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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 9, 2007 Bd of ReviewOFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS BOARD OF REVIEW APRIL 9, 2007 6:00 P.M. The following are the minutes for the Board of Review for the City of Columbia Heights City Council held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Apri19, 2007 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, MN. BOARD OF REVIEW Council President Diehm called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: President Diehm, Councilmember Nawrocki, Councilmember Kelzenberg, Councilmember Williams, Mayor Peterson STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW Diehm stated that the purpose of the meeting was to review property valuations as of January 2, 2007 for taxes payable 2008, and to hear appeals from citizens who feel aggrieved or have questions regarding property valuations. INTRODUCTION The City Manager introduced the Anoka County Appraisers Jim Rouleau, Senior and Commercial Appraiser and Dan Stevenson, Residential Appraiser. QUSTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING PROPERTY VALUES Citizens in attendance, that signed in to speak, were called upon in order by Stevenson. Ron Cadieux, 667 45th Avenue NE, stated that his taxable value went from $234,000 to $261,700 and has spoken to the assessor regarding the increase. Stevenson stated the sales that determine transactions for the values discussed tonight are October 2005 to September 2006. Cadieux stated the figures are not realistic and properties are not selling. Rouleau stated that as appraisers, they are historians and they do not anticipate the market. Properties on what the rriarket was. Values care riot be deteiiriined on what the iriarket is at this time. The current sales would be considered it 2008®2009. This is set by State Statue. Cadieux stated that he has ten valuations that indicate the taxable rate. Rouleau stated that by Legislative law we have only a 12 month period to look at. Cadieux stated this is a kangaroo court. Nawrocki stated it is statutory that we have to be here. The resident should be concerned whether other properties, similar in nature, have been treated the same or valued the same. He indicated that he voted against the increases, but by majority there was a tax increase. The resident is paying taxes based on $231,000. Rouleau stated that this resident's value went up four percent. Last year he had a limited market value. Stevenson offered to visit the property, by appointment. Sheldon Angle, 3850 2%2 Street, stated that he just received an appraisal of $183,000 and that is less than the taxable amount last year. It is assessed now at more than the maximum he could sell it for. The assessed value far 2007 is $201,000. In two years the value has gone up $18,000. Angle felt his increase was out of line. Stevenson stated that the value went up $4,000 from 2007 to 2008. Stevenson asked if it was a market analysis or an appraisal. Angle stated it was an analysis. Stevenson stated that values are based on actual sales and that he was at the property in September of 2006. Angle stated that they were not home, but his wife called in and answered questions on the property. Nawrocki stated that Mr. Angle only paid $28 more in taxes. Stevenson offered to come back out to the property for a re-evaluation. Greg Lorenson, 41 S6 Washington Street NE, stated he bought his house in 2000 for $50,000. It is over 100 years old and is now said to be worth over $130,000. The house is under S00 square feet, and has the bathtub in the kitchen. The downstairs is not even six feet high. The house needs repair and he would demolish it and rebuild if he could. He asked for a true estimate. Stevenson indicated that the lot is SO x 129 square feet and is valued at $80,000, and if it is livable the house is worth more than $20,000. Lorenson stated that he has considered selling this year, but it is hard to find comparisons of homes under S00 square feet. He stated that he would sell it for $100,000 if he could. Fehst stated that we now have a program to purchase this type of property. Council discussed the location of the property. Peterson asked if there is a garage. Lorenson stated yes. Fehst asked if that is about the lowest value of home in Columbia Heights. Stevenson stated that is about the lowest. The owner is paying taxes on a $121,600 value this year. Stevenson stated that the owner of 647 37th Avenue could not be present, but wanted to be included in the recording so he would still have the option to appear at the County hearing. Rouleau stated that he viewed and reduced this property. It was a clerical error and will be corrected by tomorrow. Kathy Ahlers, 410 Hayes, indicated that she is a licensed realtor. Stevenson stated that her market value went down $300. Ahlers referred to the decline in the housing market and listed associated statistics. Diehm clarified the dates that this evaluation includes. Ahlers stated her belief that her value should be reduced. Rouleau stated that our values are based on what happened in 'OS-`06. We follow the market, not set the rate. Stevenson stated that this property has not been reviewed since 2003 and would be reviewed next summer. Ahlers asked if the City or County does the valuation. Fehst stated that the County does it as our agent. Ahlers stated tl'iat she does riot wart to pay for new sewers iii Blaine. Rouleau stated that each city is evaluated individually. Diehm reiterated to look at how the values of the houses in the area are assessed. Peterson stated that he is two blocks away from this property. His value went up $20,000 and his tax only increased $20. Peterson stated that he is aware of how the funds are used and is pleased with his rate. Nawrocki referred to the sales ratio. Rouleau stated that the sales ratio of the period is the gauge to make adjustments far the next year's property values. Ahlers asked haw far prices have to drop before the taxes will drop. Rouleau stated that they have to be at between 90 and 9S percent. If the market goes down, :Aje ~~ill adj'ast the values down. Diehnl stated there was a section of the City last year where values dropped significantly and the residents were very concerned about it. Diehm asked if there was anyone else to speak at the Board of Review. There was not. Motion by Williams, second by Kelzenberg, to adopt the 2007 Assessment Rolls as presented. Upon vote: All ayes. otion carried. Adjourn Diehm adjourned the meeting at 6:58 p.m. Patricia Muscovitz CMC Deputy City Clerk/Council Secre ary