The accumulation and storage of wrecked, dismantled, or abandoned shopping carts, or parts thereof, on public or private property is found to create a condition tending to reduce property values, to promote blight and deterioration, to constitute an attractive nuisance creating a hazard to the health and safety of minors, to be aesthetically detrimental to the community, and to be injurious to the health, safety, and general welfare. Therefore, the City Council finds the presence of wrecked, dismantled, or abandoned shopping carts, or parts thereof, on public or private property constitutes a public nuisance that may be abated as such in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(2356 § 1, 1996; 2802 § 1, 2011)
The following definitions shall apply to this chapter:
"Parkway"
means that area between the sidewalks and the curb of any street, and where there is no sidewalk, that area between the edge of the roadway and the property line adjacent thereto.
"Public property"
means and includes, but is not limited to, all areas dedicated to public use for public street purposes, roadways, parkways, alleys, sidewalks, flood control channels, any public right-of-way, and City parks.
"Shopping cart"
means a basket that is mounted on wheels or a similar device generally used in retail establishments for the purpose of transporting goods of any kind.
(2356 § 1, 1996; 2802 § 1, 2011)
The proliferation of shopping carts abandoned on public and private property is causing blighted conditions in some areas of the City and results in the obstruction of free access to public and private sidewalks, streets, parking lots, and other ways and therefor are declared by the City Council to be a public nuisance.
(2356 § 1, 1996; 2802 § 1, 2011)
A. 
Upon the discovery of an unattended shopping cart, or part thereof, which constitutes a public safety hazard on public property within the City, the City may immediately abate and remove same.
B. 
Businesses that have an approved business plan pursuant to Section 8.30.120 shall have up to 48 hours to retrieve shopping cart(s), or part(s) thereof. The City may immediately abate and remove carts that cannot be identified as the property of businesses that have an approved business plan pursuant to Section 8.30.120.
(2356 § 1, 1996; 2802 § 1, 2011)
A. 
Upon the discovery of an unattended shopping cart, or part thereof, on private property within the City, the City or its agent shall attempt to contact the owner of the private property or such owner's agent and inquire as to whether the shopping cart belongs to the private property owner. If the shopping cart does not belong to the private property owner or the private property owner cannot be contacted, then the City shall attempt to notify the owner of the shopping cart that the shopping cart shall be removed by the City if not removed by the owner within 48 hours of such notice. In addition, a notice shall be affixed to the shopping cart stating the time the shopping cart was discovered and a time no less than 48 hours from such discovery at which the shopping cart must be removed or be subject to removal by the City. The notice shall provide that the owner of the shopping cart shall be liable for the City's costs in removing the shopping cart.
B. 
After such notice and failure to remove, the City may enter onto the private property to remove the shopping cart provided that the shopping cart is located in an area that is generally open to the public or the City otherwise has the legal authority to enter onto the private property.
(2356 § 1, 1996; 2802 § 1, 2011)
Upon the abatement, removal, and storage of any shopping cart under this chapter, the City shall attempt to notify the owner of the shopping cart by sending a notice of abatement by first-class mail to the last known address of the owner as registered with the City.
(2356 § 1, 1996; 2802 § 1, 2011)
Any shopping cart removed and stored pursuant to this chapter shall be released to the rightful owner or agent if claimed within 30 days of such removal and upon payment of the City's costs.
(2356 § 1, 1996; 2802 § 1, 2011)
A. 
In order to receive an informal hearing with regard to the removal of the shopping cart or carts, the owner or its agent shall submit a request for such hearing either in person or in writing within 10 calendar days of the date appearing on the notice of abatement. The shopping cart owner or its agent must post the full amount of the City's cost for the shopping cart or carts at the time the hearing appointment is requested. Upon receipt of this deposit, the shopping cart or carts shall be released to the owner or its agent. If unable to pay this deposit, the owner or its agent may fill out a financial statement, available upon request, to request a waiver. Retrieval of the shopping cart shall be at the responsibility of the owner.
B. 
If a hearing is requested, it shall be held within 30 calendar days of receipt of such request and deposit therefor. The hearing shall be conducted by the City Manager, or his or her designee. If the hearing officer finds that reasonable grounds for the abatement and removal of a shopping cart are established, the hearing deposit shall not be refunded. This hearing shall be the final administrative remedy.
(2356 § 1, 1996; 2802 § 1, 2011)
Any shopping cart not retrieved by the owner of such shopping cart within 30 days after the mailing of notice of abatement, when such owner has not requested a hearing in accordance with this chapter, shall be sold at public auction or otherwise disposed.
(2356 § 1, 1996; 2802 § 1, 2011)
A. 
Any business in the City that utilizes in excess of 10 shopping carts in conducting business at any location within the City shall have a plan for the retrieval of shopping carts. The plan shall provide the following information:
1. 
A designated party who has the responsibility for retrieving shopping carts that have been abandoned on public or private property; and
2. 
A provision that states that any shopping carts left unattended on public or private property for a period of 48 hours shall be retrieved by the designated party of the business.
B. 
Written proof of such plan shall be provided to the City within 72 hours of the City's request.
(2356 § 1, 1996; 2802 § 1, 2011)
It is unlawful for any person to remove, possess, or abandon a shopping cart from or in a location other than the business premises that owns the shopping cart or the parking lot of such business, without the permission of the owner. This section shall not apply to the owner of the shopping cart, the owner's agent, or to an owner of private property who is attempting to contact the City or owner of the shopping cart for removal, or is disposing of an abandoned shopping cart located on his or her property.
(2356 § 1, 1996; 2802 § 1, 2011)
The fees to be charged for the removal and storage of shopping carts by the City shall be established by City Council resolution.
(2356 § 1, 1996; 2802 § 1, 2011)