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Parks and Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes <br />December 20, 2021 <br />Page 6 <br />1 Mr. Sonterre stated staff would like input on balancing the aesthetics expectation of a <br />2 traditional suburban lawn vs. pollinator friendly lawn that will be used in possibly adjusting <br />3 related code language. <br />4 <br />5 Chair Bellinger asked if the current code presented in the information is what is being <br />6 proposed for change. <br />7 <br />8 Mr. Sonterre indicated that was correct. He noted the code is confusing in two ways. He <br />9 explained how the code will be changed to make it more clear and will put all of the <br />10 information in one section. The definitions are the starting point of creating language that then <br />11 meets to address the desired effects of that language. <br />12 <br />13 Commissioner Niemi asked if staff has received a lot of calls from residents complaining <br />14 about their neighbors’ yards. <br />15 <br />16 Mr. Sonterre explained a lot is relative to the type of call but it is between the months of June <br />17 and August where he has to explain to people why he is not enforcing something. He showed <br />18 some examples of yards that appear not to be in code but actually are with one being designed <br />19 by an arborist. He welcomed suggestions from anyone as to how the City can advance the <br />20 process. <br />21 <br />22 Commissioner Niemi asked when staff gets call from neighbors are they directed to the forum <br />23 or the website to help them self-educate. <br />24 <br />25 Mr. Sonterre indicated he always tries to help the resident understand after he gives them the <br />26 answers and the education that everything is also available in a print form and where to obtain <br />27 that information. <br />28 <br />29 Commissioner Reed asked what staff needed to do to change the code. <br />30 <br />31 Mr. Sonterre reviewed the process with the Commission. <br />32 <br />33 Chair Bellinger asked if it would be reasonable to ever talk about acceptable need <br />34 management options. <br />35 <br />36 Mr. Sonterre thought it was very difficult because there are so many different ways to <br />37 prescribe a specific or preferred way to remove weeds. He spent an enormous amount of time <br />38 this past spring and summer researching different products for removal of weeds. There is <br />39 actually a strong will in the City to use City property as test locations for products that are <br />40 more environmentally friendly. He also did a lot of work with landscape companies and <br />41 manufacturers of products that were not chemical based. The problem at this time is that none <br />42 of the eco-friendly products are effective because the current science is such that these <br />43 products are non-specific, non-discriminatory so whatever it lands on, weed or grass, it will <br />44 die. <br />45 <br />46 Chair Bellinger thanked Mr. Sonterre for the presentation.