HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 14 - Sunfish Lake Park Deer Hunt 2013 (2) THE CITY OF
LAKE ELMO MAYOR & COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
DATE: September 17, 2013
REGULAR
ITEM#: 14
MOTION
AGENDA ITEM: Sunfish Lake Deer Mitigation Hunt
SUBMITTED BY: Dean Zuleger, City Administrator
THROUGH: Mayor Mike Pearson
REVIEWED BY: Mike Bouthilet, Mike Polehna, Washington County Parks
SUGGESTED ORDER OF BUSINESS:
- Introduction of Item..............................................................City Administrator
- Report/Presentation................................................City Administrator
- Questions from Council to Staff............................................. Mayor Facilitates
- Public Input, if Appropriate.................................................... Mayor Facilitates
- Call for Motion...............................................................Mayor& City Council
Discussion.......................................................................Mayor& City Council
- ction on Motion.................................................................... Mayor Facilitates
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED: The City of Lake Elmo is proposing to
participate with Washington County in a coordinated Deer Hunt to mitigate overpopulation in
the Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Sunfish Lake Park.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: City of Lake Elmo staff has experienced a higher than
normal complaint frequency about the level of deer damage to trees, shrubs and plants in the area
surrounding both Sunfish Lake Park and the Catholic Retreat Center. A recent flyover by the
MNDNR resulted in a deer count of 43 per square acre in both the LEPR and Sunfish Park—this
is 18-28 above a normal threshold area. In addition, Washington County reports that deer road
kills are up slightly over previous years. As a result of the size of the herd and corresponding
damage the City of Lake Elmo requested to join Washington County's annual hunt. Previous
hunts have yielded the following harvests:
1996 24 Deer
1999 7 Deer
2000 DNP
2005 12 Deer
2008 DNP
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City Council Meeting [Regular Agenda Item 14]
September 17th,2012
STAFF REPORT: . The City of Lake Elmo has agreed in principle o work in concert with
Washington County to thin the deer hear through a special hunt to take place on November 9th
and 1 Oth . The County will continue the hunt the following weekend. To accommodate this hunt,
the City of Lake Elmo will conduct a lottery for those wishing to participate in this mitigation
hunt. By random, (8) hunters will be chosen to help thin the herd.
To accommodate the hunt City will post the Park Property with notices two week in advance.
City staff will participate in hunter safety training in concert with Washington County prior to
the hunt. This will be a shot gun hunt only. All chosen hunters must attend the training.
During the two day hunt, the gates will be closed to the public and other entrances will be
temporarily fenced off which in effect will close the park for the weekend. In addition, there will
be a designated"No Hunt Area" adjacent to the Tapestry Neighborhood. Staff will be in the area
to monitor the hunt. Hunter will be able to take their deer for registration to the LEPR.
RECOMMENDATION: Based upon the background information presented, the staff
recommends that the City of Lake Elmo City Council approve the following:
M/S/P To approve the Sunfish Lake Park Deer Mitigation Hunt scheduled
for November 9th and loth using a taxpayer lottery to choose (8) Lake
Elmo Residents as the hunting party. This action will result in the
closing of Sunfish Lake Park to the general public for the weekend of
November 9th and loth.
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