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Council asks staff to study xeriscape landscaping standards and feasibility of municipal mulching operation
Summary
Councilwoman Villafranca asked staff to review residential landscape ordinances to allow and regulate xeriscaping, native plantings and pollinator gardens; Councilman Neal asked staff to assess the feasibility, costs and pilot options for a municipal mulching operation and return recommendations to council.
During the review of future agenda items the council requested two staff studies intended to advance sustainability and resident options for landscaping.
Councilwoman Villafranca asked staff to review existing residential landscaping ordinances and develop standards and guidelines that would allow and regulate xeriscaping, butterfly gardens, native plantings and other pollinator‑friendly practices while preserving neighborhood appearance, property maintenance, drainage, visibility and public‑safety standards.
"We raised our water rates and we're looking at raising them again. We need to be able to offer our residents options," Villafranca said, asking staff to evaluate how code changes could accommodate drought‑resilient landscaping.
Councilman Neal requested a comprehensive feasibility analysis of establishing an internal mulching operation to evaluate current disposal costs, potential cost offsets, operational models, brush diversion opportunities, regulatory considerations and sustainability impacts. He asked staff to assess the possibility of a pilot program and to return findings and recommendations to council to support an informed policy decision.
Both requests were recorded as future agenda items for staff follow‑up; no formal policy change or funding decision was made during the study session.
