AGENDA #2

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Public Forum on Regulation of Use of Landscape Equipment to Improve Air Quality

 

DATE:             January 24, 2005

 

The purpose of tonight’s forum is to receive citizen comment regarding the possible regulation of the use of leaf blowers and similar equipment the Town might consider regulating in order to improve air quality.

 

Resolution A would refer public comments made at tonight’s forum to the Manager and Attorney. 

 

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

 

On September 27, the Council received and referred to the Manager and Attorney a petition proposing that the Town ban the use of gasoline powered leaf blowers.  The Council received a report on the petition on November 22, 2004.  A copy of the November 22, 2004 report is attached (Attachment 1). The attachments to that memorandum can be reviewed on the Town’s website. 

 

On November 22, the Council discussed the report from the Manager and background reports from the Attorney and Public Works Director.  Following that discussion the Council adopted the attached resolution (Attachment 2). The resolution:

 

1.      stated the Council’s intent to not consider further possible prohibition on the use of gasoline powered leaf blowers within the Town limits;

2.      called this public forum to receive evidence related to the environmental impact of the use of leaf blowers as well as other similar garden and landscape equipment; and

3.      also invited public comment on the possible enactment and implementation of regulations on the use of such equipment.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

We recommend that the comments received this evening be referred to the Manager and Attorney for a follow-up report.

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

  1. November 22, 2004 Memorandum (p. 3).
  2. Resolution (2004-1-22/R-14) (p. 5).

 

A RESOLUTION REFERRING COMMENTS MADE AT THE PUBLIC FORUM ON LEAF BLOWERS AND AIR QUALITY ISSUES TO MANAGER AND ATTORNEY FOR FOLLOW-UP REPORT (2005-01-24/R-1)

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council refers to the Town Manager and Town Attorney public comments made at the January 24, 2005, Public Forum on leaf blowers and air quality issues for a follow-up report and further consideration by the Town Council.

 

This the 24th day of January, 2005.