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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5E - Special Hunt 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: PRESENTER: September 7,2010 5E Bill O'Rourke, Chief of Police Bill O'Rourke AGENDA ITEM: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL HUNT DISCUSSION: Introduction Mike Vierling has applied for a special hunt to be held on his land this fall, just as he has in previous years. Historv Prior Lake City Code 804 prohibits the discharge of a firearm within the corporate limits of the City, except when authorized as a "special hunt." A "special hunt" as described under Section 804.500, has the purpose of reducing animal populations that create potential health, safety or general welfare problems in the City. The City Council may, by resolution, authorize a special hunt as long as such hunt is in compliance with State Law and hunting regulations. Current Circumstances A resident, Mike Vierling, 13985 Pike Lake Trail NE, has applied for a special hunt on his property for the purpose of reducing the number of geese and ducks that are creating general welfare problems on his farm land. Mr. Vierling states that the fowl are contaminating the water and, "the cows don't want to drink it, the cows are getting diseases". He further states that the birds are over populating the pasture, are in the way of the tractor and that the pasture is full of feces. Finally, he asserts that now that the Jeffers property is developed, all the ducks and geese are coming onto his property. Once again this year, he is asking for permission to hunt on two sections of this property; the first on the SE quadrant of CR 21 at CR 42, and the second on his property north of CR 42 between Pike Lake Trail and CR 18. Mr. Vierling is aware of the ordinance limiting the hunt to a shotgun loaded with shot shell; that hunting regulations prohibit hunting within 500 feet of an occupied building; and that shooting must happen so that the shot does not leave the approved hunting area. He is asking permission to hold the special hunts on weekends during the waterfowl season which begins on October 2, 2010 and runs to the end of November, as well as during the early goose season which begins on September 4, 2010 (he understands that due to the timing of the Council R\Council\2010 Agenda Reports\09 07 10\Agenda Report 2010 Special Huntdocm meeting he will not be able to hunt that first weekend). He would allow three licensed hunters and that the hunters will conclude by noon. Conclusion Mr. Vierling's application meets all the requirements of Secton 804.501. ISSUES: The primary issue is that of safety. There are trails along the east and west side of CR 21. When the hunt is active the discharge of firearms is quite loud but overspray has not been an issue when monitored in the past. Other than inquiries as to the legality of the shooting in the past, there have been no complaints associated with the special hunts approved in previous years on the Vierling property. FINANCIAL None IMPACT: ALTERNATIVES: 1) Adopt the Resolution authorizing the special hunt for Mr. Vierling. 2) Deny approval. RECOMMENDED Alternative 1. MOTION: 2 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 RESOLUTION 10-XXX A RESOLUTION APPROVING SPECIAL HUNT FOR MIKE VIERLING MOTION BY: SECOND BY: WHEREAS, the discharge of firearms is prohibited by ordinance in the City of Prior Lake; and WHEREAS, Prior Lake ordinance allows the City Council to authorize special hunts for the purpose of reducing health, safety and general welfare problems in the City; and WHEREAS, Mike Vierling has applied for permission to hold a special hunt on his property, located at the SE quadrant of CR 21 at CR 42 as well as an area N of CR 42 and E of Pike Lake Trail, to reduce the problems created by a large waterfowl population, during the upcoming Minnesota waterfowl season. Mr. Vierling's application meets all the requirements of City Code Section 804.501. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA that: 1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein. 2. The City Council authorizes a special hunt to be conducted on the Vierling property during the 2010 early goose season and the 2010 Minnesota Waterfowl season. 3. The location of the hunt is restricted to two locations on his property: 1) the SE quadrant of CR 21 at CR 42; and 2) N of CR 42 ,E of Pike Lake Trail and W of CR 18. PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 7TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2010. YES NO Myser Erickson I Hedberg I Keeney I Millar Myser Erickson Hedberg Keeney Millar Frank Boyles, City Manager Phone 952.447.9800 1 Fax 952.447.42451 www.cityofpriorlake.com