Commission gives portfolio holder authority to approve mosquito spraying based on trap counts

The City Commission voted to give the public‑works portfolio holder and the public‑works director authority to approve mosquito spraying in the days before the Fourth of July, allowing staff to rely on electronic trap counts to decide between ground and aerial applications.

Staff described last year’s decision to avoid aerial spraying for the holiday and recommended a data‑driven approach for this season. The director said the city currently operates four electronic traps with counts that fluctuate; three ground‑spray units can be deployed and, in the director’s estimate, provide three to four ground sprays for the price of a single aerial spray.

Commissioners discussed operational details including weather limits on spraying (wind less than 10 mph), canopy effects in alleys, and the tradeoffs of drift vs. contact spray. One commissioner asked why alleys are not always sprayed; staff explained that tight tree canopy in alleys can prevent the mist from dispersing effectively, though some alleys remain candidates for ground application.

After discussion, Commissioner H moved to give the portfolio holder and public works director discretion to authorize spraying based on trap counts; the motion carried on a voice vote.

The decision delegates operational judgment to staff and the portfolio holder rather than prescribing a citywide aerial spray; commissioners said the call should be made at least a week before the holiday. No specific trap‑count threshold was recorded during the meeting.