The debate on the deer population in the community continues to stir emotions among residents. And while the two sides are at odds about what to do with the deer, there seems to be a general consensus  that residents need to quit feeding them.

At the Hines Common Council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 15, Pat Brewster of Burns spoke to the council regarding the “gross overpopulation of deer within the community.”

Brewster pointed out that the Takings Clause found in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states, “When government acts not to secure rights but to provide the public with goods like wildlife habitat, scenic views or historic preservation, and in so doing prohibits or “takes” some otherwise rightful use, then it is acting, in part, under the eminent domain power and does have to compensate the owner for any losses he may suffer.”

Brewster stated that because of the ongoing poor stewardship, the cities and county are providing wildlife habitat to the deer in the community and by doing so, costing her the food from her garden and orchard which she relies on for survival. She added that she has spent significant resources in money and time attempting to keep the deer away from her property.

Brewster went on to say that deer ticks are a potential health threat as they can transmit Lyme disease and ehrilichiosis to both humans and pets.

Brewster proposed a community partnership among the cities, county Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), and possibly the county health department that would help provide low-cost or free deer fencing for those in the community that need it.

Brewster said the deer population issue has been talked about for a “very long time,” but there needs to be action.

Gary Miller of Hines stated that the city does have a “little bit of a deer problem,” but the overall numbers are down, as well as the number of sick ones. He said the city limits are right on the edge of the mule deer winter range and “the deer are always going to be here.”

Miller referenced Senate Bill (SB) 373 that was passed by the legislature in 2017, and said, “I don’t think we want to be the first town in Oregon to go with this process.”

SB 373 requires the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to write regulations for a pilot program under which cities could ask for their resident deer populations to be decreased within city limits.

Miller said the city has already enacted an ordinance that allows the city to fine people up to $250 for feeding the deer, but there have been no citations written. He stated trying to catch people feeding deer is nearly impossible for law enforcement, but it is a big problem.

“Maybe we could get that stopped [feeding deer] through education,” Miller said. “Educate people that feeding deer will make them sick.”

Marti Boatman of Hines said there is deer problem in the city, and the people that are feeding the deer are killing them. She said there are also safety concerns because the deer are not afraid of people which could lead to an attack on residents or pets.

She said more citations should be issued to the people who are feeding the deer as a $250 fine may serve as a deterrent to the action.

Others in the audience agreed that the deer are a nuisance and past ideas, such as catch-and-release, haven’t worked.

After some discussion, the council agreed to move forward with drafting a resolution to declare the deer a public nuisance, allowing the city to petition ODFW for assistance in reducing deer population levels within city limits.

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City Administrator Judy Erwin reported the city had to shut down the older water tower because it was leaking once again and has been deemed unsafe for divers to go in for repairs. She said the water tower will be drained, and until a new one can be erected next year, the city may be talking to residents about water conservation.

Erwin said a number of bags containing leaves were just left in the park after the city provided Dumpsters for residents to dispose of their leaves.

She said part of the problem may have been that the Dumpsters were over-flowing, but after the Dumpsters were removed, people were still leaving bags of leaves, as well as bags of garbage.

Erwin said it costs the city $2,300 to provide the free Dumpsters for the two weekends, and she would recommend the city not provide them again if people are just going to dump bags off in the park. She said maybe the city could provide a pick-up service for the elderly and disabled, but the disrespect shown by others is not acceptable.

Mayor Nikki Morgan suggested having a free Dumpster available for leaves in the spring, and Hines Fire Chief Bob Spence noted that if people don’t have a place to dispose of leaves, they are going to start burning them, and that’s another problem.

Erwin told the council that workshops for elected officials are coming up in various locations around the state if they are interested in attending, and the ordinance  for dealing with derelict or vacant buildings in the city should be ready for council review by the next council meeting on Dec. 11.

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In other business:

• the council approved a $100 donation to the Kids Club of Harney County;

• the council voted to move forward with the process of having Hines established as a Certified Local Government, which certifies local governments at the county and/or city level to designate properties as historic. Such a designation would  make the city eligible for non-competitive grants;

• Hines Police Chief Ryan DeLange reported his department had been busy with drug arrests and traffic stops. He said probably nine out of 10 arrests made are drug-related, mostly methamphetamine. “Our traffic stops continue to be a lot,” DeLange said. “We’re averaging anywhere from 30 to 50 citations a month, mainly for speed, and our traffic crashes are down, so I’m hoping there is a connection there.”

DeLange added that Officer Mike Mitchell would be attending the police academy Dec. 9 and, because of the holiday break, would be graduating in April;

• Spence said October was a busy month for the fire department, responding to 21 calls. He said since the burning ban has been lifted, there have been more fire calls, and residents are still burning at night. He said he wants all burning to be shut down by 4 p.m., and noted that fire season is getting longer.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, at city hall.