19-56 - 10-02 - Endorse Pollinator Protection RESOLUTION NO. 19-56
RESOLUTION ENDORSING POLLINATOR PROTECTION AND
PROMOTING POLLINATOR HABITAT
WHEREAS, pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects
and wildlife species, are an indispensable component of a healthy and resilient
ecosystem. Pollinators support Minnesota's economies, providing food for humans and
wildlife and sustaining plants which improve water and air quality, prevent soil erosion,
and store carbon; and
WHEREAS, scientific research has shown that pollinator populations are in
rapid decline in the State of Minnesota, and across the United States; and
WHEREAS, research has shown that the decline is a result of multiple,
interacting factors, including loss of food and habitat, pathogens and parasites, and the
exposure to pesticides, including neonicotinoids;and
WHEREAS, neonicotinoids are a class of systemic chemical insecticides that
have been shown to impair pollinators at low doses and kill them at higher doses; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota state law preempts municipalities' ability to regulate
pesticides, but does not restrict a municipality's treatment of the land it manages; and
WHEREAS, Golden Valley citizens are concerned about the well-being of
pollinators; and
WHEREAS, the City's Comprehensive Plan includes goals, policies and
implementation actions that protect and improve pollinator health, increase pollinator
habitat, reduce the use of chemicals such as pesticides, and lower maintenance inputs and
costs; and
WHEREAS, we find these actions to be in the public interest and demonstrates the
City's commitment to a safe and healthy environment for people, pollinators, and other
wildlife.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED bytle City Council of Golden Valley that
1 . The City of Golden Valley is hereby declared a Pollinator Friendly Community.
2. The City celebrates its existing policies, practices, and actions that protect and
promote pollinator health, including but not limited to:
a. Adopting a Natural Resources Management Plan and a Resilience and
Sustainability Plan.
b. Protecting, enhancing, restoring, and creating new pollinator and wildlife
habitat through the construction of public projects and private
developments.
c. Creating a pollinator garden within a landscape island in the City Hall
parking lot with educational signage.
Resolution 19-56 -2- October 2, 2019
d. Managing an annual contract with a native vegetation company to monitor
and maintain over 30 native vegetation buffer areas in the City utilizing an
integrated plant management strategy which uses chemicals as a last resort.
e. Employing adaptive management strategies within City nature areas and
open spaces including the removal of invasive species and planting more
diverse and resilient native species.
f. Converting non-programmed spaces within City parks and golf course
areas from high-maintenance turf to low-maintenance turf alternatives,
and naturalizing shoreline areas along creeks and ponds.
g. Refraining from using insecticides containing neonicotinoids to treat City
property.
h. Applying phosphorus-free fertilizer and herbicide on high-use turf areas
(athletic fields, Brookview park, city campuses) on a limited, as-needed
basis and utilizing technology to more efficiently and effectively target and
apply product.
i. Staff overseeing chemical application are trained and certified by the
Minnesota Department of Agriculture and all products are applied according
to state and federal law and label recommendations.
j. The City retains Hennepin County Sentencing to Service crews to perform
tasks including weeding rain gardens, planters, and medians, and controlling
buckthorn and other non-native plants within nature areas and open spaces,
reducing the need for chemical treatment in these areas.
k. A significant amount of milkweed growing in public spaces and along rights-
of-ways is retained and has been planted in planters, medians and along
roadways.
I. Encouraging developers and contractors, through codes, permits, and
development plan reviews, to plant more diverse native species and
pollinator habitat.
m. Working with the City's Environmental Commission to provide education
and awareness about pollinators, habitat, and sustainable yards and
gardens via articles, social media, workshops, and other community
events.
3. The City shall undertake its best efforts to promote healthy environments including food
sources,dean water and habitat for pollinators through existing programs and new
opportunities, including:
a. Increasing the amount of native vegetation cover and pollinator habitat
throughout the City, including parks and open spaces, along streets, and in
City campuses and parking lots.
b. Preserving and protecting natural areas and open spaces to maintain and
attract pollinators and other desired wildlife species.
c. Reviewing its current land management practices with respect to pollinator
health and habitat.
d. Continuing to reduce and better target the application of chemicals, such as
fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides while providing high quality turf in its
high-use areas.
e. Undertaking its best efforts to avoid application of chemicals in City parks and
campuses when such spaces are in use by the public.
Resolution 19-56 -3- October 2, 2019
f. Taking inventory of the chemicals used on City property and making that list
available to the public.
g. Establishing land management standards and best management practices
that lower inputs and cost and maximize resilience (i.e. utilize low
maintenance turf alternatives, replace turfgrasses with native and resilient
species wherever possible)
h. Undertaking its best efforts to purchase plants, directly or through contract,
that have not been pre-treated with pesticides, specifically neonicotinoids.
i. Educating residents about the importance of creating and maintaining
pollinator friendly habitat and encourage residents and businesses to use
pollinator friendly practices.
j. Encouraging residents to participate in City volunteer programs that improve
pollinator habitat and contribute to a safe environment.
k. Coordinate pollinator efforts with County, State, and Federal and other
governmental agencies as appropriate.
4. The City may work with a non-profit or citizen group to help accomplish its goals
involving education, awareness, and outreach, including hosting community events
and workshops. When necessary to comply with the public purpose rule under
Minnesota law, the City may require the non-profit organization or citizen group to
enter into a memorandum of understanding or other agreement with the City.
5. The City shall post a copy of this resolution on the City website and provide
information and a link to the website in the CityNews.
6. The City shall transmit copies of this resolution to the Minnesota Department of
Agriculture, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources, the Governor of Minnesota, State Representatives and
Senators, U.S. Representatives and Senators, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, and other appropriate agencies.
Adopted by the City Council of Golden Valley, Minnesota on this 2nd day of October, 2019.
She and M. Harris, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Kristine A Luedke, City Clerk