Title
Resolution to Support The No Mow Initiative 2022
Body
Whereas, The Ann Arbor City Council recognizes that bees and other pollinators are integral to pollination of plants in order to grow a wide diversity of essential foods including fruit, nuts and vegetables;
Whereas, Pollinator populations are threatened due to habitat loss, neonicotinoid use, pathogens and parasites;
Whereas, Recent research suggests that bee pollinators make use of no mow spaces as key floral resources during early spring in the Midwest United States;
Whereas, Pollinators and floral resources have a positive relationship, where the increase in pollinators can increase the amount of flora and vice versa; and
Whereas, The City Council finds it is in the public interest and consistent with adopted City policy for the City to demonstrate its commitment to a safe and healthy community environment through the implementation of initiatives that help increase the pollinator population;
RESOLVED, That Ann Arbor City Council declares No Mow May, and encourages property owners to refrain from mowing the open spaces on their properties from the date of this resolution until May 31st, 2022;
RESOLVED, That the No Mow May initiative does not apply to violations of city ordinance that affect public safety under Ann Arbor City Code sections 3:15 and 3:16. Vegetation must be maintained to ensure an unaccompanied minor, a person in a wheelchair, and a person walking a bike can be adequately visible to a driver. Vegetation must not intrude on the right of way in such a manner as to create a hazard for pedestrians using the sidewalk; and
RESOLVED, That Ann Arbor City Council directs the City Administrator to communicate the benefits of the reduced frequency of lawn mowing, particularly during the early spring growing season.
Sponsors: Councilmembers Nelson, Disch, Griswold, Briggs and Hayner