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<br /> MINUTES <br /> CITY COUNCIL <br /> NOVEMBER 23, 2009 <br /> Keis noted that the MBRB estimated approximately 30 deer in the hunt <br /> area, and felt that allowing 20 of The 30 deer to be taken was a little high. <br /> Blesener felt the size of the hunt area could support approximately 3 deer, <br /> not 30. The City Administrator indicated that the statistic of 20 deer per <br /> square mile of habitat comes from the DNR. <br /> Keis indicated that his position is that the City proceed slowly with culling <br /> the deer herd. He noted that after the count is done this winter, the City <br /> will have a better idea as to the number of deer. <br /> Matt White, Yorldon Kidge, reported that there are too manly deer and they <br /> are causing property damage and ai•e a public safety hazard. White stated <br /> that he does not want the deer eliminated, but felt more deer need to be <br /> taken. <br /> Keis again stated that he prefers to proceed slowly. Blesener noted that <br /> there is a deer problem in his neighborhood, and he felt the people <br /> experiencing the problem are in support of culling the deer herd, while <br /> those who do not have a problem may not support it. Blesener likened this <br /> to any neighborhood problem, i.e. traffic speeds, crime, etc. <br /> Keis did not feel there was a massive outcry relative to a deer problem. <br /> Boss indicated that there a large numbers of deer in the City and supported <br /> additional deer to be taken. Keis again pointed out that the City will have <br /> abetter idea once the count is done. Blesener noted the petition received <br /> this evening signed by 18 people in a neighborhood supporting the culling <br /> of the deer herd. Blesener pointed out that while the County has indicated <br /> that the City can support maybe 12 to 15 deer, he did not feel the herd <br /> would ever be reduced to that number. Blesener again estimated there are <br /> up to I50 deer in the City, which is far more than the available habitat can <br /> support. <br /> Eric Weisman, Edgerton Street, stated that he was appearing before the <br /> Council on behalf of the deer. Weisman felt the deer were a great <br /> enhancement to the City in terms of appearance and their small numbers. <br /> F-Ie indicated that he walks the City streets twice per day, in the area of <br /> where the hunt is occurring, and he only sees 2 to 3 deer. Blesener noted <br /> that the hunters have indicated that there are 10 to 15 more deer in the <br /> area. Keis pointed out that Weisman walks several dogs and that the deer <br /> would be likely to stay out of sight of the dogs. <br /> Weisman reported that he drives around the City and sees very few deer. <br /> Weisman felt the deer were an enhancement to the community beyond the <br /> importance of flower gardens. He felt deer add to the health and beauty of <br /> the neighborhood and also stated that there were ethical concerns with the <br /> deer herd culling. Weisman stated that some of the greatest minds in <br /> 10 <br /> <br />