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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-2002 Board of Appeal and Equalization Reconvened Minutesn 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. ORONO BOARD OF APPEAL & EQUALIZATION RECONVENED MONDAY, MAY 13, 2002 11 1. Stephen Farnes of 4400 Deering Island, #18- 117- 23 -31- 0001 — Continued Sansevere asked if Mr. Fames was aware of other appeal options available to him. Jensen stated that the next step would be the County Board of Equalization with no fee, then would come Tax Court, which would have a small fee. Sansevere told Mr. Fames that his decision would have to be based on the information provided by their experts. Nygard stated he felt the assessment was too high, and mentioned the boat traffic past the island. Mr. Fames stated that he gets up to 250 boats passing the island an hour. The island was 6.5 acres at the early part of the century, but has been eroded away. He stated he would have to invest $80,000 - $100,000 or more to rip rap the island. White stated that other island properties have more privacy. Mr. Fames stated that he has no land access to the island and the house is substandard. Sansevere asked Jensen what the EMV would come to if the island had eroded to 2.25 acres. Jensen stated that using $5 per s.f. the EMV would comedown to $510,000 White asked Fames if he lives there year round. He stated that he only spends two or • three months there a year, but it is the only property he owns and is his voting residence. He also stated that the property probably should not be homestead, but should be seasonal recreational. He stated he would like to see the EMV at $174,584, which would be the 1994 EMV plus 4% each year. Mr. Fames stated that the Council had the power to decide whatever was fair, and reminded them that last year's assessment was based on erroneous information concerning the actual size of the island. Sansevere stated he could not support such a decreased EMV. Nygard stated they could not go backwards from last year's appraisal. Sansevere was wondering if there was enough time for Mr. Fames to get a survey and a appraisal done before the board made a decision. Jensen stated the board had to be closed that night because the board needs to close within 20 days of the first meeting and that was the twentieth day. Gaffron stated it was feasible that half an acre had eroded in 17 years, but he doubted it. Sansevere suggested Mr. Fames take a survey and an appraisal to the next level of appeal. E 2 ORONO BOARD OF APPEAL & EQUALIZATION RECONVENED MONDAY, MAY 13, 2002 _ • 1. Stephen Farnes of 4400 Deering Island, #18- 117- 23 -31- 0001 — Continued White moved, and Nygard seconded, that the Farnes property's (#18- 117- 23 -31- 0001) market value be further reduced by the sum of $87,000 to $510,000 based on considerations of erosion, boat traffic, and the applicant's future expense of rip rapping. Vote: Ayes 2, Nays 1 (Sansevere). Nygard moved, and White seconded, to accept the Assessor's recommendations for Estimated Market Value on the remaining properties in Orono: Johnson #03- 117 -23 -32 -0020 Rascher #07- 117 -23 -32 -0058 Robinson #04- 117 -23 -41 -0001 Kirchner #17- 117 -23 -31 -0001 Edwards #20- 117 -23 -12 -0027 Rogosheske #04- 117 -23 -42 -0023 Hendrickson #08- 117 -23 -41 -0001 Mahaffy #25- 118 -23 -43 -0011 Stielow #15- 117 -23 -21 -0007 0 Vote: Ayes: 3, Nays 0. The Board of Review was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. ATTEST: Linda S. Vee, City Clerk 0 3