HomeMy WebLinkAbout322 - 2022-06-14 - Council ProposalCI'I=Y +aF' P'Q�T �h'�RTH, T�t��
_ � - _ . � , J ' ; =� Y _.�-. � �y - ��~` _ _�-� .
+���LT��I� PR�FC��SI�ii.
Date: File Number: Subject: To make available free menstrual products a ce in city-owned facilities
June 14, 2022 322
Proposed By: City Manager's Review: � ` � L` I Page:
Elizabeth Beck City Attorney's Review: �—�— I PAGE 1 OF 2
It is proposed that the City Council authorize the City Manager to make available free menstrual products
at community centers, libraries, city hall and municipal court.
DISCUSSION:
Menstrual products, such as sanitary napkins and tampons are essential health items that are necessary
purchases for the vast majority of women. However, 1 and 4 women struggle to purchase menstrual
supplies due to lack of income. For these women, the inability to purchase or have access to menstruation
products puts them at risk of isolation, infection and missed days of school and work.
The average woman has her period for 2,535 days of her life, approximately seven years, and will spend
about $18,000 on menstrual products. Menstrual products can cost several dollars per box. Government
programs like SNAP and WIC, which help people pay for food, do not include menstrual products as an
eligible item. Menstrual products are also subject to sales tax. The Alliance for Period Supplies reported
that two in five women have struggled to purchase menstrual products. The inability to affard menstrual
products can affect a person's mental and physical health, as well as their opportunities in other realms,
like education.
Just as restrooms in city facilities provide toilet paper and soap at no charge for citizens, so should those
facilities provide tampons and sanitary napkins. Currently some individual city facilities, often at the
personal expense of staff or through programmatic dollars, make menstrual products available to those in
need. By making menstrual products freely accessible in community centers, libraries, city hall and
municipal court, the City can formalize the current practice of some city facilities and offset this inequity.
LEGALITY:
The City Attorney's Office finds that this proposal is legal and within the authority of the City Council.
FISCAL NOTE:
The Director of Finance certifies funding is available in the Fiscal Year 2022 General Fund Budget for
the initial implementation of the initiative providing free sanitary supplies at the City Libraries,
Community Centers, Municipal Court and City Hall. A similar initiative was piloted by other Texas
cities in 2019 at a cost of approximately $33,000 per year, distributing free sanitary supplies in
Neighborhood Centers, Health Centers and other City Facilities. After approval of this resolution, City
❑ LEGALITY
❑ FISCAL NOTE
❑ CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
❑ CITY POLICIES MANUAL
CI'� ��' �'��T'���.T�, 'I'��.�
F�>--� �. ----
� -�- � � � �
i a' —�. � .�--F
—'�r�'" _ I .: •
, , ..__, _.�,_ , �
„ �... -� �-.� '�� ^' , �
i 7= j �
�.,...._.-+1 � � .:._.._ .1 `v'+,.-'�.,.-^-��
. �-'_.t
����I� �'��F"���1�L
Date: File Number:
June 14, 2022 322
Proposed By:
�' Elizabeth Beck
Subject: To make available free menstruai products at certain city-owned facilities
City Manager's Review:
City Attorney's Review:
( Page:
( PAGE 2 OF 2
Administration will estimate costs and begin implementation. Any funds necessary for the
replenishment of supplies will be included in the City Manager's Fiscal Year 2023 General Fund budget.
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENT:
The City Manager has no objection to this proposal.
PROPOSED BY:
�L � ��,
'�
�
Elizabeth Beck, Dist. 9
Councilmember
: ❑ LEGALITY
❑ FISCAL NOTE
g ❑ CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
� ❑ CITY POLICIES MANUAL
�
�� ���
Mattie Parker
Mayor