Politics & Government

Public Works Commissioner Seeks to Move Forward on Deer Culling Contract

Jim Stanek is expected to ask Solon City Council on Wednesday for permissions to secure the U.S. Department of Agriculture to handle deer culling if the city decides to do that

Solon Public Works Commissioner Jim Stanek will ask City Council Wednesday for authorization to secure the services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to handle deer culling if the city decides to start again.

In a memo to Mayor Susan Drucker and city council, Stanek said the proposed contract has been reviewed by the law director and that it's necessary to move forward so that Solon's deer culling needs can be included in the USDA's schedule.

He's asking city council to authorize him to move forward. The next council meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

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Whether Solon decides to cull deer again will depend on city council, which has the final say.

"I feel it important to take this action so that I can continue to prepare for a program should we ultimately decide to implement one," Stanek writes.

Find out what's happening in Solonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hanging over the city's deer management plans – which are being discussed again because of surging deer numbers – is the , an effort by opponents of hunting intended to ban the killing of deer in Solon.

That ordinance will be on Nov. 8.

In the memo, Stanek said that there's no problem with signing a contract with USDA because the city will only pay the agency for costs as they are incurred.

So if the anti-hunting law passes, Solon will only be required to pay for the work the USDA has already done.

Despite the proposed ordinance, which would derail their plans to use lethal deer culling methods,  Solon officials are proceeding as if the ballot initiative will fail.

Councilman Bill Russo, a proponent of culling, has said that's the city's best option because the city has limited time in the fall and winter when culling can occur. A plan needs to be in place so the city can act if the ballot initiative fails, he said.

But opponents, such as resident John Nolan, have called that a smack in the face to residents who spoke out against deer culling by signing a petition.

Check back tomorrow for more on this story.


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