2009.04.13 CC Minutes - Horse Boarding Workshop

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MINUTES FOR HORSE BOARDING WORKSHOP CITY OF HUGO - CITY OF GRANT - MAY TOWNSHIP Monday, April 13,2009,7:00 p.m. Hugo City Hall Acting Mayor Becky Petryk called the meeting to at order at 7:10 p.m. PRESENT: Haas, Klein, Petryk, Weidt, Miron (7:18 p.m.) ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Mike Ericson, Community Development Director Bryan State Senator Ray Vandeveer, State Representative Bob Dettmer, State Representative Matt Dean, City of Grant (Mayor Tom Carr, Council Members Scott Fogelson, Jeff Huber, Dan Potter, and Brad Hinseth) and May Township Board Chair Bill Voedisch Acting Mayor Becky Petryk announced that the City of Hugo called for the joint workshop due to Washington County's reclassification of horse boarding operations and invited the City of Grant and May Township to attend since the issue directly effects their residents as well. City Administrator Mike Ericson reported from the information received from Washington County that the MN Department of Revenue has reviewed the classification of horse operations and some my be commercial and not agricultural in nature. City Assessor Frank Langer addressed the joint workshop officials and stated that the County had split the residential and agricultural classifications. He noted the difference in tax rates for commercial, and agricultural is three times more. There are 70-75 parcels being changed by the County in 2009, and the City's Board of Equalization is Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. State Senator Ray Vandeveer spoke about his legislative House File 775, a bill which defines agricultural products for clarification. State Representative Bob Dettmer spoke about his legislative House File 879 which does the same. There were a total of seven area residents who spoke out against the reclassification stating it would raise their taxes and put them out of business. Attorney Allise Eklund addressed the joint board and spoke of a pending lawsuit in Stearns County, which could provide clear direction on equine operations and definition of agricultural products. Mayor Miron stated he was troubled by the lack of clear guidance from the MN Department of Revenue. It is an issue of fairness, he said. Grant Mayor Tom Carr stated that horses are livestock and an agricultural use. Longtime resident and horse operation owner Dan Ramberg stated that they challenged the legislation in the early 1990's and won a fair settlement on the definition of equine and agricultural operations. Everyone agreed that the City and Township need to preserve rural character. After further discussion, staff was directed to prepare a joint resolution of support of the legislation and ask for a hearing before the County Board since the Board of Equalization gives