HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - CC - 2023.06.05 Study Session• City of Burlingame BURLINGAME CITY HALL
501 PRIMROSE ROAD
BURLINGAME BURLINGAME, CA 94010
F,
Meeting Agenda - Final
City Council
Monday, June 5, 2023 6:15 PM Council Chambers
Study Session
Consistent with Government Code Section 54952, the City Council Study Session will be held
via Zoom in addition to in person.
To maximize public safety while still maintaining transparency and public access, members of
the public can observe the meeting from home or attend the meeting in person. Below is the
information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting.
To Attend the Meeting in Person:
Location: 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame, California 94010
To Observe the Meeting via Zoom:
To access the meeting by computer.
Go to www.zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 895 7866 9577
Passcode:060250
To access the meeting by phone:
Dial 1-669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 895 7866 9577
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To Provide Public Comment in Person:
Members of the public wishing to speak will be asked to fill out a "Request to Speak" card
located on the table by the door and then hand it to staff. The provision of a name, address, or
other identifying information is optional. Speakers are limited to three minutes each, however,
the Mayor may adjust the time limit in light of the number of anticipated speakers.
To Provide Public Comment via Zoom:
During the meeting, public comment may be made by members of the public joining the
meeting via Zoom. Zoom access information is provided above. Use the "Raise Hand" feature
(for those joining by phone, press "9" to 'Raise Hand) during the public comment period for
the agenda item you wish to address. The Zoom Host will call on people to speak by name
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to three minutes each, however, the Mayor may adjust the time limit in light of the number of
anticipated speakers.
City of Burlingame Page 1 Printed on 61112023
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final June 5, 2023
To Provide Public Comment via Email:
Members of the public may provide written comments by email to
publiccomment@burlingame.org. Emailed comments should include the specific agenda item
on which you are commenting. Note that your comment concerns an item that is not on the
agenda. The length of the comment should be commensurate with the three minutes
customarily allowed for verbal comments which is approximately 250 to 300 words. To ensure
that your comment is received and read to the City Council for the appropriate agenda item,
please submit your email no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 5, 2023. The City will make
every effort to read emails received after that time but cannot guarantee such emails will be
read into the record. Any emails received after the 5:00 p.m. deadline which are not read into
the record will be provided to the City Council after the meeting.
1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 p.m. - Council Chambers/Online
To access the meeting by computer:
Go to www.zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 895 7866 9577
Passcode:060250
To access the meeting via phone:
Dial 1-669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 895 7866 9577
Passcode:060250
2. ROLL CALL
3. REQUEST FOR AB 2249 REMOTE PARTICIPATION
Announcements/consideration and approval of requests by Councilmembers to participate remotely
pursuant to AB 2449 (Government Code Section 54943(f))
4. DISCLOSURE OF SB 1439 CONFLICTS (Government Code Section 84308)
5. STUDY SESSION
a. Discussion of Gas Leaf Blowers
Attachments: Staff Report
Presentation
6. ADJOURNMENT
City of Burlingame Page 2 Printed on 61112023
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final June 5, 2023
Notice: Any attendees who require assistance, a disability related modification, or language assistance
in order to participate in the meeting should contact Meaghan Hassel -Shearer, City Clerk by 10:00
a.m. on Monday, June 5, 2023 at (650) 558-7203 or at mhasselshearer@burlingame.org. Any
individual who wishes to request an alternate format for the agenda, meeting notice, or other writings
that are distributed at the meeting, should contact Meaghan Hassel -Shearer, City Clerk by 10:00 a.m.
on Monday, June 5, 2023 at (650) 558-7203 or at mhasselshearer@burlingame.org.
Notification in advance of the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure
accessibility to the meeting, the materials related to it, and your ability to comment.
NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, June 5, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
VIEW REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING ONLINE
www.burlingame.org/video
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda
will be made available for public inspection via www.burlingame.org or by emailing City Clerk Meaghan
Hassel -Shearer at mhasselshearer@burlingame.org. If you are unable to obtain information via the
City's website or through email, contact the City Clerk at (650) 558-7203.
City of Burlingame Page 3 Printed on 6/1/2023
e
To:
Date:
From:
Subject
STAFF REPORT
Honorable Mayor and City Council
June 5, 2023
AGENDA NO: Study Session
MEETING DATE: June 5, 2023
Sigalle Michael, Sustainability Program Manager — (650) 558-7274
Discussion of Gas Leaf Blowers
RECOMMENDATION
Staff requests that the City Council discuss and provide direction on amending the City's leaf blower
ordinance and explore other policies to reduce the use of gas leaf blowers.
BACKGROUND
In July 2012, the Burlingame City Council passed an ordinance regulating leaf blowers. The
ordinance, which is codified in Section 10.40.038 of the Burlingame Municipal Code, addresses the
health risks of high decibel noise pollution and particulate matter blown into the air by leaf blowers
by reducing the number of days blowers may be used in each neighborhood. Commercial blowers
are permitted one day per week, per area, with an extra day for R3 and R4 buildings on Fridays.
Residents may also use their own blowers on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm and Sundays from 10am
to 2pm. The City established a leaf blowing operation map designating three zones in Burlingame.
No blowers may operate in any of the zones on Mondays or Wednesdays.
The ordinance requires commercial blowers to display a sticker on their leaf blowers, issued by the
City's Public Works Department, certifying that their machinery is no louder than 65 decibels.
Over the years, residents have called in complaints that leaf blowers were being used in their zones
on the wrong days. When that occurs, the City's Code Enforcement Officer issues a letter of
violation to the homeowners notifying them of the correct days leaf blowers are permitted to be
used and, when possible, offers the commercial landscapers informational flyers in English and
Spanish. The number of complaints has fluctuated over the years.
Complaint History Summary:
• 2022-2023:
31
• 2021-2022:
8
• 2020- 2021:
22
• 2019-2020:
9
• 2018- 2019:
8
1
Leaf Blower Study Session
June 5, 2023
Staff has found that enforcing the 65 decibels requirement per commercial leaf blower is not
feasible. The City's Code Enforcement Officer and Public Works Department do not have the
capacity or resources to verify every commercial leaf blower; and commercial landscapers are not
aware of the ordinance requirement nor interested in getting their machinery verified.
DISCUSSION
Despite the City's ordinance, gas leaf blowers continue to be a noisy and polluting nuisance in
Burlingame. Gas leaf blowers emit particularly high levels of pollutants and greenhouse gas
emissions that impact public health. The California Air Resources Board (ARB) estimates that the
cumulative volume of emissions from small off -road engines, including leaf blowers, in California
exceeds pollution levels from passenger cars. One hour of leaf blowing is equivalent to driving a
2017 Toyota Camry for one thousand miles.
In 2021, California adopted AB 1346 to ban the sale of new gas small off -road engines starting in
2024. Starting in January 2024, new gas leaf blowers will no longer be sold in California.
Several cities in the Bay Area have banned the use of gas leaf blowers. In the City of Palo Alto, for
example, gas leaf blowers have been banned since 2005. The City receives about 150 complaints
monthly of gas leaf blowers being used and has hired an enforcement officer dedicated to leaf
blower outreach and enforcement. The City of Oakland banned the use and sale of gas leaf blowers
in 2021. Oakland staff shared that they sent letters to businesses who stock leaf blowers
announcing the ordinance but have not followed up with inspections, nor are proactively enforcing
the ban.
A few cities in southern California, including Sana Monica, Del Mar, Hermosa Beach, Laguna
Beach, and Manhattan Beach, have banned gas and electric leaf blowers all together. The City of
Santa Monica's webpage recommends alternatives like brooms, rakes, and keeping leaves in place
to help soil retain moisture.
The City of San Mateo launched an electric leaf blower rebate program in 2021. The program
provides a rebate of up to 75% (maximum rebate of $500) of the purchase price of an electric leaf
blower for commercial landscapers and up to 50% (maximum rebate of $100) of the purchase price
for residents. To date, San Mateo has issued six rebates to commercial landscapers at an average
of $319 and 27 rebates to residents at an average of $76.
ARB recently introduced the Clean Off -Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Program (CORE) under
which commercial landscapers can receive a voucher of up to $400 for new electric leaf blowers.
The program's website shows that six vouchers have been issued for landscape equipment in San
Mateo County. The program reached its funding cap and is currently closed.
Burlingame Parks staff has been trying out electric landscape equipment and reports mixed results.
The large electric equipment, such as the utility cart and ride -on mower, have performed well over
2
Leaf Blower Study Session
June 5, 2023
the years. However, the handheld backpack blowers are heavier, more expensive, and require
more labor to use in comparison to the gas blowers.
If the City Council wants to pursue banning the use of gas leaf blowers, staff recommends that the
following issues to be further studied: affordability, equity considerations, battery life, code
enforcement, and outreach and engagement with commercial landscapers.
Staff requests City Council discussion and direction on the following policy approaches:
• Removal of the decibel requirement in the City's current leaf blower ordinance.
• Provision of incentives for the use of electric leaf blowers through rebates or allowing electric
leaf blowers to be operated on additional days.
• Consideration of a gas leaf blower ban.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
3
LANDSCAPE
EQUIPMENT
Council Study Session
July 5, zo23
City of Burlingame
Nois
Existing Leaf Blower Ordinance
• Neighborhood Schedule
LEAF •Decibel compliance
6
BLOWERS �'
• ARB rule
• Incentives to promote electric leaf blowers
EXISTING ORDINANCE
trhPrh dP
- Commercial blower used one day per
week, per area, with extra day for R3
and R4 buildings.
- Residents may use own blowers on
weekend during select hours.
- No blowers on M/W citywide.
- Fine of $50 for violations.
- Other cities generally have time
limitations only.
For
Discussion:
-
Leave
schedule
as is
MILLBRAE
Blue Zone (c)
ALL PROPERTIES
THURSDAY 8:00-5-00
ff -%� Green Zone f81
bra Rl or R2
FRI DAY 8:00 - 5;00
R3 & R4
add Tuesday
8:00 - 5:00
Leaf Mowinn shall ba permitted as follows:
By Gardener Services or Residents One day per week as shown above
By Residents Only Saturday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am - 2:0D pm
q r h —k —A P.A— T. —A— R F rid.. A-M . m— 5- M n m
Leaf Blowing
t op r-at,;,ivn Map
�w
Ped Zone (A)
Rl or R2
TU ESDAY 8-00 - 5.00
/
R3&R4
add Friday
8:00 - 5.00
SAN MATEO
EXISTING ORDINANCE
Decibels
- Commercial blowers must display a sticker issued by PW,
certifying that the machinery is no louder than 65 decibels.
- 31 complaints in last year that leaf blowers were running on
incorrect days.
- Letter of violation sent to homeowners.
- Outreach flyers in English and Spanish.
12-410
���iC ITY p
BURLINGAME
.L
BURLINGAME
NOISE
CERTIFIED
COMPLAINT HISTORY
• 05/22
— 05/23:
31
RlRIJN AME THE CITY OF SURf.INGAMF
• 05/21
—05/22:
8
Modifications to the Permitted Use
of Gasoline Powered Leaf Blowers
• 05/20
— 05/21:
22
in Burlingame
•
0 5 / 19
— 0 5 / 2 0
9
The Burlingame City Council has passed a new ordinance regulating leaf
blowers. The ordinance addresses the health risks of high decibel noise
.
pollution and allergenic particulate matter blown into the air by leaf blowe,
•
0 5 / 18
— 0 5 / 19
$
by reducing the number of days blowers may be used in each neighhorhoot
.
New regulations require the following:
. Commercial blowers may be used on only ONE day per week, per
area, with an extra day for R3 & R4 buildings. See below for your day.
• Resident may use their own blowers on Saturdays from g AM-2 PM
and Sundays from to AM- 2 PM, as well as on their assigned weekday.
• Commercial blowers must display a sticker, issued by the Department
of Public Works, certifying that machinery is 55 decibels.
Please see the reverse map for your day.
Residents will need to inform their gardening services of the change
before July 1, 2012, the effective date of the ordinance.
(Ordinance#rD.48•o38•)
RED Tuesdays from 8 AM to g PM - Peninsula and Barroilhet Drives north to
ZONE Sanchez and Toyon Drive for all residential properties, with an additional day
allowed each Friday for multi -residential properties zoned R3/R4.
GREEN I Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM - Sanchez and Toyon Drives north to Adeline and
ZONE Cambridge Avenues for all residential properties, with an additional day
allowed each Tuesday for multi -residential properties zoned R3/R4.
B LmE '17iursdays from 8 AM to g PM - Adeline and Cambridge Avenues north to
ZONE Burlingame City Limits.
Please see reverse mapf far your day 00, f i
Within the above listed areas, the ordinance applies to publicly owned parks and
landscaped areas as well as public and private schools, under four (4) acres in size.
I go Ina ""E THE. CITY OF BURLINGAME
Recordatorio de reglamentos
de hoja del ventilador:
Se trata de un recordatorio amistoso vedno que
sopladores de hojas ahora estan regulados en
nucstra vccindario.
Sopladores de hojas se permiten solo un dia por
semaua, por la zona y dos dias Para edificios
multi -residential que son zonas R3 y R4.
Si estA recibiendo este volante porque usted o su
jardinero ha estado utilizando sopladores de hojas
al tiempo no permitido por la Ordenanza de ]a
ciudad. Par favor consulte el siguiente calendario y
asegUese de que usted y sus jardineras son
conscientes de ello.
ZONA el marten de 8 AM a 5 PM - peninsula y Barroilet unidades de norte a Sanchez y
unidad de ejemplo para todas ]as propiedades residenciales, eon un dia
ROJA adicional permitiS cads viernes para propiedades multi -residential zonificado
R3/R4•
el viernes de 8 AM a 5 PM - Sanchez y ejemplo unidades al norte de Adeline y
ZONA avenidas de Cambridge para todas las propiedades residenciales, con un dia
VERQE adictonal permitido cada dernes para propiedades multi -residential
zonificado K,3/R4.
el jueves de 8 AM a 5 PM - Adeline v Cambridge avenidas al norte de los limiter
ZONA de la ciudad de Burlingame.
AZUL
AB 1346 to ban sale
of new gas small
off -road engines
(SORE) in January
2024
ARB estimates
SORE emissions
are significant
• One hour of leaf
blowing is equivalent
to driving a car for
z,loo miles
• Cumulative volume
from SORE pollution
exceeds that of
passenger vehicles
INCENTIVES
CA CORE Off -Road Incentives
- Vouchers for professional landscaping
- 6 paid to date for landscaping equipment
- Program currently closed; reached funding cap
City of San Mateo
- Commercial Rebate:75% of purchase price up to $500
- Requires San Mateo business license
- 8 rebates given to date at average of $375
- Resident Rebate: 50% of purchase price up to $100
- 32 rebates given to date at average of $75
GAS LEAF
BLOWER BAN
- Town of Portola Valley banned gas leaf blowers starting
January 2021
- City of Oakland started in April 2021
- City of Alameda started in January 2023
- City of Novato starting in July 2023
- City of Los Altos since 1991
- City of Palo Alto since 2005; fired full time code
enforcement officer dedicated to leaf blower education
and enforcement
MUNICIPAL
ELECTRIC
EQUIPMENT
Benefits
- Quieter and healthier
- Electric utility cart and ride -on mower have
met expectations and have performed well
for years
Challenges
- Smaller, hand held equipment are
significantly more expensive, require more
labor, and have limitations
- Battery operated equipment shorted out
during rain; requiring significant repair time
- Equipment is heavier and bulker; staff
concerned about weight impact
CHALLENGES
Affordability
Equity considerations
- Battery life
- Still makes some noise and a lot of dust
- Electric backpack blower costs $300; 4 batteries cost $300
each; total is $1,500 for commercial blower
- Gas leaf blower costs $275
- Code enforcement
- Outreach to landscapers
DISCUSSION
100
QUESTIONS
- Leave time of day restrictions as is
- Remove decibel requirements
- Considerations for a gas leaf blower ban
- Considerations for creating a rebate program for
commercial and/or residents
- Other incentives:
- Electric equipment gets increased days of operations