Retailers who refuse to retrieve abandoned shopping carts would be fined under a proposal now before the Bellevue City Council.

Under the proposal, businesses that do not pick up the carts within a specified period would be penalized. The council is expected  to vote on a final proposal July 6.

The issue was raised due to growing concerns by neighborhoods about the abandoned carts.

The problem of abandoned shopping carts has been debated for months, ever since it emerged as a neighborhood livability issue. The problem disproportionately affects neighborhoods the city is trying to improve.