Oliver Vigelius, Manager of Lindsay Maintenance Area and Capital Projects, attended the CKLEAC meeting to explain the City's program to control noxious weeds in the right of ways. Oliver explained the City does not use glyphosates in controlling weeds and only use herbicides. The main herbicide they are using now is called "Clearview". The only time they use glysophates is in a new experimental program where they spray the guard rails. The reason they do this is that it is safer and cheaper than having staff clearing the weeds on the side of the road. The majority of the work they do is on a complaint basis to control problem plants like poison ivy, Japanese Knott Weed, Hog Weed and wild parsnips.
Chair P. Warren asked that Oliver forward the SDS sheet on Clearview so that it could be placed on the next Agenda.
Councillor Miller suggested there could be a better communications program to let people know that the City is not using harmful pesticides in the right of ways as he receives a number of phone calls from people who are concerned with the City doing this work.
Oliver advised staff have a requirement to notify the public of the weed control they are doing in the right of ways and do so once a month. Press releases are also circulated explaining the work they are doing. Oliver agreed to send to the Chair the list of press releases and notices they put in the newspaper and a list of the noxious plants they are controlling.
Councillor Miller suggested that Oliver notify the Lakes Associations of the details of the work they are doing and the herbicides they are using. This may reduce the mis-information that is circulating.