tool box and would like the <br />flexibility of starting at 10 cents and going higher, maybe even 50 cents. He stated he <br />doesn't want to send the message that this is being done to be a revenue source. The <br />goal is to change behavior. <br />Councilmember Dickinson stated he has heard no opposition to the 25 cents from <br />residents. He noted businesses won't be hurt by the cost as they are getting 10 cents per <br />bag which covers their costs. <br />Councilmember Lipton stated he supports the start at 10 cents with the ability to move it <br />higher. He noted no other City has a fee as high as 25 cents. He supports restricting the <br />revenue as proposed by the Mayor. He doesn't want to be the town with the highest tax in <br />the State; that is not the small town value with the light touch to residents we strive for. <br />