RESOLUTION NO. 040892

Recognizing the health and economic benefits of good air quality and encouraging citizens to refrain from mowing lawns, filling up gas tanks until after 2 pm, using oil-based paints, allowing vehicles to idle and using lighter fluids on Ozone Alert Days.

WHEREAS, the City of Kansas City, Missouri is interested in the Health of all its citizens and visitors, and ozone and air pollution can irritate respiratory systems, reduce lung function, increase susceptibility to respiratory infections and aggravate asthma; and

WHEREAS, the Air Quality Program of the Health Department, Environmental Management Department and the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) are making important efforts to meet requirements of the Federal Clean Air Act and avoid classification as a nonattainment area, as such classification would indicate the health of citizens is at risk and would cause serious economic impacts in the area; and

WHEREAS, Ozone Alert Days are those days weather forecasters predict are conducive to ozone formation, typically during the hot summer months; and

WHEREAS, MARC provides SkyCast on its website (www.marc.org), a service that communicates daily air quality, including the designation of Ozone Alert Days, and other media outlets also communicate such information; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby encourage all citizens to help control the air pollution in the City of Kansas City, Missouri by taking these important steps on designated Ozone Alert Days:

1. Do not use gasoline-powered lawn equipment such as lawn mowers and leaf blowers between the times of 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.;

2. Do not allow vehicles to idle for more than five minutes, if not necessary;

3. Do not use oil-based paints;

4. Do not purchase gasoline between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. If the purchase of gasoline between those hours is necessary, do not fill the tank to its fullest capacity; and

5. Use charcoal chimneys instead of lighter fluids for barbecue grills.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof, and that copies hereof be presented to the Health Department and Department of Environmental Management as a sign that the City Council understands the importance of air quality in Kansas City, Missouri and will continue its efforts to keep Kansas City a clean and healthy City in which to live, raise families, work, play and visit.

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