MARSHALL — Members of the Marshall City Council were divided Tuesday night on whether to formally speak out against Minnesota adopting low-emission vehicle standards similar to California.

Council members were united in thinking the question should be left up to the state Legislature instead of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. But some council members thought the city shouldn’t be taking political positions on the issue.

“As a council, we have a history of kind of staying in our lane,” said Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes. The Clean Cars Minnesota rule was more of a state government issue than a local one, he said.

A resolution against the low emission vehicle standards failed on a tied vote.

The Marshall Economic Development Authority approved a resolution opposing Minnesota adopting low emission vehicle and zero emission vehicle standards similar to California’s. The MPCA is considering adopting rules that require vehicle manufacturers to deliver lower-emission vehicles to the Minnesota market. The MPCA held public hearings on the rule on Monday and Tuesday, and is accepting comments from the public through March 15.

The EDA board “felt strongly” in opposition of the move, said Marshall City Administrator Sharon Hanson. EDA Director Lauren Deutz said the city of Fergus Falls has also passed a similar resolution opposing the rule.

Deutz said the Clean Cars Minnesota rule would have a negative affect on Marshall businesses. It was “not feasible” for the two car dealerships in Marshall, due to low demand for electric vehicles.

“One dealership said they’ve sold one (electric vehicle) in the past several years. The other sold none,” Deutz said. It would also be costly to upgrade their shops to be able to service electric vehicles, she said.

The EDA also objected to vehicle emissions standards being implemented through administrative rule, instead of through the legislature.

Deutz said the website the MPCA has been using to collect public statements has been difficult to use.

Council members had mixed responses as to whether they thought they should pass their own resolution speaking out against the rule.

“I do disapprove of the way the government is doing it,” with a mandate, said council member James Lozinski. However, he said, “I get leery of the council stepping out of our bounds.”

There are likely Marshall residents both in favor and against the low emission vehicle rules, Lozinski said.

“There’s widespread disagreement” with the rule-making process on the issue, Byrnes said. “That’s a legitimate concern.

“I am completely opposed to the way the state government is going about this,” said council member Steven Meister. He also thought demand for electric vehicles should drive the supply in our area, and not the other way around.

A vote on a proposed resolution against the Clean Cars rule ended up failing in a tie. Council members Meister, Don Edblom, and Russ Labat voted for the resolution and council members Byrnes, Lozinski and John DeCramer voted against. Council member Craig Schafer abstained from the vote.

Even after the motion failed, Byrnes said the council could still pass a separate resolution objecting to the process being used for the Clean Cars rule. DeCramer said the EDA could still submit its own letter of objection, too.