2019-76 Ordinance Approving a Temporary Moratorium on the Enforcement of Chapter 48 Section 8 Weeds

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DATE: July 12,2019 T0: Mayor Julie Moore-Wolfe and Decatur City Council Members FROM: Scot Wrighton,Ciry Manage r� SUBJECT: Limited Weed Enforcement Moratorium Recommended for consideration is a temporary moratorium on enforcement of high grass nuisances.The moratorium is occasioned by proposals made recently by several parties to develop,plant or retain natural prairie garden sites that purport to be native prairie grass restorations. Corporate, private and community entities have suggested using prairie grass restorations for their environmental benefits, and as a way to integrate conservation practices into the city's neighborhood revitalizations.The Park District has also studied this option for land management. Restoring whole sections of Decatur's urban environment to an authentic native prairie grass ecosystem is not practical, nor would it likely be desirable to most citizens.The original illinois prairies included some grasses that grew to twelve feet in height; it was a habitat for rattlesnakes and other animal species that would not be compatible with urban life in the 21St Century; the original prairie grass ecosystem burned regularly to remove dead stems and leaves of plants without killing the roots.Today,prescribed burning is still a recommended management tool for maintaining prairie grass sites in rural areas.So any inside-the-city prairie grass garden projects would have to be carefully managed,and they would have to be a scaled-back compromise that minimized hazards and nuisances to nearby residents (rodent,weed,wildlife, insect,pollen, fire and other hazards). Some other Midwest communities have adopted ordinances that proscribe management rules for prairie grass restoration gardens; so if the Decatur City Council wishes to adopt such an ordinance,it has other cities to look to for best practice ideas. However,each city should fashion their ordinance to its unique urban requirements,citizen wishes and local ecosystems.The city of Decatur has already adopted some rules regarding grasses near Lake Decatur; so this will serve as a starting point. But most Illinois prairies are dry or]ow moisture areas where big bluestem,compass plant,rattlesnake master,leadplants,clover and blazing star are found. Little attention has been given to how such species can be properly maintained and managed in an urban setting. The purpose of the moratorium is to give the city a reasonable period of time to research,develop,and bring to the City Council an ordinance that regulates and permits a compromise that adds value to the urban landscape while still controlling the undesirable elements of uncontrolled prairie grass pastures.The moratorium is very limited in scope and allows the city to determine whether a property owner is really attempting to create a prairie grass restoration site.