Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Conservation Pollinators topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Provo approves move to become a Bee City USA affiliate; council approves conservation plan amendment
Summary
Council approved a resolution to join Bee City USA and amended the Conservation and Resiliency Plan to add an appendix committing to pollinator‑friendly practices; councilors discussed ensuring the $500 annual membership fee would be paid by donations rather than general fund where possible.
The Provo City Council on April 22 voted to make Provo a Bee City USA affiliate and approved an ordinance amending the Conservation and Resiliency Plan to include a short policy appendix supporting pollinator habitat measures.
Council intern David Pyle presented the resolution and said Parks and Recreation and the Citizen Sustainability Committee already perform many of the requirements and that the remaining obligations are administrative and educational. Pyle told council the annual Xerces Society membership fee is $500 and said he and Councilor Whipple would meet with the Provo Foundation to set up a donation portal to defray the city’s fiscal impact.
Council members discussed whether the city budget should pay the $500 annual fee or whether the city should ask the Provo Foundation or neighborhoods to cover sign costs. Councilor Patrice McKay and several others sought clarity that the designation did not require the city to change mowing practices in formal parks; staff said the program is not an advocacy for “wild, untamed grasslands” and that Parks and Rec would continue regular maintenance while using pollinator‑friendly plant lists and integrated pest management practices.
Council action - Resolution approving membership in Bee City USA (Xerces Society agreement): PASSED 5–2. Recorded votes: Yes — Christiansen, Garrett, Hanley, Hogan, Whipple. No — Bogdan, McKay. - Ordinance amending Conservation & Resiliency Plan (Bee City appendix): PASSED 7–0.
Why it matters: the commitments formalize practices Parks and Rec said they already use (pollinator‑friendly plantings, integrated pest management, educational outreach) and create a public sign requirement; council asked staff to minimize direct budget impacts and to explore donations or neighborhood matching for signage and the annual membership fee.
Implementation notes: staff said Parks and Rec will prepare recommended plant lists for new plantings and that the Citizen Sustainability Committee will receive the annual report on pollinator‑friendly activities.
