05-11-1995 Council Minutes Reconvened Board of Review

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A It MINUTES OF THE RECONVENED BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING • HELD MAY 11, 1995 ROLL The Orono Reconvened Board of Review met on the above date with the following members present: Acting Mayor Gabriel Jabbour, Councilmembers J. Diann Goetten and Charles Kelley. Mayor Edward Callahan and Councilmember JoEllen Hurr were absent. The following represented City staff Acting City Administrator John Gerhardson, City Assessors Rolf Erickson, Dave Wilde, Gail Navratil, Lisa Mott and Recorder Lin Vee. The meeting was called to order by Acting Mayor Jabbour at 7:00 p.m. Acting Mayor Jabbour explained that if property owners did not agree with the valuation of the Assessor after contact with him that they have the right to appear before the Reconvened Board of Review. The next step would be to appeal the tax valuation to Hennepin County by contacting the Hennepin County Assessor before June 12, 1995. He reminded residents that the City receives the same amount of money from taxes regardless of the individual tax valuation and that the City is mandated by law to stay within 93.5% of the sales from last year. Carol Parrish. 1995 West Farm Road. 27- 118 -23 43 0013 - She did not think they could speak before the Board at tonight's meeting so a letter has also been submitted. She summarized her appeal by • stating that they had a 20.6% increase in the last year and felt this amount was out of line with the neighborhood and community. She thought a clerical error had been made. They live on a 2 acre lot that has wetlands and a creek. No expansion in the use of the property can be made because of these conditions. Since the first Board of Review on April 26, 1995, Parrish has found that some valuations were reduced because of limitations on the use of property, setbacks and wetlands. They feel their property would qualify for a reduction under these conditions. Jabbour noted the majority of the increase is on the house. Erickson explained that there was no record of the finished basement which increased the house value. Parrish responded that the basement was roughed -in when they purchased the property in 1990. It was completed in the last year. Erickson felt there may have been a misunderstanding when reviewing the property because only the yard was reviewed at the request of Parrish. Erickson suggested Parrish appeal to the County for a County Assessor review. Erickson felt the property was fairly valued. Goetten also urged Parrish to appeal to the County. Jabbour noted that he would have to rely on recommendations from the Assessor as he is not familiar with all properties in the City. Kelley added that he felt the valuation was fair in looking at the comparables and the size of the house. Willard Shull, 1125 Spring Hill Road, 26- 118 -23 43 0004 - He sent a letter to the Board prior to its first meeting. He received a response from the Assessor stating the value was correct as appraised after the Assessor's review. He asked for an explanation. Kelley noted that this area was in the quadrant that was physically appraised this year. Erickson responded that he had reviewed this property a couple years ago because of the conservation easement. Wilde appraised it in April of 1993 and actually came in the house. The land went up from $163,000 to $170,000. Erickson 40