Leaf blower dispute escalates as Sonoma City Council gears up for decision

In a few days, the city of Sonoma could decide the outcome of one of its most controversial and seemingly niggling disputes: whether to allow the use of leaf blowers within city limits.

If a ban is imposed - and the council has previously balked at that step - a group of residents say they intend to step forward with a ballot measure that would seek to restore leaf blowers by putting the decision before voters.

That signal, sent last week, escalates what has been a now four-year, back-and-forth battle over what some residents contend are excessively noisy tools used by commercial landscapers and home gardeners, many of whom defend the devices as time- and back-saving necessities.

Opponents of leaf blowers have complained the devices stir up allergens and pollutants and impact the quality of life in their town of 11,000.

They’ve found support in at least two councilwomen, Laurie Gallian and Madolyn Agrimonti, who have called for leaf blowers to be completely banned, regardless of whether the equipment is powered by gas or electricity.

But local business owner Jerry Marino opposes a ban. He says voters, not the council, should be the ones to decide about leaf blowers - devices he calls necessary in keeping up neighborhoods and businesses.

A group spearheaded by Marino will start to collect signatures if the council approves a complete or partial ban at its Monday meeting. Marino contends that complaints that the devices stir up too much dust and potentially hazardous particles are overblown.

“A UPS truck that comes down the street makes more dust than any blower,” said Marino, owner of Chicken Car Wash on West Napa Street.

He said he has talked to dozens of people about the possible referendum. He plans to return to them for signatures if the council bars the yard equipment.

The group will have to collect signatures from at least 642 registered Sonoma voters - representing 10 percent of the electorate in town - within 30 days of an ordinance being approved if they want the issue placed on the ballot next year. If successful in acquiring the signatures, the ban would then be suspended until the election, provided the City Council members don’t rescind a ban at that point.

Marino doesn’t see a problem collecting the needed signatures. Nor does longtime Sonoma resident Mike Fanucchi, who said the decision should be made by voters.

“People want to see blowers stay in effect,” he said, adding many residents don’t have time to attend City Council meetings or don’t realize the ban also will prohibit home gardeners from using the devices.

“Putting it on the ballot is the best way for people to be educated,” Fanucchi said.

Mayor David Cook earlier called for the issue to go before the voters.

“We’re elected to make decisions, but sometimes the decisions might be bigger than the council,” Cook said last week. “It’s become such a big issue in Sonoma. It makes sense to get people involved.”

It’s not the first time the otherwise quiet town has gotten into a dust-up over leaf blowers.

The issue first came up in 2011, when the council ultimately decided to tighten restrictions on leaf blowers, prohibiting their use on Sundays and during city-observed holidays. The council also reduced the maximum noise level from 90 decibels to 70.

The debate resurfaced in 2013, when residents complained landscapers weren’t always following those rules and sought to get Sonoma to join more than two dozen cities across California that ban gas-powered leaf blowers. Supporters of that step secured votes from three of the five City Council members - Laurie Gallian, Steve Barbose and then-Mayor Ken Brown, who subsequently changed his mind when the ordinance came up for its second and final vote, leaving the ban to die and angering residents who’d backed the measure.

Gallian asked the council to reconsider the leaf blower issue earlier this year when residents continued to push for a ban.

Whether or not Gallian and Agrimonti garner enough support for a complete ban remains a question. They’ll have to sway Councilwoman Rachel Hundley, who previously voiced support for the use of electric leaf blowers in parks and commercial areas.

Hundley said in a phone interview last week she still is leaning toward prohibiting the use of all leaf blowers in residential areas but allowing electric ones in commercial and public areas for a few hours a day. She raised concerns over the impact a ban would have on the city and businesses owners, who need to keep their properties clear of leaves and debris to prevent injuries.

Cook and Councilman Gary Edwards oppose prohibiting the use of leaf blowers. Hundley, meanwhile, said she wasn’t opposed to leaving the decision to the voters.

“The law also allows for the people to step in,” she said. “If people feel that strongly about leaf blowers, they certainly should pursue a referendum process.”

You can reach Staff Writer Eloísa Ruano González at 521-5458 or eloisa.gonzalez@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter ?@eloisanews.