HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-13 23-101 Ordinance23-101 03/13/2023
CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Council Meeting Date: 3/13/2023
Item No: 23-
Responsible Dept: Code Enforcement
Action Requested: Amending Property Maintenance Code Map/Lot: N/A
Title, Ordinance
Amending Chapter 223, Property Maintenance Code, Section 223-2(K) to Relax Mowing Standards Annually
During the Month of May Only
Summary
This Ordinance would relax the requirements of Section 223-2 (K) of the City's Property Maintenance Code,
which requires that all exterior portions of properties be maintained free from weed or plant growth in excess
of ten inches, during the month of May each year.
Wild bee populations have declined so significantly in the past few decades that the United Nations has called
it a threat to the global food supply. There are several reasons for this, but one of the biggest is habitat loss.
"No Mow May" can help to remedy this problem by providing a much -needed food source for pollinators as
they are emerging from hibernation, at a time of year when there are generally few flowers in bloom.
The start of the growing season is a critical time for hungry, newly emerging native bees. Floral resources may
be hard to find, especially in urban and suburban landscapes. By allowing lawns to grow longer, and by not
applying pesticides to flowering plants on a lawn, property owners can provide nectar and pollen to help their
bee neighbors thrive. Mowing less is only one of many simple things that property owners can do protect local
pollinators.
According to a study involving Appleton, Wisconsin (Pop. 74,098 with 30,000+ households), "No Mow May
2020" in that community resulted in "three times higher bee richness and five times higher bee abundances
than frequently mowed greenspaces".
Lawns are considered weeds under the Property Maintenance Code. This ordinance amendment would relax
the requirement to maintain weeds and plant growth at 10 inches or less during the month of May only.
Committee Action
Committee: Business & Economic Development
Action
Staff Comments & Approvals
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City Manager
Introduced for: First Reading
Meeting Date
For:
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City Solicitor
March 7, 2023
Against:
Finance Director
23-101 03/13/2023
CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE
Date: 3/13/2023
Assigned to Councilor: Schaefer
ORDINANCE, Changing Section 223-2(K) of the City's Property Maintenance Code to Relax Mowing Standards
Annually During the Month of May Only
WHEREAS, wild bee populations have declined to a point that the United Nations considers it a threat to the
global food supply chain; and
WHEREAS, lack of mowing during the early growing season provides a much needed food source for bees and
other pollinators coming out of hibernation; and
WHEREAS, allowing lawns to grow longer provides nectar and pollen, allowing bees to thrive; and
WHEREAS, a study has shown that community participation in "No Mow May" resulted in three times higher
bee richness and five times higher bee abundance; and
WHEREAS, the City's Property Maintenance Code defines "weeds" as all grasses, annual plants, and vegetation
other than trees or shrubs; and
WHEREAS, the Property Maintenance Code requires that all premises and exterior property shall be maintained
free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR AS FOLLOWS, THAT
Section 223-2(K) of the City's Property Maintenance Code be amended to read as follows:
K. Section 302.4 is deleted and replaced with the following:
PM-302.4 Weeds.
Except during the month of May, all premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from
weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches (254 mm). All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. "Weeds" shall
be defined as all grasses, annual plants, and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs: provided, however, that
this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.
Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to cut and destroy weeds after service of a
notice of violation, he/she shall be subject to prosecution in accordance with § 106.3 and as prescribed by the
authority having jurisdiction. Upon failure to comply with the notice of violation, any duly authorized employee
of the jurisdiction or contractor hired by the jurisdiction shall be authorized to enter upon the property in
23-101 03/13/2023
violation and cut and destroy the weeds growing thereon, and the costs of such removal shall be paid by the
owner or agent responsible for the property.
Additions are underlined, deletions areugh.
IN CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 13, 2023
COrd 23-101
First Reading
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CITY CLERK
IN CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 27, 2023
COrd 23-101
Motion made and seconded for Passage
Vote: 6—0
Councilors Voting Yes: Hawes, Leonard, Schaefer, Tremble, Yacoubagha, Fournier
Councilors Voting No: None
Passed
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CITY CLERK