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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />APRIL 26, 2023 <br />• Approve Resolution Renewing a Joint Powers Agreement with the Bureau of Criminal <br />Apprehension (BCA) & Court Data Services Subscriber Amendment <br />The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by D. Miller. <br />Ayes (5). Nays (0). Resolution declared adopted. <br />STAFF REPORTS <br />NO MOW MAY PARTICIPATION <br />The City Clerk explained tonight the Council is asked whether it would like to consider participation in <br />No Mow May. She stated that the City does receive calls from residents that would like to participate, <br />along with people complaining. She stated that if the Council does support No Mow May, City staff <br />would like the ability to determine whether the City property would be included as there could be <br />repercussions to not mowing on some City owned properties. She noted that if residents participate, <br />the lawns would need to come into compliance by June I oth. <br />Mayor Fischer asked if there would be a meaningful impact to pollinators based on the percentage of <br />residents that may choose to participate. The Parks & Rec/Community Services Director replied that <br />there would be a minimal impact from not mowing. He commented that a larger impact could be <br />gained by residents planting pollinator friendly plants or not using chemicals on their yard. <br />T. Miller commented that her initial thought in bringing this forward was to get people thinking about <br />pollinators and that she would like to see more environmental initiatives and could also support a Low <br />Mow May. She realized that there would not be a large environmental benefit but would see it as more <br />of an educational awareness item. <br />D. Miller commented that he would support voluntary participation, directing staff not to enforce the <br />ordinance for the month of May in order to increase awareness with a focus on spreading education. <br />He asked if residents could plant pollinator friendly plants in their yard. The Public Works Director <br />commented that there are instances of that nature, using the example of the Watershed District site or <br />native plantings within the County ditch. He noted that area would need to be planned appropriately <br />with native plantings and maintained to remove the noxious weeds. <br />Kwapick asked if this decision would only be for this year or whether it would continue in perpetuity. <br />The City Clerk commented that staff was only proposing it for this year, and it could be considered <br />again in the future if desired. She noted staff is not proposing changes to the City Code at this time. <br />Kwapick stated that he does want to encourage support for pollinators, but does not want to see people <br />simply not mowing for the entire summer. He stated that he could support this as a pilot this year and <br />they could then gauge whether to repeat in the future based on participation and experience. Mayor <br />Fischer commented that now mowing a lawn does not inherently provide benefits to pollinators, and <br />perhaps there should be a focus on education on things that can help pollinators. <br />Kwapick commented that often people participating would have a sign in their yard, which also <br />spreads education to others. He noted that he found out about the initiative because he did see a yard <br />sign in a participating yard and then looked up more information. Gutierrez commented that while she <br />0 <br />