Rosemount council adopts proclamation, mayor to sign mayors' Monarch pledge

The Rosemount City Council on March 18 unanimously adopted a proclamation supporting restoration of monarch butterfly habitat and authorized Mayor Jeffrey D. Weisensel to submit the online Mayors' Monarch Pledge.

Why it matters: The pledge and accompanying work plan encourage municipalities to create pollinator habitat on public land, adjust landscaping policy where feasible and engage communities in education and native‑plant initiatives. Staff said many of the activities in the pledge’s work plan align with work the city already performs.

City staff member Schultz told the council the proclamation is paired with a staff work plan and annual reporting: “Many of the activities in the work plan we're already doing, and we're well on our way to meeting a majority of these things,” Schultz said. Staff cited existing pollinator demonstration areas at Talamore Park, Greystone Park and the U More ball fields and recommended the mayor take the online pledge.

Council action: Councilmember Tyson moved and Councilmember Freske seconded the motion to adopt the proclamation and authorize the mayor to submit the pledge. The motion carried 4–0.

What the proclamation says: The document, dated March 2025 and signed by Mayor Jeffrey D. Weisensel, notes steep declines in both Western and Eastern monarch populations and states that municipalities can help by providing habitat in parks, medians, community gardens, schools and municipal properties, and by running community workshops and native‑plant giveaways.

Ending: Staff said the city will return with an annual update on pledge activities and outreach to community gardening groups to expand milkweed plantings and educational programs.