2019-149 City-wide Integrated Pest Management SystemDate: July 19, 2019 Report No. 2019-149
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: City-wide Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program
BACKGROUND: The Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) recently completed an update to the department’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. The IPM Program helps determine pest levels and tolerance thresholds. It combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools to minimize health, environmental, and financial risks. The year-long process included the formation of a
citizen’s focus group, the review of sample IPMs, and the development of an organic maintenance pilot program at Denia Park.
On May 7, 2019, City Council approved the presented IPM and gave staff direction to include the elimination of glyphosate, an herbicide commercially known as Round Up, in the plan.
PARD is currently operating and maintaining park property and select city property under the new IPM. The organic program at Denia Park continues, and staff will provide City Council with updates as the project progresses.
DISCUSSION:
As a follow-up to the new IPM program, Council Member Briggs requested information on the feasibility of eliminating the use of glyphosate citywide on all city properties. PARD took the lead in identifying representatives from each area within the organization who manage and maintain city property. The representatives met to determine if glyphosate was used in their areas, the inventory that was impacted, and cost related to the elimination of the product.
Overall, the assessment showed the use was minimal, and the elimination of glyphosate did not present any significant challenges. The estimated cost impact for all departments is $40,000 in additional mowing cycles, labor, and substitute product purchases. Also, the cost to dispose of the existing inventory was approximately $2,000.
CONCLUSION: PARD will be assembling a City Staff IPM committee to discuss the transition of the current PARD IPM program to a citywide program. While glyphosate elimination has been completed across the city, overall general IPM practices have not been implemented and communicated
throughout the organization. The objective of the Staff IPM committee would include: ·Identifying strategies across all departments that address each area’s operational needs· Creating communication channels for information sharing and continuing education· Developing a comprehensive IPM document incorporating collective best practices·Establishing long-term coordination of programming efforts
Date: July 19, 2019 Report No. 2019-149
STAFF CONTACT: Laura Behrens Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation
Laura.Behrens@cityofdenton.com
REQUESTOR: Council Member Keely Briggs
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Airport, Community Improvement, DME, Drainage, Solid Waste, Streets, Water Production, Water Reclamation
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT:
34 hours