Contributed by Mike Dryden, Wasilla City Council Member
The January 8th city council meeting was well-attended by the public for the final reading of the proposed single-use plastic bag ban. The public testimony was lengthy and varied from both the pro-ban and never-ban camps. The public process started last fall with a town hall meeting to open public dialog. However, outreach to the retail sector had begun many months before to measure the impact on their bottom line. From the very first meeting, the audience was spilt into two camps: the ban single-use plastic bags for the environment and the don’t take away my bag groups. These two groups had already made up their minds, and their positions didn’t waver throughout the process. For the members of the council, at least half had no firm stance, although we all had a default opinion in the beginning.
But in city government, council members have an obligation to represent the residents and their desires. I must admit, I was wary of the cookie cutter comments from the pro-ban assemblage. Just as passionate was the smaller less-organized never-ban-my-bag group. I had thought the keep-the-bag group would grow during the process. The council delayed the final reading past the holidays, so residents would have ample time to formulate an opinion and rally their troops. In the end, after two surveys, numerous emails and four long council meetings, the don’t-ban-side never materialized in force. So in the final anaylis, we had little reason not to vote for the ban. As I told a drive time radio host the next day, calling talk radio after the fact is not how we govern. The Wasilla City Council agenda is located on a user-friendly website, which allows residents to stay abreast of the city’s business. Skip watching a sitcom re-run twice a month, and you will not be blindsided by a news report.
We hadn’t made out of chambers before Facebook lit up with comments as we expected. For me, Alabama had just won the national championship in OT, so the Facebook comments were noted and appreciated, but not a buzzkill. Roll Tide Roll!
I expect to have to defend my vote, and I will. Not all decisions you have to make as a council member are popular or cut and dry. This decision had many moving parts, the least of which was to protect the residents and shoppers of Wasilla from a possible bag tax proposed by the Mat-Su Borough and state legislature. This is not meant to disparage the borough or the legislature’s intent because everything is on the table in times of budget shortfalls. As I told the passionate losing side, they can always put the issue on our next city election ballot. Due to the last election’s low turnout, the bar isn’t set very high for the number of signatures needed to have a repeal put on the ballot. Our city clerk’s office will assist with the technical issues that will be needed for a repeal vote.
The city council voted 5 to 1 for the proposal. Council Member Burney was the only no vote. Mr. Burney and I agree most of the time, but occasionally, we approach matters differently. Kudos to him for not wavering. The council was divided 50/50 until the final vote, so this wasn’t a decision made in haste.
The ban goes into effect July 1, 2018, and only applies to businesses inside the city limits. It also does not ban the use or re-use of the commonly retailer-suppled bags, just the distribution of the thin bags commonly seen at checkout stands. Some higher-end retailers already use a 2.5 mil. and higher bag, which isn’t banned and is suitable for multiple trips to the store. The thin clear bags at the produce and meat counters are still allowed due to health concerns. For Three Bears shoppers, never fear because your single-use bags will still be available. Wasilla is home to many national grocery and retail chains. Market forces will prevail on how the banned bags will be replaced, and we all will be better for the decision.
Bookmark the City of Wasilla website, www.cityofwasilla.com, and add my email to your contacts, mdryden@ci.wasilla.ak.us.
Until next month, stay safe.
