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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 CHEMICAL FREE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMnda AGENDA REPORT Ree eweid. m 1 1 City Manager SCP Finance Director MEETING DATE: SEPTEMBER 19, 2017 TO: JEFFREY C. PARKER, CITY MANAGER FROM: DOUGLAS S. STACK, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/CITY ENGINEER SUBJECT: CHEMICAL FREE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM SUMMARY Over the last ten years, the City has incorporated organic products into landscape maintenance practices. Recently, a request was brought forward to eliminate the use of chemicals in and around City parks and facilities. RECOMMENDATION City Council Discretion: Alternative 1: 1. Approval of a Chemical Free Landscape Maintenance Program; 2. Appropriate $450,000 from the General Fund Reserve (Fund 100) for Fiscal Year 2017/18 and $330,000 for Fiscal Year 2018/19; and 3. Adopt Resolution No. 17-45 amending the Classification and Compensation Plans adding two Maintenance Workers. Alternative 2: Due to budgetary considerations, direct staff to make all necessary appropriations and amendments to begin the chemical free landscape maintenance starting in year two of the City's currently adopted bi-annual budget. Alternative 3: Continue current Integrated Pest Management Plan with the goal of reducing future reliance on pesticides. FISCAL IMPACT The City's current budget includes $22,600 for pesticide and herbicide application, which is completed on a contractual basis. These funds are used for weed abatement, pest control, and growth inhibitors. There is also a small budget for purchasing products used by staff within parks and around City facilities. Chemical Free Landscape Maintenance Program September 19, 2017 Page 2 Should the City Council approve Alternative 1, implementation of this program is not likely to begin until the winter. The requested appropriation includes the following: Budget Item for FY 2017/18 Preparation and Placement of Mulch Cost $300,000 Two Maintenance Workers (1/2 year) $80,000 Organic Products (1/2 year) $50,000 Increased Contribution to Equipment Replacement Fund $20,000 Increased contribution to Equipment Replacement Fund TOTAL $450,000 Staff estimates the strategies necessary to implement an ongoing Chemical Free Landscape Maintenance Program for City parks and facilities will cost $330,000 per year. A breakdown of these costs has been provided in the table below. AnnualNeed Cost Two Maintenance Workers for increased mowing $160,000 Organic fertilizers and pesticides, and consulting and lab services $100,000 Annual mulch replenishment $50,000 Increased contribution to Equipment Replacement Fund $20,000 TOTAL $330,000 CORRELATION TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN The recommended actions contribute to the fulfillment of the City's Strategic Plan Goal B, Public Safety and Protection of Assets, ensuring that Tustin is an attractive, safe and well maintained community in which people feel pride. DISCUSSION At a cost of approximately $2.2M, the Landscape Maintenance Division maintains all City parks, landscaped areas, and all trees located in the public right-of-way to enhance the aesthetic image of the community, promote the general environmental quality of the community and ensure the safety of all citizens and the general public. The Division is responsible for maintaining the citywide system of parks, landscapes, street trees, paseos, and trails. State licensed pest control advisors, state certified pesticide applicators, ISA certified arborists and tree workers, certified water auditors and certified playground safety inspectors perform the more technical work on a contract basis. The Landscape Maintenance Division maintains over 120 acres of parks, greenbelts and street landscapes including 15 parks. The Division also maintains over 16,000 trees. Chemical Free Landscape Maintenance Program September 19, 2017 Page 3 City staff and contract services perform the maintenance efforts. The pesticide work is accomplished by a State certified employee and consists of insect, fungus, and weed control duties. An Irrigation Specialist performs the irrigation repairs and monitors the Central Computer Irrigation System. Application of pesticides and herbicides used by City staff and contractors varies by location and purpose. Over the last several years, use of less toxic products has increased as more reliable and effective products have become available. For example, the City uses organic fertilizers in parks that are applied in liquid form through the park irrigation systems and treats trees by injection, thus reducing the potential for public health and environmental concerns. These means and methods are consistent with the City's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Policy. The intent of the City of Tustin's IPM Policy is to: 1. Reduce the reliance on pesticides, 2. Incorporate new, non -hazardous alternatives, and 3. To efficiently and effectively treat/control potential pest problems using methods/techniques that minimize the impact to the community and the environment. Using organic products exclusively would require a change in some of the City's practices to ensure adequate control of weeds. To control weeds in turf areas, weeds would need to be removed with the use of handheld equipment and mowing frequencies would need to increase from every other week to every week with the use of a mulching mower. Weekly use of a mulching mower would lay down a layer of fine grass clippings that break down into organic mulch as it settles through the grass blades and decomposes. This is a natural way to strengthen the turf. Generally, healthy turf will choke out most new weeds. Aeration would also need to be increased from once per year to once per month in areas with active recreation and once every other month for passive recreation area. Aeration is completed by staff as part of the City's annual work plan. Aeration strengthens turf as it aides in the movement of air and water to the root system. Most of the work described above is performed by City staff. Adhering to a chemical free program would double the amount of time staff spends on turf care and weed abatement. In addition to the changes in turf care, planters and areas around trees will also need to be addressed. Mulch should be considered in planter areas as well as around trees to create an environment where growth of weeds would be reduced. Mulch benefits plantings by keeping the soil cool and moist. Organic mulches can host crickets and carabid beetles, which seek out and devour thousands of weed seeds. This type of mulch contains phenols and tannins in coniferous bark to assist further in stunting the growth of weeds. While evaluating the financial impact of a Chemical Free Landscape Maintenance Program, staff used estimates for organic mulch. Mulch will need to be replenished annually to ensure maximum weed suppression and would be completed by contract with staff oversight. Chemical Free Landscape Maintenance Program September 19, 2017 Page 4 As with the City's current practices, permanent eradication of weeds is not expected and manual removal will be necessary. Organic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides are available, however, they are needed more frequently then products containing chemicals. A weed sprayed with an organic product will die, but its seeds will be unaffected. The same weed sprayed with Roundup or a similar product will die and the seeds will be destroyed, eliminating the growth of another weed. Organic products will need to be applied monthly to obtain the same results as our current products, which are applied every six months. S Stack, P. E. Public Works/City Engineer Attachments: 1. Resolution No. 17-45 2. City of Tustin Integrated Pest Management Policy ATTACHMENT 1 Resolution No. 17-45 RESOLUTION NO. 17- 45 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN AMENDING THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION PLANS FOR THE CITY OF TUSTIN WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Tustin, California ("the City") has authorized and directed, under the provisions of the City's Personnel Rules, Resolution No. 15-50, the preparation of a Classification and Compensation Plan for all employees in the City service; and WHEREAS, Resolution No. 15-50 requires that amendments or revisions to the Classification and Compensation Plans be approved by resolution of the City Council; and WHEREAS, the City Council has periodically amended the Classification and Compensation Plans when appropriate; and WHEREAS, the City has determined the need to amend the Classification and Compensation Plans that were adopted with the Fiscal Year 2017-18 budget by adding two additional positions in the classification of Maintenance Worker. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Tustin authorizes staff to implement the provisions of this Resolution and modify the City's Classification and Compensation Plans to reflect the changes approved in this Resolution. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tustin held on the 1 gth day of September 2017. DR. ALLAN BERNSTEIN Mayor ATTEST: ERICA N. RABE City Clerk Resolution 17-45 Page 1 of 2 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS CITY OF TUSTIN ) I, Erica N. Rabe, City Clerk and ex -officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Tustin, California, do hereby certify that the whole number of the members of the City Council of the City of Tustin is five; that the above and foregoing Resolution No. 17-45 was duly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Tustin City Council, held on the 19th day of September 2017, by the following vote: COUNCILMEMBER AYES: COUNCILMEMBER NOES: COUNCILMEMBER ABSTAINED: COUNCILMEMBER ABSENT: ERICA N. RABE City Clerk Resolution 1.7-45 Page 2 of 2 ATTACHMENT 2 City of Tustin Integrated'Pest Management Policy City of Tustin Integrated Pest Management Plan It is the purpose of this Integrated Pest Management Plan to ensure that the City of Tustin provides a fiscally responsible, environmentally sensitive, pest management plan that maintains the quality of our City assets, while protecting the health of the community and our employees. It is the intent of this IPM Plan to: 1. Reduces the reliance on pesticides, 2. Incorporate new, non -hazardous alternatives 3. To efficiently, and effectively treat/control potential pest problems using methods/techniques, that minimize the impact to the Community and the environment. Integrated pest management is the blending of all effective, economical, and environmentally sound pest control methods into a single but flexible approach to manage pest populations within acceptable limits. Those who practice IPM take the first step by deciding on the nature and the source of the pest problem. They can rely on a range of preventive and treatment strategies which can be cultural, physical, mechanical, or biological. Only the most -toxic chemical pesticides should be used, as a last resort. An IPM Program contains the following Key Components: PEST AND SYMPTOM IDENTIFICATION. Identify the pest and/or the problem. Insects, Mites, and Snails and Slugs • Field personnel are trained to recognize basic pests found in the landscape in the following groups: insects, mites, and mollusks. • A licensed Pest Control Adviser is on staff or hired to properly identify a pest and the symptoms caused by the pest.. • Unknown samples are submitted to the Orange County Agricultural Commissioner, for identification by the county entomologist or plant pathologist. • Abiotic or nonliving factors (wind, sunburn, air pollution, etc...) are considered as possible causes of observed symptoms as well as biotic (living) factors. Weeds • Field personnel are trained to identify common weeds in the landscape. • A licensed Pest Control Adviser is on staff or contracted to properly identify the pest. Diseases Field personnel are trained to recognize common diseases or their signs/symptoms in the landscape. Disease signs and symptoms are sampled and submitted to the Orange County Agricultural Commissioner for identification by the county plant pathologist. • A licensed Pest Control Adviser is on staff or contracted to properly identify the pest. • Photographs of disease signs and symptoms are taken and compared to reference guides such as UC IPM's Pests of Landscape Trees and Shrubs. Vertebrates At least one field staff member is trained in vertebrate baiting and trapping. A licensed Pest Control Adviser is on staff or contracted to properly identify vertebrate pest. Field personnel are trained to recognize vertebrate pests and the damage they cause in the landscape. MONITORING FOR PESTS AND PROBLEMS. Observe the plants, or site, for potential pest problems at regular intervals. Keep records of what is seen, decisions made, actions taken, and results. Insect/Mollusk Monitoring Procedures • Visually inspect plants for insects, mites, snail and slug damage at least monthly; • Recording results utilizing a method conducive to tracking changes and easy recall of data. • Insects are dislodged from plants by shaking over a collection surface usually consisting of a clipboard with a white sheet of paper. • The amount of honeydew (aphids) and frass (caterpillars) present is utilized as an indicator of population levels. Weed Monitoring Procedures • Landscapes are inspected at least 4 times a year (early winter, early spring, summer and early fall) for weeds in order to determine if and when a weed problem exists. • Utilize site surveys to record the location, date, and severity of weed problem; recording results utilizing a method conducive to tracking changes and easy recall of data. Disease Monitoring Procedures • Landscapes are regularly checked for conditions, such as overwatering and injuries, which promote disease. • Landscapes are checked monthly, at a minimum, for disease symptoms and signs. Disease prone plants are checked more frequently. Vertebrate Monitoring Procedures • Landscapes are regularly inspected for vertebrate presence either by damage caused by animal, actual animal sightings, and/or.droppings. • Maps are created and updated at least twice a year, recording area of high vertebrate damage or signs (such as gopher mounds). ACTION THRESHOLDS AND GUIDELINES. Determine when the pest problem is likely to become serious enough to require some action. Insect/Mollusk Thresholds and Guidelines • Insect tolerance levels are established based on the public's acceptance of damage to the landscape or a certain level of nuisance pests (i.e. ants), the actual plant species in the landscape, and long-term monitoring and knowledge of pests causing the damage. • Thresholds are based on levels were reasonable control of the pest can be achieved with minimum impact on the environment. Weed Thresholds and Guidelines • Weed tolerance levels are established based on public safety or the public's acceptance and the resources available to manage the landscape at that level. Disease Thresholds and Guidelines Disease tolerance levels are established based on the public's acceptance and the resources available to manage the landscape at the level required. Disease monitoring is utilized to establish threshold levels for the implementation of control strategies. For example, the threshold for the presence of powdery mildew on roses at City Hall is much lower than the threshold for its presence on Euonymus in a parking lot at a city sports park. Vertebrate Thresholds and Guidelines • Vertebrate tolerance levels are established based on public safety, the public's acceptance and the resources available to manage the landscape at the level required. SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT METHODS. In an IPM program, the object of treatment is to suppress pest populations below their injury level, but not to eradicate them. Select control methods that are easy to carry out effectively, long-lasting, and least disruptive to the environment. A. Insect/Mollusk Management Methods Cultural/Mechanical/Physical Control Methods • Small insect infestations are removed by pruning infested plant parts. • Plant canopies are thinned to increase light penetration to exposure certain soft -bodied insects (soft -scale) as well as snails and slugs to heat. • Strong streams of water are used to dislodge insects such as aphids and whiteflies, from leaves. Biological Control Methods Persistent broad-spectrum pesticides are avoided, especially if biological control of an insect has been established by UC researchers. Examples include parasitoid wasps controlling Eugenia Psyllids, Giant Whitefly, and Ash Whitefly. Pesticide Control Methods • The most selective, rather than broad-spectrum, pesticide is used. If available for controlling a particular insect, biological and botanical pesticides are selected. • Insecticidal soaps are utilized to control infestations of soft -bodied insects such as aphids, thrips, and immature scales. • Pesticides are only utilized when the potential for impacts to the environment, especially water quality, are minimized. • Equipment is calibrated prior to the application of the insecticide to avoid excess material being applied to the landscape environment. • Applicators are trained to not apply pesticides to hard surfaces and to not allow any pesticide to enter the storm drain system. • Spot treatments are utilized rather than broadcast methods. B. Weed Management Methods Cultural, Mechanical, and Physical Control Methods • Timers are set to avoid overwatering as weeds establish in areas where soil moisture is excessive. • Drainage is managed to avoid wet areas. • Weeds are removed from a site prior to planting. • Mower height is adjusted to turf species and time of year. • Bare soil areas are covered with a thick layer of mulch to suppress weeds and conserve soil moisture. • Mower is washed after mowing a weedy site. • Hand -pulling, mowing, trimmers/brush cutters, flaming, hoeing, and rototilling around landscape plants are the main methods utilized to control annual weeds and young perennial weeds. Pesticide Control Methods • Spot treatments are utilized rather than broadcast methods. • Herbicides are applied to the stage of weed growth most susceptible to the chemical. • Equipment is calibrated prior to the application of the herbicide to avoid excess material being applied to the landscape environment. C. Disease Management Methods Cultural, Mechanical, and Physical Control Methods • Prune out and dispose of localized areas of diseased plants. • Pathogen -infested plant parts are removed from the soil surface area to reduce certain pathogens (e.g. Camellia Petal Blight). • Proper irrigation and fertilization are maintained to prevent plant stress, water logging, • Replace disease -prone plants with non -susceptible species. • Mulch is kept at least 6" from base of plants to avoid excessive moisture around crown possibly resulting in crown rots and is no deeper than 4" Pesticide Control Methods (a minimum of two methods must be selected) • Synthetic fungicides are used sparingly in the landscape and only in high visibility areas in order to minimize development of resistance. • Copper -based fungicides are only utilized in situations where its entry into surface runoff and storm drains is virtually impossible and after consultation with PCA. • Mycopesticides, commercially available beneficial microorganisms, are used where appropriate. • Fungicides classes are rotated to avoid resistance. D. Vertebrate Management Methods Cultural and Physical Control Methods • Groundcovers are maintained such that they do not harbor rats. • Shrubs pruned at least 1 foot from the ground (rats). • Sources of drinking water removed (leaky faucets, puddles). • Trash cans have lids and are emptied daily (rats). • Trapping is used for gophers. • Kill traps used for ground squirrels and rabbits, are checked daily, and in places not accessible by children or non -target animals. Pesticide Control Methods • Bait is applied in a manner that non -target animals do not access to it. • Restricted use rodenticides, aluminum or zinc phosphide, are used only after applicator has been trained for that product or only by a wildlife management contractor. GENERAL PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES • Restricted use pesticides are only used when no other alternatives are available. • If pesticides are necessary, CAUTION -labeled pesticides are considered before more toxic alternatives. • Only small quantities of pesticides are purchased eliminating the need for stockpiling. • MSDSs are regularly updated to reflect new pesticides or label changes to pesticides in storage. PREVENTION Landscape Design Procedures • Drainage, soil characteristics, water quality and availability are considered during plant selection. • Sun exposure, heat, and high temperature conditions are considered during plant selection. • Adequate space is allowed for root growth, especially trees. • Nursery stock is inspected and rejected if not healthy (injuries, diseased, circling roots/pot- bound, poor staking and/or pruning). • Pest resistant species and cultivars are selected. • Plants with similar growth characteristics and irrigation requirements are grouped together. • Landscape design matches available irrigation technology to avoid excess water use and to minimize surface runoff. Site Preparation and Planting Procedures • Assess soil drainage properties and improve compacted soils prior to planting. • Conduct a soil analysis to determine chemical and physical properties of the existing soil and then add appropriate amendments such as organic matter. • Ensure irrigation is installed as designed in order to avoid poor uniformity once plants are in place. • Follow proper planting procedures for particular plant species to avoid planting too deeply or too shallow. • Nursery tree stakes are removed at planting and replaced with staking that allows trunk to flex; removing these stakes after 1 to 1.5 years. Water Management • Plants are examined weekly for symptoms of water stress and to assist in determining irrigation scheduling. • Utilize evapotranspiration (ET) data or 'smart' clock technology to schedule irrigation. • Cyclic irrigation (short -multiple run times) is employed to minimize surface runoff. • Systems are inspected monthly to check for leaks, broken pipes, and clogged or broken sprinkler heads. • Adjust sprinklers to avoid application of water directly to the trunk of trees (can promote disease) or on to concrete surfaces where it can enter storm drains. • Establish a hotline or email or other dedicated method where citizens can report leaks and broken sprinkler heads Fertilizing Procedures • Fertilize only when plants are actively growing to avoid nutrient losses below the root zone. • Fertilizer is not applied within 48 hours of a rain event to avoid losses below the root zone and in surface runoff. • Soil analyses are conducted in order to determine existing nutrient levels in the soil prior to fertilizing. • Over fertilization, especially of trees and shrubs, is avoided to ensure plant growth is not excessively succulent making it more susceptible to pest infestations. • Off -target fertilizer applications or spills are cleaned up immediately by sweeping up and applying to landscape or turf or replacing in spreader or bag to ensure material does not enter storm drains. Pruning Procedures • Damaged or diseased wood is regularly pruned from landscape plants. • Trees are pruned according to standards set forth by a professional tree care organization such as the International Society of Arboriculture. • Unnecessary pruning is avoided as wounds are entry sites for decay and disease organisms. • Tree height is reduced utilizing the crown reduction method as topping is never done to reduce tree size. NO TOPPING OR "HAT RACKING" IS PERMITTED. Evaluation. Inspect after treatment action has been taken. Write down what you learn. Has the treatment been effective? How can the whole process be improved to achieve the overall objectives of the program?