04-30-1997 CC MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
ACTING AS THE BOARD OF REVIEW
HELD AT THE SHERBURNE COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1997
Members Present:
Mayor Duitsman, Councilmembers Dietz, Thompson, and Farber
(arrived at 7:15 p.m.
Members Absent:
Councilmember Holmgren - (Councilmember Holmgren was
absent because of a conflict of interest in that he is employed by
the Sherburne County Assessor's Office
Staff Present:
Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk; Ty Bischoff, Sherburne County
Assessor
Also Present:
County Assessors
1. Call Meetinq To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Board of
Review was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman.
Sherburne County Assessor Ty Bischoff explained that the purpose of the meeting
was to review the 1997 assessed property value. He further explained that in
order to be consistent with the state requirement of staying within 90 - 105% of the
market value, an overall increase of approximately 9% was applied to all
residential property in the City.
Ty explained that each grievance would be heard by the Board of Review on an
individual basis.
2. Meadowvale Townhome Association
Several members of the Meadowvale Townhouse Association appeared before
the Board of Review. Owners from the following property were present:
· 75-567-O080
· 75-567-0010
· 75-567-0100
· 75-567-0120
· 75-567-0110
The members of the Association had concerns regarding the common ground
owned by the Association and how it was being taxed. Ty explained that the
common ground had a -0- value placed on it. Therefore, property owners were
not being assessed for the common ground. He further explained that all of the
townhomes were similar in size with different amenities. He explained that the
values differ from home to home due to the value placed on the actual lot which
the townhome is located and due to the number of amenities in the townhome.
Ty explained that the townhomes all received overall adjustment of a 9% increase
Board of Adjustment
April 30, 1997
Page 2
in valuation. The residents questioned whether they would be receiving sidewalks
and curb along Meadowvale Road. It was suggested that they contact the
County Board regarding this matter. One resident indicated his concern that
they should receive a break in property tax because they are not receiving city
services in relation to their streets. He indicated that the streets are privately
owned by the townhome association.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED THAT THE 1997 ASSESSED VALUES FOR THE
MEADOWVALE TOWNHOMES REMAIN AS STATED BY THE COUNTY ASSESSOR BASED
ON THE INFORMATION RECEIVED BY THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE. COUNCILMEMBER
THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0.
Steve Thornton - 75-436-0110 and Rick Adamski- 75-436-0130
Mr. Thornton indicated that the value placed on his home far exceeds the market
value. He indicated that his valuation has increased by $33,100 from 1993 - 1997
with no improvement done to his home. Mr. Adamski indicated that his valuation
has increased by $28,000 over the past six years. It was suggested that'these two
property owners have the assessor re-evaluate their homes.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED THAT THEIR BE NO CHANGE IN VALUATION FOR
PROPERTIES 115-225-0110 AND 115-225-0130. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0.
Nancy Boyer- 75-432-0236
Assessor John Cullen suggested that the 9% increase be eliminated based on the
fact that the home does not have a basement and it is a berm home. He stated
that berm homes tend to be slow in resale.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO REMOVE THE 9% INCREASE IN VALUATION
BRING THE ASSESSED VALUE TO .,S86,000. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED
THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0.
Councilmember Farber arrived at this time (7:15 p.m.)
Allan Fischer- 75-503-0732
Mr. Fischer submitted a letter indicating his opposition to the increase in his
valuation. The Board of Review accepted the letter and entered it into the
record.
Several Homeowners from Sunset Ridqe Addition
Several homeowners from Sunset Ridge Addition appeared before the Board of
Review and indicated that they were concerned with the amount of increase in
valuation they have experienced during the past two years. Ty Bischoff explained
about the 9% overall increase and how the value of the property is determined.
No action was taken on this issue.
7. Cheryl Nelson - 75-518-0155
Board of Adiustment
April 30, 1997
Page 3
10.
11.
Cheryl Nelson indicated her concern regarding the value of her property. She
indicated that they built the home for far less than it is valued. She further
indicated that her assessed value jumped from 179,700 to 194,200. Ty Bischoff
explained the 9% increase and the process of determining assessed value of
property. No action was taken on this issue.
Ran Woeste - 75-499-0230
Mr. Woeste indicated that his pool was assessed as an underground pool. He
explained that due to the terrain of the land, he had to purchase an above
ground pool. After leveling the land, part of the pool is underground and part is
above ground.
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER MOVED TO CHANGE THE ASSESSMENT OF THE PROPERTY
TO INCLUDE AN ABOVE GROUND POOL AND TO REDUCE THE ASSESSMENT BY ,,$4,400
TO REFLECT THE CHANGE FROM UNDERGROUND TO ABOVE GROUND.
COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
Edward Wortman - 75-450-0170
Mr. Wortman indicated that he did not feel his property has increased in value by
9% due to the location. He indicated that he is located directly across from
Perkins Restaurant. He further stated that there is more commercial business
planned for the area and his property would probably decrease in value. Ty
Bischoff suggested reducing the assessed value by 9% of Lots 5, 6, 7, and 8 Block
1.
COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO REDUCE THE ASSESSED VALUE OF LOTS 5, 6, 7,
AND 8 OF BLOCK 1, TO THE 1996 VALUE, ELIMINATING ANY INCREASE GIVEN IN
1997, DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE HOMES. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
Ronald Cardinal - 75-126-4202
Assessor John Cullen indicated that Mr. Cardinal's home does not have a
basement and therefore, suggested reducing the increase placed on the
building in 1997.
COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO REDUCE THE INCREASE PLACED ON THE
BUILDING BY $7,800, THEREFORE ARRIVING AT A TOTAL ASSESSED VALUE FOR 1997
OF $109,300. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 4-0.
Adjournment
There being no further business, COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO
ADJOURN. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
4-0.
Board of Adjustment
April 30, 1997
Page 4
the meeting of the Board of Adjustments adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
~an~ra Thackeray
City Clerk
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