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MINUTES OF THE . <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING • <br /> Monday,February 11,2013 ' <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (S. BOW-FISHING REGULATIONS—GREG NYBECK,LAKE MINNETONKA <br /> CONSERVATIONDISTRICT(LMCD), Continued) <br /> Printup commented he does not want to see more regulations added to bow fishing. Printup noted people <br /> can invest a significant amount of money into their equipment and that most of the fishermen are <br /> responsible. <br /> Levang asked if there is any concern that this is a nuisance to the City. <br /> Police Chief Farniok indicated the Police Department gets very few complaints regarding bow fishing and <br /> that the majority of bow fishing is done in creeks. There have been several organized events this past <br /> year which resulted in some discussion about whether they required a permit or not. Farniok indicated <br /> they were told that they need to check with each jurisdiction and see whether a permit is necessary. In <br /> 2012, six permits for bow fishing were issued,which is a slight increase. Farniok indicated one possible <br /> reason for the additional permits is that more and more people are finding out that permits are required <br /> and not necessarily an increase in the number of people who are engaged in bow fishing. <br /> Bremer asked if the Police Department has received any complaints regarding the restriction of nighttime � <br /> bow fishing in Orono. <br /> Farniok indicated they have not. Farniok noted that the Orono Police Department would also not respond <br /> to calls regarding bow fishing on the wate�but that they would respond to a complaint if someone is bow <br /> fishing on private property. <br /> Bremer asked whether the LMCD has heard about any complaints from Hennepin County. <br /> Nybeck indicated they have not heard anything. The water patrol has indicated that it is difficult to <br /> enforce the setback distance that is set forth in the state statute during the day and that it is even more <br /> difficult at night. Nybeck noted he did include an article on bow fishing in the LMCD newsletter last <br /> spring and that he received feedback from two residents who had concern about the compatibility of <br /> people using perceived swimming areas on the lake. <br /> Bremer asked what kind of feedback the LMCD has received from other cities on the drafting of an <br /> ordinance. <br /> Nybeck indicated from a complaint standpoint,he has not gotten much feedback. The City of Spring <br /> Park has discussed the issue. Bow fishing is currently prohibited by their local ordinances and they will <br /> likely make a recommendation to prohibit it during the day and nighttime hours. The City of Minnetrista <br /> has asked the LMCD to continue to allow bow fishing. The sheriffl s water patrol is looking to the LMCD <br /> for an ordinance if they are being asked to do enforcement of the state law. Nybeck noted the ordinance <br /> would still be difficult to enforce due to the size of the lake and the limited number of people available to <br /> enforce it. <br /> Anderson stated given her past experience with a bow fishing boat, she likely would support a nighttime <br /> restriction on bow fishing. <br /> Printup commented it sounds like Orono already has a nighttime restriction and setback requirements, <br /> which is sensible and does not over regulate the sport. <br /> Page 4 of 24 <br />