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<br /> <br />Director Fink stated in 2020, residents of Appleton, Wisconsin, an affiliate of Bee City USA, <br />became energized about No Mow May and the City Council agreed to suspend their weed <br />ordinance for the month of May. Over 435 registered property owners participated in the <br />campaign, and Lawrence University, an affiliate of Bee Campus USA, partnered with <br />Appleton to conduct research on the impact of No Mow May on pollinators. Researchers <br />collected data on the abundance (the number of individuals) and species richness (the <br />number of species) of flowers and bees found in unmown yards of a subset of the <br />properties participating in No Mow May. They then compared those numbers to the <br />abundance and richness of flowers and bees found in nearby urban parks that are regularly <br />mowed. The findings were impressive. Not only were the abundance and richness of bees <br />higher in the yards of properties participating in No Mow May, but they were way higher. <br />Participating yards had three-times higher bee species richness and five-times higher bee <br />abundance than nearby parks that had been mowed. This study was published in 2020 and <br />is available for free download online. The City would like to encourage residents to <br />participate in No Mow May, and will be suspended any enforcement of City ordinances <br />regarding the length of the grass. The goal would be to create a social media campaign to <br />promote this. <br /> <br />Discussion included: <br /> The Commission asked if this was about pollinators or the use of pesticides. Director <br />Fink reported this initiative addressed both concerns, noting by not mowing in May, <br />pollinators were protected. <br /> The Commission recommended signage be created by the City to allow residents to <br />post a sign to inform their neighbors about this initiative. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth questioned how complaints would be addressed by the <br />City in May. Director Fink reported a list would be created for the properties that <br />were participating in the program to assist with code enforcement concerns. <br /> The Commission suggested the City Council consider a Resolution be considered for <br />the future to make No Mow May official. <br /> Further discussion ensued regarding how the City would register residents and <br />advertise this program to the community. <br /> The Commission suggested the City provide other tips and tricks for resident s on the <br />City’s website on how to protect pollinators. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth recommended an article be included in the City <br />newsletter next year to promote No Mow May. <br /> The Commission fully supported the City pursuing the No Mow May initiative. <br /> <br />B. Chair and Vice Chair Appointments - Jennifer Fink, Director of Parks and Recreation <br /> <br />Director Fink requested the Commission make a recommendation to the City Council for <br />Chair and Vice Chair for PREC. She explained Vice Chair Spooner was willing to continue his <br />service but noted the Commission would need to appoint a new Chair. <br /> <br />Commissioner O’Rourke indicated she would be willing to serve as the Chair. <br />