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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 />