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<br /> MINUTES <br /> CITY COUNCIL <br /> OCTOAER 14, 2009 <br /> Keis noted that the City is starting slow. The population is Too large for <br /> the area and should be reduced to a more comfortable level. Waite quoted <br /> some numbers quoted at previous meetings about the deer population, and <br /> the Administrator questioned the context of these statements. Keis <br /> questioned the snippets of information Waite was providing. He noted <br /> that he did not base his decision solely on the numbers. <br /> Waite then reported that based on information on the MBRB web site, <br /> their hunters' success rate correlates to proficiency rate. 'the <br /> Administrator noted that the agreement requires that the hunters have <br /> sharpshooter status. <br /> Montour reported that he has hunted deer for 30 years and stated that <br /> based on the six days of hunting, he would be surprised if the hunters got <br /> as many as 15 deer. Montour commented on how the deer will leave the <br /> area for a period of time when it is hLmted. <br /> Waite asked where the deer will go, and noted that a shot deer can travel <br /> for up to a mile. Blesener noted that the MBRB has only had one instance <br /> where a shot deer traveled onto private property. The Administrator <br /> pointed out that this is the reason the MBRB wants hunts to occur on <br /> property that is 20 acres or more. The Administrator agreed that a shot <br /> deer could run. However, the MBRB manages and sets up the hunt sites <br /> to minimize the chance that the deer will travel on private property. Waite <br /> indicated that the ideal site is 40 acres or more. McGraw stated that he did <br /> not recall Moriarty indicating that this was a big problem. The <br /> Administrator again noted that the hunters will have sharpshooter status. <br /> Keis asked Waite what the City's alternatives are if it does nothing and the <br /> deer population continues to grow. Waite replied that the City should then <br /> bring in sharpshooters to hunt the deer with guns. Blesener pointed out <br /> that a sharpshooter would cost between $20,000 and $30,000. Waite <br /> questioned the cost of animal suffering, feeling that shooting a deer with a <br /> gun was more humane than shooting one with a bow and arrow. Waite <br /> indicated that he was against a deer hunt in town and felt that there were <br /> regional park areas where this would be more appropriate. Keis stated that <br /> he would rather have a deer hunt in the City with bows acid arrows than <br /> guns. <br /> Waite made some additional statements about hunting in the St. John's <br /> Cemetery property as well as made references to State Statutes prohibiting <br /> the discharge of fire arms in public or private cemeteries as well as getting <br /> permission from the owners of gravesites to hunt in the cemetery. Waite <br /> felt a hunt in the cemetery was repugnant. The City Attorney indicated <br /> that St. John's Church would have the authority to grairt permission to <br /> hunt in the cemetery as the property owner, indicating that there are no <br /> individual ownership deeds of gravesites at the County level. <br /> 8 <br /> <br />