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DATE:
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February 25, 2004
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TO:
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San Diego County Air Pollution Control Board
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SUBJECT:
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ELECTRIC LAWN MOWER INCENTIVE PROGRAM (District: All)
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SUMMARY:
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Overview
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Mowing Down Pollution lawn mower exchange incentive events have been held annually for the past four years. The event benefits county residents by reducing air pollution as a result of exchanging gasoline-powered lawn mowers for new cordless rechargeable mowers. A gasoline mower can create 40 times more criteria pollution per hour of use than a late model automobile, while the replacement electric mowers emit zero pollutants.
This is a request to direct the Air Pollution Control Officer to hold this year’s Lawn Mower Event on May 15, 2004. Funding of $102,000 from penalties received for violations of air quality laws will be used to purchase 400 cordless electric lawn mowers. The County will pay $240 each (after manufacturer’s $59 rebate) for the cordless electric lawn mower that retails for $449. This will allow participating owners to again exchange their gasoline-powered lawn mower and purchase a new, non-polluting mower for $150.
At the conclusion of this year’s 2004 event, more than 2,400 zero-emission mowers will have been distributed since the start of the program, resulting in a reduction of over 57 tons per year of criteria pollutant emission reductions. Clearly, this program is making a difference in improving our air quality.
In accordance with a previously authorized waiver of Board Policy A-87 (03/13/02 APCB#1) and in accordance with Administrative Code, Article XXIII, Section 401 (a), the Director of Purchasing and Contracting will negotiate a contract with Black and Decker not to exceed $96,000 for up to 400 lawn mowers.
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Recommendation(s)
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SUPERVISOR ROBERTS
- Direct the Air Pollution Control Officer to hold a Lawn Mower Event that exchanges approximately 400 gasoline-powered lawn mowers for new, non-polluting cordless rechargeable mowers for $150 each.
- Direct the Air Pollution Control Officer to hold this year’s Lawn Mower Event on May 15, 2004.
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Fiscal Impact
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This request is included in the fiscal year 2003-04 Operational Plan. If approved, this request will result in no increase in current year costs and revenues and no increase in subsequent years’ costs and revenue. This will require no net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
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Business Impact Statement
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N/A
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Advisory Board Statement
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N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The Mowing Down Pollution program has been a big success with community participation exceeding mower availability in each of the four previous years. Last year, people began lining up for mowers at 10:00 p.m. the night before the event and all mowers were distributed by 10:00 a.m. the morning of the event. At the conclusion of this year’s event, more than 2,400 zero-emission mowers will have been distributed since the start of the program. The reduced criteria pollution as a direct result of this program is equivalent to emissions from approximately 96,000 newer automobiles. Clearly, the Mowing Down Pollution program is making a difference inSan Diego’s improved air quality.
The anticipated price of $390 per mower (after a $59 manufacturer’s rebate) is a fair and reasonable price for a $449 electric, rechargeable mower with bag and mulching option. The Air Pollution Control District incentive will offset approximately $240, including tax. Citizens will again be able to trade their working, gas-powered lawnmower to receive a new, non-polluting mower for a total cost of $150.
The 2004 program costs are projected to be $102,000, with funding coming from the penalties collected by the Air Pollution Control District for violations of air quality laws. This will provide $96,000 for incentives for up to 400 new mowers. The remaining $6,000 will pay for event costs such as facilities, printed materials, advertising, and disposal of old lawn mowers and proper disposal of hazardous waste.
The Air Pollution Control District will again require owners to drain and properly dispose the fuel and oil from their lawnmowers before the exchange. Mowers must be completely equipped and appear operable, including properly attached handle, all four wheels, motor, blade, housing, and starting mechanism (rope or switch). They must also appear to be in operable condition. To insure proper disposal of mowers and hazardous materials, a hazardous material hauler will be hired to oversee and destroy the large stockpile of exchanged mowers.
The cordless rechargeable lawn mower has been selected to avoid tripping and electrical hazards that can result from using extension cords. Also, this model has a mulching feature that can reduce the amount of clippings going into landfills. Black and Decker continues to be the only maker of electric, cordless, rechargeable lawn mowers, and continuing this program depends upon their participation through reducing cost of mowers by offering a manufacturer’s rebate. Based on customer feedback from previous events, Black and Decker provides customer satisfaction and a quality product. On March 13, 2002 (APCB#1), the Board authorized a continuing waiver of Board Policy A-87 for future-years’ programs so long as Black and Decker remains the only manufacturer of rechargeable, cordless, electric lawn mowers. This waiver would no longer be valid if and when another manufacturer(s) enters this specific market or equivalent mowers with equal emissions become commercially available. No such alternative mowers are currently available. In accordance with Administrative Code, Article XXIII, Section 401 (a), the Director of Purchasing and Contracting will negotiate a contract with Black and Decker not to exceed $96,000 for up to 400 lawn mowers for the 2004 Lawn Mower Event.
Respectfully submitted,
RON ROBERTS
Supervisor, Fourth District
AGENDA ITEM INFORMATION SHEET
CONCURRENCE(S)
COUNTY COUNSEL REVIEW [X] Yes
Written disclosure per County Charter
Section 1000.1 required [] Yes [X] No
GROUP/AGENCY FINANCE DIRECTOR [] Yes [X] N/A
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER [] Yes [X] N/A
Requires Four Votes [] Yes [X] No
GROUP/AGENCY INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR [] Yes [X] N/A
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER [] Yes [X] N/A
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES [] Yes [X] N/A
Other Concurrence(s): N/A
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: Fourth Supervisorial District
CONTACT PERSON(S):
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Anthony Orlando
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Name
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531-6002
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Phone
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Fax
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Mail Station
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E-mail
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AGENDA ITEM INFORMATION SHEET
(continued)
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PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOARD ACTIONS:
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04/09/03 (APCB#2), Electric Lawnmower Incentive Program; 03/13/02 (APCB#1), Sole-Source Contract for Electric Lawnmower Incentive Program; 05/08/01 (APCB#1), Sole-Source Contract for Electric Lawnmower Incentive Program; 10/25/00 (APCB#1), Electric Lawnmower Incentive Program – Mowing Down Pollution; 07/11/00 (APCB#1), Approved the Mowing Down Pollution Event.
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BOARD POLICIES APPLICABLE:
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A-87, Competitive Procurement
N/A
N/A
