Larkspur City forum hears staff plan to pilot electric ride‑on mower for parks

Staff told the forum they have discussed an electric ride‑on mower with a John Deere division and that the vendor offered a price reduction. Staff described an existing budget line (about $30,000) and said the mower list price is roughly $32,000 each (before tax) and that charging and storage logistics need study. The public‑works superintendent noted battery run time can be less than manufacturer-rated hours and that equipment may overheat during heavy continuous use; staff also raised the option of buying a second unit if infrastructure is built to support dual charging.

Forum members welcomed the pilot as a visible demonstration with co‑benefits (noise and particulate reductions) but asked staff to deliver a usage and life‑cycle analysis showing emissions reductions per dollar and expected duty cycles at Piper Park and other sites. Katie Stra Hutton and other members emphasized community visibility and employee health benefits, and suggested pairing the pilot with outreach (for example, showing the mower at a future parade or public event).

Next steps: staff will gather operational data for Piper Park, confirm vendor inventory and delivery expectations, clarify charging and storage needs with maintenance staff, and return with a cost‑benefit/life‑cycle memo to the forum and council budget lead. No purchase was finalized at the meeting.