Happy March!
We’re writing to you with another important call to action – funding for this budget item is not assured which is why we are asking you to contact your Multnomah County Commissioner immediately. We’ve been told on multiple occasions that the letters our supporters have sent to elected officials made a big difference.
This time we’re asking all supporters who live in Multnomah County to email your commissioner and thank them for including $385,609 in the 2025 proposed budget for Multnomah County Health Department’s Gas Powered Leaf Blower Project (#40037B). This project helps implement Portland’s gas leaf blower phase-out ordinance, a joint effort by the City and County that will require adequate funding to succeed.
The budget item reflects the County’s commitment to overseeing enforcement, education, and an incentive program. You can read the details here (including a cost breakdown) or see the executive summary and program description pasted below. *
In addition to offering your appreciation for the proposed budget item, you can mention why a successful leaf blower phase-out is important (i.e., improved health and well-being for all, including landscape workers, less environmental pollution, etc.), and/or why funding it now is so critical (i.e., it enables the County to start educating stakeholders about the phase-out, work out enforcement details with the City, and establish financial incentives to promote an equitable transition to electric blowers). With this project, the County will continue to demonstrate leadership in its collaborative effort with the City.
Below is a list of commissioners and their email addresses. Please email your commissioner, and please copy the other four. If you’re not sure whose district you’re in, here’s a look-up map. Be sure to let your commissioner know you live in their district, and provide your address or rough location.
The deadline is end-of-day next Wednesday, June 5th. Don't delay - send your comments right now!
Board of Commissioners
County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson
Commissioner Sharon Meieran, District 1
Commissioner Jesse Beason, District 2
Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards, District 3
Commissioner Lori Stegmann, District 4
Thank you for responding to this call!
*Gas Leaf Blower Program – Multnomah County
Executive Summary
To improve public health, the City of Portland and Multnomah County worked with community members to develop an ordinance that would help Portland transition away from gas leaf blowers (GLBs) to electric leaf blowers. Switching from gas to electric equipment will benefit our local environment and improve quality of life for workers and neighbors. Multnomah County will be partnering with the City of Portland to assist with the implementation of gas powered leaf blower phase-out policy. The policy will gradually phase-out the use of gas powered backpack and handheld leaf blowers. Through education,
incentives and enforcement we will work with businesses and property owners to understand and come into compliance with this new ordinance.
Program Description
Education and Outreach - The Health Department will develop and implement a marketing campaign to inform the public of policy changes and available incentives. The campaign will develop materials to target specific market segments, these include landscapers, property management companies and owners, and residents. Campaign materials will include a webpage, social media posts, posters, and mailers. Translation into multiple languages for all campaign materials will be standard. This campaign will begin in July 2024.
Enforcement - The City of Portland and Multnomah County will enter into an intergovernmental agreement that will delegate enforcement authority to the County. County staff will develop an enforcement program based on the final statute adopted by Portland City Council, program rules developed by the City of Portland Staff, and the intergovernmental agreement between the City of Portland and Multnomah County. Enforcement will be complaint-driven; staff will field complaints, track them in a database, evaluate complaints, collect evidence, issue citations, and respond to appeals. Environmental Health will model the enforcement systems on existing code compliance programs. FY 2025 activities will include establishing database and complaint intake systems, recruiting and hiring enforcement staff, and initiating enforcement of City of Portland Code Chapter 8.80.040 section C. Remaining requirements will be enforced beginning January 1, 2026.
Incentives - Health Department staff will administer incentive programs.
With appreciation,
The QCPDX Steering Committee
Michael Hall, Albert Kaufman, Stan Penkin, Brian Stewart, Judy Walton, Tamara Olcott
PS - Please help spread the word by using the share buttons or "view as a web page link" above! Thank you!
