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DATE: JUNE 2, 2014
MEETING DATE: 06/02/14
ITEM NO: 1 fs
DESK ITEM
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: GREG CARSON, TOWN MANAGER i%
SUBJECT: ADOPT AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AMENDING SECTION
16.20.060 OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS MUNICIPAL CODE TO REGULATE
THE USE AND OPERATION OF LEAF BLOWERS AND ADD IN A SECTION
16.20.070 RELATED TO ENFORCEMENT
REMARKS:
Staff received an additional question from the Town Council regarding this item. The question and
response are as follows:
Q: Is it possible to have the proposed ordinance go into effect at least 30 days after the public has
received notice of the new law, so that the public has additional time to prepare for compliance as
was done with the single -use carry -out bag ordinance?
A: Council has discretion to direct the Town Attorney to change the effective date of the ordinance to a
date later than the July 1, 2014 effective date (30 days after adoption) as recommended by staff. For
example, direction could be given to have the ordinance go into effect between 45 and 90 days after the
ordinance adoption.
After the staff report was prepared for this agenda item, additional correspondence was received for the
period of 12:01 p.m. Thursday, May 29 through 3:00 p.m. Monday, June 2, 2014.
Attachments 1- 2 (previously received with staff report)
1. Ordinance of the Town of Los Gatos Amending Section 16.20.060 of the Town of Los Gatos
Municipal Code to Regulate the Use and Operation of Leaf Blowers and add in a Section
16.20.070 related to enforcement.
2. Public Comments received through 12:00 p.m. Thursday, May 29, 2014.
Attachment 3 (received with this Desk Item)
3. Public Comments received 12:01 p.m. Thursday, May 29 through 3:00 p.m. Monday, June 2,
2014.
PREPARED BY: CHRISTINA GILMOREO
Reviewed by:
Assistant to the Town Manager
Town Manager EU7 /fown Attorney Finance
NAMGR\Adm WmkFi1m\2014 Council Reports\lune 2 \6.2.14 LEAF BLOWER DESK ITEM.docz
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From: Larry Will [info @leafbiowernoise.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2014 11:32 AM
To: Steven Leonardis
Cc: BSpector; Diane McNutt; Marcia Jensen; Joe Pirzynski; Mike Best; Chris Seeman
Subject: Re: Leaf Blower Legislation
Mayor Leonardis:
I see that recently a leaf blower ban was put in place, banning only gasoline powered leaf blowers. You should
know that your ordinance is flawed in that you are allowing electric blowers at 65 dB(A), but not gasoline
powered units of the same sound level. How can that be explained since you cannot ban blowers for any reason
other than sound, according to the Federal Clean Air Act.
htto: / /Ieafblowemoise.com/ Taken% 20from% 20the% 20Fcderal %20CIean%20Air %20Act.pdf . If one type quiet
blower is allowed, should not all quiet blowers be allowed?
With respect to allowing electric blowers that are 65 dB(A), how are you going to determine their sound
level? They have not been tested to the ANSI Standard 13175.2 and carry no sound label as does the gasoline
powered unit. hhM:Hleafbiowemoise.com/ Sound %201abel ° /`20mounted.jpg
None of the other arguments concerning leaf blower hazards are based on fact, nor are they unique to gasoline
powered leaf blowers. You can find links to the truth about dust and other arguments at my
website .hLV:Hleafblowemoise.com/.
This is an emotional issue for some, but making an emotional decision will result in problems for your
community. If you are unable to get the contractors to buy into your ordinance, you will never be able to
enforce it.
Clearly, you are aware that not all blowers are loud. You should be banning only those that are.
Larry Will, PE
Leaf Blower Information Specialist
ECHO Inc
(479) 250 -4110
infoaleafblowernoise.com
From: Leaf Blower Information
Sent: Thursday, August 08, 2013 2:13 PM
To: Mayor Steve Rice
Cc: Vice Mayor Barbara Spector ; Council Member Steve Leonardis ; Council Member Diane McNutt ; Council Member Joe
Pir nski ; Joe Fahey ; Mike Best ; Bob Stanley ; Chris Seeman
Subject: Re: Leaf Blower Legislation
Since you are going to discuss leaf blowers at a meeting tonight, I thought I should resend my email of last
September for your review. If you have any questions, please let me know.
llcj ATTACHMENT3
Larry Will, PE
Leaf Blower Information Specialist
ECHO Inc
(479) 250 -4110
info@leafblowernoise.com
From: Leaf Blower Information
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2012 12:05 PM
To: Mayor Steve Rice
Cc: Vice Mayor Barbara Spector ; Council Member Steve Leonardis ; Council Member Diane McNutt ; Council Member Joe
Pirzvnski ; Joe Fahey ; Mike Best ; Bob Stanley ; Chris Seeman
Subject: Leaf Blower Legislation
Mayor Steve Rice
and
Town Council Members
Los Gatos, CA
September 27, 2012
Re: Leaf Blower Legislation
The leaf blower has been under attack in many California cities, the result of a well organized group of people
that feel these tools are too noisy. Those that rely on the blower to provide income are understandably
concerned, hoping that they are not banned. Before making a decision regarding leaf blower legislation, it is
important you understand the issues on both sides of the argument to ban or limit leaf blower use.
I am a former Vice President of Engineering for Echo Inc., a leading manufacturer of powered lawn care
products. My employer, (company info below) has retained me after my retirement to address leaf blower
concerns throughout the United States and Canada. I do this as a public service to our customers and to the
cities confronted with a leaf blower issue. I have helped more than 110 communities understand the facts after
which reasonable and effective ordinances have been enacted.
Public Works Director Todd Capurso will be recommending that the City Council consider the adoption of an
ordinance that would ban the use of two - stroke gasoline powered leaf blowers. The only possible reason for
this discrimination between two- stroke and electric or four - stroke gasoline powered leaf blowers is
emissions. Legislation intended to regulate exhaust emissions is preempted by the USEPA and therefore
illegal. If sound level is his argument, he needs to consider two - stroke blowers that are at 65 dB(A), for these
are actually quieter than electric. You can find test results below that substantiate this statement.
But this does not mean that there is nothing to be done. Very effective limitations are available to you that
homeowners, landscape contractors and anti -leaf blower activists will support. The reason some blowers are
noisy is because there are still many old blowers in service that have not been optimized for sound
reduction. These are the products that need to be replaced. The industry now markets quiet leaf blowers and
attaches a label that indicates sound level, making it easy to determine magnitude at the point of purchase and in
the field by law enforcement.
It is important to note that the extreme step of banning blowers will not result in meeting the ultimate goal of
eliminating leaf blower noise. A ban of this type cannot be enforced. You need a regulation that users will
support. It should also be noted that at a time like this, when landscapers are trying to cut corners in order to
meet their financial obligations; it's not a good thing to ban one of their primary time saving tools. Even
2/
homeowners that own a blower consider a blower ban an unreasonable, unnecessary and expensive restriction,
considering they will have to scrap their blower.
I'm sure you know that most residents are indifferent to this issue because leaf blowers, like lawn mowers or
garbage trucks are just a part of living in a typical neighborhood. In fact, according to a recent city wide vote to
overturn a blower ban in Arlington, MA, 68% of those voting were against the ban.
(http: / /www.bogton .com /yourtown/news /arlineton /2012 /07 /arlinp-ton leaf blower ban surv.html).
I probably don't need to tell you what problems beset any law that impacts leaf blower use, but it will be helpful
to you if I review the improvements that have been made to blowers in recent years. Because of design changes
and enhancements, the arguments that are given against leaf blowers are only true of old, unimproved blowers.
Herein I will provide facts that will put many of these overstated, outdated and inaccurate claims into
perspective.
The leaf blower issue boils down to one thing. It is so some people are spared the annoyance of a neighbor
grooming his yard with a tool that makes too much noise, in their opinion. The solution is to ban the noise some
blowers make, not two- stroke gasoline powered blowers. This is possible if you ban only those blowers louder
than 65 dB(A). If you have not actually experienced the difference between old blowers at 77 dB(A) and those
at 65, you owe it to yourself to seek out a demonstration. These numbers represent a 75% reduction in sound.
In asking for a ban, it seems as though anti -leaf blower activists do not realize that they have won their
argument. Because of their persistence, the industry has spent millions of dollars to improve the leaf blower,
making it quieter and more environmentally friendly.
Please take a moment to review the following facts:
Enforcement of a leaf blower ban.
In my experience, the favorite request of anti -leaf blower activists is to issue a complete ban on gasoline
powered leaf blowers. Like the eighteenth amendment, however, prohibition of leaf blowers will not work. I
know that if you were to speak to anyone trying to enforce a leaf blower ban, they would tell you how difficult
it is. In fact, it is for the most part, impossible. For this reason, Menlo Park rescinded their blower ban after
several years of expense and frustration. The police in Los Angeles have publicly given up on enforcing their
ban. Palo Alto, CA has discharged their only police officer assigned to citing leaf blower users for economic
reasons. Santa Monica, CA has had a ban in place for 20 years and has not been able to enforce it. You can read
about their problem in a report presented to the city council.
http: //Ieafbiowemoise. com /Santa %2OMonica %2ORgport.pdf
Police give a very low priority to chasing down leaf blower operators. After all, leaf blower users are not really
criminals. It is a reasonable response when you consider these people are trained to respond to scenes of
domestic violence, car accidents, or other more serious criminal activities. Professional users are only trying to
make an honest living using a profit enhancing tool that complies with State and Federal emission and noise
regulations. Some contractors will risk paying a fine for this is the least expensive option, considering the time
it takes to clean a yard by hand.
Should a person issue a complaint to the police, often he or she will not know the name of the contractor so the
police will not know whom to confront. Further, unless there is an officer in every neighborhood 24/7, the
offending contractor will most likely be gone before the police arrive since cleanup with a blower is the last
thing a contractor will do before leaving the area.
As for the homeowner, well, what local cop would give a ticket to a neighbor? As an elected official, I doubt
you would want them to. If a private resident is turned in to the police by a neighbor, it becomes a "he said, she
said" issue and most likely will convert two somewhat tolerant neighbors into antagonistic adversaries with a
"get even" attitude.
31<_e
An unenforceable ban is far worse than any regulation that takes advantage of leaf blower improvements
because old, noisy and unregulated blowers remain in use.
Controversy
As an industry expert on this issue, my involvement goes all the way back to 1999, when I met with Dianne
Wolfberg, Jack Allen and Mrs. Peter Graves as they lobbied the city of Los Angeles to enact a leaf blower ban.
They managed to secure a ban, but it was extremely controversial. The ban polarized communities, those who
owned and used blowers against those that didn't. It got so bad that there were even hunger strikes on the steps
of City Hall, protesting the ordinance.
Product changes and improvements
Leaf blowers were redesigned in response to complaints from the field. We listened to all the anti -leaf blower
activists, as well as end users, contractors and retailers that had opinions regarding leaf blowers and their use.
The industry systematically proceeded to eliminate the sources of these complaints over the course of several
years.
More than seven years ago, this program was completed, addressing every complaint with effective product
improvements, recommended legislative alternatives, and educational materials. We also brought clarity to the
argument when false accusations and exaggerations were made based on claims from uninformed or outdated
sources.
Quiet Leaf Blower
As I said above, complaints about blowers are primarily noise related. Usually activists attack the gasoline
powered leaf blower, but tolerate the electric version. It's not clear why. For one thing, the typical electric leaf
blower is actually noisier than the gasoline blower that is specifically designed to be "Quiet ". For test results,
see htt.p:Hleafblowemoise.com /Electric %20blower%2Osound.htm.
All other arguments negatively attributed to the gasoline powered leaf blower also apply to the electric blower,
except for emissions, which I will discuss later in this document. Not all leaf blowers are considered quiet, but
all are quieter than they once were. Most blowers less than seven years old are 50% quieter than older designs.
One should know that actual "Quiet" gasoline powered leaf blowers are readily available from several
manufacturers. Blowers having labels that indicate they are 65 dB(A) or less are 75% quieter than unimproved
designs. The whine common to outdated leaf blowers, generated by the main impeller fan, is essentially gone on
these models. Because blowers are labeled, no testing is required by the enforcement agency to determine sound
level compliance. Some cities write this maximum allowable sound level into their regulation as an alternative
to banning, eliminating older and louder designs. To see the leaf blower sound label found on the actual unit,
check: htV:Hleafblowemoise.com /Sound %201abe1 %20mounted.ipg
Proper Time to Use
Often the time of day a blower is used (early morning or late in the evening) or day of the week (Sunday for
example) is the only real problem. Many cities limit hours of use and have been successful using this approach
to quiet down leaf blowers during the hours when neighborhoods should be quiet.
The Operator May Be at Fault
R
s
This may be the biggest problem. Horticulturists would likely not use a leaf blower, choosing instead to gather
lawn and garden refuse by hand and use it to create compost for fertilizing plants. To these artists, time may not
be as important as is the care and treatment of delicate plants. But most leaf blower operators and landscape
contractors are interested only in making money. Professional leaf blower operators are not usually
horticulturists or gardeners, rather they are laborers. These well meaning, hard working people are more
interested in pleasing the boss and that means doing a clean and professional job quickly. Therefore, the
primary factor in the leaf blower issue is none other than the operator himself. The leaf blower is not always the
issue. The Kendall's of Orinda, CA repeatedly complained about the operator in their interview with CBS News
Sunday Morning (November 6, 2011) and the New Yorker Magazine article published earlier.
Some operators are inconsiderate, but most are just uninformed and untrained. It seems unlikely, but because of
cultural differences, some operators do not realize that noise and common courtesy is a concern to residents. As
with everything, there is a right way and a wrong way to use a leaf blower. The State of Arizona has adopted a
training requirement for all professional users. Arizona Bill:
http• / /www azleg gov /FormatDocument asp? fonnat=vrint& inDoc=/ Iegtext /48le2/lr /summary/h.sbl552 06 -27-
07 astransmittedtoeovernor.doc.htm
Training Manuals
The solution to the operator problem is education. Leaf blower operators need training in the proper way to use
a leaf blower. Both ECHO Inc. and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute of Alexandria, VA have developed
bilingual pamphlets that outline how leaf blowers should be used. They tell how not to generate dust through
proper nozzle positioning and throttle control. They point out that it is irresponsible to use blowers on loose dirt,
gravel drives and dust covered surfaces. Guidelines are given concerning the operation of leaf blowers in
residential areas or when bystanders are present. It recommends acceptable hours of use. And, it offers
suggestions as to when and why older blowers should be replaced by new quieter versions. Some cities license
operators and require training in order to qualify. You can find copies of the above manuals at my web site:
(http• / /Ieafblowemoise com/ LEAF %20BLOWER %20 %20manual %2012- 13- 10.pdfl or
(http: / /Ieafblowemoise .com /LeafBIowerTraining.pdf).
Either is available for free distribution (make your own copies) to operators and contractors through local lawn
care equipment outlets or by landscaper organizations. In some cities, the police have copies on hand to give to
operators when they respond to a complaint. On occasion, cities have created their own manual, which includes
the information found in the above pamphlets plus operator requirements unique to their city, such as noise
limits and permitted hours of use. Finally, there are PowerPoint and Flash presentations available on the intemet
that can be used as educational tools by landscapers, parks departments and trade schools.
btlp://Ieafbiowemoise.com/OPEI% 2OPresentation/leafblower0l.swf or
httv://Ieafblowemoise.com/OPEI%20LB%2002-10-12.pptx
Issues Other Than Sound
To embellish the argument in favor of limiting leaf blower use, elements other than sound are sometimes called
into issue. Blowers have been falsely accused of generating excessive exhaust pollution and particulate matter.
Some would even have you believe they are hazardous to your health, which has no foundation in fact. Let me
explain.
Exhaust Emission
The bottom line here is that it is illegal for cities or states to write regulations that control emissions, even
M
through the act of banning. Only the United States EPA has this authority.
httv:Hleafblowemoise.com/ Taken% 20from% 20the %20Federal %20CIean %20Air %20Act pdf.
Do not let this argument enter into your discussion. The Massachusetts Attorney General and the EPA are
presently investigating Brookline's warrant limiting the use of leaf blowers because they cited emissions as the
main reason they decided to ban them. http: / /www.wickedlocal.com/brookline /news /x299880560/Brookline-
leaf- blower- ban- faces- blowback #axzz 1 pyB efrrd
Today's leaf blowers meet all emission requirements. If you would like to learn more about leaf blower
emissions, go to my web site. htty: //Ieafblowemoise.com/
How to Require Low Emission Engines (hydrocarbons)
Legislation in the United States mandated that hydrocarbon exhaust emission from small hand held engines
needed to be reduced by as much as 90% by January 1, 2005. Many designs changed so radically that
completely new engine concepts were introduced. If you want to reduce hydrocarbon pollution beyond what is
presently being experienced, a good approach is to eliminate the really old engines. As you now know, only the
EPA can legally write rules that control emissions, but a city or county can require EPA compliant engines
build after January 2005. You can tell when a blower was built by looking at the emission label attached to the
engine. To see what an emission label looks like, click:
htip://Ieafblowemoise.com/N4ounted%20emission%2OLabel.ip . If there is no emission label on an engine, it
simply does not comply.
Dust
Another argument used to discredit a leaf blower is its perceived ability to create dust. Scientific facts do not
support such a claim. Dr. Dennis Fitz of the University of California, Riverside, conducted a study for the San
Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and reported that dust levels generated by a leaf blower were so
low that when compared to an automobile by others, the automobile was 100 times worse than a leaf blower.
You can read about this comparison at http:// Ieafblowemoise .com /leaf%20blower%20dust.htm.
However, it is possible to generate unwanted dust if a leaf blower is used on unstable ground. These are
surfaces that have not been paved, covered with landscaping materials such as decorative rock or planted in
grass. To prevent excessive dust, add an appropriate restriction to your regulation that prevents leaf blower use
on unstable ground. Arizona was the first to add this restriction to a leaf blower regulation.
High Air Flow
Leaf blowers typically do have the ability to generate air flows above 150 miles per hour. Some like to compare
this to the winds of a hurricane. This is colorful, but keep in mind that this air flow is measured at the end of a
hose with a two inch diameter nozzle. Ten feet away it measures about 20 to 25 miles per hour and at 20 feet, it
is nearly impossible to measure. You can visualize from this that fugitive material disturbed by a leaf blower
will be blown away from the operator, but will remain within a few feet of the nozzle. A hurricane has the
potential to create the kind of dust storm you saw in the news last summer from Phoenix, AZ. Essentially, there
is no meaningful comparison.
Perceived Health Hazard
Since noise is really not an issue if a city requires quiet leaf blowers, many activists have focused on the health
impact. You may hear about an East Coast doctor that claims leaf blowers are hazardous to your health or that
they cause asthma in children. Keep in mind that this particular doctor is only stating his personal opinion based
6% ay
on presumed facts, same as any other anti -leaf blower activist, not his expert professional opinion. To fully
accept his comments as fact, one must inquire as to where he gets his information. Ask for supporting
documentation. An expert opinion from a pulmonary doctor that is also a leaf blower expert is unlikely. A fact
based study linking leaf blowers to asthma, for example, or any other respiratory ailment does not exist. In all
my research, I have never found any test data or reputable report, which shows that leaf blowers cause any kind
of illness. This is confirmed by the California Air Resources Board in their report to the State Legislature,
which was compiled by Dr. Nancy Steele: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprogLmailouts/msc0005/msc0005.pd
was an article in the Greenwich Patch, written by Patrick Barnard, June 29, 2011 stating:
The Board of Health, which drafted the town's (Greenwich's) current noise ordinance in 1984, and amended it
in 2004 and 2006 to address the use of leaf blowers, has the power to amend it again and present it to the RTM
for approval. However, that seems unlikely since the board's Leaf Blower Research Subcommittee recently
concluded that leaf blower noise, ... "does not pose a threat to public health, " said Caroline Baisley, Greenwich
Director of Public Health.
Baisley said the subcommittee, comprised of three doctors, found "there's no conclusive, well - grounded
scientific data providing medical evidence of the health risks associated specifically with leaf blower use — and
therefore recommended that no changes be made to the ordinance. "
For Greenwich Board of Health Statement to Greenwich Representative Town
Meeting, see
http• / /Ieafblowemoise com/ Representative% 20Town% 20Meeting %20notice %20Greenwich.i)df
http• / /Ieafbiowemoise com/ EMAIL ° /`20RESPONSE -BOH- noise %20resolution.pdf
Seasonal Banning of Leaf Blowers
Summer bans do more harm than good. This is the time of year when there is little work for a leaf blower,
except to clean grass clippings and hedge clippings from paved surfaces such as driveways and sidewalks. Not
having the blower forces contractors to use water or a broom. The former is very bad for the environment,
transferring debris to the storm sewer rather than blowing it back on the lawn. The latter is inefficient and
incapable of doing a good job, especially around shrubs and on uneven surfaces such as bricks or cobblestone.
Conclusion
One should take into account the many improvements made to leaf blowers over recent years and consider a
leaf blower regulation that takes advantage of these improvements. It is well known throughout the industry that
a landscape contractor will readily comply with any restriction that governs leaf blower use so long as he is
aware of the restriction and so long as it does not take this indispensible tool away from him through banning.
Ineffective bans result in operators using all kinds of blowers, including those that are old and noisy as well as
those that still contribute to exhaust pollution.
http• / /Ieafblowemoise com / MODEL% 20LEAF %20BLOWER %20ORDINANCE.pdf
The above model ordinance is available at my web site. The suggested measures, if incorporated into a new
regulation, will result in environmental improvements while substantially reducing the sound generated by leaf
blowers in residential neighborhoods. I have a great deal more on the subject at http: / /Ieafblowernoise.com /. I
am also available to answer any specific questions you or your staff may have.
Larry Will, PE, Vice President (retired)
Leaf Blower Information Specialist
ECHO Inc
Tele: (479) 250 -4110
Email: infona,leafblowernoise.com '
For information on Echo Inc., click: hgp: / /www. echo - usa.com /About- ECHO /About -Us
8Ib
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Jerry [mailto:jerryonhigh @yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2014 4:26 PM
To: Christina Gilmore
Subject: NOW !!!!.....Gas Blowers ? ? ??
To our ILLUSTRIOUS Town of Los Gatos council /politicians :
.......and, what will be the next restrictive, Big Brother helping hand our local government will bestow upon the residents
of our much loved Town ? ? ??
Little by little, our Circus Clowns are devising ways to keep Los Gatos bright. sunny and so healthy by introducing some
of the most idiotic, contradictory programs one can imagine a handful of few can impose upon the majority.
I have resided in Los Gatos for over 47 years and have never been bothered or offended by hearing gas leaf blowers at
any time during any day. In fact, it is rather satisfying knowing that there are people working; able to support
themselves and their families. There needs no elaborating or belabouring that point. Even the birds and small animals
love having new territories to find food. ........and, believe me, they DO.
Along with this 'pending' issue, I can't help but reflect on other issues our ILLUSTRIOUS 'Well-informed, Educated,
Concerned, Big Brothers' have inflicted on us poor, limited educated residents. The so- called AFFORDABLE HOUSING
clusters which have been so enthusiastically endorsed by our Town politicians, are an eye -sore and a disgrace.
AFFORDABLE by WHOM ? may I ask? As one resident of the Town commented: "What a wonderful situation when
neighbors can shake hands through their windows while having dinner ". Incidentally, just what price range are these
AFFORDABLE HOMES listed ? ? ? ?? Has that ever been made widely public - - - -or would I be 'politely' advised - -- -just to ask
? ?? ??
And, now we must pay 10 cents for each bag at stores/shops ----- What group stayed up all night to think of THAT
one ? ?? AH, yes......just bring in your old, dirty, germ - laden, dirty, overused bags to make the environment cleaner and
safer for future
generations. On can just use 10 times more plastic PRODUCE bags as those, too, come mighty handy around the
house.
Isn't Silicon Valley noted for its ingenuity ? ? ??
.......and NOW, GAS LEAF BLOWERS ? ? ? ? ??
TIME TO BACK OFF, ILLUSTRIOUS TOWN OF LOS GATOS GOVERNMENT M!
Very Sincerely,
Jerry March
Sent from my iPad
From: Kirsten Duggins [kcduggins @gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2014 10:27 PM
To: BSpector; Steven Leonardis; Marcia Jensen; Diane McNutt; Joe Pirzynski
Subject: Leaf Blower
"It is quite obvious that there are 3 different concerns regarding leaf blowers. 1) The noise ( I guess we will soon be
outlawing motorcycles, boom boxes, chainsaws and lawnmowers) 2) The dust (Have you ever seen the dust and pollen
produced by the sweeping unless you water it down first, but, of course during the draught we won't be able to that) 3)
The emissions (which is less than using a Vespa)
I do understand the need for courtesy, time of use and when people are near by. I have always been accorded that
courtesy, by the gardeners, when I have been walking in L.G. neighborhoods . They usually stop what they are doing as
soon as they see us and wait a good time before proceeding.
I grew up in and around Los Gatos. My husband and I moved back to Los Gatos a little more than 30 years ago, for the
reason that it was a town with people that took pride in their homes and yards; keeping their yards well manicured and
clean. It is one of the reasons that keep our home values up (besides having great schools). I would hate to see what
would it would look like when the streets are full of debris and leaves. Most people that have been moving into L.G. don't
have the extra time to sweep and hose down their front yards, as they are busy working jobs and raising kids. And the
kids today are too busy with their school work and after school activities to take on these jobs. For the older people who
are on fixed incomes, it may end up being a financial burden as their gardeners will undoubtedly increase their rates if
they are restricted to rakes and brooms or even battery or electric leaf blowers) We have a gas blower, an electric blower
and a battery operated blower. The battery operated on barely has enough charge to blow the leaves off our walk way
and patio. The electric one doesn't reach to the outer parts of our property nor does it have enough power to do the job
and takes twice as long as a result, so even though the noise is less the time of the noise is longer. My mother, who is
85 and has asthma, can't broom and rake, as she says it kicks up more dust up into her face than her battery operated
blower. She is able to use the blower as it is light and doesn't take as much energy as raking and sweeping.
I also asked several of my friends who live in various parts of LA and even though there is a ban, gas powered leaf
blowers are used everywhere. It is not enforced.
I also have a question for those that are in favor of the gas leaf blowers. What size are your lots. I certainly understand
your position if you live in a typical neighborhood where you have neighbors right next door or that you have less than 5
trees on your property. What about the people who live on large parcels in the hills that don't have neighbors that are
close by. We have over 40 deciduous trees on our property and a creek. There isn't an extension cord long enough plus it
would be unsafe to have near the creek. As I said above, the battery operated ones don't keep a charge long enough but
to do a small patio. Which would lead the gardeners to use noisy generators. It is imperative to keep the creek clean of
debris so that it doesn't clog and cause back up and flooding. What about letting people like us that have special
circumstances, take out a permit to be able to use a gas blower once a week. It would bring in a little extra money to the
city and everyone wins.
So, please, before you pass judgements on everyone, do consider that there may be people in different circumstances as
your own and that they may be unduly affected by your decisions. Unless, of course, you are willing to come over and
sweep and rake our entire acre."
Kirsten Duggins
From: Maki Hirata [ mailto:maki.hirata(a)gmail.coml
Sent: Friday, May 30, 2014 1:49 PM
To: Town Manager; Steven Leonardis
Subject: Los Gatos Town Resolution: No more gas powered leaf blowers
Thank you very much for coming up with this resolution. I've read about this in Nextdoor posting and while
there are a few loud people who seem upset about government's involvement, I'm glad Los Gatos is moving
toward the right direction and helping the population who are less loud and eager to complain about the
situation.
So many days, we are getting ready to have a nice relaxing dinner outside in our garden, when our neighbors
starts blowing dusts and chemicals and harmful gas into our yard... We have to bring the dinner inside so we
are not breathing all that stuff with our dinner. As much as other people seem to say they have the rights to do
garden whenever they want and make all the noises they want, we should have the rights to breath clean air
while enjoying quiet dinner in our backyard.
Here is one of the posting on Nextdoor that I agree and is very well said.
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I hear all these (upset) complaints, and I'm not a fan of big government, but it all seems a bit anti - government
while downplaying the realities of these tools. If we're (supposedly) moving our society in a positive direction,
then taking action on removing chemicals like DDT, increasing fuel efficiencies of power plants, cars, etc, and
reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a good thing, right? Gas blowers were an easy target as they produce
large amounts of air and noise pollution, and they are harmful to the workers who run them. Besides, the
'landscapers' who run them really don't'garden' by blowing leaves, fecal matter, dust, and chemicals from your
yard to someone else's. I have had my gardeners cut back 75% on their usage, so they can do actual
gardening.
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Thank you very much! I hope the ordinance passes and gets reinforced.
Maki Hirata
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Robert Buxton fmailto:rabcars(a)vahoo com]
Sent: Friday, May 30, 2014 5:34 PM
To: Town Manager
Subject: Leaf Blower Ordinance
Thank you and the Town Staff for your work on the leaf blower ordinance. Thank you to the Town Council for their work
and the two amendments (16.20.060 -item B and 16.20.070 -item C).
We support the ordinance... it is a "quality of life" issue.
I visited Gardenland in Campbell and spoke to one of their specialists. Although gas blowers are more productive there
are battery powered electric blowers available that will be effective in residential applications and will greatly reduce
the environmental impacts.
Thank you again and we look forward to the ordinance being approved by the Town Council at the June 2 meeting.
Bob and Susan Buxton
Robin Way
(Residents of Los Gatos for 40 years)
Sent from my Pad
From: Janette Monteil [mailto:mouser]anCalamail.com]
Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2014 6:53 PM
To: Town Manager
Subject: Blower Ban
Hello
I run a small garden service. I have some yards in Los Gatos, and I need to use blowers to properly do my job.
While I understand a limitation on the gas blowers during early morning and late evening hours, and most
definiatly on Sundays, banning them altogether is a terrible idea.
Let me offer this: While its EASY to ban blowers in JUNE, by the time NOVEMBER rolls around it will be
quite a different story. Leaf blowers are a TOOL used to effeciently clean up mounds and mounds of stuff
especially in the FALL. You can NOT do this by hand in any effecient manner.
I understand how much people hate them but they sure love them in the FALL. Can you clean your yard by
hand every week in NOV ?? NOPE.
The end result is, I will not accept yard accounts in Los Gaots No skin off my nose, but I offer this up. Plan on
plenty of angry phone calls in the fall when residents want clean yards for their holiday gatherings but are un
able to get the work done.
My suggestion is, put hourly restrictions on them, put weekend restrictions on them but dont' take them away
thank you
Garden Service Owner
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