DATE:

April 13, 2010

TO:

Board of Supervisors

SUBJECT:

RESOLUTION TO DELEGATE AUTHORITY AND APPROPRIATE LAWN AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT PROJECT FUNDS TO ENHANCE THE MOWING DOWN POLLUTION PROGRAM (DISTRICT: ALL)

SUMMARY:

Overview

For the past ten years, the Air Pollution Control Board has held the highly successful Mowing Down Pollution Lawnmower Trade-in event.  At each event, residents turned in their completely equipped and operable gasoline lawnmowers with the fuel and oil removed.  After a lawnmower was accepted for exchange, residents received a new Black & Decker cordless electric lawnmower for $150.  All of the old lawnmowers turned in during the events were recycled.

The success of the Mowing Down Pollution Lawnmower Trade-in event has enabled the Air Pollution Control District to receive an award of up to $150,000 from the California Air Resources Board’s Lawn and Garden Equipment Replacement Project.  This is a request to adopt a resolution authorizing the Air Pollution Control Officer or his designee to accept and administer the Lawn and Garden Equipment Replacement Project pursuant to the Air Quality Improvement Program, and to appropriate $150,000 in the Air Pollution Control Operation Fund.  Of this amount, $135,000 is designated for the purchase of cordless electric lawnmowers and the remaining amount is for reimbursement of administrative costs.

This is also a request to direct the Air Pollution Control Officer to hold this year’s Mowing Down Pollution Lawnmower Trade-in event on May 1, 2010, and make available up to 785 cordless, rechargeable, electric lawnmowers for San Diego County residents for a new, lower price of $99.99 as a result of a reduced lawnmower price from the vendor and the grant award.

Recommendation(s)

SUPERVISOR ROBERTS

1. 1.      Find that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the proposed action may have a significant adverse effect on the environment, and that this action is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15061(b)(3).
2. Approve the resolution delegating authority to the Air Pollution Control Officer or designee, to accept and administer the Lawn and Garden Equipment Replacement Project funding pursuant to the Air Quality Improvement Program. [4 VOTES]
3. Direct the Director of Purchasing and Contracting to negotiate a purchase agreement with Black and Decker, Inc not to exceed $327,000 for up to 1,570 cordless, rechargeable, electric lawnmowers for the period May 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.
4. Direct the Air Pollution Control Officer to hold this year’s Lawnmower Trade-in event on May 1, 2010, and authorize up to $17,500 for event costs.
5. Direct the Air Pollution Control Officer to hold a Lawnmower Trade-in event on May 1, 2010, that exchanges up to 785 gasoline-powered lawn mowers for new, non-polluting cordless, rechargeable, electric lawnmowers for $99.99 each.
6. Direct the Air Pollution Control Officer to hold a subsequent Mowing Down Pollution Lawnmower Trade-in event no later than June 30, 2011.

Fiscal Impact

Funds in the amount of $106,000 annually are included in the Fiscal Years 2009-2011 Operational Plan.  If approved, this request will result in costs and revenue of $150,000 bringing the total project costs to $362,000 for two fiscal years ending June 30, 2011.   Up to 1,570 lawnmowers will be purchased for an amount not to exceed $327,000.  The remaining $35,000 will be used for the facilities, printed materials, advertising, and the disposal of old lawnmowers and hazardous waste.  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.

Business Impact Statement

N/A

Advisory Board Statement

N/A