STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
September 23, 2025
CONSENT
17 SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITYCOMMITEE RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Approve the Environmental Sustainability Committee’s recommendation to direct staff to investigate and return to City Council with options regarding a proposed ordinance prohibiting the local sale of glue traps as well as the use of glue traps on public property;
2. Approve the Environmental Sustainability Committee’s recommendation to direct staff to investigate the feasibility and cost of incorporating carbon-positive concrete as a material option in the design and implementation of sidewalk and project infrastructure; and
3. Approve the Environmental Sustainabilitiy Committee’s recommendation to direct staff to investigate the design and implementation of concerning City Hall landscaping to a native plant garden in the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Capital Improvement Program.
Appropriation: $0 Fund: n/a
Submitted By: . Approved: David A Kiff
Jeremy Frimond, Assistant City
Manager
Dave Kiff, City Manager
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
The Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC) has presented three unanimous recommendations for City Council consideration: (1) investigate the viability of an ordinance banning the local sale and City use of glue traps due to their inhumane impacts on rodents and unintended harm to wildlife; (2) evaluation of carbon positive concrete for public infrastructure projects as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with staff to assess feasibility regarding cost, durability, and availability; and (3) investigate the conversion of the landscaping in front of City Hall into a native plant demonstration garden to promote water conservation, reduced fertilizer use, and enhanced habitat for pollinators and wildlife. At this stage, no final decision or financial impact is prepared. If approved, each item will be returned to Council with detailed analyses before implementation/final decision.
DISCUSSION
This report provides recommendations from the ESC for the City Council’s consideration. At its noticed meetings on July 21 and August 18, 2025, ESC approved the recommended list below:
Prepare an Ordinance Banning the Local Sale and City Use of Glue Traps. At its July 21, 2025, meeting, the ESC voted unanimously in support of City staff investigating the viability of a glue trap ordinance.
Environmental Sustainability Committee Recommendations
September 23, 2025
A glue trap is a flat board or tray coated with a strong adhesive designed to capture animals, commonly rodents, when they encounter its surface. Glue traps immobilize animals, leaving them to die slowly from starvation, dehydration, or stress.
Glue traps do not discriminate. They often trap unintended wildlife such as birds, lizards, snakes, frogs, and even household pets. These animals can become fatally stuck while foraging or seeking shelter.
Evaluate Carbon Positive Concrete for Public Infrastructure Projects. At its July 21, 2025 meeting, the ESC voted unanimously in support of the City exploring the use of carbon positive concrete for public infrastructure projects.
Carbon positive concrete is a type of construction material designed to absorb more carbon dioxide than is emitted during its production. Unlike traditional concrete, which is a source of greenhouse gas emissions, carbon positive concrete reduces the carbon footprint of infrastructure projects and contributes to long-term climate goals.
Staff has not evaluated the costs, availability for larger capital projects, or durability of carbon positive concrete. If directed to proceed, staff would assess these factors and provide a memorandum to the City Council and Environmental Sustainability Committee on the feasibility of incorporating this construction material.
Native Plant Garden at City Hall. At its August 18, 2025, meeting, the ESC voted unanimously in support of the City to explore the conversion of the landscaping in front of City Hall to a native plant garden.
A native plant garden in Southern California is a landscape designed with plants that naturally occur in the region’s coastal sage scrub, chaparral, riparian, and desert ecosystems. These gardens offer benefits by reducing water use through drought-tolerant species, minimizing reliance on fertilizers, and creating essential habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife unique to Southern California.
Staff recommends that the City Council support the inclusion of a native demonstration garden in the Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Capital Improvement Program. The recommended approach is to retain a landscape architect to prepare design plans, present the proposed project to the Planning Commission for public input, and then proceed with installation of the garden based on the approved plans. This option provides the most effective pathway to ensure professional design, community engagement, and a high-quality, sustainable outcome.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action has no financial impact at this stage. If directed to proceed, each of the individual items would be brought back to the City Council at a future meeting with a specific financial analysis and a more detailed evaluation of the benefits and implications of the policy consideration.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The recommended actions are not ”projects” pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Specifically, CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2) and (b)(5), exclude from the definition of ”project” Environmental Sustainability Committee Recommendations
September 23, 2025
general policy direction and administrative activities that do not commit the City to a specific development proposal or result in a physical change to the environment.
In particular, the recommended action proposes the following:
• The investigation of an ordinance banning glue traps is an administrative activity with no immediate environmental impact, as any future ordinance will require independent environmental review. • The direction to explore the use of carbon-positive concrete involves feasibility analysis and information collection..
• The investigation into the feasibility of a native plant garden project in the Capital Improvement Program does not authorize construction or physical alteration at this time.
The above recommended actions do not constitute projects pursuant to the CEQA Section 15378(b)(2) and (b)(5) as they are general policy decisions and/or administrative activities of the City. Future actions stemming from these recommendations, including any ordinance adoption or capital improvements, will be subject to independent and separate environmental review.
ATTACHMENTS
None
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Jeremy Frimond, Assistant City Manager