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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 Z' Z' el" - X" - -- City Manager Introduced for: First Reading Meeting Date For: *4� 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 �����:,w�,��° '" .�� ��°,„�,��"���,°��*°.������ �� 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 ���.�` � M,�� �������w������ � �s� CITY CLERK