City getting a new hunting ordinance

Brainerd will have a new hunting ordinance in 2010.

The Brainerd City Council on Monday unanimously approved adoption of the new ordinance without discussion. The proposed ordinance has been discussed several times since it was presented to the council in September.

A public hearing also was held Monday, but no one spoke to the ordinance.

The new ordinance allows the discharge of firearms for hunting or target practice on parcels of land 5 acres in size or greater that are privately owned and with the property owner's permission. The person discharging a firearm must follow all other requirements under Minnesota law and obtain a permit issued by the police department.

Archery hunting is allowed on private property with permission of the property owner; on undeveloped, publicly owned land unless otherwise posted; and with a permit from the police department.

The ordinance goes into effect Jan. 1.

In other action, the council:

Held the first reading on a proposed ordinance relating to on-sale liquor zones and license limitations to state the bar area for a restaurant, eating or other eligible establishment will not be more than 49 percent of the size of the dining area or principle use of the establishment.

The previous ordinance stated a bar area for a restaurant, eating or other eligible establishment shall be not more than one-third of the size of the dining area or principle use of the establishment and said bar area shall be separated from the dining area or principle use by a floor to ceiling partition.

Unanimously approved appointing a committee to review city code pertaining to right-of-way encroachment and signs. The decision came after lengthy discussion and several failed motions and motion amendments concerning who will be appointed to the committee. Council member Mary Koep said the public and business community needed to be involved or they wouldn't be informed. Council member Bonnie Cumberland said she didn't like big committees because they failed to get work done. Council member Bob Olson suggested a committee with several department heads and two council members - Cumberland and Anne Nelson Fisher - and the final motion approved his format without naming which two council members would serve and as long as the committee seeks public input.

Set public hearings for the College Drive assessment methodology and Northtown assessments at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 7.

Adjourned the Safety and Public Works Committee to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at city hall regarding the facilities committee on the College Drive project.

Set a council meeting for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at city hall for South Eighth Street turnback from Oak to Washington.

Held a public hearing and approved assessments for 2008-2009 downtown snow removal.

Set a joint meeting with the planning commission at 6 p.m. on Dec. 16 to discuss the subdivision ordinance and zoning map.

Decided by a 4-2 vote against putting up the holiday star decorations in downtown and along Washington Street. Voting in favor of continuing the lighted stars were Olson and council member Lucy Nesheim. Council member Kelly Bevans said it wasn't fair for the city to ask north Brainerd residents to turn off street lights while the city continued to pay for the decorative lights. "I'll be Scrooge," Bevans said.

Was informed that Bevans and Brainerd Public Utilities superintendent would meet with Brainerd Northside Neighborhood Association at 7 p.m. on Nov. 24 at First Congregational United Church to discuss the proposed pilot project to shut off 45 streetlights in north Brainerd.

Approved by a 5-1 vote increasing rental housing inspection fees from $24 per unit to $32 per unit effective June 1, 2010. Cumberland voted against.

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.