Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR A GRANT OF $13,600 FOR CONTROL OF INVASIVE KNOTWEED AND WILD PARSNIP ON CITY LANDS.
Body
CITY PROPOSAL:
RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are authorized to apply to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for a noxious weed and invasive plant grant of $13,600 for control of invasive knotweed and wild parsnip on city lands and education to contractors and landowners.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the city of Duluth has the legal authority to apply for the money, and the financial, technical and managerial capacity to ensure proper planning and maintenance of the project.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the city of Duluth will provide a grant match with in-kind staff time to support grant award outcomes.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the Duluth city council names the fiscal agent for this project as Wayne Parson, City of Duluth Chief Financial Officer.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes application to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for a grant of $13,600 for control of invasive knotweed and wild parsnip on city lands. The grant funds will also be utilized for education to contractors and landowners.
Wild parsnip is a public safety risk as its sap is a skin irritant that can cause painful rash and blistering. Knotweed is a difficult to control species that can cause significant harm to public infrastructure. Both species are just getting a foothold in Duluth. Partners from the southern St. Louis County Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area partners and the MN Department of Agriculture have located infestations across the city. The grant would allow the City to eradicate invasives at thirty knotweed locations and three parsnip locations.