Title
Consideration of a Possible Shopping Cart Restrictive Device Ordinance - Citywide
Description
This report provides the Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee an update on the Abandoned Shopping Cart Retrieval Program and seeks direction on a possible new ordinance to reduce the number of shopping carts outside retail premises.
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
Report
Summary
In October 2024, staff presented an update on the Abandoned Shopping Cart Retrieval Program (ASCRP) and information on what other cities are doing to reduce abandoned shopping carts. Additionally, staff presented the framework of a possible new ordinance requiring restrictive devices to prevent the removal of shopping carts from retail premises and sought further direction. Subcommittee members provided feedback and requested staff meet with the retailer associations to get more data about the efficacy, or lack thereof, of locking wheel mechanisms.
Since October, staff have held multiple meetings with representatives from the Arizona Retailers Association, Arizona Food Marketing Alliance, and Arizona Lobbying to discuss the issue and strategies to better address the problem. Staff requested data on the efficacy of locking wheel mechanisms; however, the level of data was not available for local stores. The retailer representatives did share a partial list of stores using these systems; however, they were not able to provide details about whether the systems are properly maintained.
The representatives appreciated being included in the conversation and shared some of the challenges of implementing a broad requirement for locking wheel systems over other solutions. They noted that the systems are costly to implement and maintain, and in many cases have not been able to reduce the number of carts that end up beyond retail property boundaries. They also discussed the additional challenges retailers that rent space may face in convincing their landlords of the necessity for infrastructure improvements required.
Background
Last fiscal year, the City collected 7,851 carts from over 460 retail stores as a result of the ASCRP. The average number of carts collected from any one store was 16, and the median was four. In fact, only 12 retailers exceeded 20 carts collected per store over the course of a year. Based on this information, most retailers are either small enough, or have sufficient systems in place, to require only a minor number of carts to be collected through the program.
Proposed Ordinance
Should the City Council seek to enact a new ordinance requiring locking wheel mechanisms, staff suggest focusing on large retailers and allowing an alternative option requiring the submittal of a Shopping Cart Compliance Plan.
Under this framework, all retailers providing shopping carts would need to register with the City. Retailers delinquent in their fees from the ASCRP would not be able to register.
Additionally, all large retailers would be required to install and maintain a locking wheel system. As an alternative, they may submit a Shopping Cart Compliance Plan (SCCP), for approval, that will outline how they will prevent removal of carts from the premises and ensure prompt cart retrieval for the carts that are removed from the site. At minimum, a shopping cart retrieval contract will be required, with weekly retrieval services as part of the cart retrieval plan.
Should the City continue to collect a substantial quantity of shopping carts under the ASCRP after the proposed City Code amendment is implemented, a SCCP will be required to be submitted and approved, if none exists, or enhancements to their existing SCCP will be required to address the amount of shopping carts that are leaving the premises. If the plan revisions fail to reduce City retrievals, a mandatory plan may be imposed with specific requirements to reduce the ongoing burden on the public resources to continue retrieving a substantial number of carts. Additionally, failure to provide a plan or enhancements to a current plan that is not working as required, will result in denial of registration.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson and the Neighborhood Services Department.