Submitted by: Sean Corcoran
Submitting Department: City Clerk
Agenda Section: Discussion
Item Title:
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Phased-in Municipal Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
I move that the Mayor and Council direct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to phase-in a ban of gas-powered leaf blowers (GPLBs) as follows:
• Effective January 1, 2022 - the use of GPLBs by the City will cease entirely, including City staff and City contracts.
• Effective July 1, 2022 - the use of GPLBs will be prohibited on Sundays.
• Effective January 1, 2023 - the use of GPLBs will be prohibited on weekends and federal holidays.
• Effective July 1, 2023 - the use of GPLBs will be prohibited permanently.
In addition, I move that the Mayor and Council implement a City-run rebate program where Hyattsville residents and contractors would be eligible to trade in used GPLBs for a rebate towards the purchase of an electric leaf blower (ELB).
I further move the Council amend the FY22 budget in the amount of $18,500 ($17,000 for the GPLB trade-in program, $1,500 to replace City GPLBs).
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Summary Background:
See “Recommendation to Address Noise and other Impacts from GPLBs in Hyattsville” pdf for additional background information.
Next Steps:
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Fiscal Impact:
• The cost to administer the GPLB buyback program is estimated at $51,250 spread over 2.5 years.
• The cost to convert City GPLBs to ELB is $1,500.
• The need for Code enforcement actions will be reduced by a robust public outreach campaign. Passage of this motion will create new code enforcement responsibilities. The additional cost of code enforcement may be partially offset by revenue generated from citations issued.
City Administrator Comments:
The staff fully supports the environmental and health benefits that will result from this initiative. However, we have not fully evaluated the logistical and financial management requirements to implement the program. There may be challenges with identification/ownership, enforcement, and management/processing of the equipment and the rebate, but they are not insurmountable. The staff will conduct additional analysis and an implementation strategy should the Council decide to move forward.
Community Engagement:
A communications plan will be developed by staff upon adoption of the motion.
Strategic Goals:
Goal 3 - Promote a Safe and Vibrant Community
Legal Review Required?
Pending