HomeMy WebLinkAbout26. 22-157APRIL 12, 2022 21-157 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED___7-0____ LOST _______ LAID OVER _______ WITHDRAWN _______)
PURPOSE: DESIGNATE THE MONTH OF MAY 2022 AS NO MOW MAY
INITIATED BY: DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh would like to encourage an increase in pollinator-
friendly habitat through pollinator-friendly lawn-care practices; and
WHEREAS, ideal pollinator-friendly habitat is comprised of mostly native
wildflowers, grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees blooming in succession throughout the
growing season, is free or nearly free of pesticides, is comprised of undisturbed spaces
including un-mown lawns; and provides connectivity between habitat areas to support
pollinator movement and resilience; and
WHEREAS, the formative period for establishment of pollinator and other insect
species, and the many songbirds and other urban wildlife species which depend upon
them, occurs in late spring and early summer when they emerge from dormancy and
require flowering plants as crucial foraging habitat; and these opportunities are
dramatically reduced with early spring grass-mowing; and
WHEREAS, staff is recommending registration of properties participating in No
Mow May to assure that participation is conscientious, that participants understand the
requirements of the municipal code and the parameters of the exception being created
and that the exception does not prevent enforcement for persons not actively
participating in the No Mow May program for other properties leading to nuisance
conditions.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Oshkosh recognizes No
Mow May to actively promote and educate the community about the critical period of
pollinator emergence, generation of crucial pollinator-supporting habitat and early
spring foraging opportunities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Oshkosh Common Council directs
staff to not issue correction notices for long grass and weed violations for Properties
registered with the Planning Division for the No Mow May Program during the month
of May, permitting those residents who are properly registered with the City to
APRIL 12, 2022 22-157 RESOLUTION
CONT’D
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.
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Kelly Nieforth, Community Development Director
DATE: April 7, 2022
RE: Designate the Month of May as No Mow May
BACKGROUND
In 2021, the Common Council approved the City’s participation in the initiative, No Mow May,
as a test year and suspended the enforcement of tall grass violation notices for the month of May
in 2021 to allow pollinator movement during the early spring months to increase the native bee
population.
ANALYSIS
Overall, the test year went all right, however there were some complaints filed in relation to
long grass and weeds. Most complaints came from residents whose neighbors weren’t mowing
their lawn during the month of May. Staff reviewed the test year and have two
recommendations to improve the program. First, staff is recommending that residents who
would like to participate in the program be required to register their home with staff in the
Planning Services office so city staff has a list of all the properties participating in the program.
This will allow staff to continue code enforcement on non-participating homes where the grass
is longer than the municipal code allows. Lastly, staff recommends that the program is reviewed
on an annual basis to ensure that the intent of the program is still being met and not negatively
impacting the city.
FISCAL IMPACT
From May 2017-2020, the tall grass ordinance accounted for an average of $3,397 in service fees.
Therefore, the result of No Mow May will potentially result in a decrease of approximately
$3,397 in collected service fees in the month of May. This loss in revenue is not significant.
RECOMMENDATION
The Department of Community Development recommends approval of this resolution and
recommends No Mow May be considered on an annual basis.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved:
Kelly Nieforth Mark A. Rohloff
Community Development Director City Manager