During a recent Yakima City Council meeting, members discussed and passed an ordinance amending the city's shopping cart regulations. The ordinance aims to address the issue of abandoned shopping carts in public spaces, which has become a growing concern for maintaining cleanliness and safety in the city.

Deputy Mayor Brown initiated the motion to pass the ordinance, which was seconded by Councilman DCF. The ordinance includes provisions for businesses regarding the retrieval of their shopping carts, with a notable point of contention being a $115 fee imposed on businesses for carts that are not picked up within a specified timeframe. Some council members expressed concerns about the fairness of charging businesses for carts that may be stolen or abandoned, suggesting that the city should absorb these costs instead.

Councilman Dixie raised questions about the financial implications of waiving the fee, noting that the city has been actively picking up abandoned carts throughout the year. The council discussed the effectiveness of the current policy, which allows businesses three days to retrieve their carts after notification. It was suggested that extending this period to seven days could be more reasonable, although this proposal did not gain traction.

Ultimately, the council voted on the original motion to adopt the ordinance as presented, which passed with a 6-1 vote. Following the ordinance, the council also adopted a resolution to include a $50 shopping cart operation fee in the master fee schedule, further formalizing the city's approach to managing shopping cart issues.

The discussions highlighted the balance the city seeks to strike between encouraging businesses to manage their carts responsibly and maintaining public spaces free from clutter. The ordinance and accompanying resolution reflect ongoing efforts to address this urban challenge effectively.