05-13-2002 Council Minutes Reconvened Board of Appeal

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n U ORONO BOARD OF APPEAL & EQUALIZATION RECONVENED MONDAY, MAY 13, 2002 ROLL The Orono Board of Appeal and Equalization met on the above - mentioned date with the following members present: Acting Mayor Bob Sansevere, Council Members Jim White and Jay Nygard. Representing staff were Acting City Administrator Mike Gaffron, City Attorney Tom Barrett, Hennepin County Appraiser Kim Jensen, Hennepin County Appraiser Kevin Wynn, and Recorder Alissa Winternheimer. Acting Mayor Sansevere called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES White moved, and Sansevere seconded, to approve the Minutes of the Orono Board of Review Meeting on April 24, 2002. Vote: Ayes 5, Nays 0. 3. COUNCIL ACTION ON ASSESSOR'S RECOMMENDATION 1. Stephen Farnes of 4400 Deering Island, #18- 117 -23 -31 -0001 • Jensen stated that Mr. Fames disagreed with the revised 2002 Estimated Market Value (EMV). She stated that they had made a reduction from $820,000 to $637,000 based on a survey Mr. Fames had provided them. Since an on -island inspection, they have recommended reducing the value from $637,000 to $597,000. Mr. Fames stated that the EMV is still too high. The value was determined to be worth $125,000 in 1994 and the current assessment quadrupled its value in eight years. He stated that nothing in the Assessor's data supported the increased EMV. Each increase has been the maximum that the law would allow, and to him, indicated an abuse of power. The property was not as valuable as people might assume because of limited access and the condition of the house. Sansevere asked about the comparables. Jensen stated that they used other sales located on islands to determine the valuation, but that Deering is an island with sole ownership. Jensen stated that previous valuations were based on an island size of 3.98 acres based on information from the Surveyor's Office. Mr. Fames gave them a survey completed from aerial photos completed in 1985 that did not show the high water mark, but they adjusted the valuation to one based on 2.65 acres.