MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING Unofficial
Monday, February 23,
Present:
City of
Attorney Rhonda Pagel stated that both
Rhonda stated that this meeting is being held to pursue a
procedure and terms for future annexation agreements. A copy of a sample orderly annexation
agreement was distributed. The agreement would designate areas, terms
and would serve as a guide for future agreements. A developer could look at the plan to see if
his land is included. This agreement
would be a policy to review with a property owner when he comes in with a
petition for annexation. The township
land use plan may not coincide with city plan.
Town could have other acreage.
City rate of growth in an area may grow faster. Ag preserve land includes a limit on how some
land is to be developed. Agreement terms are not locked in for city and
township but both need to agree on changes.
Board Chairman Bill Lieb stated that the township land use
plan is revised every ten years and township is into its sixth year with
present plan. At the annual meeting a person
may come in and request for a land use change.
Bill continued that the City of Maple Lake 2003 Future Land
Use Plan includes 95 acres, 2 full sections and about 15 acres as proposed
residential areas. Supervisor John
Dearing stated that the Paumen Area will be kept as residential in township
plan Mayor Mike Messina projected that
the Jim Wurm land could be developed in five years. Supervisors John Dearing,
David Stumpf and Bill Lieb each stated that they had no objection to the 95
acres being included in the future annexation plan. Bill asked what if the majority of owners in
the 95 acres agree to annex and one property owner does not? Supervisor Dave Stumpf inquired if the town
board should ask that this property be included in the annexation. Dave added that if six property owners in the
95 acres oppose, this portion should not be annexed. Rhonda responded that not all properties must
annex. Bill replied that he is concerned
that no “leapfrogging” happens and within the agreement there must be a
statement not to allow “leapfrogging”.
The Mayor agreed that the
agreement should have this statement.
Rhonda repeated the statement earlier that it is important to remember
that this agreement may be changed but both parties must agree.
Rhonda continued the discussion that the sample annexation
agreement as one somewhat identical to the one township and city just
approved. In the sample agreement, Item
A states that a property owner shall submit a petition for annexation to
City. Page 2, 2B specifies a fee. Fees are becoming more common in the
agreements. Rhonda stated she had no fee
to suggest but the fee can slow annexation requests. Bill added that Buffalo Township may use this
arrangement and Buffalo is growing fast and residential taxes are better than
Ag land. Rhonda replied that if the
township had a fee as part of the agreement, the township could retrieve losses
and pressure or discourage a developer. Dave added that township should recoup
lost taxes. Page 3 of sample agreement
discusses the city levy procedure, and remittance of delinquent taxes. Rhonda added that an up front payment seems
to be preferred rather than taxes. Bill
stated that township board needs to discuss these points with other
townships. If annexed area is developed
right away, the tax loss could be a large sum of money. Rhonda cited Statute 414.033 Annexation by
Ordinance, subd. 12. Property taxes. She
offered to clarify the Statute and submit a letter to redefine tax as on a
developed base. Mayor and John Northenscold
agreed that using a developed land tax would be a good way to control growth.
Mayor asked if Maintenance section in the proposed agreement
is workable? Bill responded that this same portion was in the
resolution and the town board had approved.
Bill Lieb asked if in the city plan that there was a sewer
proposed in
Rhonda concluded that this agreement is a sample and Corinna
Board should check with other townships such as
The Mayor and Chairman agreed that more information on
annexation should be obtained and city and township should meet again in April.
The meeting ended at
Respectfully submitted,
Vi Novotne
Clerk