City Council

AD HOC DEER HERD COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2015 A meeting of the Ad Hoc Deer Herd Committee was held on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 1:15 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room, City Hall. PRESENT: Roger Zielinski, Dave Bachman, John Brakora, Josh Penland, Barry Peterson ABSENT: Bob Hornkohl, (Susan Brown withdrew) OTHERS PRESENT: None PURPOSE: To develop a long-term strategy for deer herd management. Introduction. Members of the Committee introduced themselves and provided some background as to why they wanted to serve on this committee. Roger Zielinski provided copies of some internet research he has done on this subject. The committee took action to select Josh Penland as Chair. Decided to meet every two weeks on Wednesday, beginning at 3:30 p.m. The next meeting will be Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room, City Hall. Dave Bachman will post the meetings and reserve the room. Executive Secretary Cindy Lokovich will provide minute-taking services to the committee. Barry Peterson arrived at 1:32 p.m. Discussion. Discussed the goal of this committee and what members would like to accomplish. Brakora and Peterson presented a position of pro cull; Zielinski and Penland presented a position of a need for a sustainable program, perhaps with an initial cull, ban on feeding, sterilization or other options yet to be discovered. Areas discussed included:  Deer seem most concentrated in the Eighth Street area.  Deer are resilient and culling sometimes results in a rebound effect.  Some members felt it was a public safety issue due to ticks.  Deer are almost domesticated and not afraid of people.  Construction of the new high school and loss of deer habitat impacted the movement into the city.  Culling is needed.  First step is to ban feeding.  Detrimental to property value due to yard damage.  Cost of a cull program is about $1,000 if city officers are used. AD HOC DEER HERD COMMITTEE – JULY 23, 2015 PAGE 1  Safety concerns with using City officers and discharging fire arms in the City; hire a company with insurance and experience.  Sterilization would cost approximately $200 per deer and some felt the DNR would not allow sterilization.  Not many car/deer accidents in the City.  What makes this a City problem? Bachman advised that the City is the only entity that can get a permit to cull deer in the City.  Public education needed.  State has managed the herd to encourage more revenue from hunting.  A professional study of the herd and available options was suggested. CONSENSUS:  Bachman will invite a DNR biologist to attend a future meeting.  Zielinski will research contractors and invite one to a future meeting.  Penland will look into someone that could help with public education.  All members will gather more information on alternatives to work toward a five-year plan that is cost effective or that could cover expenses.  Bachman will work with the City Attorney on an ordinance to ban feeding. Next meeting is Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room, City Hall. Adjourned at the Call of the Chair at 2:30 p.m. Cynthia Lokovich, CAP-OM Executive Secretary AD HOC DEER HERD COMMITTEE – JULY 23, 2015 PAGE 2