7.2 PRSR 10-09-2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The Elk River Vision A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity Request for Action To Parks and Recreation Commission Item Number 7.2 Agenda Section Action Item Meeting Date October 9, 2019 Prepared by Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director Item Description Deer Feeding Ordinance Reviewed by Cal Portner, City Administrator Reviewed by Ron Nierenhausen, Police Chief Action Requested Discuss a city-wide ordinance prohibiting the feeding of deer. Recommend, by motion, an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of deer in the City of Elk River. Background/Discussion At the September 11, 2019 Work Session, the Commission decided to consider an ordinance prohibiting deer feeding in Elk River. This past spring, a number of citizens raised concerns about the increasing number of deer entering their yards and destroying plants as well as the increasing the likelihood of a deer-vehicle collision. Four metro-area cities have enacted deer/wildlife feeding restriction ordinances, Coon Rapids, Bloomington, Blaine and Arden Hills. The DNR advises against feeding deer citing disease and increased auto accidents. And while the DNR can enact feeding bans for wildlife issues with CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease), state wildlife officials allow cities and counties to manage their own deer populations. The challenges to such an ordinance are the infringement on private property rights, the difficulty of police to properly enforce, the efficient utilization of policing resources, and more than 300 acres of conservation area intended to foster wildlife habitat. Financial Impact N/A Attachments  City of Arden Hills Ordinance  City of Blaine Ordinance