Minutes - Council Work Session - 02/25/2014

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Councilmember Johns stated she agreed, noting the City has a lot of deer and removing 60 each year will reduce the number of traffic hazards. She stated she does support the request about not hunting on Lake Itasca and near City parks. Councilmember LeTourneau stated he received information relating to herd management so he wondered if the issue was that or safety. He stated the City should not regulate herd management but should address the issue of safety. Councilmember LeTourneau stated he felt uncomfortable while running on Puma Street during the hunting of geese. He stated the City is a continuing developing community so maybe it would be prudent to go back to a 1,500 -foot distance. Councilmember Riley stated he thinks the 1,500 -foot rule would be too onerous, as it would basically eliminate hunting in Ramsey. He stated he supports additional guidance relating to permits near locations of trails but thinks hunting should be allowed in reasonable areas. Councilmember Kuzma stated if the issue is herd management, a club could be brought in for a controlled hunt. Police Chief Way explained he looked into that option several years ago and found it is very expensive and requires flyovers with helicopters. Councilmember Tossey stated in Eden Prairie an officer mistakenly shot through a person's house while "thinning the herd" so he would not support an organized hunt. He supported solving the issue of hunting on Lake Itasca and complaints from Northfork while allowing for the liberty to hunt in the rest of Ramsey. Councilmember LeTourneau stated the ordinance is enforced and applied Citywide but the suggestion is to discriminate in one area and not allow hunting. He stated that makes him think it should be one or the other. Mayor Strommen noted the ordinance allows for administrative discretion and that is the discussion, to allow the administration to make that application in appropriate areas. Police Chief Way noted on Lake Itasca, a large portion is within 500 feet of a park and the locations where most people hunt are in the northern areas of Ramsey. Councilmember Backous stated the ordinance is written well and allows for discretion by the Police Chief when issuing permits so he questions why this issue is before the Council tonight. Mayor Strommen stated a number on the Council had asked for this review to occur based on the high number of complaints that had been received. Bill Kingston, 15760 Andrie Street NW, stated he is a Northfork resident and received complaints from the Homeowner's Association Board on duck hunting and bow and arrow hunting. He stated all of the property around the Itasca Lake is either private property or City Council Work Session / February 25, 2014 Page 8 of 10