HomeMy WebLinkAbout4C Public CommentAnthony Mejia
From: Tim & Karen Francone <francone1320@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 9, 2021 1:42 PM
To: City Clerk
Subject: City Council Meeting 9/09/2021
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Good Day Mr. Mejia, Mayor, City Council and City Manager
We are writing in regards to Item 4.C. under Unfinished Business on tonight's Agenda.
We are full time, year round residents of Palm Springs, including summers. We have been in the desert for over 40 years
and feel strongly about the gas powered leaf blowers in use. We remember a time when these didn't exist and our air
was so much cleaner, yards were clean and there were no obnoxious toxic gas fumes or noise invading our homes. Oh
how times have changed. Changes can often be good, but when they affect your quality of life and health, they need to
be addressed. These gas emissions from, not only leaf blowers, but also trimmers, edgers and lawn mowers, contribute
to diminished air quality in the entire Coachella Valley, which is visible on a daily basis. All of these gas powered devices
are extreme gross polluters. In a time when the State is striving for improved air quality using carbon free power and
electric vehicles, we wonder why Palm Springs allows the Ordinance, banning these devices in 2017, to still be violated 4
years later. Granted, there was a grace period of 2 years and still we are experiencing failure to comply.
We have called and reported many violations over the years since the Ordinance went into effect. We have even
handed out the Notice the City provided regarding the banning of this type blower, in both English and Spanish, to the
violators. The response is generally that they don't care because they know the City won't respond fast enough to catch
them and the fines are not enforced! Callers to the hotline are told an officer will be dispatched "when
available", which is not reassuring to homeowners experiencing the violation in real time. Multiple times we have seen
many of them using a battery powered blower in the front and a gas unit in the rear yard, so as not to be seen, avoiding
being issued a citation. Code enforcement says they cannot do anything unless they actually see the gas powered unit in
use!
Many of the violators have removed the magnetic signs, with their company name, from their vehicles avoiding their
name from being reported. Many of them are repeat offenders. Why can't the license plate be reported and the
citation attached to DMV records, same as parking tickets? This seems like a logical means for the City to collect citation
money. Reading there are 40-50 complaint calls per month was shocking and should let you know residents DO care.
We need more city resources allocated to Code enforcement. If cannabis has two dedicated officers, why can't the
residents have enough for leaf blower violations!
Also, why is it that landscaping services/gardeners are not required to have a City business license? This seems
discriminatory to other businesses that do require a business license to operate. By requiring a license, with a flat fee
for the specific category, a violation could be attached to the license and if citations are not paid when issued, could be
attached to the annual renewal. Why is this business category so protected and not subject to the same rules as other
business owners? They are a business! Is that fair to other complying businesses? Absolutely NOT.
We know many landscapers who carry extra batteries or require the homeowner have one available for use while at
their home.
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ITEM NO. ' V
Action item 1 under Option 1 is a GREAT idea. If stvr owners are responsible for actions on their property, this should
include abuse of their gardeners using gas leaf blowers. Perhaps even the management company should be held
liable. Increasing fines will let the offenders know the City IS serious. Including a fine for homeowners would certainly
get their attention that the City is concerned about the violation taking place on their property.
We strongly urge City Council to keep and enforce this Ordinance on the ban of gas powered leaf blowers. Our city
values, including implementing a ban on ALL gas powered devices to help improve air quality and diminish greenhouse
gases, is vitally important. Many other So Cal cities have already agreed.
PLEASE give us RESIDENTS back our quality of life! We choose to LIVE here for many reasons. Sadly, some of those
reasons no longer exist or are being taken away.
Step up and ENFORCE the Ordinance without further delay. We have endured these disturbances for far too long.
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Tim and Karen Francone