Design, Environment & Construction 2635 Talley Street P.O. Box 220 Decatur, Georgia 30031 404-370-4104 Fax 404-370-0691 info@decaturga.com www.decaturga.com May 19,2016 TO: Cc: From: RE: Peggy Merriss, City Manager John Maximuk, File MEMORANDUM India Woodson, Landscape Infrastructure Coordinator, ISA S0-1965~obv{ Adoption of Bee City USA resolution and proclamation (see attached) The purpose of this memo is to request the approval and adoption of the Bee City USA resolution included in the June 20, 2016 City Commission meeting package. An Equal Opportunity Employer
Decatur Bee City USA Resolution 4 RESOLUTION R-16-05 Resolution Designating the City of Decatur, GA as a BEE CITY USA WHEREAS, the goal of BEE CITY USA is to promote healthy, sustainable habitats and communities for bees and other pollinators; and WHEREAS, thanks to the tremendous diversity of wild native bees, along with the honey bees that were brought here from Europe in the 1700s, we have very diverse dietary choices rich in fruits, nuts and vegetables: One in every three bites of food we eat is courtesy of insect pollination. Even our meat and milk trace back to insects that pollinate the alfalfa and other feed for beef cattle and cows. Mace Vaughan, Pollinator Program Director for the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and, WHEREAS, bees and other pollinators around the globe have experienced dramatic declines due to a combination of habitat loss, use of pesticides, and the spread of pests and diseases, with grave implications for the future health of flora and fauna; and, WHEREAS, communities have the opportunity to support bees and other pollinators on both public and private land; and, WHEREAS, supporting pollinators fosters environmental awareness and sustainability, and increases interactions among community stewards such as commercial and backyard beekeepers, farmers, children, educators, Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, plant nurseries, municipalities, neighborhoods, and garden suppliers and clubs; and. WHEREAS, the economic benefits of (native and honey) bee-friendliness are: Healthy ecosystems--insect pollinators are required for pollination and reproduction of about 85% of flowering plants globally, plants that: 1) are vital for clean air and water; 2) provide food, fiber and shelter for people and wildlife; and 3) support the very insects that pollinate our crops and form the basis of food webs. Increased vegetable and fruit crop yields due to bee pollination. Increased habitat for natural enemies of crop pests and therefore reduced need for and costs associated with pesticides. Increased demand for pollinator-friendly plant materials from local nurseries and growers. Income earned by beekeepers and others through the sale of bee products, beekeeping equipment and supplies, and hive rentals for pollination; and, heightened prestige and premium asking prices for placebased honey, which enhances the visibility and reputation of its community of origin; and, WHEREAS, Decatur, Georgia, should be certified a BEE CITY USA community because: Decatur is home to a city government, school system, and a host of businesses, churches, organizations, and residents who are already engaging in bee-friendly practices.
Decatur is home to several community gardens and at least two urban gardens whose mission is to educate and engage the Decatur community. All community greenspaces in Decatur feature gardens that support pollinators and bees. This is complementary to the goals of Bee City USA. Although a small town, Decatur is home to at least a dozen beekeepers who are actively maintaining healthy hives which in turn provide pollinators in their neighborhoods; and, 5 WHEREAS, an ideal pollinator-friendly habitat: Provides diverse and abundant nectar and pollen from plants blooming in succession. Provides clean water for drinking, nest-building, cooling, diluting stored honey, and butterfly puddling. Is pesticide-free or has pesticide use carried out with least ill effects on pollinators. Is comprised of mostly, if not all, native species of annual and perennial wildflowers, shrubs, trees, and grasses because many native pollinators prefer or depend on the native plants with which they coevolved. Includes, where possible, designated pollinator zones in public spaces with signage to educate the public and build awareness. Provides for safe and humane removal of bees when required. Provides undisturbed spaces (leaf and brush piles, un-mowed fields or field margins, fallen trees and other dead wood) for nesting and overwintering for native pollinators; and WHEREAS, in order to enhance understanding among local government staff and the public about the vital role that pollinators play and what each of us can do to sustain them, the City of Decatur, GA agrees to meet the following commitments required of all BEE CITY USA communities: 1) Pass this Bee City USA resolution. 2) Designate a local government department as the Bee City USA sponsor and an employee from that department as the Bee City USA "liaison." 3) Assign facilitation of the local Bee City USA program to either: a) a new or existing commission; or, b) a nonprofit organization, whose purpose would be to encourage and coordinate local pollinator habitat and awareness activities. This body will serve as the intermediary between the citizenry and local government on matters of enhancing pollinator awareness, health and habitat, fulfilling the following commitments: o Annually celebrate National Pollinator Week (third full week of June) or some other appropriate occasion with educational events, pollinator habitat plantings or restoration, proclamations or promotions that showcase the municipality's commitment to enhancing pollinator health and habitat. o Annually apply for renewal of the community's designation and submit a report of the previous year's BEE CITY USA activities following the format provided. 4) Publicly acknowledge the community's commitment by agreeing to: Install/maintain at least one authorized Bee City USA street sign in a prominent location; Create/maintain links on appropriate pages of the local government's website which includes, at minimum: o Links to a PDF of this signed Resolution and the national Bee City USA website; o Contact information for the local government's Bee City USA liaison; and, o Contact information for the designated "facilitator commission or non-profit organization committee;" and,
o Reports of the pollinator-friendly activities the community has accomplished the previous year(s). 6 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Commission of the City of Decatur, Georgia accepts the designation and commits to the standards of BEE CITY USA. Adopted this_ day of, 20_. Patricia Garrett City Clerk Mayor
A) APPLICANT INFORMATION 1 PROPOSED CITY OR COUNTY CITY OF DECATUR, GEORGIA APPLICANT [PERSON FILLING OUT THIS FORM AND FACILITATING THE PROPOSED BEE CITY USA PROGRAM]./check here if Applicant is the designated media contact for Bee City USA news Name: Stephanie Van Parys Title: Executive Director Organization or Department: Wylde Center Address: 435 Oakview Road City/State/Zip: Decatur, GA 30030 Phone: 678 642 4977 Email: stephan ie@wyl d ecenter. org CITY OR COUNTY LIAISON [THE CITY OR COUNTY EMPLOYEE SPONSORING THE PROGRAM] check here if same as above check here if City/County Liaison is the designated media contact for Bee City USA news Name India Woodson Title Landscape Infrastructure Coordinator Department Design, Environment, and Construction Address P. 0. Box 220 City/State/Zip Decatur, GA 30031 Phone (678)553-6527 Email lndia.woodson@decaturga.com MAYOR OR CHAIR OF COMMISSION Name Patti Garrett Title Mayor Email patricia.garrett1 @gmail.com DESIGNATED MEDIA CONTACT FOR YOUR BEE CITY USA NEWS IF NOT APPLICANT OR CITY OR COUNTY LIAISON Name Stephanie Van Parys Title Executive Director Department Address 435 Oakview Road City/State/Zip Decatur, GA 30030 Phone 678 642 4977 Email stephan ie@wyld ecenter. org B) COMMITMENTS AND ACTIONS 1/WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, UNDERSTAND THAT THE BEE CITY USA PROGRAM CONSISTS OF THREE COMMITMENTS, AND THAT WE ARE TAKING THE INDICATED ACTIONS TO SUPPORT THOSE COMMITMENTS: 1: Adopt Bee City USA Resolution following template provided by Bee City USA. Draft Resolution (the exact language our City/County will vote on) is attached. The Resolution is scheduled for approval on June 20. 2016. 2. Assign Bee City USA facilitation responsibilities to a new or existing City or County commission or a non-profit organization as outlined in the Bee City USA Resolution. The members of the commission or the facilitators of the program are identified below as "Committee Members." Name of commission or non-profit organization
If new, date the commission or organizational committee was first convened: March 15, 2016 2 Meeting Dates (past and future): March 15, 2016 June 15, 2016 August15,2016 October 18, 2016 List of Committee Members (use additional sheet if necessary; Excel or Word format preferred) NAME AFFILIATION EMAIL ADDRESS Stephanie Van Parys Wylde Center stephanie@wyldecenter.org Jennifer Grimes Interested Party msjenngrimes@gmail.com Deborah Palmer Resident bluehighwaydeb@hotmail.com India Woodson City of Decatur lndia.woodson@decaturga.com Jennifer Leavey Resident jennifer.leavey@cos.gatech.edu Facilitation responsibilities include: Ensuring that the City hosts at least one public education and habitat establishment or restoration activity each year as outlined in the Bee City USA Resolution. The Wylde Center hosts the annual Earth Day Festival. The 2016 festival focused on bees and was named Bee Wylde. We anticipate that this event will always include bee education. The committee will also plan other bee education opportunities that will take place throughout the year. For example, related topic presentations with the DeKalb County Public Library. Annually re-applying for Bee City USA certification and summarizing the previous year's activities to raise awareness of and sustain pollinators as outlined in the Bee City USA Resolution. 3. Acknowledge the Bee City USA certification in public, as outlined in the Bee City USA Resolution, within one year of the date of this application. C) SIGNATURES