Item 3: Ratification of Intergovernmental Relations Committee Actions

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There was no change to the staff recommendation. SB 1007 Ms. Wilson said that Mr. Holvey did not think his bill on pesticides was going anywhere but it had sparked a discussion. She indicated she would talk with Senator Vicki Walker the next day about the progress the bills might make. Ms. Wilson noted that currently, the committee had no position on the bill. Mr. Finney said that the City was committed to the minimal use of pesticides and employed an integrated pest management process to evaluate opportunities to do so. Time was critical to that method, and his concern about the bill was that it would prevent the City from addressing emergency situations, like a new infestation of false broome in the south hills. By the time the City was able to get approval of its applica- tion, the weed could have gone to seed or the window missed for the most efficacious use of pesticides. He suggested the bill be amended to allowed for such applications through an integrated pest management program (IPM) approved by the State Forester. That would permit the City to submit an annual plan identifying the circumstances under which pesticides would be used and provide for an opportunity for public comment. Ms. Bettman thought that was a reasonable approach. Mr. Pryor concurred. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Mr. Pryor, move to take a position of Priority 2, Support for SB 1007 with the amendment suggested. The motion passed unanimously, 3:0. SB 20 Ms. Bettman appreciated the specificity of the bill as it related to hours of use and the presence of school children. Mr. Wold suggested the City could support the bill if it was amended to distinguish between aerial spray and the spray from mechanical equipment located on the ground that the operator can control like a backpack spray device. He noted the clause related to the submittal of IPM plans and that applied only to backpack spray devices; he would like to see that extended and to include approved habit restoration plans along with IPMs. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Mr. Pryor, moved to make the status of the bill Priority 1, Sup- port with the amendments outlined by Mr. Wold. The motion passed unanimously, 3:0. HB 2831 Ms. Sommers said the bill was not clear as to what work performed outside the United States means, it would likely be burdensome for the City to administer in terms of identifying the work done outside the country, and if a contractor violated the requirement the City was required to terminate the contract, leaving it with an unfinished job. Also, the bill may infringe on the power of Congress to regulate commerce with foreign nations. Ms. Bettman asked if the bill was making progress. Ms. Wilson said the bill was not scheduled for a hearing anytime soon, but two members of the Lane County legislative delegation were sponsors. MINUTES—Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations March 22, 2007 Page 4