South City weighs bans and raises

No final decision was made at the meeting, but the direction from councilmembers to consider the actions would follow precedent established by county and state lawmakers who previously approved similar measures.

Before implementation, South San Francisco officials agreed more outreach is required to assure adequate input is provided by merchants and residents who may have concerns about the policies.

Flavored tobacco

Councilman Mark Nagales suggested regulating flavored tobacco and electronic cigarettes is necessary to prevent addiction among teens and young South San Francisco residents.

“I know it is somewhat of a controversial issue, but I don’t think we are afraid of standing up and taking on issues like this,” said Nagales, according to an audio recording of the meeting.

Officials initially considered an outright ban for the products, but perspectives shared by local smoke shop owners who opposed the policy seemed to sway the conversations.

In recognition of the fears that a ban would harm the business for independent merchants, officials reached a compromise by seeking to ban sales of flavored tobacco and electronic cigarettes in general stores, pharmacies and other large retailers. Under the proposed initiative, the products would only be offered in South San Francisco smoke shops and other specialty outlets where patronage is limited to adults.

Councilman Mark Addiego said such a policy would work toward officials’ goal of keeping the products away from young people while not restricting the access of adults allowed to buy tobacco.

“I do want to protect an adult’s right to enjoy what they want to enjoy,” he said.

Bans on electronic cigarettes and flavored tobacco have grown increasingly common across California, as officials and lawmakers try to tamp down the rise in vaping, especially among children and teens.

County officials banned the sales of such products last year, citing a national survey indicating 81 percent of youth who’ve used tobacco reported flavored products were the first they tried.

As South City officials draft their own policy, Vice Mayor Rich Garbarino said he wanted to assure any penalties for violators are sufficiently severe to deter any potential scofflaws.

“I think we need to draft an ordinance that is really tough on these kinds of products and those who sell them, and that includes not just a token fine but a really serious fine for violating,” he said.

Officials will return for a more formal discussion on the issue later.

Minimum wage

Seeking to assist those struggling to afford the high cost of living locally, councilmembers also called for a minimum wage hike paid to city employees earning less than $15 per hour.

The effort aligns with a state and regional movement over the next few years to hike the pay levels for those earning $12 per hour currently, which local cities such as San Mateo and Redwood City have already adopted.

Following the raise for the nearly 200 city workers to which the pay increase would apply, officials requested an examination for the increase to be spread across South San Francisco’s private companies as well.

“I would like to see this expanded citywide, to be honest,” said Nagales. “Other cities have done it, I don’t know why we can’t follow through.”

Officials agreed before the increase is implemented, more outreach should be conducted, especially to prepare merchants for the likelihood that the raise is expanded to local businesses.

“I support increasing this. I think we all do. Even if we go from $12 to $15, it helps,” said Nagales. “And I think my colleagues agree it helps our city.”

Plastic straws and eating utensils

Furthermore, officials largely agreed a ban should be placed on plastic eating utensils and straws, as they seek to limit the amount of waste generated by South San Francisco restaurants and eateries.

Mayor Karyl Matsumoto called for the policy discussion, and said such a regulation would be in sync with a previous ban on allowing food to be distributed to customers in Styrofoam containers.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” said Matsumoto, who also acknowledged similar policies are under examination by county officials and other cities across the state such as Malibu.

Under the direction from councilmembers, officials will draft a proposed ordinance banning use of straws and plastic utensils in South San Francisco. And while most favored the initiative, Addiego said he wanted more information before taking action.

“I don’t want to do it just to feel good,” said Addiego. “I want it to make a difference.”

To that end, he called for officials to return before councilmembers with more details about the alternatives to plastic straws and utensils, and the additional cost faced by merchants to purchase those.

“It is my intent to join you on this,” he told his colleagues. “But I just don’t want to dictate it from this conference room tonight.”

The issue will return for further discussion at a later meeting.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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