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10.c) Resolution 02-16-16-08 Pollinator Friendly� L SCANDIA Staff Report Date of Meeting: February 16, 2016 To: City Council From: Neil Soltis, City Administrator Re: Pollinator Friendly resolution Background: Christina de Sobrino has proposed the City consider becoming a Pollinator Friendly City in support of a regional National Park Service initiative to establish a monarch corridor. Issue: Should the City make a commitment to become a pollinator friendly community by passing a resolution and committing to taking actions consistent with the resolution? Proposal Details: The resolution has been revised based on the discussion at the February 3 Council work session by removing the statement that the City has prepare an annual progress report to read that the City will endeavor to communicate to the public its efforts. Options: 1. Approve the resolution as presented 2. Modify the resolution 3. Take no action to approve the resolution Recommendation: Option 1 CITY OF SCANDIA 1:l*71O1R1111191►1►I6a[OZM-1-TIM A RESOLUTION TO PARTICIPATE IN AND ENDORSE LOCAL POLLINATOR FRIENDLY EFFORTS WHEREAS, bee -safe policies are a Best Practice Action of the Green Step City Program which the City of Scandia is a member; and WHEREAS, bees and other pollinators are integral to our food system, and pollination provided by honey bees and other essential pollinators account for one in every three bites of food, and contribute over $19 billion worth of services to U.S. agriculture; and WHEREAS, pollinators including butterflies, honeybees, bumblebees, and native bees are facing annual declines due to the combined effects of habitat loss, pesticide use, and pathogens; and WHEREAS research shows a link between neonicotinoid pesticides and pollinator population declines, including honey bees, native bees, butterflies, moths, and other insects; and WHEREAS, scientific evidence shows neonicotinoid pesticides that are harmful to pollinators are also harmful to other invertebrates, birds, fish and small mammals; and WHEREAS, we find these actions to be in the public interest and demonstrate the City's commitment to a safe and healthy community for people as well as pollinators. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCANDIA, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA: 1) The City of Scandia encourages healthy environments for people and pollinators through existing programs and new opportunities. 2) The City of Scandia, including its contractors, will consider safe alternatives to pollinator - harming pesticides, cease the use of neonicotinoid insecticides, and will use plants and plant seeds that have not been treated with neonicotinoids in its new plantings. 3) The City of Scandia will undertake its best efforts to utilize plants favorable to pollinators and free of systemic pesticides on City properties and land. 4) The City of Scandia will endeavor to use native Minnesota species in all city property planting or landscaping projects going forward. 5) The City of Scandia will support efforts to educate the community about the importance of creating and maintaining pollinator -friendly habitat and encourage residents and businesses to use similar pollinator friendly practices. 6) The City of Scandia will endeavor to communicate to the public its efforts to enhance habitat for pollinators. 7) The City of Scandia will transmit copies of this resolution to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Governor Mark Dayton, State Representatives and Senators, U.S. Representatives and Senators, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Adopted by the Scandia City Council this 16th day of February, 2016. Randall Simonson, Mayor ATTEST: Neil Soltis, Administrator/Clerk