ORDER-2020-66 : A Resolution for State Action to Combat Nip Bottle and Single Use Water Bottle Litter

Transcript (~4 min @ 21:08)

Speakers identified by voice; unnamed voices are numbered within this recording. Auto-caption text — verify against the video.

▶ 21:06 Jen Grigoraitis: We have 11 yes. It's unanimous. The motion's . Do we have any other orders under the calendar?

▶ 21:13 Speaker 8: Order 2020-66, a resolution for state action to combat nip, bottle, and single-use water bottle

▶ 21:22 Speaker 4: litter.

▶ 21:25 Speaker 2: Do we have Mr. McNaught?

▶ 21:28 Jeff McNaught: This order comes from the Legal and Legislative Committee, recommended for passage out of that committee.

▶ 21:35 Jen Grigoraitis: So, we have a recommendation for passage by Council. 2nd, 2nd, is there any discussion?

▶ 21:47 John N. Tramontozzi: Yes, thank you. Madam President. I just wanted to just say that, as I mentioned, and when this matter came up at the, at the committee hearing that. I don't think that this matter is appropriate for the use of resolutions and I'm not necessarily against the principle of what the resolution stands for and expanding the program. I just simply don't believe that these matters or the resolution is proper in this situation. Thank you.

▶ 22:28 Speaker 2: Thank you.

▶ 22:32 Leila Migliorelli: Thank you, Madam President. Given that we have more people probably maybe tuning in tonight than we did at last week's committee, I just want to recap. The resolution was first brought forward at the February 24th council meeting and asked for immediate consideration but was then moved to committee. And since that time, since last week, we've had about 10 emails from constituents, which are now read into record, in addition to the two people who spoke tonight um last week we had a robust debate and as i said then um while it may have passed um as a result of this being sent to committee i believe the impetus behind the resolution still stands um back in february we heard from constituents who were concerned the council's move to expand liquor licenses would add to the prevalence of um littering bottles around the city so in response to those concerns i drafted the resolution based on research that the bottle deposit bill actually works at reducing litter and that many other communities around the Commonwealth have done similar resolutions to support this legislation so I spoke with our office who gave us encouragement to or this resolution and believe that you know the city has already taken steps to reduce plastic waste by legislating a ban on plastic bags and polystyrene and it seems to be sort of you know a no-brainer for the council to support similar efforts at the state level and from the shows public participation tonight and online, I think we've heard from our community that it's important to them for us to do

▶ 24:06 Cory Thomas: so as well. Thank you. Counselor Thomas? Sorry about that. Thank you, Madam President. I was happy to co-sponsor this resolution, and I wanted to thank Council of the League for drafting it. Sorry, there's some feedback there. The amount of public support in favor of this resolution made it clear that we as a city, state, country, and a global community need to do a better job reducing wasteful practices and we should be rather embracing sustainability. I believe that by adding a deposit to single-use plastic water bottles and small amount 50 milliliter nip bottles we will be encouraged in recycling. As Greene Melrose stated previously before in front of the City Council, 80 percent of bottles that have a deposit on them are more likely to be recycled

▶ 24:55 Speaker 4: and those without something resolution thank you thank you do we have any other discussion

▶ 25:07 Speaker 1: okay madam clerk can you please call the roll councillor snella yes councillor eccles

▶ 25:16 Speaker 1: yes councillor Garipay yes councillor tamala dean yes councillor mcmaster

▶ 25:22 Speaker 1: Yes. Councilor McNaught? Yes. Councilor Migliorelli?