Chelsea council moves to form seven-member deer management committee after DNR guidance

The Chelsea City Council voted to create a seven-resident deer management committee after members said they wanted objective data and public outreach to inform any population-management decisions.

"I'd like to make a motion to form a deer management committee with no less than 7 residents for the span of a year at least," the mayor (S1) moved; the motion described the committee's tasks as running surveys, conducting public outreach and presenting potential solutions for council approval.

Council members and residents discussed the committee's scope and duration. Multiple speakers emphasized the need for data-driven recommendations: one participant noted the new Michigan law includes guidance that "feed must be covered to deter wild free ranging white tailed deer and elk from gaining access to the feed," and urged the council to avoid assumptions about rural statutes applying in an urban setting. Council members suggested a resident survey to gauge community sentiment, and at least one member noted that natural disease (epizootic hemorrhagic disease) may reduce the deer population without council action.

Council agreed the committee should produce a baseline deer count and public-education materials, then return with recommendations for action. The motion passed by voice vote; the committee's appointment and specific bylaws were left for later staff action and public application.