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Council approves sole‑source mosquito insecticide purchase over alderman’s objections; residents request public hearing
Summary
After a council discussion and public comment, Minot approved a sole‑source purchase for mosquito insecticide 5–1. Alderman Blessum asked for stronger public notification because of health and environmental concerns; one public speaker requested a formal public hearing on spraying policy.
The council approved a sole‑source purchase to continue the city's mosquito insecticide spraying program, 5–1, after an extended discussion about safety, alternatives and public notice.
Alderman Blessum (spelled in the transcript with variations) asked staff to describe public‑notification practices and safety measures. Brian (identified in the record as a staff member tied to street operations) described prior outreach: the city notifies beekeepers, schedules spraying at night when pollinators are less active, holds a town hall (held last year) and posts public information including links to EPA resources on the product. Brian said the city times aerial releases at night and issues public information statements and direct notices to beekeepers and the region’s agricultural stakeholders. “We do specifically release the chemical at a time of night when pollinators are not out and about,” Brian said.
Alderman Blessum and others raised longer‑term concerns about the chemical, noting that some jurisdictions (including the European Union) have restricted certain insecticides and pointing to studies that link prenatal exposure to adverse developmental outcomes. Blessum asked that staff commit to robust public notification before any spraying and suggested public outreach beyond the routine PIO statements. Resident Travis Zablotny requested a formal public hearing and urged council to consider ecological impacts and alternatives, and other members of the public urged caution and transparency.
The motion to approve the sole‑source purchase passed 5–1; the meeting minutes record one dissent by Alderman Blessum. Council and staff agreed to continue communicating spray schedules and to maintain the city’s practices of notifying beekeepers and releasing the product during nighttime hours.
Ending: The city will continue the sole‑source insecticide program for mosquito control and staff said they would maintain and potentially expand public notice and outreach in response to council concern.
