City of Hermosa Beach --- 07-27-99

PESTICIDE USE IN THE PARKS SYSTEM

Recommendation:

It is recommended that the City Council approve the proposed IPM Program/Policy for the City of Hermosa Beach.

Background :

Pursuant to Council direction, staff had several meetings with concerned citizens, members of V.O.I.C.E. and Baykeepers, representatives from Monsanto and Target chemical companies, the City’s landscape contractor and several Integrated Pest Management professionals. The discussions/field observations centered on developing an Integrated Pest Management program. Although the City contractor’s use of herbicides was minimal, less than 2 gallons of concentrate (less than 50 gallons of mix) from September 1998 through March 1999, staff instructed the landscape contractor to stop spraying April 1999. As of July 1, 1999, the contractor was instructed to resume the appropriate spraying program in all but a single test area. The contractor has been instructed to apply an equal amount of resources to the test area using alternative methods such as handwork.

Analysis:

The goal, with regard to all types of pest control, is "a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools". This is the definition of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as endorsed by the University of California and the United States Congress. The following is an outline of a proposed IPM program that Staff believes will lead to a reduction in the use of pesticides in the City.

Proposed IPM Program/Policy for the City of Hermosa Beach

  1. Eliminate all pesticides on the Greenbelt from Pier Avenue north to Gould from July 1999 through June 30, 2000 AND place signs in that area indicating it is a "PESTICIDE FREE ZONE". Quarterly reviews will be conducted and results will be reported to the City Council.
  2. Increase the use of mulching in the barren areas as well as the path in all areas of the Greenbelt in both the test area and the control area.
  3. Develop a volunteer weed removal program on specific weekend dates, i.e., spring and summer dates. This would be similar to the tree planting events that the City developed and hosted.
  4. Fine-tune the new irrigation system to prevent over watering.
  5. Continue to research the use of alternate products for pesticide uses, i.e., the use of neem oil from the Neem tree (azadirachta indica) in controlling insects.
  6. Encourage the use of perennials vs. annuals that are planted/sown by our residents.
  7. Develop a shrub/bush-planting scheme for long term area coverage.
  8. Notification of the use of any pesticides through the Park System signage will comply with all state signage regulations

This proposal is designed to provide a test area that can be monitored and evaluated with the results reported to the Community. If this effort is judged to be a success following the test program, it can be expanded to other areas throughout the City and a comprehensive policy can be developed to deal with the use of pesticides. The representatives of V.O.I.C.E., Surfrider Foundation and Garden Magic Company have met with staff, providing information and ideas for the proposal before you. This proposal could be implemented and evaluated within existing budgets.

Fiscal Impact

FY99 – 2000 001-4202-4201 - 0 - (Contract Services)

FY99 – 2000 001-4202-4309 $500 (Signs and Advertising)

Alternatives

  1. Approve staff recommendations
  2. Modify actions
  3. Receive and file – resulting in a return to original Pesticide/Spraying Program

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