Title
Resolution from the Environmental Commission recommending that City Council take action to support an integrated pest management policy and endorse a pesticide-free and herbicide-free maintenance program for all parks, public spaces, and rights of way in Ann Arbor.
Memorandum
Members of the Ann Arbor Community have expressed their concerns over the uses of harmful pesticides and herbicides during the maintenance of beneficial vegetation located in our parks, public spaces, and public right of way, including those assets under the jurisdiction and control of the federal government, the State of Michigan, and Washtenaw County as well as the City of Ann Arbor. Community members also have stated that the uses of harmful and potentially toxic chemicals are inconsistent with the City’s Sustainability Framework goal of maintaining healthy ecosystems and appropriate stewardship of our natural resources. The Environmental Commission, in response to these concerns, is recommending that the City Council direct the City Administrator to report on City efforts to replace harmful pesticides and herbicides with more environmentally responsible alternatives and to collaborate with other units of government to do the same.
Staff
Sponsored by Councilmember Bannister.
Financial Impact
There is no immediate budgetary impact to the City.
Body
Whereas the City of Ann Arbor’s Sustainability Framework contains the Healthy Ecosystems Goal to conserve, protect, enhance, and restore our aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
Whereas in support of the Sustainability Framework the City Administrator has issued the Environmentally Responsible Procurement Policy that includes using alternatives to materials that are and may be toxic to the environment.
Whereas the City has the responsibility to maintain healthy vegetation in and along our parks, public lands and spaces, and the public right of way.
Whereas the State of Michigan and Washtenaw County also maintain vegetation in and around their facilities and rights of way located within the City of Ann Arbor.
Resolved that City Council directs the City Administrator to report back to Council with the City’s approaches to mitigating the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides on City assets and the adoption of integrated pest management practices.
Resolved that the City Council further directs the City Administrator to reach out to leadership at the appropriate agencies of the federal government, the State of Michigan and Washtenaw County citing the concerns of the City of Ann Arbor community over the uses of harmful pesticides and herbicides on their assets located within the City of Ann Arbor.
Resolved that the City Council directs the City Administrator to report back to the Environmental Commission and City Council not later than December 31, 2019 on the status of these actions.