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