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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 07 - Bee City, USAMEMOTO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER MEETING DATE: MAY 5, 2020 SUBJECT: DESIGNATING CITY OF GRAPEVINE A BEE CITY, USA AFFILIATE RECOMMENDATION: City Council to consider adopting a resolution designating the City of Grapevine as a Bee City, USA affiliate, and take any necessary action. FUNDING SOURCE: Approval of the designation will require a $400 annual application fee which will be paid for out of the Parks and Recreation budget. BACKGROUND: The City of Grapevine has always championed the importance of pollinators to our natural environment. Examples of current community efforts include hosting the annual Butterfly Flutterby for the past 22 years, partnering with US Fish and Wildlife to restore grasslands and pollinator habitats, and managing 1,090 acres that have been designated as environmentally sensitive for the purpose of protecting native species of both flora and fauna habitats. Becoming an affiliate of Bee City, USA would further demonstrate the City's commitment to being good stewards of our natural environment. Keep Grapevine Beautiful Board unanimously approved to fulfill the role as facilitator for the Bee City, USA program should the City Council choose to become a Bee City USA member. Staff recommends approval. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-008 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS DESIGNATING GRAPEVINE, TEXAS A BEE CITY USA° AFFILIATE AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE WHEREAS, the mission of BEE CITY USA° is to galvanize communities to sustain pollinators, responsible for the reproduction of almost 90% of the world's flowering plant species, by providing them with healthy habitat, rich in a variety of native plants and free to nearly free of pesticides; and WHEREAS, thanks to the more than 3,600 species of native bees in the United States, along with introduced honey bees, we have very diverse dietary choices rich in fruits, nuts, and vegetables; and WHEREAS, bees and other pollinators have experienced population declines due to a combination of habitat loss, poor nutrition, pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides), parasites, diseases, and climate change; and WHEREAS, pollinator -friendly communities can benefit local and regional economies through healthier ecosystems, increased vegetable and fruit crop yields, and increased demand for pollinator -friendly plant materials from local growers; and WHEREAS, ideal pollinator -friendly habitat (A) is comprised of mostly native wildflowers, grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees blooming in succession throughout the growing season to provide diverse and abundant nectar and pollen, since many wild pollinators prefer or depend on the native plants with which they co -adapted; (B) is free to nearly free of pesticides, as many pesticides can harm pollinators and/or their habitat; (C) comprises undisturbed spaces (leaf and brush piles, unmown fields or field margins, fallen trees and other dead wood) for nesting and overwintering; and (D) provides connectivity between habitat areas to support pollinator movement and resilience; and WHEREAS, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a long-term approach to maintaining healthy landscapes and facilities that minimizes risks to people and the environment by: identifying and removing the causes of pest problems rather than only attacking the symptoms (the pests); employing pests' natural enemies along with cultural, mechanical, and physical controls when prevention is not enough; and using pesticides only when no other method is feasible or effective; and WHEREAS, supporting pollinators fosters broad-based community engagement in environmental awareness and sustainability; and WHEREAS, Grapevine, Texas should be certified a BEE CITY USA community because the City of Grapevine is committed to being good stewards of the natural resources within the city limits. There are 1,090 +/- acres in Grapevine designated as Environmentally Sensitive Areas for the purpose to protect native species of flora and fauna habitats by minimizing improvements. The City continues to expand its efforts and partnerships to restore and enhance habitats especially for the purpose of supporting pollinators. The City also develops educational programing for all ages utilizing day camps, festivals, park fieldtrips, tours, workshops and lectures to promote the importance of pollinators and the natural environment; and WHEREAS, the City Council deems the adoption of this resolution to be in the best interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the public. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS: Section 1. That all matters stated hereinabove are found to be true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety. Section 2. In order to enhance understanding among local government staff and the public about the vital role that pollinators play and what each of us can do to sustain them, Grapevine, Texas agrees to meet the following commitments required of all BEE City USA affiliates: Section 3. The City of Grapevine Parks and Recreation Department is hereby designated as the BEE CITY USA sponsor. Section 3. The Capital Improvement Projects Manager of Grapevine Parks & Recreation Department is designated as the BEE CITY USA Liaison. Section 4. Facilitation of the City of Grapevine's BEE CITY USA program is assigned to Keep Grapevine Beautiful Board. Section 5. The Keep Grapevine Beautiful Board is authorized to and shall: A. Celebration: Host at least one educational event or pollinator habitat planting or restoration each year to showcase the City's commitment to raising awareness of pollinator conservation and expanding pollinator health and habitat. B. Publicity and Information: Install and maintain at least one authorized BEE CITY USA street sign in a prominent location, and create and maintain a webpage on the City of Grapevine Parks and Recreation Department's website which includes, at minimum a copy of this resolution and links to the national BEE CITY USA website; contact information for the City's BEE CITY USA Liaison and Committee; reports of the pollinator -friendly activities the community has accomplished the previous year(s); and your recommended native plant species list and integrated pest management plan (explained in Section 4.D). Resolution No. 2020-008 2 C. Habitat: Develop and implement a program to create or expand pollinator - friendly habitat on public and private land, which includes, but is not limited to, identifying and inventorying City of Grapevine's real property that can be enhanced with pollinator -friendly plantings; creating a recommended locally native plant list to include wildflowers, grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees and a list of local suppliers for those species; and, tracking (by square footage and/or acreage) annual area of pollinator habitat created or enhanced. D. Pollinator -Friendly Pest Management: Create and adopt an integrated pest management (IPM) plan designed to prevent pest problems, reduce pesticide use, and expand the use of non -chemical pest management methods. E. Policy and Plans: Establish, through the City of Grapevine, a policy in the Grapevine Parks and Recreation Master Plan of the Grapevine's Comprehensive Plan to acknowledge and commit to the BEE CITY USA designation and review the Grapevine Parks and Recreation Master Plan and other relevant documents to consider improvements to pest management policies and practices as they relate to pollinator conservation, identify appropriate locations for pollinator -friendly plantings, and consider other appropriate measures. F. Renewal: After completing the first calendar year as a BEE CITY USA affiliate, each February, apply for renewal of City of Grapevine's BEE CITY USA designation following the format provided by BEE CITY USA, including a report of the previous year's BEE CITY USA activities, and paying the renewal fee based on City of Grapevine's population. Section 6. That all matters stated hereinabove are found to be true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety. Section 7. That the City Council of the City of Grapevine accepts the designation of and commits to the standards of BEE CITY USA. Section 8. That this resolution shall take effect from and after the date of its passage. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS on this the 5th day of May, 2020. Resolution No. 2020-008 3 APPROVED: William D. Tate Mayor ATTEST: Tara Brooks City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: City Attorney Resolution No. 2020-008