HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-11-2026 - Minutes City Council - Work Session W
Minutes
I City Council Work Session
Monday, May 11, 2026, 5:00 PM
City Council Chambers 12780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Acting Mayor Alisa Benson, Jacqueline Ricks, Jon Schwingler, Steve
Persian.
Staff present: City Administrator/Engineer, Police Chief Correy Farniok, Parks Superintendent Joe
Ruthenberg, City Clerk Christine Lusian
DEER MANAGEMENT
The City Council held a work session to review deer management practices in response to deer
population and resident concerns. A recent Three Rivers survey counted 287 deer in the city in 2026,
although it remains unclear whether that number is considered high or appropriate for the area.
Council discussed questions related to the number of resident complaints, including concerns about
vegetation damage and deer-related vehicle accidents, as well as how many accidents have occurred
overall. They also reviewed current hunting regulations and reporting requirements, noting that
hunters report harvested deer by hunting zone rather than by city. Council expressed interest in
learning more about how many deer local permit holders are harvesting each year and whether they
are taking bucks or does.
Current deer management practices include issuing approximately 40 to 60 bow hunting permits
annually, requiring hunters to have access to at least five acres of land or a combination of properties
totaling that amount, and continuing the Baker hunt, which averages about five deer harvested per
year. Council also discussed potential future management options, such as hiring sharpshooters or
offering reimbursement incentives to permit holders who harvest does, both of which would involve
additional costs. Council directed staff to contact bow hunting permit holders to gather feedback on
deer management strategies.
ADJOURNMENT
Work session ended at 5:39 pm.
ATTE . CITY COUNCIL
hri e ian, City Clerk Bob Tunheim, Mayor