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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 />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  Page 4 of 24    <br />   <br /> <br /> (5. BOW-FISHING REGULATIONS – GREG NYBECK, LAKE MINNETONKA <br />CONSERVATION DISTRICT (LMCD), Continued) <br /> <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 /> <br />Levang asked if there is any concern that this is a nuisance to the City. <br /> <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 /> <br />Bremer asked if the Police Department has received any complaints regarding the restriction of nighttime <br />bow fishing in Orono. <br /> <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 water but that they would respond to a complaint if someone is bow <br />fishing on private property. <br /> <br />Bremer asked whether the LMCD has heard about any complaints from Hennepin County. <br /> <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 /> <br />Bremer asked what kind of feedback the LMCD has received from other cities on the drafting of an <br />ordinance. <br /> <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 sheriff’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 /> <br />Anderson stated given her past experience with a bow fishing boat, she likely would support a nighttime <br />restriction on bow fishing. <br /> <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 />Item #02 - CC Agenda - 02/25/2013 <br />Approval of Council Minutes 02/11/2013 <br />[Page 4 of 24]