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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5E Special Hunt for Mike Vierling Report Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 / www.cityofpriorlake.com 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: OCTOBER 7, 2019 AGENDA #: 5E PREPARED BY: STEVE FRAZER, POLICE CHIEF PRESENTED BY: LORI OLSON, CITY MANAGER AGENDA ITEM: ADOPT RESOLUTION No. 19-111 AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL HUNT WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF PRIOR LAKE GOAL AREA AND OBJECTIVE: Public Safety 5. Address threats to Community Standards Through Code Enforcement. DISCUSSION: Introduction As in previous years, Mike Vierling has applied for a special hunt to be held on his land this fall. 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, authorize a special hunt as long as such hunt is in compliance with State law and hunting regulations. Current Circumstances 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. Mr. Vierling states that the geese are contaminating the water and, “the cows don’t want to drink it, the cows are getting diseases.” He further states that the geese are over-populating the pasture, are in the way of the tractor and that the pasture is full of bird droppings. Finally, he asserts that now that the Jeffers property is developed, all the ducks and geese are coming onto his property. He states he has tried various other methods to eliminate the damage and threats caused by the goose population. He is asking for permission to hunt on his property. North of CR 42 between Pike Lake Trail and CR 18. (See attached Map of Approximate Area) Mr. Vierling is aware of the ordinance that limits the hunt to a shotgun loaded with shot shell, prohibiting hunting within 500 feet of an occupied building, and requiring shooting so that shot does not leave the approved hunting area. He asks permission to hunt, obeying all Federal and Minnesota Statutes and Regulations for hunting during the regular waterfowl season which begins on October 12 – January 2nd. He asks to begin the hunts at 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. on weekends (as per the City noise ordinance). Hunts would conclude at the time designated by the Department of Natural Resources, which is one-half hour after sunset. Mr. Vierling further states he would be responsible for the licensed hunters on his property, he will know who is hunting as well as when and where they are hunting. Mr. Vierling is aware that City ordinance limits hunting to the use of only 12, 16, 20- and .410-gauge shotguns. Mr. Vierling has shown that the goose population causes a health and welfare threat to his livestock and his application meets all requirements of Section 804.501. ISSUES: Other than inquiries in the past regarding the legality of the shooting, there have been no complaints associated with the hunts approved in the past. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None ALTERNATIVES: 1. Approve the attached resolution as part of the consent agenda authorizing the special hunt for the location and dates set forth therein. 2. Remove this item from the consent agenda for additional discussion. RECOMMENDED MOTION: Alternative #1 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 RESOLUTION 19-111 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A 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, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, Mike Vierling has applied for permission to hold a special hunt on his property located N of CR 42, E of Pike Lake Trail and W of CR 18; and the purpose of the special hunt is to eliminate the nuisance to his farming operation and livestock posed by the waterfowl population; and the application meets all the requirements of City Code Section 804.501 and is recommended by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for the management of the Canada Geese population. 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 only on the Vierling property north of CR 42 and west of CR 18 as identified on the attached exhibit during the early and regular 2019 Minnesota waterfowl seasons. PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 7th DAY OF OCTOBER 2019. VOTE Briggs Thompson Burkart Braid Erickson Aye ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Nay ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Absent ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Abstain ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ______________________________ Lori Olson, Interim City Manager 5 Northern Quadrant 500 foot from property line/homes Hunt area Shaded