TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Anne McIntosh, Community Development Director
SUBJECT:Title
Review of City's Ordinance Banning the Use of Leaf Blowers; Request by Manhattan Village Homeowner's Association to Use Electric Leaf Blowers (Community Development Director McIntosh).
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Provide direction regarding Section 5.48.330 of the Municipal Code - Leaf Blowers; and
2. Consider a request by the Manhattan Village Residential Planned Development ("MVRPD") to allow the use of no-emission, electric leaf blowers only on this property.
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FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications of the recommended action.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council occasionally hears from residents regarding the current City ordinance banning the use of all leaf blowers. Some residents feel that there is not enough enforcement of the ban. Others believe that the ban itself is too restrictive and makes it difficult for many gardeners to do their work.
Specifically, on January 19, 2019, the Manhattan Village Homeowner's Association (MVHA) requested an exemption from the City's leaf blower ordinance. The landscape company on contract with the MVHA has environmentally responsible practices and does not use gas powered leaf blowers, but believes that electric leaf blowers would be a fair compromise between time consuming raking and noisy, polluting gas powered blowers.
City Council directed the Sustainability Task Force ("Task Force") to discuss the matter and provide a recommendation. This report provides information about landscape maintenance equipment options, current policies enacted by our City and other local governments, the unique characteristics of the MVRPD community, and a summary of the comments provided by the Task Force.
DISCUSSION:
Leaf Blowe...
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