Operations committee delays DeKalb County library landscape transition plan for 60 days

The DeKalb County Operations Committee on an affirmative voice vote deferred for 60 days a resolution to adopt a Library Landscape Transition Plan and asked county staff to work with the Library Board of Trustees and commissioners to prioritize branches for the plan.

The resolution, introduced as item 250617 and sponsored by Commissioner Ted Terry, would set a phased approach to update landscaping at library branches across the county to support outdoor learning, reduce pesticide use and add more native or edible plantings where appropriate. "One of the things we learned during COVID...had opportunities for outdoor learning spaces," Terry said during the discussion. He said the draft plan suggests prioritizing about two libraries per commission district for an initial phase, an approach that could result in roughly 10 branches in the first year.

The committee sought clarification on feasibility, ownership and implementation. Allison Lisonbee, identified as branch operations staff for the DeKalb County Library, said some library locations are not owned or primarily maintained by the county and would require coordination. "We do have a few locations where...this won't necessarily be needed. That's not to say long term we wouldn't want to adopt [no pesticide] practices everywhere," Lisonbee said, noting the Dunwoody branch is owned by the City of Dunwoody and the Northlake branch has an active Friends group that handles planting. She also said the Toby Grant Recreation Center site is managed by Parks and that some branches are tenants in other agencies' facilities.

Committee members also discussed practical limitations at some sites. A commissioner raised Covington Library, at Covington Highway and Memorial Drive, as a small site with limited space where landscaping would likely focus on entrance plantings rather than pavilions or larger outdoor installations. Staff and commissioners discussed stormwater and runoff issues at Embry Hills and other small lots as part of site-specific priorities.

On implementation, County staff said the transition plan would inform future procurement: the plan defines the desired landscape and Facilities/Procurement would issue requests for proposals to vendors to install and maintain the new designs. Commissioners heard that many current contracts are standard "mow and blow" services and that existing vendors could bid for updated specifications that emphasize electric equipment and reduced pesticide use. Commissioners and staff also discussed timing relative to the county budget cycle; staff indicated many of the installations would require a new RFP and likely be reflected in next year's budget.

After discussion, a motion to defer the matter for 60 days carried on a voice vote. Committee members asked staff to return with a recommended prioritized list of candidate branches and to present the plan to the Library Board of Trustees before the item returns to the committee.

The committee recorded no formal vote tally beyond the affirmative voice vote to defer; the resolution remains pending and will return for committee consideration after staff and trustee review and commissioner feedback.