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Councilmember Kuzma introduced the following resolution and moved for its adoption: <br /> RESOLUTION #17-02-047 <br /> RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT POLLINATOR INITIATIVES IN THE CITY OF RAMSEY <br /> AND TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO TAKE THE MAYORS FOR MONARCHS <br /> PLEDGE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY <br /> WHEREAS, the City of Ramsey is dedicated to promoting and maintaining a healthy <br /> urban and natural environment today and in the future; and <br /> WHEREAS, pollinating insects, such as bees, butterflies, moths, flies, and others are <br /> integral to a healthy ecosystem and to a wide diversity of essential foods, including fruits, nuts, <br /> and vegetables; and <br /> WHEREAS, many pollinators, including native bees and the iconic monarch butterfly, are <br /> threatened by the loss of natural flowering habitat,pesticide use, pathogens, and parasites; and <br /> WHEREAS, the North American monarch population has declined by more than 90% <br /> over the past two decades; and <br /> WHEREAS, cities, towns, and counties can play a critical role in helping protect <br /> pollinators by multiple actions including providing pollinator habitat in public parks, along <br /> roadways and/or in median strips, at community gardens and municipal buildings; and <br /> WHEREAS, residents and businesses of the City of Ramsey can also make a difference <br /> by planting native milkweed and nectar plants to provide habitat and food for monarchs and other <br /> pollinators in locations where people live, work, learn and play; and <br /> WHEREAS, restoring pollinator habitat will contribute to a clean environment, one of the <br /> Strategic Imperatives of Ramsey's Strategic Plan; and <br /> WHEREAS, the City of Ramsey has recently completed a sustainable landscape project <br /> that incorporated native milkweed into the planting plan and worked with Ramsey Elementary <br /> School to assist with a pollinator friendly planting project on their campus; and <br /> WHEREAS, the City of Ramsey has taken steps to eliminate barriers for residents and <br /> businesses to establish landscapes with native grasses and wildflowers to create new pollinator <br /> habitat and to promote water conservation; and <br /> WHEREAS,the City of Ramsey has amended its ordinances providing a more streamlined <br /> process for homeowners desiring to undertake hobby beekeeping on the properties; and <br /> WHEREAS, the use of pesticides for control of harmful pests sometimes has unintended <br /> consequences against beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, including monarchs, and the <br /> insect predators, which are often pollinators as well; and <br />