HomeMy WebLinkAboutWORK SESSION SUMMARY-01/25/2022-Work Session (4)Environmental Services
222 Laporte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6600
fcgov.com/environmental services
MEMORANDUM
Date: January 28, 2022
To: Mayor Arndt and City Councilmembers
Thru: Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager
Kyle Stannert, Deputy City Manager
Jacqueline Kozak Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer
Lindsay Ex, Environmental Services Director
Caroline Mitchell, Waste Reduction and Recycling Program Manager
From: Molly Saylor, Lead Specialist, Environmental Sustainability
Katy McLaren, Lead Specialist, Environmental Sustainability
Re: January 25, 2022 Work Session Summary: Disposable Bag Ordinance
Attendees: All Councilmembers were present.
Purpose: Staff presented options for Councilmembers to consider as an update to the Disposable Bag
Ordinance that will take effect on May 1, 2022.
Key discussion points
General support for the recommended changes to the existing Disposable Bag Ordinance and for
staff to bring revisions and an updated version of the Ordinance forward for Council consideration
at the February 15 Council meeting. Councilmembers indicated support for:
o Maintaining existing adoption date for large grocers of May 1, 2022
o Reducing fee to 10 cents and adapting the fee structure to a 60-40 split (City-grocer) with the
City retaining 6 cents per bag for program implementation
o Maintaining fee exemptions for participants of Federal, State, County and local low-income
assistance programs
o Adding language allowing the City Manager to create further exemptions by administrative
rule
o Updating definitions and non-substantive elements to align to the State’s policy
Councilmembers shared support for the City Manager to notify Council prior to administrative
changes relating to exemptions before they take effect
Councilmembers supported strong outreach and communications campaigns to support the
community in the transition to the new rules
Encouraged exploration of programmatic approaches to
o Offer alternatives to community members who rely on grocery pick-up and delivery (e.g., bag
deposit systems; leveraging cardboard boxes from shipments, etc.)
o Provide reusable bags to community members in need that supports a sharing economy (e.g.,
bag “round-up” events; "bag bank” systems, etc.)
Next steps:
Feb. 15 – First reading of the Disposable Bag Ordinance
March 1 – Second reading of the Disposable Bag Ordinance
Ongoing communication and partnership with grocers and disproportionately impacted
stakeholders prior to May 1 Ordinance implementation
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3340CFF4-A29C-4DE3-A022-89CB4CFFC76C
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Communications and outreach to community members, including exploration of inclusive
communication methods, such as storyboards (recommended by People First)
Continue to explore policies and programs that reduce plastic pollution through a comprehensive
approach
DocuSign Envelope ID: 3340CFF4-A29C-4DE3-A022-89CB4CFFC76C