BAXTER - Camp Vanasek will be open to archery deer hunting this year.
The Baxter City Council on Tuesday approved placing the camp, located near Whipple Lake in northeast Baxter, on the city's hunting map.
Council member Jim Klein brought the proposal to the council's attention in September after he'd received complaints from neighbors about the deer population.
Police Chief Jim Exsted said inquiries were made to the Baxter Lions, which leases the land for Camp Vanasek from Crow Wing County, and board members were favorable to allowing archery deer hunters on the property.
"We believe there shouldn't be any problems with it at all," said Ken Shepherd of the Baxter Lions.
Permission would be needed from the Baxter Lions or Camp Vanasek to hunt the land. Contact numbers will be posted on the city's Web site at www.ci.baxter.mn.us. Exsted said the council could chose to hold public meetings about the archery hunting.
Though not included in the motion, Klein also suggested that in addition to DNR requirements for hunters being away from residences and structures, hunting should only be allowed from an elevated position. Exsted said that was one issue he'd like to address in amending the city's hunting ordinance.
"It is a problem," said Baxter resident John Sullivan of the deer herd in Baxter. "We should be harvesting more deer beneficially than with cars."
Resident Bob Miller said he had mixed feelings about the use of Camp Vanasek for deer hunting because it was people that displaced the deer and now people were going to kill them.
Gary Drotts, DNR area wildlife supervisor, said the state would be happy with a ban on feeding deer, which leads to increased populations in cities, resulting in more vehicle collisions.
In other action, the council:
Decided against holding a Truth in Taxation meeting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 1 at Baxter City Hall. Instead, the city on that date will hold an informational meeting on taxes which would save the city money by not requiring publication and additional reports to the state.
"We think we can do the same thing," Mayor Darrel Olson said. "We just wouldn't have to bear the costs."
The Legislature has allowed government entities this year to not hold Truth in Taxation meetings. While Baxter and Crow Wing County won't be holding the meeting, Brainerd and the Brainerd School District will.
Miller said not holding a Truth in Taxation meeting was meant to stifle public dissent. He said Baxter residents couldn't depend on the local newspaper to be thorough concerning Baxter's finances and he said he believed that to be deliberate.
"This is a move to take the people out of the mix," Miller said of the decision to not hold a Truth in Taxation hearing.
"I guess you didn't hear me," Olson replied. "It's just a different name. Instead of Truth in Taxation we're saying it's an informational meeting. The county is not having a meeting, period. We're not doing that."
Miller apologized if he misunderstood what was being considered.
Adjourned to 1 p.m. on Oct. 15 at the Excelsior Road Bridge of the Paul Bunyan State Trail for a ceremony for the bridge's opening.
Set the next council budget workshop at 6 p.m. on Oct. 28 at Baxter City Hall.
Approved an additional election judge for the 2008 general election.
Approved a request from Paul Bunyan Cyclists for a ride to take place June 6, 2009, starting at Forestview Middle School. The last time it was held in Baxter 1,200 bicyclists took part in the event.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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