HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-11-13 City Council (21)City of Palo Alto
Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: POLICE
DATE:
SUBJECT:
NOVEMBER 13, 2000 CMR:401:00
SIX-MONTH LEAF BLOWER STATUS REPORT
This is an informational report and no Council action is required.
BACKGROUND
On January 31, 2000, the City Council adopted a revision to the leaf blower ordinance. At that
time, Council directed staff to return every six months with a status report on the progress of
manufacturers in their development of quieter blowers and enforcement efforts. After several
changes, the Council approved the second reading on May 1, 2000. A portion of the ordinaace
that requires all users to use only City-approved leaf blowers and that requires all commercial
users to be trained and certified by the City becomes effective on January 1, 2001. This report
provides an update on the technological progress and the preparations that are being made to
ensure compliance with the portion of the ordinance that becomes effective the first of the year.
DISCUSSION
Training and Certification of Commercial Users - Under the requirements of the portion of the
ordinance that becomes effective on January 1, 2001, all commercial users of leaf blowers must
be trained and certified in the appropriate use of leaf blowers. To ensure compliance, staff has
been working closely with representatives of the Bay Area Gardeners’ Association (BAGA) and
the California Landscape Contractor’s Association (CLCA) over the last five months in the
development of the training, testing, and certification process. The training format that has been
developed includes instruction on Palo Alto’s leaf blower ordinance and on the appropriate use
of leaf blowers. Staff distributed numerous flyers to gardeners in town informing them of the
training sessions. Additionally, outreach to gardeners and landscapers has been conducted
through the media, with an emphasis on the Hispanic radio and television channels; BAGA and
CLCA newsletters; and through power equipment retailers and distributors. A 20-minute video
produced by the Public Power Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (PPEMA) was translated
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into Spanish. A multiple-choice test that evaluates knowledge of the ordinance and the use of
leaf blowers has also been developed. The test, the ordinance, and the video outline were
provided in Spanish to those whose gardeners who do not speak English. Staff will be
conducting a session in Japanese as well. To date, four training/testing sessions have been held.
A total of 141 gardeners have been trained to date and 102 have been certified. Staff anticipates
that over 500 gardeners will receive the training by the end of the year. Additional training
sessions will be held during November and December. (Under an agreement with BAGA and
CLCA, those people who do not pass the test must retake and successfully pass it prior to
receiving their certification.) City crews and employees of City contractors who operate leaf
blowers will also be trained and certified. Training sessions for these groups will also be
conducted during November and December.
Permitted Blower Use - Effective January 1, 2001, use of a leaf blower that does not beara
manufacturer’s label indicating the model number of the leaf blower and designating a noise
level not in excess of 65 dBA when measured at 50 feet will be prohibited. In order to help with
the identification of permitted blowers, staff is currently in the process of obtaining letters of
certification from leaf blower manufacturers indicating the model number and noise emissions
when measured using the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. That list
will be distributed to gardeners. Staff will also publicize the list for the information of
residents.
Technology Update- Manufacturers of fuel-powered leaf blowers such as Echo Corporation
are continuing work on prototype battery-powered blowers. Staff has also been closely
following the progress being made by the City of Los Angeles. In 1998, The Los Angeles
Department of Water and.Power (LADWP) was awarded $1.5 million under the California
Public Utilities Code Section 385 which established the Public Benefits Program to develop an
alternative blower. Since then LADWP staff has worked with AeroVironment, Incorporated,
a nationally recognized company that specializes in the production of hybrid-electric power and
propulsion systems, and Giltronics Associates, Incorporated, an electronics manufacturer, in the
development of an electric-powered leaf blower prototype. The original plan was to produce
1,500 pre-mass production units for field-testing and demonstration by last spring. However,
staff has learned that, due to some issues with the final design for the motor and battery, there
has been a delay in the plan. With 99 percent of the design completed, LADWP staff expect
the 1,500 units will be distributed during late fall or early winter. Palo Alto staff has submitted
a request to test one of the units. After the pre-mass units have been tested for a period of time,
LADWP anticipates that 5,000 to 25,000 units would be made available for retail.
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Ci_ty Parks Staff"Spare the Air" Initiative
In June 2000, the City’s Parks and Golf Division implemented a voluntary pilot program using
Spare the Air Day guidelines. The program encourages flexible work scheduling; refueling of
vehicles early in the morning during less polluting periods; the use of alternative fuel vehicles;
and shortened idling periods. Additionally, the program minimizes the use of 2-cycle powered
equipment. Under the guidelines of this program, the use of gas-powered leaf blowers by City
staff and contractors is prohibited on Spare the Air Days. During this last summer, there were
11 Spare the Air Days. The pilot program was very successful and helped to reduce emissions
and air particulates. As a result, it will continue as a permanent program for the City.
RESOURCE IMPACT
Funds to cover the costs associated with a temporary Community Service Officer in the Police
Department to assist in the proactive enforcement are included in FY 2000-2001 approved
budget.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This program is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan’s policy to eyaluate changes to the
noise ordinance to reduce the impact of leaf blower noise (N16).
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
This project is categorica!ly exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PREPARED BY: Lynne Johnson, Assistant Police Chief
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
OF POLICE
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL’.’~. ~~(~
EMILIO-HARRISON, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
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