The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday approved the first of three readings of ordinances pertaining to Urban Deer Control and the reducing of the speed limit on a section of 22^nd Street.

City Councilman Steve Livengood, the City’s liaison to the Community Protection Committee, said the ordinance, which was tabled during last month’s Council meeting, was reviewed by the committee after the first draft was created, and revised after consulting with the City Attorney and Police Chief. One of the concerns they addressed was the removal of administrative procedures from the first draft, but after City Attorney Dave Weidersteen said the ordinance would be administered by the Police Department, the committee agreed that was acceptable.

Chief Steve Green has indicated he would like the ordinance passed no later than July 1^st. The ordinance permits bow hunting of anterless deer within the Atlantic City limits, with the Police Department determining what areas the hunt will be allowed in, after receiving authorization from a land owner. Permits will be issued for the hunt under the sole discretion of the Police Chief.

The Council also approved the first reading of an ordinance reducing the speed limit on East 22^nd Street from Olive to Highway 71, from 45- to 35-miles per hour. The Community Protection Committee recommended the move after consulting with the Police Chief, who said some residents who live along that stretch of road expressed their concerns about pulling out of their driveways given the current speed, pedestrian traffic along the road, and the potential for future residential development in the area.