05-09-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, May 9, 2011 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. (MA YORICO UNCIL REPORT, Continued) Loftus stated the information was sent out initially after she received it and the results of the survey will be discussed at a work session in June. Printup stated the e -mail alerts, and notice in the city newsletter and on the city website have helped to promote viewership. Printup commented that watching the City Council meetings appears to be popular at the present time. Franchot pointed out that the data provided by the LMCC on viewership does not reflect how many people are watching the meetings on cable TV but just reflects the streaming online. Printup noted at the Reconvened Board of Appeal and Equalization he had asked the question about the difference in reassessment. Printup stated the reductions were significant and ranged from $70,000 to over $130,000. The state law is that 20 percent of the homes are assessed each year. The homes have to be looked at every five years, so it takes a cycle of five years before every home gets an inspection. Printup noted the City's contract with the assessor's office for 2011 is $135,000. If the assessor's office only views 20 percent of the homes, that breaks down to approximately $34 per parcel. If that number is multiplied by five years, it comes to $170 per parcel. Printup noted when he looked at other cities' costs, the breakdown per parcel was lower. The City of • Minnetrista was around $148 a parcel, Medina was $143, and Excelsior was $111. Printup stated in his view this might be something that should be discussed as part of the budget talks. Printup suggested the assessor's office be contacted to find out why Orono's costs are higher. Bremer pointed out that the new parcels are not included as part of that five year cycle yet. Bremer commented it is important to attend the Board of Appeal and Equalization since the assessor's office oftentimes will hear information that is new to their particular situation. Bremer pointed out that the assessor will view any resident's property that requests an inspection. Bremer noted the assessor's office can only do so much adjustment and that in her opinion the valuations went down more than they typically have in the past and appear to be more responsive to changes in the market. Franchot pointed out there were also a number of people that did not come to the meeting of the local board that did have a reduction. Bremer commented that the number of times the asses responds to a call and visits the property would be helpful at the time of budget discussions. McMillan asked whether the contract with the assessor's office is annual. Olson indicated it is a renewable contract but that he is not sure what the renewal date is on the assessor's contract. Olson indicated he will obtain that information and provide it to the Council. McMillan noted she had a meeting with Commissioner Jeff Johnson and approximately 15 mayors. During the meeting Commissioner Johnson asked each mayor to identify the top two issues in their individual city and McMillan indicated she said roads and taxes, which is what most of the other mayors mentioned as well. The other item was the storm water mandate called TMDL, which is a federal mandate to quantify the nonpoint storm water pollution. A majority of the mayors were pretty upset Page 15 of 17