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Grand Haven council adopts deer-management plan, approves tree-treatment contract and postpones $25,000 budget move
Summary
The council approved a deer-management resolution authorizing an annual, DNR-guided cull (capped at 40% or 50 deer annually, whichever is less), approved a contingent $85,000 Duncan Park tree-treatment contract, and postponed action on a $25,000 budget adjustment for tree disease until funding sources are identified.
Grand Haven’s City Council on Nov. 3 adopted a resolution to implement a deer-management plan intended to curb deer overpopulation that officials say threatens the city’s urban forest.
The resolution, introduced by city staff member Ashley, authorizes an administratively implemented annual cull conducted with DNR guidance and licensing, “annually and in the amount not to exceed 40% or 50 individuals, whichever is the lesser number,” and requires public reporting and community engagement, Ashley said. Councilmembers said the action is data-driven and meant to protect tree-treatment investments made to combat oak wilt and other pests.
Council members emphasized the connection between deer pressure and long-term forest health. “If we truly want to save our forest … we have to take care of it,” Councilmember Fritz said in support. Mayor Bob Maneta and other members said they had previously requested objective measurements and now find the data compelling.
The resolution passed by roll call (McLaughlin: yes; Lowe: yes; Fritz: yes; Maneta: yes).
Council also discussed a separate staff suggestion to add a $25,000 budget increase to expand tree-disease treatment. Several members supported increasing funding but said the city should identify a source within the budget rather than act on the spur of the moment. The council voted to add the item to the agenda for consideration but then voted to postpone final action until administration returns with a plan identifying where the funds would come from.
On related tree-protection work, council approved a contract amendment (contingent on Duncan Park Commission approval) with Partial Tree Care of Traverse City for tree treatments in Duncan Park not to exceed $85,000. Assistant Director of Urban Forestry Larry Burns said Duncan Park contains about 21,000 diameter-inches (DBH) of trees, that 10–20% are dead or dying, and that the city could treat roughly 6,000 DBH this year. Burns said sampling and expert recommendations point to use of dinotefuran at about $12.40 per DBH for effective control of pests including hemlock woolly adelgid and elongate hemlock scale.
Several councilmembers and park-commission representatives said timing is urgent because treatments depend on sustained temperatures above critical thresholds; Burns said if overnight lows drop below about 40 degrees, treatment must wait until spring. The council approved the contingent Partial Tree Care amendment by roll call (McLaughlin: yes; Lowe: yes; Fritz: yes; Maneta: yes).
Votes at a glance - Deer-management resolution: passed (4–0). - Add-and-postpone $25,000 tree-disease budget adjustment: added to agenda; action postponed pending identification of funding source. - Partial Tree Care contract amendment (Duncan Park, up to $85,000, contingent on commission approval): approved (4–0).
What’s next City staff will return with a budget-source plan for the proposed $25,000 tree-disease funding; the Duncan Park Commission must approve its portion before the Partial Tree Care amendment is final. Councilmembers encouraged public engagement and monitoring to measure the program’s outcomes.
