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Costa Mesa council advances self‑checkout staffing ordinance after heated public debate
Summary
After extended public testimony from grocery workers, retailers and residents, Costa Mesa council approved a new first reading—with amendments—of an ordinance requiring staffing and signage for self‑checkout kiosks, including a 1:3 staffing ratio and a 15‑day cure period; council will review results in one year.
Costa Mesa — The City Council advanced a controversial ordinance Tuesday aimed at changing how grocery and drug stores staff self‑checkout lanes, voting 6‑0 to approve a new first reading with councilmember‑led amendments. The measure, modeled on Long Beach’s law, would require staffing of self‑checkout stations, limit unattended self‑checkout to about 15 items and carry a private right of action for enforcement.
Government Affairs Manager Barkman told the council the draft ordinance would apply to food and drug retail establishments above specified sizes and include a staffing ratio of one employee for every three self‑checkout stations, a 7‑day right to cure (proposed to be extended), signage requirements and penalties capped at $1,000. Barkman said the city would…
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