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Date
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October 26,
2009
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Agenda
Item No. 45 Roll
Call No. 09-
Communication No. 09-765 Submitted by: Judy Bradshaw, Chief of Police |
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AGENDA
HEADING:
Amending Chapter 70 of the Municipal Code, regarding
hunting and use of firearms and bows and arrows on 20-acre parcels assessed as
agricultural property zoned “A-1” Agricultural.
SYNOPSIS:
Approving an ordinance to allow hunting within the
City on parcels that are a minimum of 20 acres and zoned A-1 Agricultural with
other conditions providing safety measures for the public. The Police Department recommends approval of
this ordinance.
FISCAL
IMPACT: NONE
Amount: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION:
This ordinance provides an additional exception to
the no hunting law in Des Moines.
Currently, there are two exceptions: Licensed bow hunters who follow the
hunting program for Des Moines’ special deer management zones, and individuals
who have permission from the Aviation Director to shoot wildlife to control
animal populations at the airport.
This new exception allows hunting under the
following conditions: 1) Hunting is limited to property that is a
minimum of 20 contiguous acres and must be zoned A-1 Agricultural and assessed
as agricultural for tax purposes,
2) A hunter must carry a valid
Iowa hunting license and comply with all DNR hunting laws, 3) A hunter must either be accompanied by the
property owner or possess written permission from the property owner to hunt on
the land, 4) Hunting with shotgun slugs or a muzzle
loading rifle is prohibited, except when hunting deer from an elevated stand at
least 10 feet above ground and without the aid of others in driving deer toward
the hunter, 5) Hunting with a rifle or
pistol is prohibited with the exception of BB gun rifles and muzzle loading
rifles, as limited above, 6) No shooting
over waterways, highways, streets, alleys, recreational trails or railroad
right-of-ways, 7) Generally, no hunting is allowed within 100 feet of parks,
streets, highways, recreational trails, buildings or feedlots. This restriction is 200 yards if hunting with
a shotgun or muzzle loader. Other
details are set out in the ordinance.
PREVIOUS
COUNCIL ACTION(S):
Date: October 12, 2009
Roll
Call Number: 09-1873
Action:
Request from Council Member Brian Meyer to discuss
proposed ordinance regarding hunting and the use of firearms, and bows and
arrows on 20-acre parcels assessed as agricultural property and zoned “A-1”
(Agricultural) and request that the
Legal Department prepare an ordinance for the October 26th
meeting. Moved by
Meyer to refer to Legal Department for preparation of an ordinance. The City Manager will provide information
regarding the deer population in Des Moines.
Motion Carried 7-0.
BOARD/COMMISSION
ACTION(S): NONE
ANTICIPATED
ACTIONS AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS: NONE
For more information on this and other agenda items,
please call the City Clerk’s Office at 515-283-4209 or visit the Clerk’s Office
on the second floor of City Hall, 400 Robert D. Ray Drive. Council agendas are available to the public
at the City Clerk’s Office on Thursday afternoon preceding Monday’s Council
meeting. Citizens can also request to receive meeting notices and agendas by
email by calling the Clerk’s Office or sending their request via email to
cityclerk@dmgov.org.