City Council Meeting Date: February 18, 2020
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Beth Kallestad
Program Coordinator
Title
Consider amendment to Northfield City Ordinance, Chapter 86 - Vegetation, Article 1 Regarding Noxious Weeds.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council considers the second reading of proposed amendment to Northfield City Ordinance, Chapter 86 - Vegetation, Article 1 Regarding Noxious Weeds.
Summary Report:
The issue of amending the City’s Noxious Weed ordinance was brought before the City of Northfield’s Environmental Quality Commission in 2019 by Nancy Braker, Director of the Carleton College Cowling Arboretum. The EQC worked with City staff through several versions to develop appropriate language.
At the November 20, 2019 meeting of the City of Northfield’s Environmental Quality Commission, two resolutions and rational for adoption were proposed and approved for recommendations to City Council. See attached.
The first reading of the ordinance was held on February 4, 2020. There were no public comments received related to the recommended changes to the ordinace.
Alternative Options:
Council does not make any changes to this ordinance.
Financial Impacts:
Staff anticipates minimal financial impact in removing several Amur Cork trees on City property and directing some limited staff time to add educational materials to the City website.
Enforcement of this ordinance will continue to be on a complaint basis.
Tentative Timelines:
February 4, 2020 - Consider First Reading of Ordinance
February 18, 2020 - Second Reading of Ordinance and Summary Publication
Ordinance effective 30 days after publication