020689 CC SP Min
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CITY OF SHOREWOOD
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1989
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
7:30 P.M.
MINUTES
ROLL CALL
A special meeting was held at 7:30 P.M., on Monday, February 6,
1989 to discuss the issues of beaver control. The meeting was
opened by Mayor Haugen.
Present: Mayor Haugen and Councilmembers Gagne and Brancel.
Absent: Councilmembers Stover and Watten.
Staff: Clerk Kennelly and Attorney Froberg.
BEAVER CONTROL DISCUSSION
Mayor Haugen reviewed the problem being caused by the beavers in
various areas of the City. At the present time the Lake Virginia
and Waterford areas have had 150 trees each cut down by the
beavers. The current Ordinance does not provide for steel leg
hold traps and live traps have not been recommended as a suitable
use to solve the problem.
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Mrs. Gerri Kuester of 19660 Waterford Place has lost approximately
$1,000.00 worth of trees that were cut down. She has researched
Ordinances in other cities where they allow controlled trapping
for flooding, property damage, hazardous conditions or agricultural
damage.
Peggy Greer of 6045 Chaska Road was involved with the origination
of the current Ordinance and still supports that Ordinance. Ms.
Greer feels the leg hold trap is inhuman and causes a long death.
Jack Zastrow of 6050 Lake Virginia Drive is concerned about the
destruction of property and property values.
Roger Stein with Hennepin Parks, has found that small amounts of
trapping do not work; their solution is to protect the trees by
wrapping.
Jane Kline supports wrapping and has volunteered boyscouts to do
the wrapping of trees if the materials are provided.
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Residents discussed possible dangers of undermining along shore-
line and particularly cut down trees that could fall. Mr. John
~rke4Area Wild Life Manager for the DNR, does not feel the beavers
are dangerous unless cornered. He explained the beavers nesting
habitat and the need for proper habitat in order to exist. Gagne
asked which trapping system would be the best. Mr. Parker supports
the use of the coni bear trap as live traps do not work on the
larger animals. Ms. Kline asked if a combination of live trapping
and transporting could be used to control the problem.
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MINUTES - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1989
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BEAVER CONTROL DISCUSSION - Continue
Mr. Parker stated that relocation of animals needs a good habitat
area and the State is full at this time. The State allows trapping
by setting a season. Each year 150,000 animals are trapped in
order to enable the public to tolerate the beavers. People begin
to hate any animal when there becomes too many of them and they
cause problems with property and people. Mr. Parker feels the
coni bear trap is the most humane trap and drowning deaths would
take from six to twenty minutes. There is no instant death traps,
mole or gopher traps are more dangerous to children than leg hold
traps. Live traps are very stressful and the animal will beat
themselves against the trap causing injury. The release of animals
in a new environment has a death rate of four out of ten after
relocation and release.
The representative from the Humane Society stated that the organiza-
tion does not support the use of leg hold traps but feels that in
this case this is the most humane way to deal with the beaver pro-
blem. Mr. Johnson recommends the use of a good trapper.
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Jeff Wilde of the Nature Center suggested a combination of
tree wrapping and live trapping. It was also suggested by a member
of the Friends of Animals in Environment Group to try live trapping
and relocation or the use of coni bear trapping by a licensed
professional trapper. His organization may help with the expenses
of relocation. The DNR will issue a license to trappers if the
City will allow it. Ms. Kline has obtained additional information
on a new repellant that can be applied to trees to prevent the
beavers from cutting them down. This could be used in conjunction
with tree wrapping. Mr. Zastrow was opposed to the use of repellants
because it will also repell deer and they want the deer to remain.
They recommend the time to trap is October 1 to April 1, this will
prevent the young from being abandoned.
Mayor Haugen thanked everyone for their participation. The material
submitted will be reviewed and further discussion will be addressed
at the March 13th Council meeting.
ATTORNEYS REPORT
Attorney Froberg submitted a copy of a court decision on the Open
Meeting Law. Basically, on issues covered under the Data Privacy Act
the meeting should be closed to the public and reopened after the
data has been discussed.
Mayor Haugen requested a summarization in writing from the Attorney.
MEETING SCHEDULE
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The regular meeting of February 13, 1989 will begin at 7:00 P.M.,
for an update on union negotiations.
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MINUTES - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1989
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MEETING SCHEDULE- Continue
Senator Gen Olson and Representative John Burger will hold an
information meeting at City Hall at 10:00 A.M., February 18, 1989.
TEMPORARY SIGN PERMIT REQUEST TABLED
Gagne moved, seconded by Brancel to table a request by the Fina
Station for a temporary sign permit. The Council would like addi-
tional information on the property combination. Motion carried -
3 ayes.
ADJOURNMENT
Brancel moved, seconded by Gagne to adjourn the special meeting of
Monday, February 6, 1989 at 9:30 P.M. Motion carried - 3 ayes.
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Sandra L. Kennelly
City Clerk
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
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