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1-24-1994OPEN SPACE & RECREATION COMMISSION January 24, 1994 Members present: Toni Zins, Rich Krahulec, Jim Johnson, George Murad, Alex Azemove, Mar- shall Rappaport, Mike Mauren, Chuck Cahill. Absent: Pat Borchert. Also present were residents Susan Fredsall and Nancy NNNtney, Tom Keefe from the DNR, Bar- bara Bailey, Rick Jacobson and Sharyl Thompson. They meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM. AGENDA CHANGES OR ADDITIONS Under "Old Business", Tom Zins added Mibs Pearson communication. MINUTES A motion was made by Marshall Rappaport and seconded by Rich Krahulec to approve the min- utes of November 22, 1993. Motion carried. DEER NTAINAGE'NIENT PROGRAM Rick Jacobson distributed a memo giving the results of the deer count in Golden Valley. Henne- pin Parks conducted an aerial survey during the week of January 17, 1994 and counted a total of twenty-nine deer. Eight deer were located west of General Mills Boulevard in the General Mills Nature Area, seven were between Western Avenue and Ridgeway in the Western Avenue Marsh area; five deer were on the peninsula between Sweeney and Twin Lakes; and, nine deer were counted on the west side of Wirth Lake in Theo Wirth Park. The 1992 survey showed twenty-six deer: fourteen in the North Tyrol area, nine in the General Mills ;Nature Area, and three in the Western Avenue Marsh area. Tom Keefe from the Department of Natural Resources came to the meeting as a resource person. He stated that a deer "problem" is not only determined by the number of deer, but where they are, what damage is done and during what season, as well as the number of car accidents occurring. It also is determined by what landowners are willing to tolerate. Virst, Tom discussed repellents. He recommended two different ones. For summer, the product, t "Hinder" could be applied. It is basically a soap that can be used on flowers and vegetables. This product needs to applied early and often as it will come off in a hard rain. For winter, he recom- mended a late -fall application of "Deer Away" which is an extract of eggs that deer dislike the taste of. It needs to be applied before a hard freeze, probably in November, when the temperature is over 40 degrees and there are 4-5 hours of sunshine. These repellents are not expensive and are not harmful to the deer. The DNR has printed information about these repellents and will be sending them to the City staff.] Rick Jacobson stated that some residents had told the City Council at the public hearing that these products did not work. Tom Keefe responded that according to the DNR biologists, if the repel- lents are applied correctly, according to the directions, they will work. Secondly, Toni addressed the issue of fencing. He said that temporary fencing with an electric charge also works in keeping deer away. This type of fencing, energized by flashlight batteries, is not expensive and the electric charge is not harniful. Tom Zins asked about the possibility of reducing the number of deer by removing one or two "problem" deer. Tom Keefe responded that it would require tracking and marking the deer to determine which are the problems, and from what section of the community the problem deer are originating. He felt this was not a viable alternative. Tom Keefe said that a level of the number of deer that is acceptable should be deterniined, and when it reaches that number, a deer reduction program should be instituted. He further stated that there is no danger of the deer starving as the food supply is plentiful year around. Rick Jacobson reported that a number of cities have recommend a feeding ban. He then showed a map of where complaints and car accidents have occurred. The majority of complaints came in the summer and fall of the year. Chuck Cahill pointed out that there were really two issues at hand. One is that of public nuisance and the other of public safety. Most complaints have been from the public nuisance sector. Be- cause of the number of highways through Golden Valley, Tom Keefe felt that car accidents in themselves would prevent the herd from getting too large, although this should not be considered a satisfactory way of thinning the Herds. Tom Keefe stated that from the information he had, he didn't see a major deer problem in Golden Valley as a whole. He recommended some local on-site control to take care of the problem (temporary fencing and repellents). As far as deer removal programs go, Toni Keefe said that a trap and transfer program is not permitted by the D\TR, and birth control is not feasible and would not be an option at this time. At the end of the meetine, Chair Tom Zins asked each Commissioner for their opinion on the deer issue to help give direction to the sub -committee for formulating a policy. Here are the results: Alex Azemove not sufficient problem to warrant removing deer; felt it may be reasonable for the City to reimburse residents for repellent expense; the number of car accidents is a concern Chuck Cahill should monitor the number deer yearly by an aerial survey; should establish a feeding ban; perhaps the City could buy the fencing and repellents in bulk and sell it back to residents at cost Jim Johnson felt the City should not buy any remedies because they may or may not work; felt articles should be published giving homeowners information on how to I andle the problems with deer; felt the present number of deer is not a .vi( e -spread problem, but isolated Marshall Rappaport should have a feeding ban; should provide information on repellents and fencing; the City should not pay for anything Rich Krahulec should provide educational resources to residents; should monitor the deer count; felt there was not an immediate deer problem George Murad felt there was no major problem now, but isolated incidents; should have a feeding ban; would not favor thinning the herd; should provide information to residents; perhaps post signs on highways indicating deer crossing areas Mike Mauren City should not pay anything toward solution; the residents should be re- sponsible; perhaps have a feeding ban Tom Zins didn't feel that twenty-nine was a lot of deer; should monitor the count The Commission requests more complete information from the Police Department on car acci- dents involNing deer, specifically how many accidents result in dead deer. There was considerable discussion as to whether or not another public hearing should be held on the deer issue. It was decidel that residents had had an opportunity to express their views and concerns at the October 19th Council meeting, as well as the November 9th CounciVManager s meeting, and it was the charge of this Commission to come to the City Council with a recommen- dation on deer management. Therefore, this Commission did not feel it was necessary to hold another public hearing. The Deer Sub -Committee will meet and formulate a recommendation to bring to the entire Commission at the meeting on February 28th, and the final recommendation will go to the City Council in March. SENIOR CITIZENS REPORT - Barbara Bailey Senior Citizens Coordinator, Barbara Bailey, gave her annual report. Presently over 2,000 seniors participate in the programs offered. Barbara distributed copies of her report and highlighted a variety of programs. She also showed a video presentation produced by two of the senior citizens that covers the programs offered throughout the year. A motion was made by Chuck Cahill and seconded by George Murad to thank Barbara for the ex- cellent job she does. The Senior Citizens Program is one of which the City can be proud. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS Chuck Cahill stated that altho�gh he felt it was appropriate for a park to be named after former City Council member Ray Stockman, in the future such matters should be brought to the Open Space Commission first. The Commission concurred. 1 1 1 Rick Jacobson reminded the Commission that appointments would be made in February, with terms to begin in March. George Murad announced he is retiring from the Commission. OLD BUSINESS Ladies Nine Hole Golf Leayue Rick reviewed for the Commission the issue brought up at the 11ovember meeting by Lyla Ande- regg regarding her dissatisfaction with the playing times of the Thursday Ladies Nine -Hole League. At that time, the Commission requested input from the League's board by the January meeting. Rick distributed a letter to the Commission from Barb Aune, President of the League, stating that the board had determined that they were happy with their existing times and requested no changes. A motion was made by George Murad and seconded by Jim Johnson that the Com- mission receive and file the correspondence, and take no further action at this time. Chair Zins will write Mrs. Anderegg informing her of this action ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by ltike Mauren and seconded by George Murad to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM. 1 1