Committee backs phased restriction on gas‑powered leaf blowers, proposes separate council memo and public outreach

The Climate‑Friendly Landscape Committee recommended that the city consider a phased restriction on the use of gas‑powered leaf blowers rather than an immediate sales ban.

Committee members reviewed local examples and said Portland and Lake Oswego had pursued phased approaches focused on restricting use and that a sales ban near jurisdictions that do not ban sales would be less effective.

"Let's be together with this," said John (committee member), summarizing support for a phased restriction on the use of gas‑powered leaf blowers similar to Portland's approach. Committee members discussed whether a seasonal phase‑in or staged restrictions would be more politically feasible and easier for enforcement than a straight sales prohibition.

The committee decided to prepare two separate council memos (one on leaf blowers and one on turf) and to produce public information handouts tailored to community outreach. John and Alexi agreed to draft the leaf‑blower memo and public materials, and staff said legislative affairs will track any related state bills that could affect local policy.

Committee discussion distinguished between banning use (which a municipality can regulate for city and public‑use properties) and banning sales (which may be less enforceable locally near jurisdictions that continue sales). Members recommended focusing on a phased restriction on use, modeled after Portland's ordinance, and cited the political and enforcement advantages of that approach.

No formal council action was taken at the meeting; the committee instructed staff and appointed members to prepare draft documents for review and asked for draft edits to be submitted by the next Thursday at 12 p.m.

The committee also noted that if a state bill appears, legislative affairs staff would monitor and report potential impacts to the committee.