Fiscal Note
No fiscal impact.
Title
AMENDED SUBSTITUTE - City of Madison Vehicle Idling Management Policy.
Body
WHEREAS the City of Madison uses a fleet with over 1,000 vehicles to carry out its operations;
WHEREAS exhaust from these vehicles contains a variety of pollutants such as Nitrogen Oxides, Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, and other chemicals that form ground-level ozone (smog), create toxic pollution, may contribute to global warming, and may aggravate respiratory ailments like asthma, cause lung damage, and may lead to cancer;
WHEREAS unnecessary idling of the City's fleet wastes approximately one gallon of fuel per hour for diesel vehicles and roughly 0.75 gallons of fuel per hour for automobiles or light-duty vehicles;
WHEREAS vehicle idling can also produce avoidable wear and tear on engines due to the fact that engines idle below optimum temperature, resulting in residue deposits within the engine, reducing fuel economy by 5% and diminishing engine life, and lower operating temperatures can cause premature corrosion damage to exhaust piping and mufflers;
WHEREAS concern regarding greenhouse gases and climate change grows, and as the cost of fuel increases, the City of Madison can lead by example by limiting the amount of time its own vehicles are allowed to idle;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Madison Common Council adopt the following as the Vehicle Idling Policy:
No driver of a city vehicle shall cause or allow the vehicle to idle for a period of more than five (5) minutes in a 60-minute period. The policy shall not apply to:
1. Emergency service vehicles, such as fire apparatus, public safety vehicles, or ambulances;
2. Vehicles standing in traffic;
3. Airport support equipment;
3 4. Vehicles being serviced or repaired;
4 5. Idling when necessary to operate auxiliary equipment that is required to accomplish the intended use of the vehicle;
5 6. Idling to provide heat within...
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