Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environment Pollinators topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council reviews repeal of ‘No Mow May,’ approves Bee City USA affiliation
Summary
The Brookings Sustainability Council asked the City Council to repeal the city's "No Mow May" provisions and instead pursue Bee City USA affiliation and other pollinator-friendly measures; council approved the Bee City USA resolution and held first reading on the repeal.
The Brookings City Council on first reading considered repealing the city's "No Mow May" vegetation-management provision and later voted to designate Brookings as a Bee City USA affiliate, a step Sustainability Council members said would direct the city toward year-round pollinator programs.
The Sustainability Council recommended repeal of the "No Mow May" provision during a presentation to the council, saying the program raised awareness of pollinators but also produced unintended consequences including proliferation of invasive species, neighborhood complaints and difficulty restoring lawns after the month concluded. Albert Potain, vice chair of the Brookings Sustainability Council, said the council —believes the city should explore other sustainable approaches to pollinator conservation that balance ecological goals along with our community needs.—
Why it matters: Council members said they want pollinator protections that avoid long-term maintenance problems for homeowners. The council approved a separate resolution to affiliate with Bee City USA, which Sustainability Council members said would create a framework for habitat planning, reduced pesticide use, outreach and annual reporting.
What the Bee City USA affiliation would involve: Potain said the program envisions establishing a pollinator committee (which could be the existing Sustainability Council), developing a pollinator habitat plan, adopting integrated pest-management techniques to reduce pesticides, hosting educational outreach events, and producing an annual report. Potain told council the application and annual affiliation fee are $200; the Brookings Sustainability Council and the Brookings Park and Recreation Department would share responsibilities for meeting the commitments.
Parks and recreation staff and councilmembers described existing and planned local work that would feed into the Bee City effort. Kristen (Park and Recreation Department staff) said the department already restricts pesticide use around playgrounds and trails and tests natural deterrents, including the annual downtown release of ladybugs to reduce aphids. She also described higher-pesticide use locations such as the municipal golf course and a soccer complex that would remain managed for playability.
Council feedback and next steps: Councilmembers praised the Sustainability Council's outreach and asked staff to return with more details about timelines and the resources Bee City USA provides. Potain said the Sustainability Council will continue to refine alternatives to "No Mow May" including community education, invasive-species management and native-planting incentives. The ordinance repeal was presented as a first reading; council members did not vote on repeal at the meeting. The Bee City USA resolution (Resolution 25-014) was approved by roll call.
The council directed staff and Sustainability Council members to continue work on the Bee City program and to return with implementation steps and any recommended ordinance changes for future meetings.
