City Council

TROY CITY COUNCIL FINANCE MEETING AGENDA April 20, 2023 6:00 P.M. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Presentation of Agenda First Colombia Kevin Prunty Presentation regarding City Hall Landbank Presentation Public Forum RESOLUTIONS 43. Resolution Proclaiming The Month Of May 2023 As “No Mow May” In The City Of Troy, New York (Council Member Steele) 1  RES43 RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MAY 2023 AS “NO MOW MAY” IN THE CITY OF TROY, NEW YORK ______________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the start of the growing season is a critical time for hungry, newly emerging native bees, when floral resources may be hard to find, especially in urban landscapes; and WHEREAS, mowing less and not applying pesticides to flowering plants protects pollinators by allowing bees to collect nectar and pollen safely, especially in the Spring; and WHEREAS, mowing lawns less creates habitat and increases the abundance and diversity of wildlife, including bees and other pollinators; and WHEREAS, recent research suggests that bee pollinators make use of “no mow” spaces as key floral resources during early Spring; and WHEREAS, research also indicates that the abundance and species diversity of bees are higher in the “no mow” yards of properties participating in “No Mow May”; and WHEREAS, the goal of “No Mow May” is to allow grass to grow unmown for the month of May, creating habitat and forage for early season pollinators, which is particularly important in urban areas where floral resources are limited; and WHEREAS, in addition to benefiting pollinators, reducing mowing frequency will save water, help lawns become more resilient to drought, and reduce emissions from gas-powered lawn mowers that often lack the emission reduction devices found on larger engines; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds it is in the public interest for Troy to demonstrate its commitment to a safe and healthy community environment through the implementation of initiatives that help increase the pollinator population. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Troy City Council hereby proclaims May 2023 as “No Mow May”, and encourages all residents of the City to participate in this initiative and refrain from mowing their lawns in the month of May to provide vital early Spring flowers for bees that emerge from hibernation; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that residents participating in “No Mow May” are asked to register online or in person with the City Clerk and display the downloadable/hard copy sign attached hereto in their windows; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor is hereby authorized to direct the Bureau of Code Enforcement to refrain from enforcing the vegetation height and weed restrictions of City Code Section 176-16 (C) on lawns that remain unmown in May. Approved as to form, _____________________, 2023 _____________________________________ Richard T. Morrissey, Corporation Counsel