Electrification of Grounds Maintenance Services

This year the Grounds Maintenance crew purchased its first electric pickup truck! This is the first of many to help Public Works do its part to achieve City Council goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

We have also deployed an all-electric mower and continue to evaluate the use of smaller battery-operated landscape tools like backpack blowers, chain saws, line trimmers, and other tools of the trade. One challenge the city is facing with electric tools is battery life. Handheld electric tools work well for homeowners but are more problematic for commercial operations where batteries need to be changed every 20 to 30 minutes. Another challenge is the cost of these tools which can run two to four times the expense of fossil fuel options.

While the City understands these challenges, demand is increasing for electric tools and we expect the battery life issue will be resolved and the price point to come down in the near future.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

The City updated the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Policy in 2023. This policy works to improve upon our efforts to reduce or eliminate pesticides and other toxic chemical use. This reinforces our commitment to utilizing cultural and mechanical means of control for a wide variety of pests such as weeds, insects, and other pathogens. Visit the link provided for additional information on noxious weeds, stinging insects, and authorization for the use of pesticides. 

Some of the methods currently utilized are:

• Foamstream - The City's new machine (which resembles a carpet cleaner wand) uses hot water and an environmentally friendly coconut oil and glucose solution to eliminate weeds. The machine creates a foam from the oil which insulates over the hot water ensuring heat is not lost to the atmosphere. This allows the hot water (190 degrees or higher) to penetrate the leaves down into the root eliminating the weed.

• Arbor chips/Wood chip mulch – Arbor chips or mulch is material placed on the soil to cover and protect it. Arbor chips and mulch is an environmentally friendly method to suppress annual weeds by limiting light required for weed establishment.