HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.b. No Mow May Proclamation
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Council Meeting: April 4, 2023
AGENDA ITEM: No Mow May Proclamation AGENDA SECTION:
Proclamations
PREPARED BY: Jane Byron, Stormwater Specialist AGENDA NO. 3.b.
ATTACHMENTS: Proposed No Mow May Resolution
Xerces Society No Mow May Yard Sign APPROVED BY: LJM
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to approve the attached resolution proclaiming May
2023 as No Mow May in the City of Rosemount
BACKGROUND
No Mow May is a program of Bee City USA, an initiative of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate
Conservation. The program seeks to create early season habitat and forage for pollinators through
suspension of lawn mowing during the month of May, a critical time for pollinators coming out of
hibernation when food sources may be scarce. The City would suspend enforcement of lawn height (8”)
weed ordinances on occupied properties during May in order to support property owners that choose to
participate in this voluntary program.
Enforcement of lawn height weed ordinances would continue for abandoned properties and properties with
an active enforcement case at the beginning of May, and the City anticipates resuming enforcement of lawn
heights for all properties on June 12th to allow adequate time for mowing following the Memorial Day
holiday. The City would also continue to enforce weed ordinances related to noxious weeds, diseased trees,
hazard trees, and tree pests.
2022 was the first year that the City proclaimed No Mow May. The program was popular, with 274
properties signing up to participate, about 3% of all households, and few complaints. The City also
participated in the effort at a few additional public spaces around town. Staff have established a webpage
with a registration process, tips to avoid common problems, and a link to print out the attached optional
signage for residents to post on their lawns. Additionally, the program would be advertised on social media
throughout April and May.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve the attached resolution proclaiming May 2023 as No Mow
May
CITY OF ROSEMOUNT
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2023 - XX
A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING NO MOW MAY IN ROSEMOUNT
WHEREAS, bees, butterflies, moths, other insects, birds, and other animals, collectively known as
pollinators, are integral parts to a wide diversity of essential food production; and,
WHEREAS, pollinators are being threatened due to habitat loss, pesticide use, pathogens and
parasites; and,
WHEREAS, recent research suggests that bee pollinators make use of no mow spaces as key floral
resources during early spring in the upper Midwest of the United States; and,
WHEREAS, the formative period for establishment of pollinators and the many songbirds and
wildlife species that depend upon them occurs in late spring and early summer in Minnesota as they
emerge from dormancy and require flowering plants as crucial foraging habitat; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Rosemount would like to encourage interested residents to increase
pollinator-friendly habitat by encouraging pollinator friendly lawncare practices on their own
properties for the month of May during this formative period; and,
WHERAS , the City of Rosemount sets the example for residents and businesses within the
community for pollinator friendly lawncare practices through employment of best practices, such as
limited mowing in select areas and integrated pest management, on public lands; and,
WHEREAS, “No Mow May” is a voluntary community initiative that encourages property owners
to limit lawn mowing 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;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of Rosemount
recognizes No Mow May to actively promote and educate the community about the critical period of
pollinator emergence, the generation of crucial pollinator-supporting habitat, and early spring foraging
opportunities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Rosemount City Council directs staff not to issue
correction notices for lawn height weed violations for the month of May on occupied properties in
good standing, allowing residents to voluntarily delay lawn care until June, allowing pollinator species
to emerge and early flowering grasses and forbes to establish, which may result in ground-cover
exceeding established ordinance height restrictions.
ADOPTED this 4th day of April 2023.
__________________________
Jeffery D. Weisensel, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________
Erin Fasbender, City Clerk
We are thrilled that you are participating in No Mow May! By leaving your property
unmown for the month of May, you’re creating habitat for pollinators and other
wildlife.
This sign is designed for printing at home, but if you take it to a copyshop or other
commercial printing facility, you should be asked to provide evidence that you have
permission to print it. Any professional printer will be conscious of copyright. Please
show them this statement:
The Xerces Society, which runs Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA, gives
permission for this No Mow May sign to be printed. It is released under a Creative
Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0) license.
We love hearing from you! If you post a picture of your habitat and installed
sign on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter please tag us @beecityusa and include
#nomowmay.
To learn more about No Mow May, visit beecityusa.org/no-mow-may.
An Initiative of the
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