Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2022 10 12

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes September 14, 2022 Page 5 of 8 of maintenance. He added that Sunflower Park had lots of dead vegetation and unpruned trees before it burned. Josh Cooperman 216 Griffith St. He is on the Sustainability Board (LSAB). He commented on the plan to electrify city landscaping equipment. LSAB has been working with local gas -for -electric swaps and initiatives. The State Air Quality Council will be providing grants to replace municipal landscaping equipment. LSAB plans to work on a grant application. They would also like to work on city code to eliminate gas -powered equipment in the city. 9. Discussion Item: Bee City & Pollinator Gardens. Presented by John Webb, PPLAB Member John introduced the Bee City USA program. The program is not about domesticated honeybees, rather it focuses on native bees and promoting their health and conservation. The program would commit to reducing pesticides and promoting pollinator habitat. John said that pollinators are in trouble in the state and around the world. Up to 40% of pollinators are in risk of extinction due to habitat loss, pesticide use, diseases and pathogens, and climate change. He said the city could help by planting native species, providing nesting sites, finding alternatives to pesticides, and promoting pollinator education. There are over 164 Bee Cities in the USA. He also wants the City to have a Recommended Native Plant List, an Integrated Pest Management Plan, and commit to making city policies that are more pollinator conscious. He mentioned that he liked the Open Space pocket prairie program. He thought the city could host pollinator awareness events at Farmer Markets or even have a pollinator festival. PPLAB has passed a resolution for Louisville to pursue becoming an official Bee City. They are starting a committee to implement the program. The cost of the program is about $200 a year. The committee would meet with a city staff member, fill in the online application, get city council to adopt the resolution, and then the city would be an official Bee City and get a sign to post in the city. Ember shared how the pocket prairie program could be a good alignment with this plan and also shared the Open Space department's native species plant list. Susan asked if there was a plan to replace some park vegetation with native species. Ellen said she thought there was a plan to replace the old BMX track at Community Park with a pollinator garden. Susan pointed out that any of these plantings must be accompanied by a commitment to maintain them, or they will turn into weed patches and people will think they are ugly. Helen asked about staff's position on this plan and Adam said he was in support of it. Several OSAB members said they would be interested in volunteering with the committee, including Susan and Helen. Susan recommended installing solitary bee houses in public places. Charles recommended middle school woodshop projects as a way to manufacture bee houses for the city. Ember said that staff has been working with the Butterfly Pavilion. Jessamine suggested that the Fireside Elementary School garden might be a good place for a bee house. Josh Cooperman of 216 Griffith St. added he thought the LSAB would be in favor of this plan and he also volunteered to serve on the committee.