04-25-2016 Council Work Session Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 25, 2016 5:00 o'clock p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Lili Tod McMillan, Council Members Jim Cornick, Jr., Aaron Printup, Lizz Levang, and Denny Walsh. Representing Staff were City Administrator Jessica Loftus, Finance Director Ron Olson, Public Works Director/Engineer Adam Edwards, Senior Planner Michael Gaffron, and City Clerk Diane Tiegs. GUESTS: Hennepin County Assessor, James Atchison; Long Lake Council Member, Lizz Olson; Cemetery Board Members Jim Dillman and Sam Retinger I. Hennepin County Assessor Contract - Presentation from James Atchison The City of Orono contracts with Hennepin County for assessing services. The current 4 - year contract expires on July 31, 2016. Hennepin County Assessor James Atchison provided information to Council which included an "At a Glance" information fact sheet and a PowerPoint presentation reviewing the services offered. Mr. Atchison reviewed the diverse types of properties and their values which include executive homes, lakeshore neighborhoods, and small neighborhoods. Property valuation ranges in Orono are 32 percent $0 — 400,000, 34 percent $400,000 — 800,000, 17 percent $800,000 - 1.2 M and 17 percent are $1.2M and higher. Orono has a culture in which residents call and expect a personal response regarding their concerns. Orono has had the most contacts regarding the valuation notices for a community of its size. The Hennepin County Assessor's Office provides excellent customer service and education to the community and residents. The Hennepin County Assessor's office houses two staff appraisers at Orono City Hall, Tom Kunik and Mike Smerdon. Their time at Orono is 80% re- evaluation phone calls and 20% reviewing property. Housing staff and property records at City Hall provides a quicker response to resident requests. Hennepin County is in the process of implementing the e -homestead applications online. This is set for June 2016 County -wide and will create a more efficient process. Risk Management issues are addressed by the Hennepin County Administrators and no extra fees are incurred. Legal advisors from the County Attorney's office are at the assessor's disposal. Open Book efficiencies and future improvements may move to the format of region meetings rather than community. This would allow more opportunity for residents to bring forth their valuation concerns as the Open Book times and dates would be for more than one 3 hour session per community. Hennepin County Assessors are qualified to appraise all properties within the county. The Hennepin County Assessing Division supplies