The City of Cranbrook is going to conduct another urban deer survey.

City council Feb. 17 voted five to one to direct administrative staff to conduct another survey in order to arm it with information it needs to provide further direction on controlling urban deer numbers. The vote also approved a draft of the survey.

“It’s a good time” to measure community support or opposition to the city’s efforts to control urban deer, said Mayor Wayne Stetski. “We need to find out where the heartbeat of the City of Cranbrook is at.”

Council’s vote follows a recommendation, approved by council in October 2013, from the Urban Deer Management Advisory Committee for a new survey on the future of urban deer management in the city.

Coun. Gerry Warner was the lone councilor opposed to approving the draft survey (Coun. Angus Davis was absent).

“My opinion is we don’t need to be told anymore that we have a horrendous urban deer problem in this city. We are now dealing with criminal vandalism. I think this issue is settled. I will support a cull at any time in the city,” he said.

Coun. Bob Whetham, who has worked closely with the urban deer committee, disagreed.

“We do have a difference of opinion in our community. I think it’s probably timely,” he said, adding whatever decision council makes must be “largely a matter of public acceptance.”

The last survey conducted was in in 2010 and a new survey would give the city “groundwork” to help it move forward.

“Policy-wise at the provincial level more needs to be done,” he said, adding he believes the draft survey has been “drafted quite carefully.”

Stetski told council he favours the survey because “I have heard equally from those in favour and those opposed” to culls.

Coun. Diana J Scott said public safety remains her number one concern when considering urban deer and agreed with Coun. Warner that “we need to cull,” but the city should gauge public attitudes.

“It’s one of those things we have to do,” she said.

City director of corporate communications Chris Zettel told council the costs of another survey have yet to be determined and are not included in the budget.

In 2010, the survey was done exclusively online and only cost staff time, he said. However, this time the city should allow for some paper surveys to be done, he suggested, pointing out it would cost about $1,000.

If it is done “exclusively on paper” it would cost about $16,000.

Warner conceded that if a survey will bring in new information, he doesn’t oppose that result.

He also pointed out how the District of Invermere’s November 2013 survey resulted in three-quarters of respondents stating support for a cull.

Invermere is a “different” community to Cranbrook, he said, adding, “If we had a referendum I’d be willing to bet we’d have 95% in favour of a cull.”

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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