Business & Community Affairs Committee, 6/5/25

The City of Norman's Business & Community Affairs Committee met on June 5, 2025, to discuss the issue of shopping carts being taken off retail properties and abandoned throughout the city, primarily focusing on Walmart carts. The discussion centered on the impact of abandoned carts on city resources, safety hazards, and stormwater drainage costs. The city has been collaborating closely with Walmart to implement measures such as tagging carts with signage indicating ownership and store location, and establishing enforcement protocols including citations for unauthorized removal of carts. The committee also reviewed outreach efforts by the police department's PACE team to engage with the unhoused population who often use the carts to carry personal belongings. The meeting addressed potential enforcement strategies, education campaigns, and the possibility of requiring businesses to develop cart containment plans. The committee emphasized a compassionate, multi-faceted approach balancing enforcement with social services, and discussed metrics for measuring the effectiveness of these efforts, including citation numbers and reductions in carts found in stormwater systems. No formal votes were recorded, but the committee expressed support for continuing current initiatives and exploring further options such as geofencing and enhanced business cooperation.