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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, June 19, 2017 Page 5 Councilmember Etten stated his support of the appropriateness of an aerial survey as done in the past to check results of this first hunt. Councilmember Etten noted that he had heard from residents within days of the hunt asking why more of the herd were not taken, or why other parts of the community were not included for eradication of the herd. Councilmember Etten stated that as late as last week, he was still hearing from residents who weren't seeing any change in the deer popu- lation. Councilmember Etten stated that he would support another aerial survey this coming winter; and also clarified that his information indicated that the De- partment of Natural Resources (DNR) did not allow the city to perform birth con- trol methods on the local deer herd, negating that option. Councilmember Laliberte stated her agreement with the commission for further review after the first hunt performed only six months ago. Councilmember Laliberte stated that she too received continued feedback from residents and their perception that there remained a considerable number of deer in the community. While appreciating the hunt as a tool and option for the city to repeat if deemed necessary, Councilmember Laliberte reiterated her support of the commission's continued assessment of the situation and subsequent to the City Council in the future. Commissioner Newby spoke to Councilmember McGehee's comment about changes to deer habitat, particularly removal of buckthorn, opining that there were many variables in deer movement including habitat; and suggested that when hab- itat is altered, there may be a perception from residents that there are more deer in an area as they relocate. Even though removal of buckthorn may have changed deer habitat somewhat, Mayor Roe referenced last year's presentation indicating that open areas between more forested areas was considered a more favorable habitat for deer than under- growth habitat. Specific to a new birth control method to control deer herds, Mayor Roe asked that the commission stay in contact with and alert the DNR that the city would be interested in any practical, cutting edge pilot programs as a pos- sibility. Commissioner Newby advised that the commission would look into that beyond the DNR's initial presentation given their cost at this time. Emerald Ash Borer(EAB) Commissioner O'Brien reported that with the inception of EAB in approximately 2013, the city had not been considered fully-infested. To-date, Commissioner O'Brien advised that the city had inventoried 1,869 Ash trees on public land (e.g. parks and boulevards) and ranked them according to their location and im- portance. Commissioner O'Brien advised that the current thinking is that all will eventually become infested and die unless treated. Commissioner O'Brien re- viewed the different approaches other cities are taking, including removal of all or some Ash trees or their chemical treatment. Commissioner O'Brien noted that