2019-155 Integrated Pest Management SupplementalDate: August 9, 2019 Report No. 2019-155
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) supplemental request. BACKGROUND: On May 2, 2019, Parks and Recreation (PARD) staff presented City Council with an updated IPM program and options for implementation. Included with each option was a detailed breakdown of cost estimates. Council approved and directed staff to implement option 2(A) (Exhibit 1) which was to immediately discontinue the use of glyphosate products and supplement turf health with
fertilization. The proposed IPM document submitted to Council contained all proposed products for use on parkland as well as descriptors for each in Appendix 1. The only product not originally included in the appendix was Reward, a non-selective herbicide that manages weeds in aquatic areas. This
product was added after glyphosate was eliminated to have an aquatic based product available for use if needed. The intent of the additional fertilization was to improve the health of the soil which would promote grass growth. Over time, the results would be a stronger turf that would act as a natural inhibitor
to weeds. The process of fertilization is the addition of a substance or supplement to increase the health and fertility of the soil. That substance or supplement could be organic or synthetic in nature. The product used is dependent on the need of the soil on site. As part of the IPM update, PARD contracted Howard Garrett to develop an organic maintenance
program for Denia Park. Denia serves as a pilot site for testing organic methods and techniques that could be applied in other areas of the park system. PARD also proposed to re-institute the practice of topdressing turf with Dyno Dirt to supplement the soil naturally. Since City Council direction, Council Member Armintor expressed a desire to continue exploring
organic methods for parkland maintenance and has requested additional information on the subject. On June 10, Councilmember Armintor, city staff and local resident Jon Hohman conducted a conference call with representatives from Non-Toxic Neighborhoods (NTN). This conference call discussed how the organization assists municipalities, school districts, and communities switch to fiscally sound, and organic land management. NTN stated their sites save 80 percent in water usage
once soil health is achieved. Pending the quality of the soil, this transition can take 18 months to 3 years to achieve. NTN also shared why “green waste” and “bio-solids” are prohibited per their organic standard guidelines. Staff followed up with Council Member Armintor and provided information on bio-solids in comparison with Dyno Dirt products. A summary of the conference call was provided to City Council in the June 21 Friday Report.
Council Member Armintor was provided with information in response to additional questions regarding the Texas Women’s University (TWU) butterfly garden and the Denia pilot project. Staff
Date: August 9, 2019 Report No. 2019-155
met with TWU and found that the butterfly garden is not maintenance free, is periodically fertilized with a synthetic product, and uses captured rainwater from a nearby greenhouse. A summary of the site visit at TWU was provided to City Council in the July 12 Friday Report. On July 15th,
Council Member Armintor was also provided with a detailed spreadsheet listing the individual products being used for the Denia organic maintenance plan, the cost for each product, the quantity, the coverage area, and the application schedule for three options developed and recommended by Mr. Garrett. The spreadsheet included a comparison with the park’s traditional maintenance plan
outlining the same detailed breakdown. Exhibit 2 shows the current organic program schedule with the traditional plan comparison. DISCUSSION: The IPM program is a decision-making process to determine pest levels and tolerance thresholds
and combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools to minimize health, environmental,
and financial risks. The program takes a holistic approach in maintenance to meet the multi-faceted landscapes, diverse needs, and expectations of park users. Under the updated IPM, Park Maintenance (PM) will apply a more focused approach to improving
and maintaining a healthy soil environment that attracts beneficial organisms and promotes a more
robust turf which will naturally help to combat both insect and weed pests. Implementing the program will result in additional costs in the beginning but is expected to lower maintenance costs in areas over time. A supplemental package for funding was submitted by PARD based on the information provided to Council in the May 2019 meeting.
Analyzing each site and amending the soil as needed will improve grass growth and eventually help to “choke out” weeds. Initially, this will result in the need to increase water usage and mowing of sites. PARD recommended re-introducing the practice of topdressing and using Dyno Dirt as a method of fertilization. The estimated costs is for product that would be used across the entire park
system as needed. Dyno Dirt would not be used with synthetic fertilizer but as an alternative..
Regardless of the type of fertilization, watering will be required to set the product. The cost for watering in the supplemental request reflects the rental of water trucks and associated labor to reach Class B parks, non-irrigated parks. The rental costs were based on a 4-5 month use period.
The use of captured rainwater would require additional research to assess the feasibility of installing a system such as appropriateness of location, infrastructure (pads, screening, security), equipment (barrels, application tools), and supplies. The improved turf and grass growth will create an increase in needed mowing cycles. As outlined
in the IPM presentation (Exhibit 1), Class A park mowing cycles are estimated to increase by four and Class B parks mowing cycles by 12. The costs are based on current contracted pricing and can fluctuate depending on weather conditions. CONCLUSION:
The organic maintenance project at Denia Park gives PARD the opportunity to test, monitor, and
document the resources and results of an organic maintenance plan. Currently, practices and products such as corn gluten meal, Garrett Juice Pro, lava sand to retain soil moisture, and the
Date: August 9, 2019 Report No. 2019-155
release of beneficial insects are being used at Denia. This project will subsequently allow PM to more efficiently and effectively implement similar practices across the larger park system.
All research and information obtained from referred groups indicate that initial costs of implementing an organic maintenance plan are higher than traditional maintenance practices. As the health of the environment improves, costs associated with watering and product application can be reduced, however, there is differing information on the labor intensiveness of maintenance.
The IPM program prioritizes biological, cultural, and physical methods over chemical use. Additionally, IPM takes the added step of setting thresholds for chemical use. This rounded approach allows PARD to take multiple factors such as environmental concerns, user experience, and financial stewardship into account when managing the park system.
EXHIBITS: Exhibit 1 Presentation Slide Exhibit 2 Denia Organic Program
STAFF CONTACT:
Laura Behrens Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Laura.Behrens@cityofdenton.com
REQUESTOR:
Council Member Armintor PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Parks and Recreation
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 3 hours
Next Steps | Option 2 Alternate IPM Program
Option 2(A)–Adopt the alternative IPM program excluding glyphosate
Increase Fertilization
•Improve health of turf –grass growth naturally inhibits weed growth
•Impacts
•Additional mowing cycles
•Class A –32 cycles to 36 cycles
•Class B –20 cycles to 32 cycles
•Additional materials cost (fertilizer / water trucks)
•Increased in weeds / perceived reduction in service levels
Mowing Fertilizer Labor / Water Truck
Sub Product
Spot Spray
Only
Sub Product
Broadcast
Total
Spot Spray
Only
Total
Broadcast
Spray
Class A & B Parks Class A & B Parks Class A & B Parks Park System Park System
$248,400 $40,000 $80,000 $1,200 $11,500 $369,600 $381,100
5/7/2019 ID 19-699 7
Organic Program C
Month Week Item Item Description Acres Cost/Unit Quantity Rate Total Cost Cost/Acre
Feb 2 Corn Gluten Meal Fert & Pre-em Ballfields/Landscape 654lbs/ac 7 40 lbs $17.95 114.45 654 $2,054.38 $293.48
Feb 4 Texas 2 Step Common areas/turf/land 11 40 lbs $16.50 239.53 871 $3,952.16 $359.29
Feb 4 Lava Sand Ball Fields (2 ton/acre) Landscape (1 ton/acre)7 1 tote $245.00 14.00 50 $3,430.00 $490.00
March 1,2,3,4 Trichogramma Wasps Beneficial Insect Release 10,000 eggs/ac 11 3,000 eggs $2.49 146.67 10,000 $365.21 $33.20
Mar 4 Garrett Juice Pro Ball Fields/Landscape 35g/ac 7 55 gal $718.30 1.00 35 $718.30 $102.61
April 4 Garrett Juice Pro Ball Fields/Landscape 35g/ac 7
May 4 Garrett Juice Pro Ball Fields/Landscape 35g/ac 7
Jun 4 Garrett Juice Pro Ball Fields/Landscape 35g/ac 7
Aug 4 Garrett Juice Pro Ball Fields/Landscape 35g/ac 7
Sep 4 Garrett Juice Pro Ball Fields/Landscape 35g/ac 7
Oct 4 Garrett Juice Pro Ball Fields/Landscape 35g/ac 7
Mar 4 Garrett Juice Pro Trees/Landscape 7 55 gal $718.30 1.00 35 $718.30 $102.61
April 4 Garrett Juice Pro Trees/Landscape
May 4 Garrett Juice Pro Trees/Landscape
Jun 4 Garrett Juice Pro Trees/Landscape
Aug 4 Garrett Juice Pro Trees/Landscape
Sep 4 Garrett Juice Pro Trees/Landscape
Oct 4 Garrett Juice Pro Trees/Landscape
Aug 2 Corn Gluten Meal Ballfields/Landscape 654/ac 7 40 lbs $17.95 114.45 654 $2,054.38 $293.48
Dec - Jan PureGro Weed Crush Ballfield Transition/c&c/lands beds/playground 2 16 oz $20.00 40.00 16 $800.00 $400.00
As Needed Beneficial Nematodes Fire Ant Control/Grubs
As Needed Horticultural Cornmeal Disease Control
As Needed PureGro Bug Stop Aphid Control 2 16 oz $20.00 24.00 16 $480.00 $240.00
As Needed Hort Oil Scale
As Needed Sick Tree Treatment
Winter Lac Balsam Wound Paint on Live Oaks and Red Oaks
$14,572.73 $2,314.68
*Total cost does not reflect new Sprayer or Spreaders ($6,000)
*Total cost does not reflect as needed products, such as Beneficial Nematoeds, Molassas, etc.
Traditional Program
Month Week Item Item Description Acres Cost/Unit Quantity Rate Total Cost Cost/Acre
Feb 1 5-0-15 Oxidiazon Fields 7 50 lb 27.67 42 300 $1,162.14 $166.02
Feb 1 Pre - Emergent Prodiamine or equal 11 1 gall $357.00 1.80 21 $642.60 $58.42
Feb 1 Glyphosate Post Emergent 11 1 2.5 $35.00 5.50 64 $192.50 $17.50
March 1 28-3-10 SCU Fields 7 1 lb 0.45 1050 150 $472.50 $67.50
May 1 Extinguish Fire Ant Control 18 25 lbs $6.76 18.00 1 $121.68 $6.76
May, June July 1 46-0-0 Fertilizer 4 apps x 7 acres bermuda transition 28 2000 lbs $0.43 2800.00 100 $1,204.00 $43.00
Growing Season Fire Ant Control Mound Treatment 18 1 lb $15.00 12.00 $180.00 $10.00
August 3 Pre - Emergent Prodiamine or equal 11 1 gall $357.00 1.80 21 $642.60 $58.42
August 1 Extinguish Fire Ant Control 18 25 lbs $6.76 18.00 1 $121.68 $6.76
September 1 42-0-0 SCU Fertilizer 7 2000 lbs $850.00 700.00 100 $1,647.00 $235.29
As needed Misc. Products FA mound treatment/Armyworms/Aphids/Scale $1,000.00 $1,000.00
$7,386.70 $1,669.66
Units
Units