HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 18-269RESOLUTION NO. 18-269
A RESOLUTION OF THE BEAUMONT CITY COUNCIL
DESIGNATING BEAUMONT, TEXAS AS A BEE CITY USA®
AFFILIATE.
WHEREAS, the mission of BEE CITY USA is to galvanize communities to
sustain pollinators, responsible for the reproduction of 90% of the world's wild plant
species, by providing them with healthy habitat, rich in a variety of native plants and free
to nearly free of pesticides; and,
WHEREAS, thanks to the more than 3600 species of native bees in the United
States, along with introduced honey bees, we have very diverse dietary choices rich in
fruits, nuts, and vegetables; and,
WHEREAS, bees and other pollinators have experienced population declines
due to a combination of habitat loss, use of pesticides, and the spread of pests and
diseases; and,
WHEREAS, pollinator -friendly communities can benefit local and regional
economies through healthier ecosystems, increased vegetable and fruit crop yields, and
increased demand for pollinator -friendly plant materials from local nurseries and
growers; and,
WHEREAS, ideal pollinator -friendly habitat:
• Provides diverse and abundant nectar and pollen from plants blooming in
succession throughout the growing season;
• Provides water for drinking, nest -building, cooling, diluting stored honey, and
butterfly puddling;
• Provides undisturbed spaces (leaf and brush piles, un -mowed fields or field
margins, fallen trees and other dead wood) for nesting and overwintering for wild
pollinators
• 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 forbs,
grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees in landscapes because many wild pollinators
prefer or depend on the native plants with which they co -adapted;
• Includes, where possible, designated pollinator zones in public spaces with
signage to educate the public and build awareness; and,
• Provides for safe and humane removal of honey bees when required
; and,
WHEREAS, supporting native and honey bees and other pollinators fosters
environmental awareness and sustainability, and increases interactions among
community stewards, backyard beekeepers, farmers, children, educators, Master
Gardeners, local businesses; faith -based organizations, and nature -related
organizations; 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 Beaumont, Texas chooses to support and encourage pollinator
habitat creation and enhancement on public and private land; and ,
WHEREAS, the City of Beaumont, Texas should be certified a BEE CITY USA
community because:
• The City of Beaumont agrees to pass this resolution;
• The City of Beaumont is committed to supporting pollinator habitats by planting
pollinator -friendly plants; and,
• The City of Beaumont is committed to working with local community groups to
spread education and awareness regarding the importance of pollinators to our
community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT:
THAT the statements and findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby,
in all things, approved and adopted; and,
and,
THAT the Executive Office is hereby designated as the BEE CITY USA sponsor;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Executive Assistant to the City Manager
is designated as the BEE CITY USA liaison; and,
BE IT ALSO RESOLVED THAT facilitation of the City of Beaumont's BEE CITY
USA program is assigned to the Bee City Beaumont Committee; and,
BE IT ALSO RESOLVED THAT the Bee City Beaumont Committee is authorized
to, and should:
a. Celebration: Annually celebrate National Pollinator Week (third full week of
June) or some other appropriate occasion with educational events,
proclamations or promotions that showcase the City of Beaumont's
commitment to enhancing pollinator health and habitat.
b. Publicity & Information: Install and maintain at least one authorized BEE
CITY USA street sign in a prominent location, and create and maintain a
webpage on the City of Beaumont's website which includes, at minimum,
a copy of this resolution, links to the national BEE CITY USA website and
reports of the pollinator -friendly activities the community has accomplished
the previous year(s).
c. Habitat: Develop and implement a program to create or expand pollinator -
friendly habitat, which can include, but is not limited to:
i. Identification and inventory of City of Beaumont real property that
can be enhanced with pollinator -friendly plantings; and
ii. Creation of a recommended locally native species list to include
wildflowers, grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees and a list of local
suppliers for those species, and
iii. Dissemination of informational and educational materials to the
public, and
iv. Tracking annual area of pollinator habitat created or enhanced by
square footage and/or acreage.
d. Pest Management: Create and adopt a pollinator -friendly integrated pest
management plan.
e. Plan Review: Review relevant city planning documents to identify
appropriate locations for pollinator -friendly plantings, with regard to pest
management policies and practices as they relate to pollinator
conservation, and to consider other appropriate measures.
f. Renewal: After completing the first full year as a BEE CITY USA affiliate,
each January, apply for renewal of the City of Beaumont's BEE CITY USA
designation following the format provided by BEE CITY USA, including a
report of the previous year's BEE CITY USA activities, and paying the
renewal fee based on the City of Beaumont's population.
The meeting at which this resolution was approved was in all things conducted in
strict compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter
551.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the 23rd day of
October, 2018.
Approved as to form:
- Wayor Becky Ames -
Attest:
0 v\
Tina Broussard, City Clerk