The Bainbridge Island City Council directed city manager Blair King at its June 10 meeting to do additional work on a proposed ordinance that would ban gas-powered leaf blowers starting in about two years.

The council was initially slated to vote on the ordinance at the meeting, but decided to table it to give more time for potential updates and revisions. A set date for when council will vote on the ordinance has not yet been determined as staff is assessing what additional work will be needed, city communications coordinator Shannon Hays said.

Mayor Ashley Mathews said the Race Equity Advisory Committee was in favor of the narrow focus of the ordinance covering gas-powered leaf blowers; however, it was not in favor of the ordinance in its current form due to concerns about the lack of outreach to affected communities.

Councilmember Kirsten Hytopoulos shared several further revisions she’d like to make to the ordinance including: differentiating between property types and sizes, addressing noise of all leaf blowers by regulating time and place, and providing a longer implementation timeframe.

“I would ask that we do a review within a year,” Councilmember Joe Deets said. “ So that’s my recommendation; otherwise, I support the ordinance.”

Commissioner Dawn Janow of the Bainbridge Island Metro Parks & Recreation spoke during public comments and shared her opposition to the ordinance as currently written.

“The bans and penalties will not achieve the desired results and the fundamental community support that is needed to enact long range compliance,” she said. I do believe our city council should embody environmental activism, leadership through advocacy, education and incentive versus penalty and policing.”

BI resident Allen Haugen, shared his concerns regarding the ordinance.

“I would encourage the city council to take a statesman-like approach and encourage the people of Bainbridge Island to do the right thing because they do want to do the right thing,” he said.