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BISBEE — Though the parks and recreation committee had requested the council amend its policy on non-herbicide use in the city to tackle the weed problem in Vista Park with Round-Up, the City Council unanimously voted to remain with the current policy of no herbicides and no pesticides.
Russ McConnell, public works director, explained that the project of weed removal by hand from Vista Park was too time-consuming and non-productive. He noted that Cochise County, Douglas, Benson and several other municipalities and the school districts used Round-Up to maintain weed-free areas.
The only place in the city where the herbicide would be used would be in Vista Park.
Councilman Jack Porter asked about the plan that was presented in the spring that proposed turning the soil and reseeding the park and was told by McConnell such a project would cost too much money.
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McConnell reminded the council that it took seven years to get the lawn in front of city hall to its current state with hand weeding and it was a relatively small area compared to the park.
Mayor Ron Oertle had talked with prison officials about using inmate labor and wanted to know why that was not being pursued.
The trouble with that, pointed out City Manager Stephen Pauken, is that the city would have to provide transportation for the inmates to and from the prison on work days. Inmates can work four days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. There is one old city van that could be used, but it could only transport 12 prisoners.
Oertle suggested holding volunteer weeding Saturdays to get rid of the problem, but McConnell said that over 90 percent of the vegetation was weeds.
A number of Bisbee residents spoke out against the use of herbicides citing health risks to children, unknown long-term dangers and the alleged toxic brew that can occur when Round-Up breaks down in certain types of soil.
There were suggestions to capture rain water to use to water the trees and the grass.
Pauken reminded everyone that Bisbee is in the desert and trying to grow grass in the desert and trees that require heavy water use is not advisable.
“We need to recognize the ecosystem that we live in here,” he said. “We need to enjoy it for what it is. There was a time when water from the mines was used to water the park. We now know the dangers of that.
“We need to adapt to our natural habitat. I don’t see how using these herbicides will help when we still don’t have the water we need to promote growth. Recently, we had to shut off one tap we used to water the park because it ran us $1,000 in a month’s time and we used 1.6 million gallons of water.”
Motorcycle parking was established with unanimous approval of the council along the concrete barricade at the end of Commerce Street by the post office. Also, the current parallel parking spaces by the entrance to the Bisbee Coffee Company will be modified to perpendicular parking to accommodate one more space.
In other business
• New wheels, rails and timber was approved for repairs to the cars and tunnels of the Queen Mine Tour.
• The fee change for Bisbee Airport was approved.
• David C. Morales was reappointed as city magistrate.
• Approved seeking a $500,000 grant for further upgrades to Arizona Street to make it bike and pedestrian-friendly.
• Approved seeking a grant from the Department of Commerce for funding a GIS (geographical information system) for the city.
• Approved a request by police chief Jim Elkins to trade in a 2004 Ford F-350 for a 2007 Chevy Colorado.
HERALD/REVIEW reporter Shar Porier can be reached at 515-4692 or by e-mail at shar.porier@bisbeereview.net.
me wrote on Jun 20, 2007 7:56 AM: