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Council eyes input on hunting, firearms in city BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL Staff Writer Brainerd wants to hear from its residents before adopting a proposed ordinance regulating hunting and discharge of firearms in the city.
The first reading of the proposed ordinance, which is based on Baxter's hunting ordinance, was held by the city council on Tuesday.
Hunting is already allowed in the city, but the proposed ordinance would put more regulations in place. The proposed ordinance makes it illegal to discharge a handgun or rifle in the city. Other firearms, such as shotguns and muzzleloaders, would be allowed for hunting with a permit from the city but not within 500 feet of any occupied buildings. Designated hunting maps for shotgun, muzzleloaders and bows will be available through city offices.
A .22-caliber rimfire rifle will be allowed with a nuisance permit to exterminate small nuisance animals. Target practice, except with handguns and rifles, also will be allowed with a permit.
The public reading and final adoption will be at the council's 7:30 p.m. meeting on Sept. 21.
Council member Mary Koep questioned why the city should allows hunting at all.
"I think it's frightening," Koep said. "Bullets as well as arrows can go a long ways."
Hulsether said hunting has been allowed for some time, and most recently was a stipulation when the city annexed property along Beaver Dam Road. Archery hunting has never been prohibited, he said.
A benefit to hunting within the city would be to control deer populations, which Hulsether said were somewhat unchecked.
"I think there's quite a bit of frustration on the part of some property owners of being able to maintain yards," because of damage by deer, Hulsether said. "And with a higher population concentrated in areas we have more instances with deer and vehicle collisions."
DNR Conservation Officer Jim Guida said if the city doesn't enact the ordinance, hunting rules for the city would default to state law, which allows the discharge of a firearm from private property 500 feet away from dwellings, and allows public hunting on rivers and other areas within the city.
In other action, the council:
Adopted an ordinance requiring property owners to secure vacant buildings if they are deemed hazardous within 14 days of being notified by the city. If the buildings isn't secured within the time allowed, the city will do so.
Approved $145,112 contract to Anderson Brothers for Brainerd post office parking, North Ninth Street from Washington to Kingwood streets and Maple Street parking projects. Council member Kelly Bevans voted against.
Approved $159,300 engineering services contract with Short Elliott Hendrickson for the South Eighth Street turnback project. A majority of the project cost would be paid for with state turnback funds.
Approved a street closure of Kingwood Street between North 10th and Highway 210 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sept. 20 for Journey North Community Church's annual pig roast.
Approved a street closure of East River Road between College Drive and Pump House Hill (Jenny Street) from 8 a.m.-noon on Sept. 26 for the Brainerd Lakes Area Memory Walk.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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