From: Robert Whitehair
To: City Council (San Mateo); Clerk
Cc: Anjuli Mishra; Michelle Hudson; sue; Alex Khojikian; Andrea Chow Subject: Consent calendar Agenda Items 7 and 20
Date: Monday, August 19, 2024 9:20:17 AM
Dear Mayor and City Council
On behalf of the concerned members of the San Mateo Climate Action Team, we respectfully request that Agenda Items 7 (Parks and Recreation Department Field Mowers) and 20 (Police Department Motorcycle Replacement) be pulled from tonight's City Council consent calendar. We also request a pause in the purchase of these items.
Regarding lawn mowers, Council and Statt are aware that AB1346 bans small oft- road engines under 25 HP, specifically ending the sale of new gasoline powered hedge and weed trimmers, and small lawn mowers, and eventually, portable generators.
The Toro Groundsmaster 4700 that the City proposes to purchase does run on biodiesel, and by engine size is not likely impacted by the small engine ban. However, we believe that purchase of any internal combustion landscaping equipment does not meet the intent of AB1346 - to drastically reduce the emission of CO2 from lawn equipment.
The staff report does not describe which biodiesel will be used in the new Toro lawn mower. As Council and staff are aware, biodiesel fuel can carry the title of "biodiesel" and still be a blend of as low as 5% biodiesel, and 95% petroleum diesel. All fuels, even "B100" biodiesel consisting of 100% biodiesel, still create CO2 and particulates because of combustion, crop production, refinement, and transportation.
We appreciate the need for the best quality police motorcycles with their special police packages. However, the BMW RT 1250 proposed for purchase still burns gasoline and creates CO2. There are alternatives - we believe that you are aware that Harley Davidson's spinoff, LiveWire as well as other companies now manufacture electric cycles.
We appreciate that City staff has done research into alternative mowers and police cycles.
But we ask that the City pause these purchases, and, perhaps through the League of California Cities, work with other governmental agencies to actively seek electric alternatives. Another possibility is working with organizations such as Sourcewell, a government organization that solicits, receives, and reviews competitive bids for various specialty equipment.
We appreciate your commitment to a much cleaner climate.
Thank you
Robert Whitehair and Michelle Hudson
San Mateo Climate Action Team