On Wednesday, September 18th, City Council held a Committee of the Whole on the topic of deer and a proposed responsible contractor ordinance. Find agenda packet here: https://livoniami.portal.civicclerk.com/…/agenda/2991

On June 19, 2023, City Council held a committee meeting on the subject of deer. Find summary here: https://voterunservelivonia.com/…/public-safety-health…/

Following that meeting, the City joined the Urban Deer Coalition.

This meeting was a follow-up that was attended by Jared Duquette, Human-Wildlife Interactions Specialist from the State of MIchigan. He provided a packet to all attendees and explained the process of solving deer problems in communities.

Duquette and the State of Michigan helps communities identify whether or not they have a deer problem and helps to create a definition of what the problem is (e.g. increase in car accidents, loss of vegetation, disturbances in neighborhoods) so that if a population management plan is pursued, the State can follow up with after action to ensure that initial objectives were met. The State of Michigan issues permits for culling but does not provide the service. Communities have to work with the USDA Environmental Services or a private company.

A motion was made to request a report and recommendation from the administration for what goals would be for controlling population, tools for measuring success and associated costs. It was emphasized that this should be done in a timely manner and not deferred for another year.

On the matter of a proposed responsible contractor ordinance. A motion was made that the Law Department draft an ordinance for review by Council and once it is prepared, a Committee of the Whole meeting will be scheduled for further discussion.