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Council refers proposed deer-feeding ordinance back to committee over enforcement concerns
Summary
Councilors said they support prohibiting deer feeding but asked staff and the legislation committee to develop clear enforcement language and assign responsibility before returning the draft for a vote.
The International Falls City Council on Feb. 17 advanced a proposed ordinance to prohibit deer feeding by referring the draft back to the legislation and land use committee so the committee can craft a clear enforcement plan.
Councilors expressed broad support for a prohibition on deer feeding, citing frequent deer in city limits and traffic-safety concerns. One councilor said the ordinance is needed but must include a plan for who will enforce it and how enforcement will occur, otherwise the ordinance would be impractical. That councilor said, "I'm all for an ordinance for deer feeding... unless we've got it all planned on who's gonna enforce this ordinance and how we're gonna enforce it, there's no sense making an ordinance." (as spoken in the meeting).
During public comment, resident Lois Lundin urged the council to tighten the enforcement language. She said the draft could be read to allow "any employee or agent of the city who is authorized by the city council... to enter any premises to investigate or inspect premises for prohibited deer feeding activities" without property-owner permission, and she warned that broad language could expose the city to legal risk. She asked that the ordinance specify when authorities may enter private property or require permission or a warrant. In her words, "It sounds as though any employee of the city... can at will go on to someone's property to investigate... I just think the language really needs to be cleaned up."
Councilor comments and the citizen concern prompted a motion to send the draft back to the legislation and land use committee so staff and committee members can clarify enforcement mechanisms and who will have authority to investigate alleged violations. The motion to refer was approved by voice vote.
Next steps: The legislation and land use committee is expected to draft enforcement language and return the ordinance to the council for further consideration; the council’s packet and meeting discussion flagged the need to specify enforcement roles, entry permissions, and whether civil or criminal enforcement will apply.
