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
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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