REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Completion of Council Priority Project SU-16 Eliminate the Use of Chemical Pesticide on City Owned or Leased Property (Information Only)
Report
BACKGROUND
This study issue (now known as Council Priority Project) was first presented at the City Council Study Issues Workshop on February 17, 2017. The study issue proposal had been deferred for several years before it was ranked above the line by the City Manager in 2025. The project was categorized as requiring a major level of staff effort, and City Council allocated $100,000 to complete the study using consultant services.
With the effort beginning in July 2025, Environmental Services Department (ESD) staff completed the study in-house through a collaborative effort between ESD and the Department of Public Works (DPW).
The findings were presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission on July 10, 2026, the Sustainability Commission on July 15, 2026, and the City Council on July 21, 2026.
This informational Report to Council officially completes the Council Priority Project and summarizes next steps after incorporating feedback from the Commissions and Council.
EXISTING POLICY
General Plan Policy EM-8.3 Ensure that stormwater control measures and Best Management Practices (BMPs) are implemented to reduce the discharge of Pollutants in storm water to the maximum extent practicable.
Administrative Policy Manual Chapter 6 - Facilities & Equipment Article 12: Integrated Pest Management Policy for City-Owned Facilities.
DISCUSSION
As part of the study, staff assessed the City’s pesticide usage, applicable policies, and feasibility in eliminating chemical pesticide usage on City property.
Study elements included:
1. Review of the Integrated Pest Management Policy (IPM).
2. Evaluation of the level of pesticide use on City property.
3. Identification of potential impacts on City operations.
4. Identification of potential cost of educating residents on chemical pesticide alternatives.
5. Identification of the costs of purchasing and applying pesticides.
6. Evaluation of the community benefit of eliminating or reducing pesticides.
7. Benchmark to other cities.
8. Identification of the potential costs of a pilot park study.
STUDY FINDINGS
Staff presented results to City Council during a study session on July 21, 2026, with the following recommendations:
• Continue the measured use chemical pesticides.
• Implement and complete a pesticide-free pilot park study.
• Increase transparency by improving data collection and reporting on chemical usage.
• Post signage when necessary for safety.
• Maintain or improve the City’s existing IPM program.
A summary of the Council’s responses to the above recommendations are summarized below:
1. Council supports the continued use of pesticides in a measured way, with a focus on minimizing synthetic pesticides over an immediate ban.
2. Council supports implementing a pesticide-free pilot park project, with interest in expanding the project to include additional and more diverse sites.
3. There is interest in posting signs informing the public of pesticide use.
4. Council requested a revision to the City’s IPM policy.
5. Council expressed interest in evaluating Heritage Orchard to for pesticide reduction or pesticide elimination at the next contract opportunity.
6. There is interest in increased transparency on the current usage pesticides throughout the City including usage by City contractors as well as at Heritage Orchard.
7. Council expressed interest in a focused pesticide use reduction approach at schools, the greenbelt, and parks where exposure to people may be the highest.
OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS
With the completion of this Council Priority project, staff will operationalize the following recommendations and work on the following operational tasks:
• Increase signage (DPW).
• Improve usage data collection and transparency (DPW).
• Update IPM Policy language to improve clarity and remove dated language (ESD).
PILOT STUDY
With the completion of this study issue, staff will follow up on Council’s feedback that a pilot park study should be implemented.
Staff will identify several possible parks for a pesticide-free pilot. The sites will be selected based on factors such as current pesticide use, level of park usage by the public, maintenance needs, and site conditions. The Pilot Study will evaluate the before and after using the following metrics:
|
Measure |
Recommended evaluation |
|
Pesticide use |
Pounds/volumes and applications eliminated |
|
Maintenance cost |
equipment, materials |
|
Weed control |
Frequency and effectiveness |
|
Public safety |
Trip hazards, visibility, accessibility |
|
Appearance |
Based on the park’s existing objective maintenance standard |
|
Staff hours |
Additional maintenance labor required |
|
Environmental benefit |
Reduction in chemical applications |
|
Public response |
Complaints/comments |
|
Feasibility |
Whether approach can be expanded |
Staff will develop a comprehensive scope of work, including an RFP, for a contractor to implement the pesticide-free pilot park project. Development of the scope of work by staff will include a recommended site list and estimated costs back to bring back to Council for direction within six months. Appropriate environmental review will be conducted once the scope of the pilot program is determined.
Unspent funds ($100,000) allocated to the Council Priority Project can be utilized to implement the Pilot Park project, however, additional funding from Council may be required based on the scope of the pilot and the number of sites. Pilot funding to be included in the next projects budget cycle for Council approval.
At the end of the pilot, staff will report the results to Council and provide a recommendation on whether the pesticide-free approach should be expanded.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the City Hall reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
Staff
Prepared by: Emma Hinojosa, Environmental Programs Manager
Reviewed by: Ramana Chinnakotla, Director of Environmental Services
Reviewed by: Aaron Bert, Director of Public Works
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Study Issue Presentation to Council, July 21, 2026