The proposed ordinance would also make it unlawful to abandon, possess or remove shopping carts from business premises.Finley noted that a mandatory plan would need to be crafted and implemented by business owners to prevent customers from removing carts and establish procedures for retrieval of carts that have been abandoned.Under the proposed ordinance, the city would have the authority to impound and dispose of the abandoned shopping carts as well as fine businesses for noncompliance. The city would also be reimbursed fr4om collection and storage of errant shopping carts for businesses that do not claim them.The proposed ordinance would “hold citizens and business owners accountable for their responsibility to keep Santa Paula beautiful and safe,” Finley’s report concluded.“What about those who push the cart around town. . .will they be cited?” asked Councilman Ray Luna.It’s a possibility, noted Finley, “unless they have permission” defined by the business enterprise supplying the cart. “The plan has to be established by the business with their customers. . .we don’t want to wind up with a cart in the street.”The full council supported the proposed ordinance.
City putting brakes on errant shopping cart owners, users
February 11, 2004
Santa Paula City Council
The city might be putting the brakes on the wandering shopping cart problem by going after store owners as well as those who take the carts off business property.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe city might be putting the brakes on the wandering shopping cart problem by going after store owners as well as those who take the carts off business property.The City Council heard the first reading of the proposed shopping cart ordinance at the Feb. 2nd meeting.Public Works Director/City Engineer Cliff Finley told the council that the shopping cart situation came to light during the Santa Paula Beautiful! cleanup day held in November.Not only was 20 tons of trash and green waste collected during the day-long event, but “additionally, a large quantity of abandoned shopping carts were collected and are now being stored,” at the city’s public works maintenance yard.“It is apparent that little effort has been made by local retailers to retrieve their shopping carts,” which, when abandoned, “constitute an eyesore and a threat to public health and safety,” noted Finley’s report.The proposed ordinance would require retailers to post signs with their identifying information on each cart and state that unauthorized removal of shopping carts is illegal.