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Council OKs preparation of deer plan legislation
(by Sue Reid - August 03, 2011)
Council OKs preparation of deer plan legislation
By SUE REID
Solon City Council took one step closer Monday on the issue of deer management.
Members approved a motion to have legislation prepared to implement a comprehensive deer management plan consistent with what was proposed by the safety and public properties committee. The committee in June recommended a comprehensive deer management plan to include both lethal and non-lethal measures.
Council also discussed the ballot issue on track for this November which would involve prohibiting any lethal form of deer management. Ballot language has been prepared for it, and signatures on the petition were verified.
Council members asked what happens if they pass an ordinance and it's inconsistent with the vote.
Law Director Thomas G. Lobe said "the general provision of interpretation would take over."
Councilman William D. Mooney asked what would happen if the city passes deer culling and signs a contract, then the voters approve the referendum against it.
It's subject to not being valid, Mr. Lobe said of the contract, but the city probably would be on the hook for the money.
Councilman William I. Russo asked what would happen to the Cleveland Metroparks culling program if the ballot issue passes. "Would they have to cease their activity?" he asked.
"They could automatically be in violation up to a felony," Mr. Lobe said.
Mr. Russo said the park district should be notified of the ballot issue and the potential outcome.
Public Works Commissioner James S. Stanek said he cannot wait to put a program together based on what will or will not happen with the ballot issue. He has explored a culling alternative through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, he told council, but it is "in demand" and the city would have to get on its schedule.
"We need to find out, if we do lock them in, what's the cost if we don't proceed?" Mr. Stanek said.
"The biggest thing is we have to come away with this with a long-term program of how we will manage the deer population," Mr. Stanek said.
He said most communities do not get into a problem like Solon has with the amount of deer, because they have instituted hunting. He is not pushing anything, Mr. Stanek noted, but he said he believes a hunting program will be very cost effective and can still be done this year as part of a pilot program. A culling program would begin in January if that is the way the city proceeds, Mr. Stanek said.
In last year's count, the city had 694 deer, and, based on reproduction, that number is now close to 1,000.
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