She hoped the process would begin at a meeting on Monday.
The use of 1080 was "as big as the nuclear debate" and, while she did not plan to push for a ban, it was time for the city to have a discussion about the issue.
The council's planning and environment committee will get a rundown on the use of the poison on Monday, after a request from Cr Butcher last year.
A report from senior planner Debbie Hogan said the majority of Dunedin was classified by the Animal Health Board as a bovine tuberculosis movement control area, where there was known tuberculosis infection in wildlife, posing a risk to domestic cattle and deer.
"Significant public interest" in the issue meant some local authorities had taken a stance.
Aerial application of 1080 by the board made up only about 2% of control operations in Dunedin, but Mt Allan and Silverpeaks had aerial drops on a four-year cycle.
An aerial and ground-based operation was planned for Silverpeaks this winter.
The Otago Regional Council used 1080 for rabbit control on farmland.
Ms Hogan said the council had no regulatory responsibility for the use of 1080, but its use was not permitted in council water-catchment areas.
The Animal Health Board could override the council on the issue, but that had not happened, she said.
Other councils had adopted positions on 1080: the Taupo District Council advocated the abolition of aerial drops, and the Westland District Council had stated its opposition in water catchments.
Ms Hogan said if the committee wanted to take a stance on the issue, "then it should not be about making a judgement or being the arbiter between different views on the use of 1080".
Instead, it should consider the direction the public wanted to take, and "whether there is a concern that the community wishes the council to address".
