HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 25-0035INFORMAL RESPONSE TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 25-0035
di;Ttp To the Mayor and Members of the City Council February 18, 2025
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V.
�O Y
rrn SUBJECT: MUNICIPAL CODE UPDATES FOR HEALTH, SAFETY AND
fQ,SANITATION AT FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS AND CHILD-CARE
CENTERS
This Informal Report provides an overview of text amendments to update Chapter 16 Health and
Sanitation, Article IV (Food Establishments), and Article XVII (Day Care Centers). Text
amendments are routinely needed to ensure City Code aligns with state and federal laws.
Proposed text amendments clarify definitions, update regulations by reference, and assign
regulatory authority to the Environmental Services Department.
Background
City Council approved Ordinance 11209 (Day Care Centers) on November 24, 1992, and
Ordinance 12553 (Food Establishments) on June 18, 1996. Proposed text amendments to each,
respective ordinance seek to align City Code with minimum state regulations now and in the
future:
• City Code Article XVII (Day Care Centers) references the State of Texas Health and
Human Services Commission — Child Care Regulations.
City Code Article IV (Food Establishments) references the State of Texas Administrative
Code, Title 25 — Health Services: Part 1 Department of State Health Services, Chapter 228
Retail Food Establishments.
Article XVII (Day Care Centers)
Proposed changes to Article XVII include renaming as Child -Care Centers for added clarity.
Changes will adopt minimum state regulations by reference. The Article will retain three, existing
higher regulatory standards which maintain: 1) all child-care workers attend health, safety and
sanitation training every two years; 2) separate gender restrooms at child-care centers; and 3)
commercial -grade kitchen equipment at child-care centers.
Article IV (Food Establishments)
Proposed changes will adopt minimum state regulations by reference. Revised, minimum state
standards include aligning City Code to: 1) allow raw, frozen seafood to be sold at farmers'
markets; and 2) adjusts temperature for raw seafood storage from 340F to 41 OF. The update also
removes obsolete language requiring Food Manager Certificate registration with the City. (Note:
This practice ended on September 1, 2023 with a change in state law). The Article will retain one,
existing higher regulatory standard which requires handwashing sinks with soap dispensers (no
bar soap) at specific distances from food preparation areas within food establishments.
For questions regarding the information in this report, please call: Wyndie Turpen, Environmental
Services Assistant Director: at (817) 392-6982.
Jesus "Jay" Chapa
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS