Submitted By: Beaches, Parks and Recreation
Prepared By: Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director
Subject:
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REVIEW OF THE CITY'S INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY (POLICY NO. 801-5)
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Summary:
As requested by the City Council at the June 2, 2026 meeting, the purpose of this report is to provide the City Council with an overview of the City's Integrated Pest Management ("IPM") Policy No. 801-5, originally adopted on September 4, 2018. This report provides historical context concerning the adoption of the policy, summarizes implementation over the past seven years, and reaffirms staff's interpretation of the policy's guiding principles for future application.
The policy establishes a comprehensive framework for vegetation and pest management on City-owned property by emphasizing prevention, environmental stewardship, and the use of cultural, biological, and mechanical control methods before pesticides are considered. Rather than prohibiting pesticides, the policy establishes a prioritized decision-making process that limits pesticide use to situations where non-chemical methods have proven ineffective or are otherwise insufficient to address public health, safety, regulatory, environmental, or operational concerns. Since adoption, the policy has guided maintenance activities throughout City parks, trails, open space, public facilities, landscaped medians, and other public properties while balancing environmental protection with the City's responsibility to maintain safe, functional, and aesthetically maintained public spaces.
Background:
The City Council first considered adoption of an IPM Policy on September 5, 2017. At that time, the City Council received comments from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Orange County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, and members of the public regarding the City's proposed approach to pesticide use. While many commenters encouraged reducing pesticide use, both the USFWS and Ci...
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