Committee advances revised gas-powered leaf blower ordinance to full council, 3–2

The Salem City Committee on Public Health, Safety and Environment voted to send an amended ordinance restricting gas-powered leaf blowers to the full council with a positive recommendation after a 3–2 roll-call vote.

Councilor Halapa moved the measure and Councilor Davis seconded. Councilor Halapa said the red lines and clarifying language struck a balance between environmental goals and operational needs. The motion passed with Councilors Halapa, Davis and Smith voting yes and Councilor Flynn and the chair voting no.

The committee adopted several red-line changes before forwarding the ordinance: striking a municipal-only exclusion in the device definition, adding a narrower exemption for the city fire and public school departments, and authorizing temporary exemptions to be issued by the mayor or fire chief (or their designees) for public-safety responses. Councilor Davis framed the ordinance as primarily environmental: "The amount of not just carbon dioxide, but other pollutants that gas powered leaf blowers put out is, impressive, and not in a good way," he said during the presentation.

Committee members also agreed on a 2030 compliance target for the public and commercial operators to simplify outreach and enforcement. The committee directed city departments to conduct an outreach and education campaign to landscaping companies, retailers, property managers and residents ahead of the effective date.

The ordinance now moves to the full Salem City Council for consideration; the committee vote records and the two amendments will be included in the referral packet.