Item A: Use of Pesticides in City Parks and Buildings

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Use of Pesticides in City Parks and Buildings Meeting Date: March 13, 2013 Agenda Item Number: A Department: Public Works/Central Services Contact: Kevin Finney www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-4809 ISSUE STATEMENT This item is in response to council direction to hold a work session to discuss the use of pesticides in City parks and other City–owned property. BACKGROUND The council has asked several questions related to current park and facility management practices, the use of Integrated Pest Management strategies, and alternatives to chemical control methods for managing pests. Staff has prepared a memo to the council (Attachment A) reporting on the types of chemicals used, amounts used, storage and disposal of chemicals, and how staff is using pesticides for some specific management challenges. The broader questions about Integrated Pest Management and how it is used in managing City lands and facilities will be addressed in the work session. What is the current practice? The management of pests in City buildings and parklands is the responsibility of the Facility Management and Parks and Open Space (POS) divisions. City staff follows the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to manage pests (unwanted plants, insects and other animals) on over 4,400 acres of parklands and 200 community centers, pools, office buildings, and other facilities. IPM is a coordinated decision-making and action-taking process that uses the most appropriate pest control methods and strategies in an environmentally and economically sound manner to meet the City’s pest management objectives. The IPM strategy is based upon monitoring of pest levels, establishing thresholds for actions against the pest, evaluation of control options, selection of the most effective control method (chemical or non-chemical) with the lowest non-target impacts, and timing control actions according to the pest’s life cycle and biology. Once a control action has been taken, results are monitored and future actions are informed by the results. A commitment to IPM does not preclude the use of chemical pesticides, but the application of the strategy results in the pesticide option being exercised only when necessary. S:\CMO\2013 Council Agendas\M130313\S130313A.doc