Capitola City Council 09/03/2026

The Capitola City Council meeting held on September 3, 2026, included a key discussion on amending the Capitola Municipal Code Chapter 8.40 related to drug and sharps disposal. The council reviewed the existing local ordinance, which requires manufacturers to fund collection and disposal programs for medications and sharps, a program initially established in 2016 and operated by a nonprofit called the Med Project. The discussion focused on removing the ordinance's 10-year sunset provision to maintain the local program rather than defaulting to the statewide program managed by CalRecycle, which primarily offers mail-back disposal options and lacks local drop-off containers. The council unanimously passed an urgency ordinance to remove the expiration language, ensuring continuity of the local disposal program funded by manufacturers. This decision supports ongoing public health and safety efforts and maintains local control over drug and sharps disposal services.