HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2017-023 - Bee City Affiliate RESOLUTION NO. 2017-023
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF REDDING AUTHORIZING REDDING TO BE
DESIGNATED AS A BEE CITY USA®AFFILIATE
WHEREAS, the mission of BEE CITY USA is to galvanize communities to sustain
pollinators, responsible for the reproduction of three-quarters of the world's plant species, by
providing them with healthy habitat, rich in a variety of native plants and free to nearly free
of pesticides; and
WHEREAS, due in part to the tremendous diversity of wild native bees, along with the
honey bees that were brought to the United States from Europe in the 1700s, we have very
diverse dietary choices rich in fruits, nuts, vegetables and even dairy products--one in every
three bites of food we eat is courtesy of insect pollination; and
WHEREAS, bees and other pollinators have experienced population declines due to a
combination of habitat loss, use of pesticides, and the spread of pests and diseases; and
WHEREAS, pollinator-friendly communities can benefit local and regional economies
through healthier ecosystems, increased vegetable and fruit crop yields, and increased
demand for pollinator-friendly plant materials from local nurseries and growers; and
WHEREAS, ideal pollinator-friendly habitat:
• Provides diverse and abundant nectar and pollen from plants blooming in succession
throughout the growing season;
• Provides water for drinking, nest-building, cooling, diluting stored honey, and
butterfly puddling;
• Provides undisturbed spaces (leaf and brush piles, un-mowed fields or field margins,
fallen trees and other dead wood) for nesting and overwintering for wild pollinators
• Is pesticide-free or has pesticide use carried out with least ill effects on pollinators;
• Is comprised of mostly, if not all, native species of annual and perennial forbs, C'
grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees in landscapes because many wild pollinators prefer or J
depend on the native plants with which they co-adapted;
• Includes, where possible, designated pollinator zones in public spaces with signage to C
educate the public and build awareness; and, (4)
• Provides for safe and humane removal of honey bees when required; and
WHEREAS, supporting pollinators fosters environmental awareness and sustainability, and
increases interactions among community stewards, backyard beekeepers, farmers, children,
educators, Master Gardeners, local businesses, faith-based organizations, and nature-related
organizations; and
WHEREAS, in order to enhance understanding among local government staff and the public
about the vital role that pollinators play and what each of us can do to sustain them, Redding
chooses to support and encourage pollinator habitat creation and enhancement on both public
and private land; and
WHEREAS, Redding should be certified a BEE CITY USA community because:
• Its dedication to creating bee friendly public spaces and habitat.
• Its creation of bee friendly ordinances that allow the keeping of beehives within the
City.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDDING DOES
RESOLVE HEREBY THAT:
1. The Community Services Department is hereby designated as the BEE CITY
USA sponsor.
2. The Parks Superintendent of Redding is designated as the BEE CITY USA
liaison.
3. Facilitation of the Redding BEE CITY USA program is assigned to the Bee City
Committee.
4. City staff is authorized to, and should:
a. Celebration: Annually celebrate National Pollinator Week (third full week of
June) or some other appropriate occasion with educational events, pollinator
habitat plantings or restoration, proclamations or promotions that showcase
Redding's commitment to enhancing pollinator health and habitat.
b. Publicity & Information: Install and maintain at least one authorized BEE CITY
USA street sign in a prominent location, and create and maintain a webpage on
the Redding website which includes, at minimum, a copy of this resolution, links
to the national BEE CITY USA website, contact information for the local
government's BEE CITY USA liaison Parks Superintendent, contact information
for the "Bee City Committee," and reports of the pollinator-friendly activities the
community has accomplished the previous year(s).
c. Habitat: Develop and implement a program to create or expand pollinator-
friendly habitat, which can include, but is not limited to:
i. Identification and inventory of Redding real property that can be enhanced
with pollinator-friendly plantings.
ii. Creation of a recommended locally native species list to include forbs,
grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees and a list of local suppliers for those
species.
iii. Creation of a least toxic pesticide management plan, and
iv. Dissemination of informational and educational materials to the public.
v. Tracking annual area of pollinator habitat created or enhanced by square
footage and/or acreage.
d. Policy: Establish a policy in the Redding's General Plan to acknowledge and
commit to the BEE CITY USA designation.
e. Plan Review: Review the General Plan and other relevant documents to review
pesticide management policies and practices as they relate to pollinator
conservation, identify appropriate locations for pollinator-friendly plantings, and
consider other appropriate measures.
f. Renewal: After completing the first full year as a BEE CITY USA affiliate, each
January, apply for renewal of the Redding's BEE CITY USA designation
following the format provided by BEE CITY USA, including a report of the
previous year's BEE CITY USA activities, and paying the renewal fee based on
Redding's population.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was introduced and read at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Redding on the 7`h day of March, 2017, and was duly
adopted at said meeting by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: McElvain, Schreder, Sullivan,Winter, & Weaver
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
_ T-71
BRENT WEAVER, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
fMELA M E, City Clerk BARRY E. eWALT, City Attorney