Council Appointee Sub-Committee

City of Portland Pesticide Management Advisory Committee June 4, 2019 6:30 PM Room 24 1. Welcome and Check In 2. Review and approve minutes from May 7 a. Draft minutes 3. Staff Reports a. Brown Tail Moth treatment b. Contacts with members of the public or businesses 4. Other Discussion a. Importance and techniques for improving soil health. 5. Next Meeting: DATE a. Discuss next meeting date and topic ­­ managing invasive species. 6. Adjournment  CITY OF PORTLAND, MAINE Pesticide Management Advisory Committee Draft Minutes May 7, 2019 Members Present:​ Avery Kamilla, Karen Snyder, ​Carol Laboissonniere​, Jesse O’Brien, Tim Lindsey, Priscilla Skerry Staff Present​:​ Troy Moon Meeting was called to order at 6:24 PM by Jesse O’Brien. Welcome and introductions ​- everyone did a brief check in Jesse - IPM meeting Avery - from Scarborough PMAC, where to target education Karen - talked to a retailer concerned about losing customers Priscilla - working with South Portland - working on fertilizer Troy - busy with lots of projects Tim - concerned about cedar extracts, feels it is carcinogenic, will bring more information to the next meeting Carol - exhibited at Portland Home Show, lots of good contact with people. Has also been talking to Tru Green as part of her business. Review and approve minutes from April 2, 2019 ● all in favor 7-0. Report on South Portland PMAC meeting about grubs Jesse -- had waiver requests from SMCC and Wainwright. City Manager returned to PMAC for review who denied again. March meeting with applicants and industry professionals. Discussion that they may want to consider a “rescue treatment” for when economic damage on high value turf. Julie Rosenbach has changed the waiver request form - Acelpryn now acceptable for grubs in certain circumstances. Wainwright and SMCC testing grubs. They found Junebug and European chafer grubs. Having discussion about changing the ordinance. Will be preparing a report to the South Portland City Council. Both SMCC and Wainwright - had used many organic products first but did not have good results. Great confusion on how to fill out a waiver form Future topics: Trees Update on Parks and Rec on fields, what they’re doing Report on contacts with members of the public regarding the ordinance ● Troy ○ Pesticide preemption bill killed ○ More calls about the ordinance but still not too many ○ Call from landscaping company in Columbia MO that would like a similar ordinance ○ A few questions about treatment for ticks ○ Some calls about carpenter ants in the home ○ Attended meeting of the Invasive Species Network ○ Talking to NOFA about a fall workshop, probably turf ○ Will participate with South Portland on fertilizer ○ Talking to CCSWCD about a fall workshop Waiver Applications ● None Brochure: Looks good. Will get it printed. Karen - in links -- make sure Beyond Pesticide link is in red Utility right of way spraying - as defined about state law Next meeting: May 7, 6:30pm ● Determine tabling events and who will work at each event ● Discuss enforcement Grassy weeds Goose grass, barnyard grass, crab grass (worst) Grow differently than lawn grasses. Lawn grasses better in cool weather. Warm season grasses -- crabgrass, grows when lawn grasses are stressed. Very hearty. Seed in late summer or early fall. Seed in July then crabgrass will outcompete desirable grass. Crabgrass throws out lots of seeds. Best tools are cultural practices -- let grass grow tall will prevent crabgrass seeds from germinating because it shades them. Irrigation can help cool the grasses and help it in hot weather. Corn gluten is the only organic product that works against crab grass before it germinates. Outreach:​ Alert members of opportunities to do outreach. Motion was made by adjourned the meeting at 8:05 pm.