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