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Annapolis delays enforcement of gas leaf‑blower ban, approves $105,000 voucher plan and three‑month grace period
Summary
The council approved a resolution postponing enforcement of the ban on gas‑powered leaf blowers and directed staff to create a voucher program (supplemental appropriation $105,000) to assist local adopters; a friendly amendment shortened the postponement to three months and passed.
The Annapolis City Council voted to postpone enforcement of the city’s ban on gas‑powered leaf blowers and to set up a voucher program intended to help residents and small landscaping businesses transition to electric equipment.
The resolution (R5824) as amended shortens a proposed delay and establishes a path for funding a voucher program. Councilmembers debated the length of the postponement and program details before approving a three‑month delay to allow the city to design and launch the assistance program.
Alderman Arnett proposed a shorter postponement, saying he believed the city could “get this program in place sooner, maybe within 3 months.” Alderman Savage, the sponsor, accepted the friendly amendment. Jackie Guile, deputy city manager for resilience and sustainability, told the council the program could be assembled in three months once the money is appropriated and the resilience authority can assist: “We could do it in 3 months. The city the resilience authority was working on another project with the city…now they can turn to work with us on it now in December.”
The council directed staff to pursue a supplemental appropriation of $105,000 to fund the voucher program. Council discussion indicated the intent to allow some flexibility in eligibility; staff said the program could be structured to allow early adopters who already purchased electric equipment to apply for reimbursement if they provide receipts, and to include local landscape companies as eligible participants, although final eligibility rules will be set when the appropriation returns for formal budget action.
On final roll call the resolution as amended passed. The recorded votes on the final motion were: Mayor Buckley — aye; Alderman O'Neil — aye; Alderman Pindell Charles — no; Alderman Felason — no; Alderman Shanna Meyer — aye; Alderman Gay — no; Alderman Savage — aye; Alderman Arnett — aye; Alderman Huntley — no. The motion carried (5–4).
Councilmembers said the postponement functions as a grace period while the city builds an assistance program and outreach plan. The voucher program still requires appropriation by the council; staff will return with program design and an appropriation ordinance for council action.
