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8A <br /> Page 4 <br /> Launched in 2006, FOCUS is now used to monitor over 50d affordable hausing proper#ies <br /> representing over 55,000 units. The program has proven to significantly reduce the time and cost <br /> associa#ed with compliance monitoring while improving reporting comp�iance, reducing paperwork <br /> and increasing accuracy. <br /> U.S. Communities can provide the custom software or additional campliance services (including, <br /> but not limited to compliance training and/or consulting support) to assist cities in managing their <br /> affordable housing compliance requirements. <br /> Please contact Lorna Wenri for further information af Ihenri�c�communitie. s•orc�. Additional <br /> information about compliance issues can be found online at www I�ousingcompEiance.arq. <br /> U.S. Communities is a joint powers authority sponsared by the League of California Cities and the <br /> California State Association of Counties. Its mission is to create programs that assist focal <br /> authorities to build better communities, stimulata social and economic growth and save public <br /> agencies time and resources. <br /> League 2007 Legislative Report Now Online <br /> City a�cials interesfed in information about legislation tracEced by the League and signed by Gov. <br /> Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2007 can find a copy of the League's �egislative Report on online at <br /> www. cacitiss.orglle�resources. <br /> Sustainable Cities Feature: Santa Barbara's tntegrated Pest Management System <br /> The city of Santa Barbara beasts some of the "greenesY' parks and �ublic landscaping in <br /> California thanks to its reliance on an integrated pest-managemeni (IPM) system instead of toxic <br /> chemicals ta control weeds and eliminate pests. <br /> The city's long history of working #o enhance and preserva #he nafural environment formally <br /> culminated when Santa Barbara adopted its sustainabfe city program in 2006 to ensure that alf <br /> city operations supported this goal. The city formalized its IPM approach to landscaping two <br /> years priar. <br /> IPM uses a combination of biologicai, cultural, physical and chemicai tools to minimize the health, <br /> environmental and financial risks associated with pest management. in short, pesticides are <br /> avoided wherever possible and only used as a last resort. The least toxic option is always the <br /> preferred method with IPM. <br /> !n the past five years, pesticide use in the cify has dropped by 92 percent. In fact, 98 percent of <br /> Santa Barbara's parks are now maintained using onEy nontoxic methods or low hazard pesticides. <br /> For exemple, less than three gallons of glyphosate {Round-Up) was used in management of <br /> nearly 1900 acres of parkiand in 2007. <br /> The city uses IPM throughout the city including the airport, golf course, street 4andscaping, <br /> creeks, beaches, and the AC Postel Memoriaf Rose Garden across from Mission Santa Barbara. <br /> Various city departments, including parks and recreation, work with a five-member citizen IPM <br /> advisory committee to impiement the program, IPM techniques used in Santa Barbara include: <br /> • Hot water/steam and green-flaming in high use parks; <br /> • Mulching; <br /> • Mow strips and planning bed renovations to reduce herbicide need; <br /> • Trapping rodents at high use parks; and <br /> • Cultural modifications to manage clover and associated bee sting hazards around pools. <br /> 4 <br />