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Council reviews Chapter 5 code revisions on creeping Charlie and No Mow May; opts for no immediate enforcement changes
Summary
Council heard staff analysis and resident survey data on a 2022 creeping Charlie provision and a separate No Mow May proposal. Staff presented enforcement options; council expressed concern about herbicide use and, after hearing survey results, indicated consensus to keep the current ordinance in place for now.
The Common Council reviewed proposed revisions to Chapter 5 of the municipal code covering property maintenance, focusing on a 2022 provision that prohibits creeping Charlie growth within 10 feet of any property containing a residential unit and a separate proposal for No Mow May or a slow‑mow alternative to support pollinators.
Staff said the creeping Charlie clause was inserted in January 2022 and that the current wording is difficult to enforce and treats different classes of properties unequally (for example, adjacent churches versus residential lots). A 112‑response survey found many homeowners have encountered creeping Charlie but a larger share opposed more active city enforcement. Staff outlined three options: leave the ordinance as written, repeal the 2022 insertion (return to the pre‑2022 standard), or expand enforcement to create more equal treatment (which staff said would likely require more staffing and resources).
Council members and other speakers raised practical concerns, including that stricter enforcement might prompt increased herbicide use (dicamba was specifically mentioned) and that No Mow May may not produce significant benefits for pollinators compared with focused planting of flowering plants. Staff also presented a separate No Mow May survey (265 responses) showing only a slight plurality in favor and notable opposition; staff explained No Mow May would mean no enforcement during May with grass enforcement resuming June 1. Given the survey results and operational concerns, council indicated they would leave the code as currently written and not pursue No Mow May at this time.
No ordinance change was adopted at the meeting; staff said they would not bring the item back if the council preferred leaving the existing language in place.
