HomeMy WebLinkAbout5H-Special Hunt for The Wilds O� PRION
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4646 Dakota Street SE
INNESo�P Prior Lake, NIN 55372
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: September 22, 2014
AGENDA#: 5H
PREPARED BY: Bill O'Rourke, Chief of Police
PRESENTER: Bill O'Rourke
AGENDA ITEM: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A
SPECIAL HUNT FOR THE WILDS
DISCUSSION: Introduction
The Wilds Golf Club has applied for a special hunt to be held on their land
during the regular Minnesota Waterfowl hunting seasons which begin on
September 27, 2014.
History
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,
authorized a special hunt as long as such hunt is in compliance with State
Law and hunting regulations.
Current Circumstances
In their application, The Wilds Golf Club states that, "Over the years we
have noticed and increase to the waterfowl population on the golf course.
The major concern with waterfowl....is the damage they and do to a golf
course. As they travel around the course they cause damage by feeding
on the grass and different fertilizers, especially on the greens. The damage
they cause is quite severe and takes some time to heal. Another main
concern is the waterfowl droppings on the course and how the course is
then visual (sic) perceived to the golfer. Direct costs for our golf course
includes hiring personnel to clean greens each morning and chase geese
during the day. Indirect cost, which most times is the biggest loss for our
golf course is golfers not returning due to the aesthetics of the course
covered in feces or dead patches of grass. Resident geese cause most of
the nuisance problems because they remain in the same area all year
round. Resident geese attract migratory geese to foraging areas on the
golf course...."
In the past, The Wilds has tried various other methods to deter the goose
population, including the use of dogs to harass the geese and coyote
decoys in an attempt to scare them off.
As per the revised Special Hunt ordinance, The Wilds has included a letter
from the DNR that recommends the hunting for population management.
They are requesting permission to hunt in two specific areas, both adjacent
to wetland areas. The first is located just E of the sixteenth green,
northeast of Wood Duck Drive NW and north of Wilderness Ridge Lane.
The second location is E of the 8th green, which is south of Wilds Ridge.
They state in their application that all Federal and State hunting regulations
will be obeyed. Hunting would begin at 7:00 am on weekdays and
Saturday, and at 8:00 am on Sunday. Hunting will end as required by
statute, one half hour after sunset.
The areas they are requesting to hunt are just outside of the 500 foot
requirement from occupied dwelling. They have been advised to notify the
residents of the Wilds Community about their intention to hold a special
hunt.
The hunts will be limited to four hunters at one time and will be under the
direction and control of either the former head golf professional, Chris
Short, or the golf course superintendent, Wes Stoneback.
Conclusion
The application meets all the requirements of Secton 804.501 and is
accompanied by a letter from the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources which recommends the "hunting for population management" of
Canada Geese where it can be done in a safe and effective manner.
ISSUES: The Wilds has been made aware of the changes to the Special Hunt
Ordinance that limits the firearms to 12, 16, 20 or .410 gauge shotguns.
FINANCIAL None
IMPACT:
ALTERNATIVES: 1) Adopt the Resolution as part of the consent agenda authorizing the
special hunt for The Wilds.
2) Deny the application.
RECOMMENDED Alternative 1.
MOTION:
2
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4646 Dakota Street SE
�INNES��P Prior Lake, MN 55372
RESOLUTION 14-xxx
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL HUNT FOR THE WILDS
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, The Wilds Golf Club has asked for permission to hold a special hunt near the 8th and 16th
holes; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the special hunt is to eliminate the nuisance to the golf course operation;
and
WHEREAS, the application meets all the requirements of City Code Section 804.501 and includes the
required letter of recommendation from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE,
MINNESOTA as follows:
1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein.
2. The City Council authorizes a special hunt to be conducted on The Wilds Golf Course during the early
goose and regular 2014 Minnesota Waterfowl seasons.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 22th DAY OF September 2014.
VOTE Hedberg Keeney McGuire Morton Soukup
Aye ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑
Nay ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑
Absent ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑
Abstain ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑
Frank Boyles, City Manager
http://splash/teams/am/October 4 2010109 22 2014/2014 Wilds Special Hunt Resolution.doc