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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Mayor Fischer and Members of the City Council <br /> <br />FROM: Heidi Heller, City Clerk/HR Manager <br /> <br />DATE: April 26, 2023 <br /> <br />RE: Consider Participating in No Mow May <br /> <br /> <br />ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED <br />Discuss No Mow or Low Mow May participation. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />Many cities throughout Minnesota have adopted policies that allow residents to refrain from <br />mowing and let lawns grow during the month of May in order to promote flowers for early <br />season pollinators. City Council member Teresa Miller requested that staff bring forward a <br />proposal for the City Council to consider participating in No Mow May. <br /> <br />Each year, City staff receives a handful of calls from residents in prior years about participation <br />in No Mow May. We have typically responded that in most years staff does not begin to enforce <br />Nuisance Ordinance 601.030(f) which requires grasses to be maintained no taller than 6-inches <br />until the month of June. If grass does happen to grow taller 6-inches in May, it would likely be <br />June by the time a notice is provided and compliance is required. This response has satisfied <br />most residents, and some residents have elected to participate in the program even though it is <br />not officially sanctioned by the City of Little Canada. <br /> <br />The Code Enforcement Inspector also receives calls from residents about No Mow May and <br />would appreciate having a definite answer to give residents. From a staff perspective, there are <br />several reasons that we have not brought this forward previously as a recommended policy: <br /> <br />• Public parks and other public property would be negatively impacted throughout the <br />remainder of the growing season if not mowed in May <br />• Several areas in Little Canada (i.e. prairie restoration areas in parks & rain gardens) are <br />maintained without mowing and already promote pollinator habitat <br />• While dandelions can serve as early season food sources for pollinators such as bees, they <br />are considered a non-native weed species and bees will choose other plants as soon as <br />they are available <br />• Depending on the growing season, eliminating mowing in May can result in grass height <br />in excess of 12-18 inches in June which may be difficult to manage <br /> <br />Many cities have opted not to support this initiative any longer due to unforeseen problems with <br />the program in prior years. The additional pressure that No Mow May puts on contracted haulers