Council approves $25,000 phragmites control pilot, city to partner in Great Lakes study

The Pepper Pike City Council on Tuesday approved an estimated $25,000 contract with Davey Tree for a pilot program to control invasive phragmites in the city’s watershed areas. Council members said the work will serve as part of a broader monitoring and research effort coordinated by the Great Lakes Commission.

Staff said the project will treat three large management units identified in the basin and will include repeated surveys of phragmites stocks before and after treatment so researchers can measure effectiveness and cost-efficiency. Council discussed public concerns about herbicide use and asked staff for the specific product, concentration and safety data sheets; staff said they will provide the full product and safety information to council and the public.

The project cost was described as approximately $25,000 with roughly $8,000 covered by a grant, leaving an estimated $17,000 net city expense. Staff said weather and equipment timing delayed initial work but that spraying was scheduled to begin the coming Friday. Council members described the contracted work as both a removal effort and a controlled study to determine the most effective, cost-efficient protocol for municipalities in the Great Lakes region.

Action and next steps: Council moved and approved labor and expenses to begin the pilot phragmites-control program with Davey Tree. Staff will deliver herbicide product names, concentrations and safety documentation to council and the public; follow-up surveys and reporting to the Great Lakes Commission were discussed as part of the study.