4.4. SR 10-18-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Memorandum Item 4.4. -(I To: . ElI{ From: Mayor and City Council Thomas D. Zervvas, Chief of Police d. October 14, 1999 Date: Police Department Subject: HUNTING REGULATION ISSUE In 1995, as part of the Comprehensive Plan, the City Council re-zoned some areas of the City of Elk: River. One (1) area, specifically, -w-as re-zoned to RIE from RIA. The area I am referring to is in and around Trott Brook Farms. As a result of this re-zone, it became illegal to hunt or discharge dangerous -w-eapons in this area. Several months after the re-zone, the City Council received a request to allo-w- hunting in and around Trott Brook. At that time, the council authorized me to give permission if I felt it -w-as safe. This issue has been resurfacing every year since. .. In 1998, it again -w-as approved"W"ith the understanding and belief that Trott Brook Farms -w-ould have houses in it during the 1999 hunting season. At that time, the property o-w-ners and hunters -w-ere told that 1998 -w-ould be the last year an exception on hunting -w-ould be made. Ho-w-ever, as of today, there aren't any houses under construction in Trott Brook. As a result of this, -w-e are again receiving requests for hunters to hunt in PinTail Ponds and the Larry and Carol Turner property, north of PinTail Ponds. The requests I have received from hunters is that they -w-ould like one last year and that "W"ith houses dermitely being built soon, this -w-ould be the last year. I have, again, looked into the requests and visited the site(s) in question and feel that if the council "W"ishes to allo-w- one (1) more year, -w-e -w-ould understand. Ho-w-ever, I do believe that -w-e, as city officials, have to take a stand for public safety reasons and state that this "W"ill be the last year for rrrearms hunting in this area. I am enclosing a map of this part of the City -w-ith the area I -w-ould be comfortable to allo-w- hunting in this year (in yello-w-) if you agree. I That being said, I strongly believe that the City Council should request that the Park and Recreation Commission evaluate our existing hunting ordinance to make sure it is up to date. If that is done, -w-e may be able to develop a process -w-hereby the police chief could authorize special hunting in certain areas if the deer or other "W"ild game population becomes a serious problem and it can be done in a safe manner. Also, the commission could research the issue ofbo-w- hunting for deer. I kno-w- that "W"ith our current hunting ordinance, you can't hunt for deer"W"ith a bo-w- in any area -w-here rrrearms are restricted. I believe this may be overkill and that some areas "W"ith high deer populations could be open to deer hunting. If-w-e don't deal 13065 Orono Parkway. P.O. Box 723. Elk River, MN 55330. (612) 441-2324. Fax (612) 441-8937