Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 21, 1997 Board of ReviewCITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS (I-) L 5~)0 40TH AVENUE N.E. COLUMBIA HEIGHTS. MN ~5542.1-3878 (612) 782-2800 TDD 782-2806 ADMINISTRATION NOTICE OF SPECIAL IN ~':COUNCtL SECRETARY JO-ANNE STUDENT Notice is hereby given that an COLUMBIA HEIGHTS as follows: Meeting of: Date of Meeting: Time of Meeting: Location: Purpose of Mtg: official meeting is to be held COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MONDAY, APRIL 21, 1997 7:00 P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CONTINUED BOARD OF REVIEW in the CITY OF AGENDA o Roll Call .Purpose of Meeting To update the Council on any changes that have been made to 1997 property valuations for tax payable in 1998 as a result of additional information and interviews requested at the Board of Review on April 7, 1997. Recommendations/Findinqs of County Assessor Council Action MOTION: Move to adopt the 1997 Assessment Rolls as presented and amended. 5. Adjournment The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability, m the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all CiW of Columbia Heights' services programs, and activities. Auxiliary aids for handicapped persons are available upon request when the request is made at least 96 hours in advance. Please call the City Council SecretaW at 782-2800, Extension 209, to make arrangements. (TDD/782-2806 for deaf only.) THE CiTY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS Of D~SABILITY iN EMPLOYMENT OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL BOARD OF REVIEW APRIL 7, 1997 ROLL CALL Present: Jones, Ruettimann, Peterson Councilmember Jolly was out of town. and Sturdevant. 0 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW The purpose of the Board of Review was to review property valuations as of January 2, 1997, for tax payable 1998 and to hear appeals from citizens who feel aggrieved or have questions regarding property values. INTRODUCTIONS The following Anoka County employees were introduced: Ed Thurston, County Assessor, Mary Boyle, Residential Appraiser and Diana Stelimach, Commercial Appraiser. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING PROPERTY VALUATIONS Property owners signed in at the Board of Review and were invited to speak in the order as their names appeared on the sign in sheet. Bill Marshall, 1600 Innsbruck Parkway: Mr. Marshall is requesting his market value be lowered to what it was in 1995. His request is based on water problems which have been experienced for some time in his neighborhood. He advised he is considering selling his home. A realtor said this would be a "distressed" sale situation and would impact the selling price of the home. Her opinion was based on the water problems. K. Scott Foster, 1620 Innsbruck Parkway, a neighbor of Mr. Marshall's, also wrote a letter regarding the water problems and challenging the evaluation placed on his property. Mr. Foster had an analysis done on his water by a professional laboratory. His opinion is that the problems will not be permanently solved until new pipe is installed. The Appraiser stated this problem is viewed by the Engineering Department as temporary and will not permanently affect the value of the property. It was stated that she was not aware of the history of water problems in the area as she is new to the position of Appraiser. BOARD OF REVIEW APRIL 7, 1997 PAGE 2 Ms. Boyle was directed to make an appointment and view the Marshall property. Mr. Marshall stated the property has not had an on-site inspection for the last six or seven years. Lee Stauch, 1155 ~¥ber Lane: Mr. Stauch chose not to speak at the Board of Review. David Wriqht, 999 41st Avenue, #214: Mr. Wright did not remain at the Board of Review. Jane Ha!ok, 4602 Fillmore Street: Ms. Halek advised she has done studies of properties comparable to hers and finds no justification for the ten to thirteen thousand dollars higher valuation placed on her property. She presented photos of some of the comparables in her area which showed how they were different or similar to her property. Ms. Boyle advised she was denied the opportunity to view the inside of the property owned by Ms. Haiek. Ms. Haiek's contention is that an inside reviewai is not necessary to establish a market value. She has done nothing to add to the value of her property. After looking at some drawings of the property, Ms. Boyle suggested a problem may be with the stated number of stories in the home. She will discuss this with Ms. Halek. Ms. Halek also mentioned, because of the clay soil, this property has experienced water problems. Ms. Boyle stated this will be taken into consideration when reviewing the market value on the property. Bruce Nawrocki, 1255 Polk Place: Mr. Nawrocki requested information regarding assessment ratios. Mr. Thurston gave him a prepared document which addressed comparable sales ratios for residential properties in Anoka County. Mr. Nawrocki noted that values have an impact on taxes. He felt this should be kept in mind by the City Council when it considers the budget and its potential impact on market values and taxes. He also noted that potential changes currently being discussed at the Legislature could have a severe impact on Columbia Heights' properties. Kevin McGinnity, 4432 Second Street: Mr. McGinnity requested his property be viewed. It has not been viewed in some time and he felt some of the nearby properties are not real comparables as they are quite different from his. Ms. Boyle will contact him to set up an appointment. BOA_RD OF REVIEW APRIL 7, 1997 PAGE 3 Joyce Meier, 4931 Jackson Street: Ms. Meier addressed the behavior of people in her neighborhood which she felt impacted the value of her property. Ms. Boyle noted that a discount on the value was already given because of location. Ms. Meier requested another reviewai be done. Ms. Boyle will call her. Harold Hoium, 4321 Fifth Street: Mr. Hoium felt properties in his neighborhood did not sell very well. He also requested an explanation of some charges on his tax statement regarding metro agencies. Jill Voe!ker, 4549 Taylor Street: Ms. Voeiker had an appraisal of her property done by an independent appraiser. She felt there were no comparables in her area. The appraisal was $10,000 lower than that on her tax statement. Ms. Boyle indicated a willingness to review the property. Ms. Voe!ker will contact her for an appointment. Mary Maxton, 2125 Argonne Drive: Ms. Maxton reviewed the increases which have been made to the market value of her property over the last few years. She inquired why these increases occurred. Ms. Boyle responded the there was an across-the-board increase and that the increases were not only driven by the sales of comparables. Stephanie Small, 1093 Polk Circle: Ms. Small listed all of the improvements her home needs and felt these warranted no increase in her value. She also mentioned the continuing problems experienced with an apartment building in Fridley behind her property. She was requested to contact the City's Recycling Coordinator about these problems. Ms. Boyle will make an appointment to view this property. Jay Melton, 4535 Taylor Street: Mr. Melton is experiencing water problems on his property. He also mentioned that there are frequent police calls made by area residents regarding activity at a double bungalow in his area and that the alley is filled with debris and refuse. Ms. Boyle will view the property as Mr. Melton has questions concerning the accuracy of his land value and some interior fixtures in the home. Letters Received from ProDertv Owners: Ms. Boyle noted that the following property owners have sent letters regarding their concerns with market values on their property: BOARD OF REVIEW APRIL 7, 1997 PAGE 4 Dr. Scott Foster, 1604 Innsbruck Parkway William Marshall, 1600 Innsbruck Parkway (Mr. Marshall also spoke at the Board of Review) (Ms. Boyle observed that from her discussions with representatives of the City, it was stated that the water problems being experienced with these two properties were viewed as temporary. They will be corrected and no assessments will be made against the benefitting properties.) Vernon Moore, 2235 Chalet Drive. Mr. Moore's property was last viewed in October of 1995. Since that time the kitchen was updated and a large addition was put on. Ms. Boyle will view the home. Additions to the Siqn-In Sheet The following property owners signed the sign-up sheet but did not speak: Robert Ruettimann, 2115 43rd Avenue Gary Peterson, 3712 Lincoln Street 5. COUNCIL ACTIONS REGARDING SPECIFIC CASES OR CASES ON WHICH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS DESIRED Motion by Peterson, second by Sturdevant to continue the Board of Review meeting to Monday, April 21, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of hearing additional information regarding only those property values appealed and discussed on April 7, 1997 and to consider adoption of the 1997 Property Assessment Roils. Roll call: Ail ayes