CC WORKSESSION PACKET 08302021- Joint with Park and Environmental

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MEMORANDUM To: St. Anthony Village City Council and Parks & Environmental Commission From: Mark Sitarz, Fire Chief & Richard Sonterre, Code Enforcement Official Date: August 30, 2021 City Council and Parks & Environmental Commission Work Session Request: Discussion regarding aesthetics for St. Anthony yards (turf grass vs. pollinator or natural plants) BACKGROUND The City’s code enforcement official has recently received complaints regarding pollinator gardens (natural grasses and pollinator plants) concerning aesthetics of gardens, creeping weeds, violation of existing code language regarding weeds, and long grass and non-turf grasses. Staff has also noticed an increasing level of acceptance for non-traditional yard aesthetics to support environmental sustainability, and support pollinators in particular. To fit the City’s efforts to support pollinators, our maintenance practices on City property the last couple of years has been to minimize the use of herbicides to control weeds on public property. We are currently studying the use and application of herbicides including organic and natural products to reduce (but not necessarily eliminate) weeds but maintain a pollinator friendly environment. The city has also planted pollinator friendly plants in gardens on public land. Staff would like some guidance on City policy regarding maintaining a balance and a healthy environment for residents that would like to maintain a typical turf grass yard and residents that would like to maintain a yard with gardens and/or natural plants. CURRENT CODE § 94.32 WEED CONTROL. Any weeds or grasses, whether noxious as defined by law or not, growing outside the traveled portion of any city street or alley, or growing on private property, to a greater height than 6 inches or which have gone or are about to go to seed must be cut or removed by the owner of the abutting property if within the city right-of- way, and by the owner of the property upon which they are growing if they are outside the right-of-way. DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR COUNCIL AND PARKS & ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION FEEDBACK Below are the specific items for discussion and feedback for the City Council and Parks & Environmental Commission: • What is the preferred aesthetics for St. Anthony yards? • What is the appropriate balance of applying the City code and flexibility for supporting pollinators? • Is there a difference in applying policy for front and rear yards? • Other considerations? ATTACHMENTS: 1) Photos of yards with turf grass, pollinator gardens, and vegetable gardens.