MISQUAH — The Misquah City Council heard at length Monday from resident Al Bunde regarding geese at Loon Ridge, geese on Big Pelican, geese near the post office, and what Bunde described as “the general direction of geese.” The agenda listed the matter under seasonal park mowing. The geese were not listed, but arrived verbally within the first minute.

Bunde, who lives on Whitefish Road and golfs twice a week when the weather and his left knee permit, began by saying he would be brief. This was later understood by several council members to mean brief in spirit. He presented two photographs, one hand-drawn map of the seventh fairway, and a paper grocery bag containing what he said was evidence. Mayor Gloria Vik declined to open the bag.

The council’s public comment period is limited to three minutes. Bunde spoke for twelve after the timer failed to sound. City Clerk Donna Skoglund eventually discovered the timer had been unplugged to make room for the coffee urn, a fact she entered in the minutes as “equipment unavailable.”

“I am not against geese as a class of bird,” Bunde told the council. “I am against geese acting organized.” He said the flock at Loon Ridge has become “bold,” occupying greens, crossing cart paths without urgency, and looking at golfers in a way Bunde described as “municipal.”

Loon Ridge manager Paula Skaar confirmed after the meeting that geese have been numerous this spring, though she stopped short of calling them organized. The course has tried flags, a plastic coyote, reflective tape, and one employee named Brian who claps at them. “Brian has had mixed results,” Skaar said.

Council members attempted several times to return the discussion to park mowing, particularly the question of whether the city should continue trimming along the north shelter fence. Alderman Pete Hagen said goose droppings on public grass might be “adjacent enough” to justify consideration. Alderman Ruthie Ness asked whether the geese were city geese or resort geese, a distinction no one was prepared to make.

No action was taken on the geese, the mowing, or the unplugged timer. The matter was placed under Old Business, where Skoglund said “it will have plenty of company.” Bunde said he would return with clearer photographs if the problem continues. The geese, reached Tuesday morning near the fourth tee, made no statement.

The goose question has practical roots. Loon Ridge crews have spent more time this spring clearing greens, relocating flags, and explaining to visitors why the seventh fairway appears to have a resident committee. Skaar said the resort wants the birds respected and moved along, in that order. “They are wildlife,” she said. “They are also very sure of themselves.”

Several residents spoke after Bunde, though none matched his preparation. One woman suggested border collies. Another asked whether the city could borrow a dog from the county. A third said she once heard that grape juice deters geese, a claim that produced the longest silence of the meeting and was referred to no committee.

Mayor Vik closed the discussion by thanking speakers and asking Public Works to look into “non-dramatic options.” That phrase has not previously appeared in the minutes, but Skoglund said it may prove useful. The council then returned to mowing, where the geese, though absent, remained spiritually present.

No ordinance was proposed, though Hagen briefly wondered whether a goose could be discouraged by changing the mowing height. Niskanen said he would look into it, which in municipal language means the idea has not yet been rejected in a way that requires writing.

After adjournment, Bunde stood in the parking lot with two other residents and continued pointing toward Loon Ridge, though the golf course is not visible from city hall. This did not reduce the confidence of the pointing. By then, the council had moved on, the coffee urn had been unplugged, and the timer was once again available for democracy.