Title
RESOLUTION NO. 19R-06-108: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, URGING STATE ACTION TO ADDRESS THE PROLIFERATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS; URGING THE LEGISLATIVE ADOPTION OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FEBRUARY 1, 2010, STUDY RECOMMENDING STATE ACTION REGARDING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS; OPPOSING CONTINUED PREEMPTION OF LOCAL LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THE PROLIFERATION OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS IF THE STATE IS REFUSING TO TAKE ACTION; AND SUPPORTING INITIATIVES BY LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES IN FLORIDA TO LESSEN THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS ON OUR ENVIRONMENT; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (REQUESTED BY MAYOR KENNETH THURSTON).
Body
Request Action:
Pass a Resolution urges the Florida Legislature and Governor to take comprehensive and meaningful action to reduce and mitigate the proliferation of single-use plastic bags and the negative impact on our environment.
Need:
Summary Explanation/ Background:
In 2008, the Florida Legislature directed the Department of Environmental Protection to perform analysis as to whether or not there was a need for legislation related to the proliferation of plastics. On 2/1/10, FDEP issued a report, “Retail Bags Report to Legislature”, which outlined “how improperly discarded plastic bags can affect wildlife, marine life, landfill operation and flood control systems and explores the various approaches that other states and countries have taken to address this issue. Included in the report is a wide-ranging set of options for decreasing the number of bags being used as well as increasing the number of bags being recycled.”
FDEP’s 2010 report concluded “there are ways to reduce our dependency on these bags and to properly reuse or dispose of them” and recommended “that the Legislature review the available options and take action to discourage the use of single-use paper and plastic retail bags and encourage the use of reusable retail bags.” (https://floridadep.gov/waste/waste-reduction/content/retail-bags-report).
Florida Statute Section 403.7033, however, preempts any local legislative efforts “[u]ntil such time that the Legislature adopts the recommendations of the department…”
Needless to say, they have not adopted the recommendations or explored any of the strategies utilized nationwide or worldwide. Attempts to repeal that preemption have failed.
But, that doesn’t mean we, at the local level, can or should do nothing. We can increase educational efforts to discourage single use plastic and encourage proper disposal. We have methods to inspire and encourage both re-usable shopping bags and proper disposal within our own operations. We can encourage our businesses to join these efforts. In fact, Publix announced it is discontinuing single use plastic and paper - in South Carolina.
Attachments:
None
Cost Summary/ Fiscal Impact:
Include projected cost, approved budget amount and account number, source of funds, and any future funding requirements
Estimated Time for Presentation:
Master Plan:
Goal 1: Clean, Green Sustainable Environment
[ ] Increase mass transit ridership [ ] Reduce City energy consumption
[ ] Reduce water consumption
Goal 2: Safe and Secure City of Lauderhill
[ ] Crime in lower 50% in Broward [ ] Residents feel safe in neighborhood
[ ] Reduce emergency fatalities
Goal 3: Open Spaces and Active Lifestyle for all ages
[ ] Increase participation in youth sports [ ] Add new park land and amenities
[ ] Increase attendance at cultural programs and classes
Goal 4: Growing Local Economy, Employment and Quality of Commercial Areas
[ ] Increase commercial tax base [ ] Increase employment in Lauderhill businesses
[ ] Decrease noxious and blighted uses in commercial areas
Goal 5: Quality Housing at all Price Ranges and Attractive Communities
[ ] Neighborhood signs and active HOAs [X] Housing & streets improved, litter reduced
[ ] Increase proportion of single family homes and owner occupied housing
Goal 6: Efficient and Effective City Government, Customer Focused & Values Diversity
[ ] Improves City efficiency [ ] Increase use of Information Technology
[X] Increases residents perception of Lauderhill as an excellent place to live