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<br /> <br />Request for Action <br /> <br /> <br />To Item Number <br />Mayor and City Council 9.7 <br />Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by <br />Work Session September 21, 2020 Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director <br />Item Description Reviewed by <br />Hunting Ordinance Amendment to Close the GNT Cal Portner, City Administrator <br />during firearms season <br />Reviewed by <br /> <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Discuss and provide direction regarding a hunting ordinance amendment to close the GNT Great <br />Northern Trail for annual firearms season. <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />Chief Nierenhausen updated the City Council on September 8 on the city’s hunting ordinances. Current <br />ordinance does not allow hunting within 500 feet of a city park or trail. Joe Bodnar, a property owner <br />adjacent to the GNT heard that hunting ordinances were being discussed and had safety concerns he <br />brought to the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting. <br /> <br />Mr. Bodnar feels the trail should be closed for the nine days of the firearms season. In 2010, the <br />Commission recommended the GNT be closed. Under Chiefs Beahan and Rohlf, volunteers posted signs <br />stating, “Closed by the Order of the Police Chief”. Chief Nierenhausen does not believe this is legally <br />enforceable and would prefer ordinance language. <br /> <br />The Commission, by consensus, recommended the Council close the GNT through an ordinance as part <br />of the overall city hunting ordinances. The firearms season this year is November 7-15, 2020. <br /> <br />Financial Impact <br />N/A <br /> <br />Attachments <br /> Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes July 14, 2010 <br /> GNT area map <br /> <br />The Elk River Vision <br />A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional <br />service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity <br />