Agenda - Council - 04/25/2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember adoption: introduced the following resolution and moved for its RESOLUTION #23-086 RESOLUTION SUSPENDING GRASS HEIGHT ENFORCEMENT OF SECTION 30.3 OF CITY CODE, IN SUPPORT OF NO -MOW -MAY WHEREAS, the City of Ramsey is supportive of a temporary exception to City Code, Section 30-3 (10), Public Nuisance, allowing homeowners to grow grass in their backyards taller than eight inches during the month of May; and WHEREAS, insects, especially bees, serve a significant and critical role as pollinators of plants including agricultural plants; and WHEREAS, the ideal pollinator -friendly habitat is one comprised of mostly native wildflowers, grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees blooming in succession throughout the growing season; and WHEREAS, the formative period for establishment of pollinator and other insect species and the many songbirds and other urban wildlife species that depend upon them occurs in late spring and early summer as they emerge from dormancy and require flowering plants as crucial foraging habitat; and WHEREAS, "'No Mow May" is a community science initiative that encourages property owners to limit lawn mowing practices during the month of May to provide early season foraging resources for pollinators that emerge in the spring, especially in urban landscapes when few floral resources are available; and WHEREAS, the City of Ramsey would like to increase pollinator -friendly habitat by encouraging pollinator -friendly lawn -care practices on their own properties for the month of May during this formative period. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Ramsey recognizes No Mow May to actively promote and educate the community about the critical period of pollinator emergence, generation of crucial pollinator -supporting habitat and early spring foraging opportunities. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that for the duration of the month of May, the City of Ramsey shall suspend the enforcement of City Code, Section 30-3 (10), Public Nuisance, and voluntarily delay homeowner lawn -care practices until June, allowing pollinator species to emerge and early flowering grasses which may result in ground -cover exceeding established ordinance height restrictions, and; that during the month of May, the City of Ramsey shall not issue citations for excess grass height. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Councilmember , and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: