HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 7, 2008 Board of ReviewOFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
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CITY COUNCIL
BOARD OF REVIEW
APRIL 7, 2008
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, Apri17, 2008 in the City Council Chambers, City Hali, 590 40th
Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, MN.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmember Nawrocki, Councilmember Diehm, Councilmember
Kelzenberg, Councilmember Williams (arrived 6:55 p.~n.)
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW
Mayor Peterson indicated this meeting was to review property valuations as of January 2,
2008 for taxes payable 2009, and to hear appeals from citizens who feel aggrieved or have
questions regarding property valuations.
INTRODUCTION
The City Manager introduced Anoka County Appraisers:
• Mike Rouleau -Senior and Commercial Appraiser
• Mike Brown, Residential Appraiser
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING PROPERTY VALUES
Brown indicated this is the 2007 assessment hearing and refered to the blue sheet mailed to
taxpayers for taxes payable January 2, 2008. The sale period considered for the 2008
assessment was October 1, 2006, through September 30, 2007. There are 7,599 parcels in the
city, with each file reviewed yearly and an onsite review completed every five years. Brown
indicated the area reviewed this past year. Any change to property values are made by the
County Board of Equalization. An owner must appear at the local board of Review before they
can appeal. to the County Board. There were 7,987 sales county-wide.
A resident questioned what an "arms length sale" was. Brown stated that is when both buyers
are not active in the sale, such as a short sale, hank sale, or foreclosure. The ratio of the 194
sales last year were assessed at 94.6 percent. The ratio on a $100,000 sale would have a
taxable amount of between $90,000 to $95,000.
Nawrocki questioned media ratio and mean average. Rouleau explained the difference. Brown
indicated that Sherriffs sales are not included.
A resident asked if they disagreed with the taxable value versus the saleable amount if the
County Assessor would review their home. Brown encouraged residents to snake that request
if dissatisfied. Peterson indicated that the Assessor would set an appointment with them
tonight or give them a phone number to call. Brown stated that residents must have attended
and signed in at this meeting to address the County Board of Review.
Paul Biernat, 5130 Rainer Pass:
• Has had an assessor out twice.
• If you are going to tax at market rate, you should include foreclosures. Requested the
entire process be re-evaluated. Rouleau indicated that foreclosure rates will eventccally
affect the values. We are historians and work with last years rates with dates set by
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to 9S percent. Mr. Biernat's home has been decreased by $9,000. Roifleau listed the
taxable amounts for the last, four years.
William Marshall, 1600 Innsbruck Parkway:
• He is a retired research mathematician.
• Gave a history of the County collecting property taxes.
• Referred to 1605 Innsbruck Parkway. It sold 10 days ago for $248,000. The 2008
market value was $316,200. Requested an on site visit.
• Referred to a neighbor's home. Nawrocki referred to the decrease of property values in
the Innsbruck area. Rouleau stated that trends af-e determined from the county, city,
and neighborhood.
Bradley Peterson, 214 44`h Avenue:
• Requested a re-evaluation of his property taxes for 2009 as the 2008 value was over-
inflated.
Diehm asked if the reductions in 2009 are determined by percentage. Rouleau again
indicated how the adjustments are determined. Brown stated that there are ten
neighborhoods in Columbia Heights.
Mohammed Negash, 3852 Keyes:
• Purchased a townhouse last year. The appraisal was $220,000 and he paid $210,000,
but the tax statement has a value of $260,000. Diehm explained that the value was for
the previous year. Brown indicated there were 19 sales of town homes.
Councilmember Williams arrived.
• Did not receive the prope7iy value iiiforniation until now. Bi°own indicated that all the
town home sales are considered.
Dwayne Buddy, 493 5 Johnson Street:
• Their property value went up $17,000. Referred to the home next to him to prove his
assessment is too high.
• Referred to a Central Lefts t:~,/o bedroom home at $265,000 where the sale price has
been reduced to $175,000. $243,000 on his home is too high.
• Referred to a newspaper article indicating specific percentages. Fehst indicated that
last year the property valares in the Innsbruck area increased significantly, and this
year they went down.
Philip Clark, 1260 Lincoln Terrace:
• Researched 45 properties in the Mathaire area. It is difficult to tell which homes are not
arms-length sales.
• Agreed with his value last year, but disagrees this year. The $18,000 increase needs to
be reviewed. Brown stated this area would be reviewed this summer, bzat offered to
review it now.
Richard Juntilla, 2319 North Upland Crest:
• Left a letter with the Assessor's stating his concern.
Eileene Shable, 4400 Monroe:
Questioned the information sent to her. Bro~vn explained the ttivo different pages.
Questioned if she has to pay taxes on the steep bank below her fence. Brown indicated
that there is a land value and structure value that determine the tax. Peterson stated that
the Assessor would visit the property.
Debra Shabel, 4013 4th Street:
• Requested her property be reviewed.
Mary Kenning, 1227 45%2 Avenue:
• Trying to sell her property. Questioned if foreclosures or apartments in the area affect
the sale. The realtor wants to list it for $40,000 less than what she is paying taxes on.
Brown stated that the apartment is not a detrimental,factor to the property. Rouleau
again described the process to determine property value. Brown will re-evaluate the
property.
Angie Fried, 516 Huset Parkway:
• Questioned if there is a disabled veteran exemption. Rouleau indicated the Legislature
in currently considering that exemption and suggested she contact the Veteran 's
Administration. Nawrocki stated that there is a Veteran 's Service office at the Anoka
County Courthouse.
• Moved in last May and was not able to question this value last year. Suggested there be
a process of appeal for those who purchase after this yearly meeting. Diehm suggested
she contact our State Senator and Representative.
• Her amount is more than 100 percent of the value. Rouleau stated this CRV was
$211, 677.
• Asked that the property be re-evaluated as there are no upgrades in the home. Rouleau
asked if she,felt it is only worth $190, 000 why she purchased it for $211, 000. This is
what values are determined on.
• Questioned if the tax was to be paid by her or her mortgage company. Rordearc
explained that the mortgage company is sent this information and should contact her.
Carolyn Stevenson, 4635 Polk Street:
• Would like her home re-evaluated. She referred to robberies at her home and the bad
neighborhood.
Kevin Doty, 1845 Fairway Drive:
• Would like his property re-evaluated, as homes next to him have sold for less than the
assessed value.
Mike Heska, 1035-37 43%2 Avenue:
• Referred to a duplex that was for sale in the area for $220,000 valued at $280,000.
Now a realtor has valued it at $185,000.
• Questioned if he should have his own appraisal and take this to conciliation. court.
• County information showed there was amother-in-law's apartment in the basement,
which there is not. Nawrocki stated that the next step in the process is the County
Board of Re~~iew. Roulearc agreed that the basement is finished, but it is not an
apartment. Brown stated he would visit the property.
Leland Stauch, 1155 Khyber Lane:
• Appealing the values set for 2009 taxes. His value went up $16,000, but should be
reduced 10 to 15 percent. Rotcleau asked for documentation indicating sales to prove
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trit.x.
• Requested sales information from the Mathaire area. Rouieau indicated this is available
on line or on line at the library. Peterson suggested the Assessor come out and visit the
properties. Gave figures from the MLS article. Diehm indicated that the MLS list does
not consider all sales. Peterson stated the valaces are based on actual fzgures.
• Stauch addresses: 1155 Khyber Lane, 4558 Fillmore St., 4161 Tyler St., 4311 Royce
St., 4547 Fillmore St.
Wanda Branden, 4249 Stinson Boulevard:
Requested to have her property reviewed. They have added an addition, but have done
no work in the addition.
Ralph Johnson, 1146 Borialis:
Why is the County using an antiquated system to tax property? Rouleau asked what
system he would propose they z~se. He did have the county out to his home.
Todd Korby, 4446 2°d Street:
• Sent a Letter to keep his options open.
Nawrocki referred to areas in the city that have increased and decreased and spoke of a
newspaper article on sales, which included Columbia Heights. There were significant
differences in the sales and the valuation. We need to be concerned if the overall values are
fair. He requested a yearly comparison of a Fridley School District home and a Columbia
Heights School District home.
COUNCIL ACTIONS REGARDING SPECIFIC CASES OR CASES ON WHICH
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS DESIRED
idlayor Peterson indicated that this meeting wouid need to be continued to a date within the
next 20 days, following the requested reviews by County staff, before taking final action.
Nawrocki suggested April 21, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Williams requested 6:30 p.m. Peterson
indicated that Councihnember Nawrocki must be present and so suggested the meeting begin
at 6:00 p.m.
1 } Motion by Diehm, second by Kelzenberg, to continue the Board of Review
meeting to Monday, April 21, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of hearing
additional information regarding only those property values appealed and discussed
on April 7, 2008 and to consider adoption of the 2008 Property Assessment Rolls.
At 8:20 p.m. Mayor Peterson indicated the meeting would be resumed on Apri121, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.
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Patricia Muscovitz, CMC
City Clerk ~~