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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,June 19, 2017 Page 4 Councilmember Etten stated his support for the resolution; noting the need for the practice to fit the policy, and recognizing existing efforts by the city. Roll Call Ayes: McGehee, Willmus, Laliberte, Etten and Roe Nays: None. Deer Reduction Program Commissioner Newby provided a brief recap on the first deer hunt, and support- ing documentation from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the harvest report for the 2016-17 deer control project (Attachment B), as well as the deer feedback map and deer sighting map (Attachments C and D). Commis- sioner Newby reported that the deer harvested appeared to come from unhealthy herds indicating the area was still over-populated, with ongoing reports of excess deer still in the community based on the amount of activity being observed, even though not necessarily considered a nuisance. In light of the first hunt, on behalf of the commission, Commissioner Newby suggested that the City Council consid- er whether it may be necessary for an additional hunt to further cull the herd in the future. However, since the first hunt was held in January of 2017, Commissioner Newby suggested a longer period of time (e.g., until January of 2018) to further study the health of the remaining herd and further analysis of the results of the first hunt, and subsequently report that data to the City Council for their consider- ation. Mayor Roe spoke in support of further analysis of USDA information and their timeline. Councilmember Willmus opined that, while the culling action had been undertak- en, he didn't think it notably impacted the number of deer remaining in the com- munity, if his neighborhood was any indicator, where he was aware of ongoing extensive damage from the herd. Councilmember Willmus stated his support for using this as an ongoing management tool when high numbers of deer are ob- served in order to minimize property damage and to address traffic safety issues. Councilmember Willmus offered his support of a more aggressive approach in the future. Councilmember McGehee stated that she was more in favor of the study ap- proach, opining that she was unaware of any traffic accidents with deer; and fur- ther noted the recent examples of clear-cutting in development areas that elimi- nated deer habitat. Councilmember McGehee suggested that if repeated, the hunt only take does based on information available from bat stations; and also that consideration be given to a birth control method now available. Councilmember McGehee suggested that this also could be used as a teachable lesson for use of non-lead ammunition in this type of hunt in consideration of the environment.