City of Milwaukee - File #: 220110

• File #: 220110
• Version: 3
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 5/10/2022
• In control: COMMON COUNCIL
• Final action: 3/21/2023
• Effective date: 4/8/2023
• Title: A substitute ordinance suspending enforcement of the tall grass and weeds ordinance during the month of May.
• Sponsors: ALD. DIMITRIJEVIC, ALD. BROSTOFF
• Indexes: NUISANCES, WEEDS

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
4/7/2023	3	CITY CLERK	PUBLISHED
3/28/2023	3	MAYOR	SIGNED
3/21/2023	2	COMMON COUNCIL	SUBSTITUTED; Minutes note: Ald. Dimitrijevic moved substitution of the file with Proposed Substitute A. (Prevailed 12-0) The Proposed Substitute provides that homeowners, rather than the City, shall provide the signs to be displayed on properties participating in the program.	Pass	12:0
3/21/2023	3	COMMON COUNCIL	PASSED; Minutes note: Ald. Brostoff added as a cosponsor.	Pass	11:1
3/9/2023	1	PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE	HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR; Minutes note: Appearing: Sponsor- Ald. Dimitrijevic Randy Krouse - Forestry Erin Stoekel - Forestry Ald. Zamarrripa asked to be added as Co-sponsor. AMENDMENT This is the language that was added, under section 2.5 "The department shall provide signage to each homeowner who has received a “no mow May” permit. The sign shall be displayed on the homeowner’s lawn. The department shall report the results of the “no mow May” program to the common council during the first quarter of each year."	Pass	5:0
3/9/2023	1	PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE	RECONSIDERED	Pass	5:0
3/9/2023	2	PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE	RECOMMENDED FOR PASSAGE	Pass	3:0
5/19/2022	0	PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE	HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR; Minutes note: Requested to be held by the Sponsor.	Pass	5:0
5/10/2022	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO

Number

 220110

Version

 SUBSTITUTE 3

Reference

Sponsor

 ALD. DIMITRIJEVIC, BROSTOFF

Title

A substitute ordinance suspending enforcement of the tall grass and weeds ordinance during the month of May.

Section

80-17-2.5                     cr

Analysis

This ordinance suspends enforcement of the tall grass and weeds ordinance during the month of May for property owners who have obtained “no mow May” permits.

Body

Whereas, “No Mow May” is an environmental initiative that encourages people to avoid mowing their lawns in the month of May to help bee populations and other pollinators to create habitat among dandelions and other flowers during a crucial time of year; and

Whereas, Many city governments in Wisconsin, such as Appleton, Greenfield, and De Pere, have adopted programs whereby homeowners obtain permits exempting them from fines for having grass that is taller than the normal height requirements during the month of May; and 

Whereas, In one week of the initiative in Appleton, a sampling of participating untrimmed lawns indicated there was a fivefold increase in bee abundance and a threefold increase in bee diversity compared to nearby parkland that was mowed regularly; and

Whereas, The study also found that about 200 species were found growing in un-mowed lawns, including a number of rare plants; and

Whereas, The Department of Public Works could partner with the Zoological Society of Milwaukee to encourage residents to print their own yard signs indicating that they are part of a voluntary “No Mow May” program; and

Whereas, “No Mow May” yard signs in front yards would alert inspectors that property owners are exempt from enforcement of grass height requirements during the month of May and would serve an educational purpose by informing neighbors of the homeowners’ efforts to support pollinators; now, therefore

The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:

Part 1. Section 80-17-2.5 of the code is created to read:

2.5. EXEMPTION. The provisions of sub. 2 shall not apply during the month of May during that calendar year for any property owner who has obtained an annual “no mow May” permit from the commissioner. A property owner shall reapply annually to participate in the "no mow May" program. Homeowners shall provide signs, to be displayed on their properties, indicating they are participating in the program. The department shall report the results of the “no mow May” program to the common council during the first quarter of each year.

LRB

APPROVED AS TO FORM

____________________________

Legislative Reference Bureau

Date:  ______________________

Attorney

IT IS OUR OPINION THAT THE ORDINANCE

IS LEGAL AND ENFORCEABLE

____________________________

Office of the City Attorney

Date:  ______________________

 Requestor

Drafter

LRB177398-5

Alex Highley

3/21/2023