Fiscal Note
The resolution has no fiscal impact.
Title
Accepting the Pollinator Protection Task Force Report as the guiding document for the City of Madison to address the issue of pollinator decline and directing the Madison Food Policy Council, with assistance of city staff, to implement the recommendations contained within the report.
Body
WHEREAS, the loss of pollinators is prevalent and poses an urgent problem to the vitality and security of our food and ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, the factors in pollinator loss include loss of habitat, heavy and diverse pesticide use, agricultural monocultures and other factors; and
WHEREAS, in response to the federal government calling for a review of federal departmental practices as it relates to pollinator health and habitat, the Madison City Council adopted a resolution directing the Madison Food Policy Council to create a Pollinator Protection Task Force; and
WHEREAS, formed in November 2014, the Pollinator Protection Task Force (PPTF) met over a dozen times to learn about the problem of pollinator loss through experts, review city departmental practices that impact pollinators, and provide recommendations on the issue; and
WHEREAS, the PPTF participated in a tour of city-owned land to observe the different types of land and the ongoing efforts of city departments in responsible land management; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council directed the PPTF to produce a report that guided city action on the issue of pollinator loss by August 2015; and
WHEREAS, after input from stakeholders, departments, and Food Policy Council members, the PPTF submits the report to the Mayor and Common Council for review and approval;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Common Council accept the Pollinator Protection Task Force Report as the guiding document for the City in addressing the issue of pollinator decline; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Common Council directs the Madison Food Policy Council to oversee the implementation of the recommendations contained within the report by working with city departments to advance the recommendations within the suggested time frame; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Food and Alcohol Policy Director shall produce a progress report to the Common Council in December 2016 demonstrating the progress made on the implementation of recommendations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that city staff shall continue close collaboration with partners and stakeholders, as outlined in the report, to maximize regional effectiveness of improving pollinators, including, but not limited to the Dane County Pollinator Task Force, the Dane County Beekeepers Association, and the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protections; and
BE FINALLY RESOLVED, that city staff shall monitor grant opportunities to support the implementation of recommendations.