09-29-1980 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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: � � CITY OF ORONO Regular Meeting of the Orono Council, 7 : 00 P .M. September 29 , 1980 The Orono Council met on the above date with the following members present : Mayor Van Nest, Council- members Butler , Hannah, Hurr , and Paurus. Also present: City Planner Olson, City Engineer Cook, City Attorney Malkerson, and City Clerk Strom. City Administrator Benson arrived at 9 : 20 P.M. Mayor Van Nest announced that now was the time and place for the public hearing concerning a proposed ordinance regarding animal leghold traps. Roger Johnson, Regional Wildlife Supervisor, for the seven county metro area, informed Mayor Van Nest that his partner , Mr . Beatricx Ransfer , Conservation Officer for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, was delayed but would arrive shortly and requested the Mayor to continue the public hearing after Mr. Ransfer arrived. The City Council proceeded with several items on the agenda until Mr. Ransfer arrived at7 : 45 P .M. at which time , Mayor Van Nest reopended the public hearing. The Notice of Public Hearing and Affidavit of publication were presented. Mr. Johnson commented that trapping and leghold traps is a legitimate method of harvesting furbearing animals and controls nuisance animals. The Department of Natural Resources does set restrictive seasons on valuable furbearing animals so that they are not harvested� but also to prevent problems so as to avoid a nuisance problem. The DNR does not believe that trapping is detrimental to the wildlife population. Injuries to humans is rather low for the entire population - of the United States in comparison to other sports. Injuries to pets is a concern but he did not feel that pets should be allowed to run free . Trapping is a form of control of over-population and damage that is caused by them. We hope that you will not consider passing the trapping ordinance . The Department of Natural Resources issues permits to trap which serves as a license . Children under sixteen do not need a permit or license in order to trap animals. Bruce Malkerson stated that an ordinance cannot ban the sale of traps but it can control the use of them. Mr . Ransfer spoke against the adoption of an ordinance banning 'the trapping of animals. , (Continued)