Title
Resolution to Launch Educational and Engagement Initiatives in Support of Transition to All-Electric Leaf Maintenance
Memorandum
Ann Arbor City Council is currently considering an ordinance to phase in all-electric leaf blowers for residential and commercial users. This resolution seeks to support that transition by creating educational materials, launching a bulk buy program for all-electric lawn equipment, and by creating a transition fund to support the adoption of all-electric lawn equipment, financed through fines collected for violating the City’s all-electric leaf blower ordinance.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Budget to support the distribution of educational materials will need to be identified. However, the bulk buy program can be supported through the Office of Sustainability and Innovations and a transition fund can be supported through collection of fines from violations of the existing Chapter 73 (two-cycle engines) and the proposed new Chapter 75 to Title VI of City Code.
Staff
Reviewed by: Missy Stults, Sustainability and Innovations Director
Reviewed by: Chris Frost, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Ann Arbor City Council is currently considering adding Chapter 75 (Leaf Blowers) to Title VI of City Code which would phase out gas leaf blowers;
Whereas; City Council wants to ensure this transition is as successful as possible and has a limited negative impact on the community;
Whereas, City Council wants to ensure that marginalized communities are able to participate in initiatives that help us achieve our carbon neutrality goals; and
Whereas, City Council understands that public education is needed on the transition to electric lawn equipment;
RESOLVED, Ann Arbor City Council requests that, if the addition of Chapter 75 (leaf blowers) is authorized, the City Administrator prepare educational materials about the change and circulate them to both residents and businesses;
RESOLVED, Ann Arbor City Council requests that the City Administrator launch a bulk buy program to support the purchasing of all-electric lawn equipment for both interested residents and businesses, inclusive of electric leaf blowers;
RESOLVED, City Council directs the City Administrator to allocate all fines collected from violations of Chapter 73 (Two Cycle Power Equipment) and Chapter 75 (Leaf Blowers) to support low-income residents and small businesses with transitioning to all-electric leaf blowers; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Ghazi Edwin, Cornell, Eyer and Akmon