Council adopts shopping-cart ordinance changes requiring loss-prevention plans for large cart owners

The City Council on Tuesday adopted amendments to the city’s shopping‑cart ordinance (chapter 9.12) that add mandatory containment options and require cart owners with 25 or more shopping carts to file a written annual loss‑prevention plan describing containment systems, inventory of lost/stolen carts, and planned remedies.

Lieutenant Danzel presented the staff recommendation, saying the community enhancement specialist currently spends a significant share of time on cart abatement and that requiring plans and stronger collaboration with retailers and code enforcement would reduce recurring costs. “The community enhancement specialist spends about 20 to 25 to 30% of their time managing shopping cart abatement,” the presentation said.

The ordinance amendments add options businesses can use (including containment systems and voluntary customer-assist policies), require an annual evaluation and inventory due by July 1 each year, and clarify enforcement tools including summary abatement and administrative citations. Council members asked whether retailers had been consulted and whether the July 1 deadline might fall during busier retail seasons; staff said they had spoken to multiple retailers and could provide leeway on deadlines where appropriate.

Mayor Stallard noted the city’s retrieval yard and said a majority of cart issues were tied to a single retailer: “I’m just gonna say it, folks. It’s Walmart,” he said, encouraging retailers to act responsibly. After council discussion, Council Member Cadena moved to adopt the staff recommendation; Council Member Moreno seconded and the motion carried.