(a) The City Commission finds that manufactured fertilizers containing phosphorus when used within the City, enters into the City's and neighboring communities' water resources, including wetlands and watercourses, resulting in excessive and accelerated growth of algae and aquatic plants which is detrimental to these resources.
(b) The City Commission finds that most topsoil in the City has a sufficient level of phosphorus, which occurs naturally to promote adequate turf root growth.
(c) The City Commission finds and determines that it is necessary and appropriate to regulate the application of manufactured fertilizer on general turf to reduce the adverse impact of fertilizer runoff to lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, wetlands and other water resources in the City.
(d) It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to regulate the application of manufactured fertilizers only on general turf areas and not on or in areas such as gardens, farms, or landscape amenities.
(e) It is the further purpose and intent of this chapter to regulate the use and application of manufactured fertilizer and manufactured fertilizer containing phosphorus within the City, and to require the distribution of informational literature to commercial and institutional applicators, commercial sellers, and consumers about the use and effect of manufactured fertilizers and manufactured fertilizers containing phosphorus.
(Ord. 13-07. Passed 9-4-07.)