May be next time someone should read what they are voting on

No issue has angered voters in Long Beach more than the newly enacted ban on plastic bags. I voted against it on many grounds -- particularly we have no business imposing a tax not approved by the voters and it was not clear what stores it would impact.

Now that it is getting ready to be implemented, I posted the documents and I am posting the ordinance for your review. And guess what, I asked if Walmart, Target and Kmart were on the list and was told by City management that they were not exempt --- despite the council being told by the author of the bill that these stores and the types of bags they use would be exempt.

How embarrassing that now council is scrambling to delay  the implementation because someone finally read what the ordinance does.

I am going to make a motion to repeal the ban and the tax. 

So read the ordinance below and contact the City Council and tell them to repeal the ban and the tax entirely.
Plastic Bag Ordinance

Learn How Long Beach Became a Major Part of Aviation History in 1911

Where Plastic Bags Are Banned in Long Beach...More than was disclosed

Below is the city management memo and list of retail stores in Long Beach that will not be able to use plastic bags. Things that were not disclosed when the majority of the council voted (with my vote "NO") on this ban:
Plastic 001

Things not explained about the plastic bag ban

I will have to pull the video on the debate. I could swear that we were told during the discussion that stores such as Target, Walmart and Kmart that used much larger and thicker plastic bags would be exempt from the ban imposed by the City Council on local shoppers.

That's not the word I received today when the list came out and Target, Walmart and Kmart were on there as places where plastic bags are banned in Long Beach.

I again asked city staff to explain and received the following:

The only  bags allowed to be given away free under the Ordinance must be reusable:   1.  Have a minimum life of 125 uses.  (Capable of carrying a minimum of 22 pounds at least 175 feet)2.   Have a minimum volume of 15 liters3.  Machine washable or  made from a material that can be disinfected.4.  Must meet certain labeling requirements, and
5.  If plastic, must be a minimum of 2.25 mils thick.  
Staff has spoken to both Target and  Walmart and they understand their bags do not meet the requirements of the Ordinance to be given away free and plan to comply.  Staff has not spoken  with KMart. 

Boy or Boy are there going to be many angry residents over this one.

Schipske Votes Against Octoberfest

I was the lone vote against allowing an Octoberfest in the El Dorado Park again this year. I did so because last year was a disaster for the park.

The promoter cut off access to a great deal of the park. And because of rain, much of the grass area was torn up. Access to the event was very difficult. It really looked more like a carnival and less like an Octoberfest. The beer garden was a slightly fenced off area.

I  received numerous complaints from residents last year about the event and spent many hours in meetings to listen to their concerns.

Not quite sure why the Parks and Recreation Department ok'd the event again this year. The City didn't make much money. Attendance was poor. The venue was disappointing. The promoter took many months to pay the city. Geez, we can do better than this.