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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9A - Lawn Fertilizer Ordinance CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: REVIEWED BY: AGENDA ITEM: AUGUST 7, 2000 9A LANOL LEICHTY, WATER RESOURCES COORDINATOR SUE MCDERMOTT, CITY ENGINEER CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE OO-XX AMENDING SECTION 600 OF THE PRIOR LAKE CITY CODE, ADDING SECTION 607: "LAWN FERTILIZER APPLICATION CONTROL" DISCUSSION: HISTORY' The purpose of this item is to consider approval of Ordinance 00- XX to amend City Code Section 600 which would restrict the use of phosphorus lawn fertilizer. The Comprehensive Lake Management Plan for Prior Lake, approved by City Council on June 19, 2000, identified this as one of the first priorities to be accomplished in the implementation schedule. CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES: Results from 124 soil sample tests conducted by the Watershed District since 1995 indicated that 40% of lawns around Prior Lake had a phosphorus level that exceeded that of the measurement scale. All of the tests had a phosphorus content ranging from high to very high (plus), with none having a range of low to medium phosphorus content. The purpose of the proposed ordinance is to define regulations , which will aid the City in managing and protecting its water resources which are enjoyed by its residents and other users. The attached ordinance contains licensing procedures for commercial applicators, as well as regulations and exemptions. The ordinance also implements a penalty for noncompliance. CONCLUSION: Phosphorus applied to lawns or turf has a negative impact on surface waters, especially if applied incorrectly. An increase of phosphorus in lakes can significantly increase the rate of aquatic vegetation growth. The 1998 lake survey conducted by the Lake Advisory Committee resulted in 48% of the respondents indicating water quality was their number one concern regarding the lake. This ordinance would prohibit the use of lawn fertilizer with phosphorus except for newly established lawns for the first growing season and for lawn areas that are deficient in phosphorus. Rh66100IlEtlgl~ePB~.o&E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ALTERNATIVES: RECOMMENDED MOTION: R:\COUNCIL IAGENDASINOPHOSPH.DOC ISSUES: Enforcement of the ordinance would be by the honor system for private residents. For commercial applicators of fertilizer, a license would be required to be obtained each year at a proposed cost of $50.00 per business. If Council adopts this ordinance, staff will notify all potential retail sellers and commercial applicators of lawn fertilizer in the local area of the new requirements. Residents will be notified through the Wave Length, the official publication notice in the Prior Lake American, an article in the W ater Watch, and through po stings around the City. The alternatives are as follows: 1. Adopt Ordinance OO-XX amending Section 600 of the Prior Lake City Code. 2. Table this item for a specific reason. 3. Deny the ordinance 00- XX at this time. A motion and second to adopt Ordinance OO-XX amending Section 600 of the Prior Lake City Code. REVIEWED BY: REVIEWED BY: ORDINANCE OO-XX AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 600 OF THE PRIOR LAKE CITY CODE The City Council of the City of Prior Lake does hereby ordain: Section 600 of the Prior Lake City Code is hereby amended to read as follows: Subsections: 607.100: 607.200 607.300 607.400 607.500 607.600 607.700 607.100: 607.200: SECTION 607 LAWN FERTILIZER APPLICATION CONTROL Purpose Definitions Regulations for Commercial Lawn Fertilizer Applicators General Regulations Exemption to Phosphorous Requirement Penalty Effective Date Purpose: The City has reviewed existing data related to the water quality of Prior Lake. The data indicates that lake water quality may be maintained and improved if the City is able to regulate the amount of lawn fertilizer entering the lake as a result of storm water runoff or other causes. Excessive nutrient loading leads to excessive aquatic vegetation and reduced transparency. The purpose of this ordinance is to define regulations, which will aid the City in managing and protecting its water resources which are enjoyed by its residents and other users. Definitions: For the purpose ofthis section, certain terms and words are defined as follows: . . ' . , '" "Commercial Applicator" is a person who is engaged in the business of applying fertilizer for profit.. "Fertilizer" means a substance containing one or more recognized plant nutrients that is used for its plant nutrient content and designed for use or claimed to have value in promoting plant growth. Fertilizer does not include animal and vegetable manures that are not manipulated, marl, lime, limestone and other products exempted by Rule by the Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture. R:\COUNCILIAGENDASINOPHOSPH.DOC T 607.300: 607.301 607.302 607.303 "Noncommercial Applicator" is a person who applies fertilizer during the course of employment, but who is not a commercial lawn fertilizer applicator, including such persons as lawn mowing companies. Regulations for Commercial Lawn Fertilizer Applicators: License Required: No person, firm, corporation or franchise shall engage in the business of commercial lawn fertilizer application within the City unless a license has been obtained from the City Manager or a designee as provided herein. License Allplication Procedure: Applicants for a commercial lawn fertilizer applicator license shall be submitted to the City Manager or a designee. The application shall be on a form provided by the City and contain at a minimum of the following information: (1) Application Form. Applications forms shall be provided by the City and shall include the following instructions: )> Name, address and telephone number of applicant and any individuals authorized to represent the applicant. )> Description of lawn fertilizer formula proposed to be applied an lawns within the City. )> A time schedule for application of lawn fertilizer and identification of weather conditions acceptable for lawn fertilizer application. (2) Product Material Safety Data Sheet. A copy of Material Safety Data Sheet, including product chemical analysis of the intended lawn fertilizer, shall be submitted to the City along with the initial application for a license, and, thereafter, at least seven days before fertilizer composition changes are implemented. (3) Minnesota State Licenses. A copy of all licenses required of the applicant by the State of Minnesota regardmg the application of pesticides and fertilizers. (4) License Fee. An applicator license fee for each commercial business shall be Fifty Dollars ($50.00) or as determined or as established by the City Council. The license shall expire on the 31 st day of December. The license fee shall not be prorated. ~ Add.\.no'1"\ 3h~o(~eQ. Such other mformatlun a~ the Glty Manager may deem necessary to making an informed decision concerning whether to issue a license to the applicant. (5) Conditions of License: Commercial lawn fertilizer applicator licenses shall be issued subject to the following conditions which shall be specified on the license form: (1) Random Sampling. Commercial lawn fertilizer applicators shall permit the City to sample any commercial lawn fertilizer applications to be applied within the City at any time after issuance of the initial license. R:\COUNCILIAGENDASINOPHOSPH.DOC 607.400: 607.401 607.402 607.403 607.404 607.405 607.500: (2) Possession of License. The commercial lawn fertilizer license, or a copy thereof shall be in the possession of any party employed by the commercial lawn fertilizer applicator when making lawn fertilizer applications within the City. (3) Possession of Product Material Safety Data Sheet. A copy of product Material Data Safety Sheet of the lawn fertilizer used shall be in the possession of any party employed by the commercial lawn fertilizer applicator when making lawn fertilizer applications within the City. (4) State Regulations. Licensee shall comply with the provisions of the Minnesota Fertilizer and Soil Conditioner Law as contained in Minnesota Statutes Sections 17.711 through and including 17.729 and amendments thereto. General Regulations. M fTSh'j Time of Application: ~ commercial applicato~\ or noncommercial applicator\ may apply lawn fertilizer when the ground is frozen or when conditions exist which will promote or create storm water runoff. Sample Analvsis Cost: The cost of analyzing fertilizer samples taken from commercial applicators shall be paid by the commercial applicators if the sample analysis indicates that phosphorus content exceeds the levels authorized herein. N. p~ v> I> '" ~ rW /)or Fertilizer Content: cithef-il commercial applicator AeMt noncommercial applicator shall apply any lawn fertilizer, liquid or granular, within the City of Prior Lake which contains any amount of phosphorous or other compound containing phosphorous, such as phosphate, except: (I) the naturally occurring phosphorous in unadulterated natural or organic fertilizing products such as yard waste compost (..01. (2) or as otherwise provided in Section~ Co)YMo(.I~,<-f Jff/tcJ16Y ff Yllf)'l(O~;;r/~ Impervious Surfaces and Drainal!e Ways: No perso~hall apply fertilizer to impervious surfaces, areas within drainage ditches, or waterways. Buffer Zone: No fertilizers and pesticides regardless of whether it contains phosphorus shall be applied: (I) below the Ordinary High Water lines as established by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; or (2) within fifteen (15) feet of any wetland or water resource. Exemption to Phosphorous Requirement: The limitation pertaining to quantity of phosphorous shall not apply to: (I) newly established or developed turf and lawn areas during the first growing season; or R:\COUNCILIAGENDASINOPHOSPH.DOC 607.600 607.700 607.800 (2) turf and lawn areas which soil tests confirm are below phosphorous levels established by the University of Minnesota Extension Services. The lawn fertilizer application shall not contain an amount of phosphorous exceeding the amount of phosphorous and the appropriate application rate recommended in the soil test evaluation. Phosphorus applied as lawn fertilizer pursuant to the aforementioned exemptions shall be watered into the soil where it is mobilized and generally protected from loss by runoff. At least 24 hours prior to applying lawn fertilizer that exceeds the phosphorus limits as specified in this subsection, the City must receive notice from the commercial license applicator of the lawn fertilizer application, the reason for exceeding the phosphorous limitations provided in this Chapter and the amount of phosphorous contained in the lawn fertilizer to be applied. . Penalty: Any person or business violating any provision of this Section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than seven hundred dollars ($700.00) The City may revoke a commercial applicator's license for any subsequent violations of this Chapter. Revocation: The City manager may revoke a commercial applications license upon finding that there has been a violation of this Chapter. The City manager shall provide a license with ten (10) days written notice that the City manager intends to revoke the license. The notice shall state the violation and provide a factual basis for the determination. The licensee may, within the ten (10) day notice period, request a hearing before the City Manager to present facts why the licensee's license should not be revoked. The City Manager shall meet with the appellant within five (5) business days of receiving the licensee's notice requesting reconsideration of the revocation decision. The meeting with the licensee shall consist of the City Manager and a department head designated by the City Manager to observe and document the discussion between the licensee and the City Manager. The licensee may be accompanied by any individual who has evidence to support the licensee's claim that the licensee has not violated any provision set out in this Section. Effective Date: For noncommercial applicators this Section shall become effective upon its due passage and enactment and publication according to law. For commercial applicators this Section shall become effective January I, 2001. Passed by the City Council of the City of Prior Lake this 7th day of August, 2000. ATTEST: Frank Boyles, City Manager Wesley Mader, Mayor R:\COUNCIL IAGENDAS\NOPHOSPH. DOC Published in the Prior Lake American on the 12th day of August, 2000. Drafted By: City of Prior Lake Engineering Department 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372 ( \ / ~1, C(6J6 _~IL~', .q 6' ~~Ill-... :t huA /flrtLl~ lb ~ '- . ~ td, l!.bu.f+~. C,l)",-~~f ~'. ~ ~t'\\2i 1'11'5 ~l.Yt ~ llitA. oS ~ f1t* be. I "l.J"U.u::la..k.cl. . R:\COUNCILIAGENDASINOPHOSPH.DOC ,~...~.,..,,",,-- ."_.~.~.,, .,.....,..~-.... ~.-.--^'..""'~"~-"-..-~'-'_._"---..-......-_._.~-,~....._,.~_. , . .c. ."T"-... ".. ----'____'" . . - City of Prior Lake 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 Phone: (952) 447-4230 Fax: (952) 447-4263 Fertilizer Applicator License Application I. APPLICANT INFORMATION Company Name: Trade Name: Applicant Name: Address: Phone#: Business Owner: Nature of Business: II. LICENSE & INSURANCE INFORMATION State Sales Tax Number: Insurance Company: State License Number: Insurance Policy Number: III. FEE License fee is $50.00 for each Commercial Applicator conducting business in Prior Lake. IV. LAWN FERTILIZER APPLICATION CONTROL ORDINANCE I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE AND UNDERSTAND THE INTEND OF THIS ORDINANCE AND AGREE TO COMPLY WITH ALL ITS PARTS. I, FURTHER UNDERSTAND, THE SPECIFIC STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY THIS ORDINANCE FOR FERTILIZER CONTENT AND ITS TIME OF APPLICATION WITHIN THE CITY OF PRIOR LAKE. SIGNATURE DATE V. SUPPLEMENT ARY MATERIALS Please make sure the following items are included with your application: . Proof of Insurance . Copy of State License (company license and applicator license). . Check for the appropriate amount (make check payable to the City of Prior Lake). . Material Safety Data Sheets of all fertilizer products intended to use. Make sure to include the product ratio (N, P, K) of all products. . Certificate of Compliance for the Minnesota Worker's Compensation Law, and The Department of Revenue, and the Tennessen Warning form. GIFORMSIFERTlLZDOC CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE INFORMATION Pursuant to Minnesota Statue 270.72 Tax Clearance; Issuance of Licenses, the licensing authority is required to provide to the Minnesota Commissioner of Revenue your Minnesota business tax identification number and the social security number of each license applicant (person sil!ninl! the application). Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and the Federal Privacy Act of 1974, we are required to advise you of the following regarding the use ofthis information: 1. This information may be used to deny the issuance, renewal, or transfer of your license in the event you owe the Minnesota Department of Revenue delinquent taxes, penalties, or interest; 2. Upon receiving this information, the license authority will supply it only to the Minnesota Department of Revenue. However, under the Federal Exchange of Information Agreement, the Department of Revenue may supply this information to the Internal Revenue Service; 3. Failure to supply this information may jeopardize or delay the processing of your license issuance. Please supply the following information and return along with your application: TYPE OF LICENSE BEING APPLIED FOR OR RENEWED: PERSONAL INFORMATION: Applicant's Name: Applicant's Address: (City) (State) (Zip) Social Security Number: BUSINESS INFORMATION: Business Name: Business Address: (City) (State) (Zip) Minnesota Tax Identification Number: Federal Tax Identification Number: If a Minnesota Tax: Identification number is not required, please explain on the reverse side. Date Signature and Position (Officer, Owner, Partner) G:\FORMSIDEPTREV.DOC . -""-~""-"----'~~"~"-"--'-~'~~----"',-", NOTIFICATION FOR LICENSE INVOLVING PRIVATE OR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION (includes Tennessen Warning) In connection with your request for a license, the City has asked that you provide information about yourself which may be classified as private, confidential, non-public, or protected non-public under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. This means that this data is not ordinarily available to the general public. Accordingly, the City is required to inform you of the following: 1. The purpose and intended use of the information requested is to determine if you are eligible for a license from the City of Prior Lake. 2. You are not legally obligated to supply the requested information. 3. The known consequences of supplying the requested information is that the information or further investigation could disclose information which could cause your application to be denied. 4. The known consequences of refusing to supply the requested information is that your request for a license cannot be processed. 5. A criminal charge, arrest, or conviction will not necessarily bar you from obtaining a license with the City, unless the conviction is related to the matter for which the license is sought, according to Minnesota Statute 364.03. However, failure to reveal the requested criminal information will be considered falsification of the application and may be used as grounds for the denial of the application. 6. Other governmental agencies necessary to process your application are authorized by law to receive the information provided. 7. The City is required by law to furnish some of this information to the Department of Labor and Industry and the Minnesota Commissioner of Revenue. Tlte undersigned, by signing tltis notice, acknowledges tltat Ite/slte Itas read and understood tlte contents of tit is notice and Itas received a copy of tit is notice. Date Signature G:IFORMSILlCENSE.DOC CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE MINNESOTA WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAW Minnesota Statue, Section 176.182 requires every state and local licensing agency to withhold the issuance or renewal of a license or permit to operate a business or engage in an activity in Minnesota until the applicant presents acceptable evidence of compliance with the workers' compensation insurance coverage requirements of MSS Chapter 176. The information required is: the name of the insurance company, the policy number, and dates of coverage, or the permit to self insure. This information will be collected by the City and retained in the files. This information is required by law, and licenses and permits to operate a business may not be issued or renewed if it is not provided and/or is falsely reported. Furthermore, if this information is not provided or falsely stated, it may result in a $1,000 penalty assessed against the applicant by the Commissioner ofthe Department of Labor and Industry. Insurance Company Name: (NOT the insurance agent) Policy Number: Dates o/Coverage: TO (OR) I am not required to have workers' compensation liability coverage because: o I have no employees o I am self insured (include permit to self-insure) o I have no employees who are covered by the workers' compensation law these include: (spouse, parents, children and certain farm employees) I certify that the information provided above is accurate and complete and that a valid worker's compensation policy will be kept in effect at all times as required by law. Name: (First) (Middle) (Last) Name of Business: Business Area: (City) (State) (Zip) Business Phone: Date Signature G:\FORMS\ WORKCOMP.DOC