City Council

AD HOC DEER HERD COMMITTEE MINUTES OF WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015 A meeting of the Ad Hoc Deer Herd Committee was held on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room, City Hall. PRESENT: John Brakora, Josh Penland, Barry Peterson, Dave Bachman ABSENT: Roger Zielinski, Bob Hornkohl PURPOSE: To develop a long-term strategy for deer herd management. Ordinance to Ban Feeding. City Attorney George Saylor drafted language to amend Chapter 606 of the Codified Ordinances of Manistee to include a Section 606.08 Feeding of Wild Mammals. Following review of the draft, the committee requested changes to specifically address feeding deer and a clarification on crops; which will be forwarded to the City Attorney. Once the revised draft is completed, Dave Bachman will request a meeting of the Council Ordinance Committee. If the Ordinance Committee concurs with the draft language, it will be forwarded to full Council for consideration. MOTION by John Brakora, second by Barry Peterson to endorse the draft ordinance as amended to the Council Ordinance Committee. Voice vote – motion carried. Discussion. Copies of the committee minutes from July 23, 2015 were distributed. Members shared information gleaned from research regarding sterilization, crash information, diseases and ticks, other communities that have solved issue without killing deer, deer repellents, electric fencing, non-attractive plants, and costs. Committee asked for crash history in the City – 60 automobile crashes reported from 2009 to 2014. CONSENSUS:  Dave Bachman / Tom Bruce will invite a DNR biologist to attend a future meeting.  Penland will contact the Director of the Michigan Humane Society for a future meeting.  Zielinski will research contractors and invite one to a future meeting.  All members will gather more information on alternatives to work toward a five-year plan that is cost effective or that could cover expenses. Committee discussed meeting dates and times and moved future meetings to 3:00 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2015 in the Second Floor Conference Room. If no speakers can be arranged for that date and time, it will be cancelled. MOTION by Barry Peterson, second by John Brakora to adjourn at 4:30 p.m. Cynthia Lokovich, CAP-OM Executive Secretary AD HOC DEER HERD COMMITTEE – AUGUST 5, 2015 PAGE 1