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File #: HCC-125-FY22    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Discussion Item Status: Filed
File created: 10/14/2021 In control: City Council
On agenda: 10/18/2021 Final action: 10/18/2021
Title: Phased-in Municipal Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban
Sponsors: Danny Schaible
Indexes: Legislative, Ordinance
Attachments: 1. Phased-in Municipal Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban Motion, 2. Recommendation to Address Noise and other Impacts from Gas, for Review by HEC, 3. Leaf Blower Cost Comparisons
Related files: HCC-198-FY22

Submitted by: Sean Corcoran

Submitting Department: City Clerk

Agenda Section: Discussion

 

Item Title:

title

Phased-in Municipal Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban

end

 

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).

end

 

Summary Background:

See “Recommendation to Address Noise and other Impacts from GPLBs in Hyattsville” pdf for additional background information.

 

Next Steps:

Click or tap here to enter text.

 

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