Agenda Item Name:
Title
Repeal of Ordinance Prohibiting the Use of Expanded Polystyrene Containers and Single-Use Carry Out Plastic Bags
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Presenter:
Sylvia Torres
Description:
This is a public hearing to consider an ordinance which repeals Ordinance #19-14, which prohibited the use of expanded polystyrene containers and single use carry out plastic bags.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the ordinance repealing Ordinance #19-14, which prohibits the use of expanded polystyrene containers and single use carry out plastic bags.
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Prior Board Motions:
August 13, 2019 - Board adopted Notice of Intent to Repeal
July 9, 2019 - Board adopted Ordinance #19-14.
April 2 - Board directed staff to prepare an ordinance which prohibited the use of expanded polystyrene containers and single use carry out plastic bags.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal ConsiderationNone.
None
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Background:
On January 17, 2019, the City of Gainesville approved their ban on the sale and use of expanded polystyrene containers and single use carry out plastic bags with limited exemptions. The City is bringing forth a proposed amendment to their ordinance later this year to clarify "reusable carryout bags."
On April 2, 2019, a general presentation about plastic bag and expanded polystyrene bans was brought before the Board along with a draft ordinance mirroring the one approved by the City of Gainesville's Commission. At this meeting direction was given to staff to prepare an ordinance mirroring the City's ordinance as closely as possible and bring it to a future meeting for a public hearing.
On July 9, 2019, Ordinance 19-14, which prohibited the use of expanded polystyrene containers and single use carry out plastic bags, was adopted by the Board.
Both the County and the City of Gainesville have been threatened with lawsuits by the plastic bag industry. Florida law appears to prohibit or restrict the ability of local governments to regulate the use of auxilia...
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