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W <br /> Minutes <br /> I City Council Work Session <br /> Monday, May 11, 2026, 5:00 PM <br /> City Council Chambers 12780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 <br /> ROLL CALL <br /> Council members present: Acting Mayor Alisa Benson, Jacqueline Ricks, Jon Schwingler, Steve <br /> Persian. <br /> Staff present: City Administrator/Engineer, Police Chief Correy Farniok, Parks Superintendent Joe <br /> Ruthenberg, City Clerk Christine Lusian <br /> DEER MANAGEMENT <br /> The City Council held a work session to review deer management practices in response to deer <br /> population and resident concerns. A recent Three Rivers survey counted 287 deer in the city in 2026, <br /> although it remains unclear whether that number is considered high or appropriate for the area. <br /> Council discussed questions related to the number of resident complaints, including concerns about <br /> vegetation damage and deer-related vehicle accidents, as well as how many accidents have occurred <br /> overall. They also reviewed current hunting regulations and reporting requirements, noting that <br /> hunters report harvested deer by hunting zone rather than by city. Council expressed interest in <br /> learning more about how many deer local permit holders are harvesting each year and whether they <br /> are taking bucks or does. <br /> Current deer management practices include issuing approximately 40 to 60 bow hunting permits <br /> annually, requiring hunters to have access to at least five acres of land or a combination of properties <br /> totaling that amount, and continuing the Baker hunt, which averages about five deer harvested per <br /> year. Council also discussed potential future management options, such as hiring sharpshooters or <br /> offering reimbursement incentives to permit holders who harvest does, both of which would involve <br /> additional costs. Council directed staff to contact bow hunting permit holders to gather feedback on <br /> deer management strategies. <br /> ADJOURNMENT <br /> Work session ended at 5:39 pm. <br /> ATTE . CITY COUNCIL <br /> hri e ian, City Clerk Bob Tunheim, Mayor <br />