Agenda - Council - 11/26/1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE DISCUSSION REGARDING HORSE CARE COMMISSION By: Zoning Administrator Sylvia Frolik Background: The purpose of this case is to update City Council regarding the efforts of our newest Commission, the Horse Care Commission. In 1990, the City Council adopted a new Horse Ordinance, which is enclosed for your informational purposes. Pursuant to that Ordinance, a Horse Care Commission was formed early in 1991. The current membership consists of Barbara Scottston (Chairperson), Dorothy Breu, Harvey Wibeto, Vicki Brockamp, and Carolyn Shumway. Since their inception, the Horse Care Commission has studied the Horse Ordinance and their role ,'~s members of the Horse Care Commission. Basically, their charge is to assist the Community Development Department in resolving horse related complaints and provide recommendations on applications for conditional use permits to have horses on less than 3 acres. The Commission has spent a considerable amount of time trying to address Subd. 8 of the Horse ©rdinance. That part of the ordinance states that the Police Chief, or any designated agent of the City, may impound any horse found at large and shall provide proper sustenance for such impounded horse. The Commission determined that it is unreasonable for the City to provide the Police Chief with the transporting equipment and shelter facilities necessary for impounding horses. Based on that, it was decided that the City should provide the Police Department with a list of selected persons who have the necessary equipment and facilities to provide impounding services to the City on an as needed basis. The transporting and boarding rates paid to emergency horse care providers will be set annually by a City Council resolution. The horse owner will be responsible for the transporting and boarding costs incurred by the City, and the horse will not be released to the owner until those costs have been paid. The Commission advertised for emergency horse care providers and received four applications. During the interview with the applicants, questions were raised regarding medical and Iiability coverage for the horse care providers. The matter has been discussed at length with the League of Minnesota Cities, our Personnel Coordinator Kay McAloney, and our insurance agent of record, Michael Hadtrath. Just as with any other paid on-call employee of the City, emergency horse care providers will be covered under the City's workers compensation policy and liability policy. On November 26, 1991, the Horse Care Commission made a decision to deny the four applications received for emergency horse care services. Three of the applicants have facilities that utilize barb wire fences, which the Commission feels is a hazard. The fourth applicant does not have telephone service, a feature which is necessary to being on-call. The Commission has directed City Staff to readvertise for emergency horse care providers. Recommendation: Council Action: No action necessary; for informational purposes only. Review Checklist: City Administrator Police Chief Zoning Adminisu'ator CC: 11/26/91