Submitted by: Sean Corcoran
Submitting Department: City Clerk
Agenda Section: Discussion
Item Title:
title
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 ban gas-powered leaf blowers (GPLBs) as follows:
• Effective July 1, 2022 - The use of gas-powered leaf blowers by the City will cease entirely, including City staff and City contracts. Also, this date will be the start of the 75 percent rebate window for the trade-in of GPLBs towards the purchase of an electric leaf blower.
• Effective July 1, 2023 - The 75 percent rebate window will end, and the 50 percent rebate window will begin for GPLB trade-ins.
• Effective January 1, 2024 - The 50 percent rebate window will end, and the 25 percent rebate window will begin for GPLB trade-ins.
• Effective July 1, 2024 - the use of gas-powered leaf blowers will be prohibited permanently, and the 25 percent rebate window will end for GPLB trade-ins.
In addition, and effective immediately, any resident or landscape contractor that uses all-electric lawn and landscape equipment (mower, string trimmer, blower etc.) can begin work at 7:00 a.m. rather than 8:00 a.m.
I move 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 allocate $52,100 to the FY22 budget ($50,600 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” attachment for additional background information.
Next Steps:
Upon adoption, the City Attorney will draft an ordinance for the Council’s review.
Fiscal Impact:
The cost to administer the GPLB buyback program is estimated at $50,600.
The cost to convert City GPLBs to ELB is $1,500.
The need for Code compliance actions will be reduced by a robust public outreach campaign. Passage of this motion will create new Code compliance responsibilities. The additional cost of Code compliance may be partially offset by revenue generated from citations.
City Administrator Comments:
For discussion. City staff is discussing ways to mitigate potential Code compliance challenges. Amendments to FY22 budget funding must be presented as a separate motion for budget appropriation and require eight (8) affirmative votes for adoption.
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