Submitted by: Laura Reams
Submitting Department: City Clerk
Agenda Section: Discussion
Item Title:
title
Hyattsville Ordinance 2022-02: Municipal Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
FOR DISCUSSION
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Summary Background:
Council authorized a motion in December 2021 to have the City Attorney draft legislation for a municipal gas-powered leaf blower ban and the implementation of a rebate program. Attached is the draft ordinance for an initial Council discussion. The item is tentatively scheduled to return to the Council for a first reading on May 16, with adoption scheduled for June 2. Following this schedule, the Ordinance will be effective by July 1, 2022.
Below are the budget estimates for this program. The FY22 budget adjustments will need to be authorized by the Council in conjunction with the ordinance adoption.
Estimated budget amounts for future Council consideration are itemized by Fiscal Year (FY) below:
• FY22: $12,000.00
o Replace City GPLBs: $7,000.00
o Communications and Outreach: $5,000.00
• FY23: $40,600.00
o GPLB Rebate: $40,600.00
o Contracted Services to Manage GPLB Rebate: Amount TBD
• FY24: $10,000.00
o GPLB Rebate: $10,000.00
• Total anticipated budget request: $62,600.00
Staff Resources Required to Implement:
• Communications support will be needed to ensure a smooth rollout including advance notice and
communications.
• Department of Public Works (DPW) support is needed to replace existing City GPLBs and transition City contracts to bar GPLB use.
• Ongoing Code enforcement support will be needed for issuing warnings and citations once the ban is
implemented in FY25.
Next Steps:
Council discussion.
Fiscal Impact:
The cost to administer the GPLB buyback program is estimated at $50,600.
The cost to convert City GPLBs to Electric Leaf Blowers (ELB) is $7,000.
The need for the Office of Code Compliance actions may be reduced by a robust public outreach campaign. Passage of this motion will create new Office of Code Compliance enforcement responsibilities. The additional cost of Office of Code Compliance enforcement administration may be partially offset by revenue generated from Municipal Infractions.
City Administrator Comments:
Based on the previous City Council discussion, City staff have updated the draft Ordinance to reconcile issues, including:
• Consistency in enforcement hours;
• Definition of hours (Daytime, Evening, Nighttime);
• Distance from public right of way when determining violation;
• Incorporated Violation Fine Amounts;
Community Engagement:
Upon adoption, staff will develop a communications and outreach strategy.
Strategic Goals:
Goal 3 - Promote a Safe and Vibrant Community
Legal Review Required?
Pending