N.1. 20-1076 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING TEMPORARILY ALLOWING USE OF LEAF BLOWERS FOR CITY MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS
INTRODUCE BY TITLE ONLY ORDINANCE NO. 3202-20, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 4-24.507 OF ARTICLE 5, CHAPTER 24, TITLE 4 OF THE REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE, PROVIDING A TEMPORARY EXEMPTION TO THE BAN ON USING MOTORIZED LEAF BLOWERS IN THE CITY FOR CITY EMPLOYEES USING A MOTORIZED LEAF BLOWER WITHIN THE COURSE AND SCOPE OF THEIR JOB. FOR INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING
It is SO HYPOCRITICAL to disallow residents, and the low wage gardening workers to use leaf blowers, and then apply an exemption to the City. That's not the way to govern Redondo. That's not the way to govern Mr. Gran and Ms. Emdee. Even during tough times, we have to stick to what is right - environmentally friendly, and NOT loud and obnoxious. Have you looked at the percentage of residents who are working from home right now? You want NOW to unleash the City's arsenal of leaf blowers on the residents while they're working from home? Please come back to earth folk and exercise real, rational, smart leadership.
Allowing city maintenance crews to use leaf blowers would create a hypocritical double standard and is simply illogical on its face. There has not been any noticeable deterioration or hazardous conditions developing in our recreational areas with the use of cleaning methods currently in place. Also, the great majority of our median strips have been restored with drought tolerant plants that has effectively eliminated the need for excessive and intensive landscaping upkeep. This proposed ordinance might set the stage for a reversal on the city wide ban which would detrimentally impact the health and well being of its citizens. Besides the dust and toxins that will be blown around, who is to say that Covid-19 won't also be spread through the air we breathe and contaminate fixtures that are used by the public. Instead of amending the ordinance that has been successfully in place for two years, perhaps a redefinition and a reconsideration of what the term "clean" really means is in order. PLEASE do no authorize any exemption to the present ordinance prohibiting the use of motorized leaf blowers.
My name is David Waldner and I am asking that the Council not approve item N.1. “Temporarily allowing the use of leaf blowers for City maintenance operations.” As was previously discussed at length by Council in 2018 when leaf blowers were banned, leaf blowers are a source of harmful particulate air pollution and 2-cycle engine exhaust. We don’t need more cancer causing air pollution in the beach cities or elsewhere. This is particularly egregious given the current pandemic and health crisis. As I stated when I appeared before Council in 2018, I am a previous Director of Maintenance and Construction for the City of L.A. and I gave the order to our crews to stop the use of leaf blowers in residential zones when the leaf blower ban was enacted in L.A. We experienced no significant increase in our costs or labor hours required. Therefore, I question the claim that using leaf blowers will save 6000 labor hours per year, and recommend that City crews continue to use non polluting methods to perform their duties. Thank you.
There is already enough noise pollution from gardeners every day, several times a day, on every residential street. It does not state the reason for the “temporary” use allowance or the time period considered. Please expand upon this when discussing. If this is allowed, I fear it will be followed by allowing all to use motorized leaf blowers. Thank you
It is SO HYPOCRITICAL to disallow residents, and the low wage gardening workers to use leaf blowers, and then apply an exemption to the City. That's not the way to govern Redondo. That's not the way to govern Mr. Gran and Ms. Emdee. Even during tough times, we have to stick to what is right - environmentally friendly, and NOT loud and obnoxious. Have you looked at the percentage of residents who are working from home right now? You want NOW to unleash the City's arsenal of leaf blowers on the residents while they're working from home? Please come back to earth folk and exercise real, rational, smart leadership.
Allowing city maintenance crews to use leaf blowers would create a hypocritical double standard and is simply illogical on its face. There has not been any noticeable deterioration or hazardous conditions developing in our recreational areas with the use of cleaning methods currently in place. Also, the great majority of our median strips have been restored with drought tolerant plants that has effectively eliminated the need for excessive and intensive landscaping upkeep. This proposed ordinance might set the stage for a reversal on the city wide ban which would detrimentally impact the health and well being of its citizens. Besides the dust and toxins that will be blown around, who is to say that Covid-19 won't also be spread through the air we breathe and contaminate fixtures that are used by the public. Instead of amending the ordinance that has been successfully in place for two years, perhaps a redefinition and a reconsideration of what the term "clean" really means is in order. PLEASE do no authorize any exemption to the present ordinance prohibiting the use of motorized leaf blowers.
My name is David Waldner and I am asking that the Council not approve item N.1. “Temporarily allowing the use of leaf blowers for City maintenance operations.” As was previously discussed at length by Council in 2018 when leaf blowers were banned, leaf blowers are a source of harmful particulate air pollution and 2-cycle engine exhaust. We don’t need more cancer causing air pollution in the beach cities or elsewhere. This is particularly egregious given the current pandemic and health crisis. As I stated when I appeared before Council in 2018, I am a previous Director of Maintenance and Construction for the City of L.A. and I gave the order to our crews to stop the use of leaf blowers in residential zones when the leaf blower ban was enacted in L.A. We experienced no significant increase in our costs or labor hours required. Therefore, I question the claim that using leaf blowers will save 6000 labor hours per year, and recommend that City crews continue to use non polluting methods to perform their duties. Thank you.
There is already enough noise pollution from gardeners every day, several times a day, on every residential street. It does not state the reason for the “temporary” use allowance or the time period considered. Please expand upon this when discussing. If this is allowed, I fear it will be followed by allowing all to use motorized leaf blowers. Thank you