(Dec. 14, 2009, updated 8:45 p.m) -- LBReport.com has learned that the L.A. advocacy/lobbying firm of Cerrell & Associates, whose website-listed clients include Fresh & Easy markets (two current LB locations, a third to open next year) has contacted LB City Council offices regarding a Tuesday Dec. 15 Council agenda item that recommends that the City Manager and City Attorney "work with appropriate staff to ban the sale of alcohol at self-check-out counters in the City of Long Beach."
The item was agendized by Councilmembers Patrick O'Donnell, Tonia Reyes Uranga, Gerrie Schipske and Robert Garcia...three of whom have indicated they either favor or don't oppose sending their item to a Council committee.
Fresh & Easy markets have self-checkout counters. Earlier Monday (Dec. 14), LBReport.com contacted the Cerrell firm; asked which of its account reps handles Fresh & Easy, was told it's Fernando Chavez...and was sent to his voice mail. A call back by us seeking to speak with Mr. Chavez personally was referred to another Cerrell staffer who referred us to the CA Grocers Association. Our voice mail left with Mr. Chavez wasn't returned.
Paul Eakins at Press-Telegram.com separately reported today that LB Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Randy Gordon today sent a letter to Councilmembers (published text of a letter to Councilman O'Donnell) calling for removal of the item from the Council agenda.
Councilman O'Donnell told LBReport.com that he now favors sending the item to a Council committee, saying he favors have more conversation on the issue before developing a policy on the matter. He added that as a parent and a teacher, he "absolutely has concerns about children and about allowing under-age youth to obtain alcohol."
[update] Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga emailed: "I am in favor of better regulating self service check out in relation to alcohol sales. It is a public safety issues when customers are not asked for ID and it is for that reason I signed on to the agenda item. I hope we can have an open and honest discussion regarding the integrity of the assisted self check out system in relation to sales to minors or intoxicated individuals. If my colleagues want to explore the options or consequences of a policy I am not opposed to sending it to committee."
Councilman Robert Garcia said he hasn't had a chance to speak personally with Councilman O'Donnell today (Dec. 14) but will support O'Donnell's decision to send the matter to committee. "My staff met with some market representatives today (Dec. 14) and I understand they have some feedback on the item and some concerns," Councilman Garcia emailed (responding to our email). [end update]
Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske said that a rep from the Cerrell firm requested an opportunity to speak with her about the issue; Councilwoman Schipske indicated that she plans to discuss the issue with a rep from the Cerrell firm in her office on Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 15)...but as of Monday evening hasn't changed her views since co-signing the memo, below.
The agendizing memo signed by Councilmembers O'Donnell, Schipske, Garcia and Reyes Uranga states:
Self-checkout machines at grocery stores are a recent innovation that allow the
customer to check and bag their own groceries, providing convenience for
consumers and proprietors . However, particular items, including cigarettes,
cannot be purchased in self-checkout lines . These safeguards were put into
place to ensure that minors cannot purchase items illegally . Despite the
minimum drinking age of 21 in the state of California, consumers may still
purchase alcohol in self-checkout lines .
When there is an attempt to purchase alcohol through a self-checkout machine,
the machine locks up and indicates that employee assistance is necessary to
complete the transaction . Despite this, a recent study by UCLA's Community
Economic Development Clinic and the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy
found that these safeguards failed nearly 20% of the time . Additionally, selfcheckout
machines make the task of prohibiting the sale of alcohol to those who
are already intoxicated very difficult, causing potential safety concerns .
The potential for minors and those already under-the-influence to utilize selfcheckout
lines to purchase alcohol could potentially create a public health
problem . It is appropriate at this time that the City of Long Beach require that
grocery stores direct the sale of alcohol to in-person checkout lines.
On Monday afternoon, PressTelegram.com reporter Eakins wrote that LB Chamber President/CEO Randy Gordon sent the following letter to Councilman O'Donnell.
The Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce urges you to pull Agenda Item 09-1348 from the December 15, 2009 City Council meeting agenda. The Chamber opposes this proposed motion to ban alcohol sales through assisted self-checkout counters. The Chamber is working closely with the California Grocers Association to seek more time from you to talk about the proposal because of the devastating impact it would have on two local grocers.
Our main concern is that assisted self-checkout counters already have the logistics and mechanisms in place to ensure the highest level of protection against the unlawful purchase and theft of alcohol by minors. This proposal is overkill and it also unfairly mandates a regulation on such a small number of businesses in our City.
Furthermore, let's not forget the Long Beach Chamber-supported efforts this past summer working with Councilmember Robert Garcia to open a Fresh and Easy in his district and our continued efforts with Vice Mayor Val Lerch to attract a major-chain grocer in the 9th District. If this proposal passes it will send a message to current and future grocers that Long Beach is less interested in working with business and more interested in placing unfair mandates upon them.
This proposal sends the wrong message at the wrong time.
I urge you to reconsider your approach.
