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<br /> <br />City of Elk River <br />REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <br />Agenda Section Meeting Date <br />Staff U dates Se tember 18, 2006 <br />Item Description <br />Modi S ecial Deer Hunt <br /> <br />Item Number <br />9.A. <br /> <br />Prepared by <br />Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director <br />Reviewed by <br />Lori ohnson, Ci Administrator <br /> <br />Introduction <br />On September 5, 2006 the City Council voted to authorize a special deer hunt to thin the herds at <br />Woodland Trail Park, Hillside Park and the waste treatment land on 165th Avenue. This hunt was initiated <br />at the request of the DNR, which contacted the Police Chief to arrange the hunt. This request was <br />presented direcdy to the City Council, which approved the hunt. <br /> <br />After reviewing the plans for the hunt on September 13,2006, the Parks and Recreation Commission <br />voted to recommend to City Council that the hunt in the two city parks be postponed until fall of 2007. <br />After discussing this recommendation with Police Chief Jeff Beahen, staff is in agreement in requesting <br />Council authorization to delay the special hunt at Woodland Trails and Hillside Park until 2007. <br /> <br />Discussion <br />On September 13, 2006 the Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the plans for the special hunt in <br />the two parks. The Commission recognized the need for thinning the herds in these two parks and was <br />supportive of holding the hunts. There were however, several concerns raised regarding the details and <br />timing of the hunts. Issues raised were: <br />. Education: Parks and Recreation Commission members think that there should be more time for <br />educating the public on the need to thin the herds in city parks. Similar hunts in other cities have <br />created drawn criticism from members of the public. <br />· Timing: Elk River High School has multiple cross-country running practices and meets planned <br />at these sites this fall. <br />· Permitting Process: The Parks and Recreation Department has received multiple calls from <br />hunters interested in participating. The Parks and Recreation Commission is interested in making <br />sure that the permitting process is open and transparent. <br /> <br />Financial Impact <br />None <br /> <br />Attachments <br /> <br />None <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Postpone special hunt at Woodland Trails Park and Hillside Park until 2007. The hunt at the land on <br />165th Avenue would not be affected. <br /> <br />C: \Documents and Settings \ tallard\Local Settings \ Temporary Internet Files \ OLKF\Special Deer Hunt Item.doc <br />