AgdaPkt 2013-03-25 Joint SA and PFA

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6.5.A. - Page 2 • Require retail establishments to charge customers for recycled paper bags and reusable bags at the point of sale (the minimum charge would be 10 cents per bag until December 31, 2014 and 25 cents per bag thereafter); • Allow stores to sell paper bags if they are made of at least 40 percent post- consumer recycled content (higher recycled content is problematic since fibers become too short to bind together); • Require retailers to keep a record of the number of paper bags that are sold to customers; • Allow "protective" plastic or paper bags, without handles, for items such as meat, fresh produce, prepared food, and prescription medication. Garment bags are also exempt; • Exempt customers purchasing food through WIC and Cal Fresh food stamps programs; • Exclude restaurants, take-out food establishments, or any other business that receives 90% of its revenue from the sale of prepared food to be eaten on or off prem ises; • Exclude charitable re-use organizations; and • Provide for fines of $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second, $500 for the third violation with each day constituting a violation, with enforcement by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Department. Benefits of a multi-agency EIR and a common ordinance include: • A consistent, uniform standard for retailers and the public to follow • Consistent education, outreach, and enforcement • No requirement for a Redwood City-specific environmental analysis process Adopting this ordinance will also help the City toward meeting certain conditions of the Municipal Regional (Stormwater) Permit. Enforcement would be conducted by San Mateo County on a complaint basis. ALTERNATIVES 1. Adopt the ordinance with changes, which would require the City to prepare a Subsequent or Supplemental EIR at its own expense. 2. Do not adopt the ordinance and continue to allow the use of plastic bags by retailers. FISCAL IMPACT Some City resources would be expended in order to supplement the County's outreach efforts, primarily consisting of staff time used in the publicity efforts. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW On March 11, 2013, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 15248, making CEQA findings for adoption of the Redwood City ordinance.