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SUSTAINABILITY - ACTION ITEM: (1) Continued Discussion of Enforcement Options for Restrictions of Balloons, Plastic Carry-Out Bags, and Single-Use Plastic Bottles; (2) Recommendation to City Council.
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Meeting Date: March 12, 2026
Contact Person/Dept: Sean Singletary, Public Works Department - EPO Division
Phone Number: (310) 253-6457
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [X] No [ ]
Attachments: Yes [ ] No [X]
Public Notification: Email via GovDelivery (03/09/2026): Meetings and Agendas - Sustainability Subcommittee, Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission; Stay Informed - Community Gardening, Sustainability and Environmental Issues, Urban Forest Management, Environmental Programs and Events
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Director of Public Works/City Engineer
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Sustainability Subcommittee (1) continue a discussion of enforcement options for restrictions of balloons, plastic carry-out bags, and single-use plastic bottles; and (2) make final recommendations for each regulation type to be submitted to the City Council for consideration.
BACKGROUND
At the October 13, 2025 meeting, the City Council made multiple decisions regarding restrictions of balloons, plastic carry-out bags, and single-use plastic bottles, however, the City Council wanted more detail about how these restrictions would be enforced. Enforcement development was sent to the Sustainability Subcommittee. The Subcommittee was tasked to discuss enforcement options and make recommendations for consideration at a future City Council meeting.
At the January 8, 2026 Sustainability Subcommittee meeting, staff presented three options for enforcement strategies for each of the bans: Civilian-Led Enforcement, Complaint-Led Enforcement, and Inspection-Led Enforcement.
In addition to any enforcement strategy, the Environmental Programs and Operations (EPO) Division would also provide proactive educational outreach through social media and the website, as well as at in-person events.
Subcommittee members discussed enforcement options and were in agreement regarding a preference for a hybrid process of enforcement that would combine Complaint-Led Enforcement and Inspection-Led Enforcement. Members requested more information from Code Enforcement regarding inspectors’ current staffing level, competing enforcement goals, and available enforcement capacity. There was also consensus regarding recommending to Council an 18-month phase-in for all three bans, hardship waivers, educational outreach, and an introduction of fees to pay for enforcement costs
Fiscal Analysis
The fiscal impact to the City would depend on the chosen enforcement strategy. Complaint-Led Enforcement and Inspection-Led Enforcement Strategies as well as significant educational outreach efforts may require at least some additional budgeted resources in both the Public Works EPO Division and Code Enforcement to provide comprehensive enforcement.
Attachments
None.