As quietly and unobtrusively as a church rodent, the City Council convenes its first meeting of the new year this evening at 7 – miles away from the subject on the minds of nearly everyone:

The approaching ban on polystyrene food containers, expected to take hold around July. This is the time of summer when such ubiquitous plastic, torn into little pieces, tortures a relatively pristine environment the most.

It has been half a year since the Ballona Creek Renaissance shined a light on the nagging problem. Prohibition of the popular packaging form will take effect around the first anniversary.

While environmentalists are eager to celebrate enactment of the ban, the City Council patiently is marking time.

“We are just waiting for the staff to bring back an ordinance that we can discuss, debate and pass,” said Mayor Jim Clarke.

“I don’t know exactly when that will happen. Probably within a month.”

While Council members patiently take a seat in the waiting room, Mr. Clarke said city staffers will pattern the Culver City ordinance after a Manhattan Beach model. “I am sure there are some local wrinkles they want to take a look at,” said Hizzoner.

For the last eight months, the ultra-involved Mr. Clarke has been a hands-on mayor.

He soon will be traveling to the South Bay to huddle and exchange views with Manhattan Beach’s environmental services leaders. “I want to see how they have been able to implement what they have done,” Mr. Clarke said.

“Manhattan Beach not only has banned the foam but also the hard plastic. I want to see how it works and what kind of enforcement mechanism they have in place.

“They also have a hardship clause I want to look at closely,” Mr. Clarke said. “I am curious about how many applicants there have been.”