There are some areas where our City could cut costs without affecting services. We suggest two below.
Fully Implement the City’s Integrated Pest Management Plan.
In July of 1991, the City adopted the “Pest Management Policies and Practices” prepared by the City’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) specialist. In 1995, the Natural Resources Commission established a citizen task force on IPM to make recommendations to the NRC and City Council. Goals were to reduce use of pesticides in the City both by City staff and contractors; by business and retail operations; and by private citizens and households in the City. Strategies developed under the IPM program discouraged the use of toxic pesticides and herbicides in pest management and encouraged use of non-toxic solutions for pest control. The City’s IPM plan has yet to be fully implemented, however. According to the City’s 2005 Pesticide Use Report, the City is still using thousands of pounds of toxic chemicals in pest management at a cost of thousands of dollars. Fully implementing the IPM would be a cost saving for the City and a benefit to the community and the environment.
Timers on Park Lights
Thousands of dollars are spent on late night lighting in our parks and greenbelts. The City could save some of this money by putting timers on these lights, and having them go off at a reasonable hour at night. Signs posted in the parks and greenbelts could advise people accordingly. Other communities have adopted this policy with great success. Elimination of night lighting in our parks and greenbelts would also benefit wildlife that are active at night.
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Please join us by voting NO on Measure G.
