This material has been reviewed by

The Town Manager:

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CORTE MADERA TOWN COUNCIL

STAFF REPORT

REPORT DATE: OCTOBER 30, 2002

MEETING DATE: NOVEMBER 5, 2002

TO: TOWN MANAGER, MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL

FROM: DAVID MONTERO

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

SUBJECT: DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION AND COUNCIL SUPPORT REGARDING THE LEASE OF THE WAIPUNA HOT FOAM

WEED MACHINE TO IMPLEMENT THE TOWN’S INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

PURPOSE: Presentation of this item allows the Town Council and the public the opportunity to see and review the Waipuna machine which Public Works has leased and to understand how it implements the Integated Pest Management Program which was adopted by the Town Council. Ian Webster from Waipuna USA, has written a press release stating that the Town of Corte Madera is the first entity in California to lease and utilize this machine.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends that the Town Council approve the use of the Waipuna machine and to also approve the press release.

TOWN MANAGERS RECOMMENDATION:

Support staff’s recommendation.

BACKGROUND:

The Town Council approved the Integrated Pest Management program at the August 6 meeting of the Town Council. The IPM program stresses that “least toxic” methods of pest control be used first and that non-chemical alternatives would be explored before chemicals were used. At the Council meeting, Ian Webster made a presentation of the Waipuna Hot Foam machine. He talked about how it kills weeds without harmful chemicals and does not harm beneficial insects, plants or the soil when it is used. Mayor Yang asked that Superintendent Montero look into this process to see if it would work for Corte Madera.

DISCUSSION:

In September, Mayor Yang, Vice Mayor Condon and Town Manager Tashiro, along with the Public Works crew participated in a demonstration of the Waipuna machine along the roadside of Paradise Drive. Each of us was able to operate the machine and to apply hot foam to weeds along the roadway and planted areas. The demonstration was a success in that after several days the weeds were dead.

The demonstration showed that this hot water weed control system can compete with chemical control methods. The basic machine consists of a diesel-powered, computer controlled boiler that delivers hot water to weeds through a supply hose and a treatment wand. Water leaves the boiler at temperatures above boiling and exits on the ground at 208 degrees F. The system uses a biodegradable foam from a mixture of corn and coconut sugars added to the treatment water. The foam produces a thin film that prevents heat from immediately dissipating as the hot water is released. The foam sticks to the vegetation and the heat breaks down the cells of the plants, killing the unwanted plants within days.

CONCLUSION:

The Waipuna system provides a non-toxic alternative to chemical herbicides for weed control. It is an economical alternative to herbicides. Test done with the Waipuna against Roundup show that it is as effective as the chemical with costs approximately the same.

Staff believes that the use of this system for weed control closely follows the guidelines in our IPM policy in that it is environmentally safe and non-toxic. It can also be used in sensitive areas such as parks and near schools and playgrounds.

ATTACHMENTS:

A. ARTICLE ON THE WAIPUNA HOT FOAM WEED MACHINE

B. PRESS RELEASE – The press release will be available and distributed to the Council before the Council meeting.

ATTACHMENT A:

Article on the Waipuna Weed Control system in The IPM Practitioner.

ATTACHMENT B:

Press release written by Waipuna USA representative, Ian Webster.