Sculpture Valley

This is a community call to participate in serious discussions about the questionable future of what I believe to be possitive programs which my progressive colleagues on Council and I have introduced or championed over the past couple of years.

On Monday, Municipal Service will take up recommendations to;

A. Halt negotiations with Bird micro mobility for the 2024 season, putting the future of that program, which now includes e-bikes, into question. This year our neighbors in Green Bay will be welcoming both Bird e-scoters and e-bikes to their City.

B. Discontinue the NoMoyMay policy of pausing w**d ordinance enforcement for the month of May. While we have all come to understand that the program needs to be Re-tooled into something akin to Slow-Mow Spring with move education and community engagement needed, putting the brakes on it will not propel citizens to continue evaluating their lawn care practices and coming up with new ways to help create sustainable and supportive unban ecosystems.

C. Accept the City’s recommendation to NOT limit the use of Glyphosate or 2-4D Round-up and it’s derivatives on public property despite massive landslide successful lawsuits in the Billions against Monsanto and the questionable EPA research suggesting it’s use is safe. As pressure mounts and more individuals with adverse health effects win cases again the corporation, so too does the risk the City assumes with continued use and the potential to be sued by any resident living in proximity to public land where it is used to control w**ds.

As we try to move to a move equitable, sustainable and resilient community with programs like these, we have to be careful not to balk when legitimate challenges arrive. We should tackle each issue head on and be willing to make modifications that keep the momentum moving in a possitive direction.

The easy move to halt these programs while giving immediate relief from those who take issue, does not propel us into the future, but backslides the City which has done so much great work to create a great place to work, live and get the most out of life.

Please considering attending the Monday meeting at 4:30 in Council chambers if you have any strong opinions on these matters. We would love to hear from you.

Alderman Schultz