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Memorandum <br /> <br />To: Parks and Public Landscaping Advisory Board (PPLAB) <br />From: Dean Johnson, Parks Superintendent <br />Date: 2/24/20 <br />Subject: Update and Discussion on City Council Special Meeting on Integrated Weed <br />Management Plan/Herbicide Use <br /> <br />Purpose: To provide an update to PPLAB on the February 25th, City Council Special Meeting on <br />Integrated Weed Management Plan/Herbicide Use, and further discuss if needed. <br /> <br />Background: <br />PPLAB as part of their purview will periodically make recommendations to City staff on <br />maintenance practices and procedures. In regards to the use of herbicides, PPLAB makes it a <br />goal to annually review current practices and make recommendations if appropriate. Include <br />below is an excerpt from the “Council Communication – Agenda Item 1” from the February 25th <br />City Council Special Meeting. Complete packet can be found at: <br />https://www.louisvilleco.gov/government/city-council/city-council-meeting-agendas-packets- <br />minutes <br /> <br />3. Potential Options regarding herbicide use in Parks <br /> Status Quo, continued contain approach with minimal use of herbicides <br />and continue with Memory Square and Elephant Park as herbicide free <br />pilot parks and monitor impacts. <br /> Targeted Reductions <br />o Identify additional herbicide free Parks. <br />o Eliminate 2,4D applications in Parks but continue using <br />Glyphosate in plant beds, ROW, etc. <br /> Full Ban on 2,4D and Glyphosate in our Parks and Public Landscaping <br />properties. <br /> <br />PPLAB provided the following statement for City Council consideration: <br /> <br />“We as a board feel strongly about reducing the application of herbicides in playgrounds <br />and surrounding turf. We recommend the development of a marketing campaign to <br />foster public awareness and support as we move towards herbicide reduction and <br />elimination in selected parks”. <br /> <br />Cons of the current approach include not further limiting herbicide use, potential impact <br />to adjacent private property and not adequately addressing resident concerns. Some <br />pros of the current approach include a consistent, cost-effective approach and strategic <br />use of herbicide application, as well as effectively controlling noxious weeds. <br /> <br /> <br />Next Steps: <br />Continue discussion if needed and provide recommendations if necessary. <br /> 4