041999 CC BR MinC:
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CITY OF SHOREWOOD CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
BOARD OF REVIEW 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
MONDAY, APRIL 19,1999 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1. CONVENE BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING
Mayor Love called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
A. Roll Call
Present: Mayor Love; Councilmembers Garfunkel, Stover, Lizee and Zerby; and
Administrator Jim Hurm.
B. Review Agenda
Lizee moved, Stover seconded to accept the agenda as presented. Motion passed 510.
2. PRESENTATION BY CITY ASSESSOR
Keith Rennerfeldt, SAMA, Appraisal Supervisor for Hennepin County, gave a
presentation on the responsibilities of the County Assessor's Office, and the current
assessment system used in the State of Minnesota, highlighting the point that value
changes do not change the amount of tax collected by the State, but actually shifts the
burden.
Thomas Carroll, Appraiser for Hennepin County, then briefly explained where the
appraisals were done this year in the City of Shorewood and how, in general, the value
increases were arrived at.
3. TESTIMONY BY RESIDENTS
Mayor Love stated that to move through the hearing tonight and be able to address
everyone present, presentations would be limited to 10 minutes, and answers to 5
minutes.
BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 19,1999 - PAGE 2
Paul & Linda Kilker, 27505 Brynmawr Place, PID 31-117-23-14-0033, expressed
concern about the increased valuation over last year and presented supporting information
including comparable homes and the valuation of those homes. Mr. Kilker also pointed
out that their home has less square footage than the City records show, raising the value
approximately $14,000 to $16,000 that has been taxed over these past 5 years.
Mayor Love stated that the Council would look into the information presented and review
the files. However, the increase being 7% is less than the average increase in the County,
according to the numbers as reported in the Star Tribune. Mayor Love thanked Mr.
Kilker and stated that at the end of the meeting, a date and time to reconvene to discuss
findings will be addressed.
Councilmember Stover questioned the need to reconvene, as there are not many citizens
in attendance tonight.
Mayor Love stated that the Assessors may have to review files and final
recommendations may need to be examined at another meeting.
• Councilmember Garfunkel stated that this file has already been reviewed.
Mayor Love requested a comparison in writing when reconvening, to give a better idea of
the comparisons.
Sondra Schaefer, 23115 Summit Ave., PID 34-117-23-43-0015, stated that she had a
private appraiser out the same week as Mr. Carroll. She advised that in 1998 the value
was appraised at $191,000 and this year the value was $265,000. The private appraisal
came to $202,000. Ms. Schaefer expressed deep concern over the difference in the
amounts.
Mr. Carroll stated that this case has been reviewed. He explained the largest change was
the land, as properties around Ms. Schaefer have increased drastically which increases
Ms. Schaefer's property value. The value has been lowered to $225,000 from the
$265,000.
Councilmember Stove asked why the appraisal was so much lower.
Mr. Carroll answered that the difference of opinion is on the value of the land. The
refinance appraisal has been studied and, in the opinion of the Hennepin County
Assessor, the land value is much higher than the private appraiser valued it at.
• Councilmember Garfunkel asked if there were any properties comparable to Ms.
Schaefer's.
BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 19,1999 - PAGE 3
Mr. Rennerfeldt stated that the question is land value and the surrounding plots are valued
at approximately $100,000 which is what the assessor used when giving the adjusted
value of $225,000.
Jim Stringini, 27780 Brynmawr Place, PID 31-117-23-13-0034, stated that in his
neighborhood, five sales have taken place in a relatively short time. Three of these five
were contractors who built the house, lived in it for a while, and then sold it. Mr.
Stringini stated he is concerned that the total value of the house is not included in the
sale, as the time the contractor spent in the house, and the profit of the contractor, are not
included in the gross sales price. Mr. Stringini also pointed out that his neighbor's house,
which is larger than his, has a lower value according to the Assessor.
Mr. Carroll answered that generally new homes are not considered when making the
valuation.
Mr. Rennerfeldt stated gross price is looked at so when each new buyer purchases a
house, a new gross sale price is established.
• Mr. Stringini stated he is questioning his assessed value, especially in comparison to what
other houses in his neighborhood are valued at.
Mayor Love asked the Assessors to review the file and prepare some comparisons for the
Council.
Jeff Fox, 5270 Howards Point Rd., PID 30-117-2344-0009, pointed out first, solely for
informational purposes, that the tax information is on the Internet. Mr. Fox then asked if
trees are included in the assessment. He commented that after the dramatic loss of trees
in his area, his utility bills have increases substantially due to loss of windbreak and
shade, and the saleable value of his land went down with the trees.
Mr. Rennerfeldt stated that typically trees do not affect the assessment. Possibly, if it is
determined that the whole tone of the neighborhood has been changed, it could be taken
into consideration.
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BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 19,1999 - PAGE 4
Mark Flannery, 27865 Brynmawr Place, PID 31-117-23-13-0031, stated concern about
the value of some of the homes sold in their neighborhood, as some were seriously
marked down in order to'sell. He noted that last year's estimated market value increase
was 13%, but this is not accurate for sales value. Mr. Flannery stated he will contact the
Assessors Office and be back for the next meeting, after the file review.
Dan Fields,1010 Holly Lane, PID 35-117-23-44-0008, stated they have recently moved
to Shorewood, and purchased their home for roughly $756,000. He explained that some
improvements were made, adding about 81 square feet and a large deck. Mr. Fields
presented some comparisons to his land, citing values less than his taxable value.
Mr. Carroll addressed the values and remodel addition. He noted that after reviewing the
lakeshore, the property value was lowered from $552,000 to $520,000.
Mr. Rennerfeldt stated that the County needs to communicate more to keep from having
large discrepancies, as some of the property values Mr. Fields presented were in other
counties.
Mayor Love reiterated that it was basically the land value that is in question, and the case
will be reviewed and comparisons presented for the next meeting.
David Kraker, 5640 Covington Rd., PID 36-117-23-24-0006, stated he is also
questioning land value. He stated his property was bought in December, 1997 for
$732,500. The assessment at the time was for $678,000, $442,000 of which was land
value. This assessment has stated $595,000 for the land value.
Mayor Love requested comparisons along with the file review for the next meeting.
Mr. Carroll listed the following people who were not in attendance, but had contacted the
Assessors Office for file review:
Bev Decker
5815 Brentridge Dr.
Jim Suddendorf
27665 Brynmawr Pl.
Constance White
27545 Brynmawr Pl.
PID: 31-117-23-41-0028
PID: 31-117-23-13-0026
PID: 31-117-23-14-0034
Is Scott Schipper
27540 Brynmawr Pl. PID: 31-117-23-14-0037
BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING MINUTES
16 APRIL 19,1999 - PAGE 5
S. Jacques
6060 Mill Street PID: 35-117-23-34-0027
4. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO ASSESSOR
Mayor Love asked for comparable for all citizens appealing.
Administrator Hurm stated that if there is going to be further discussion, there may not be
time at a regularly scheduled meeting, so another special meeting time will be needed.
5. ESTABLISH DATE FOR BOARD TO RECONVENE
The agreed upon date to reconvene the Board of Review is May 3, 1999 at 7:00 p.m.
Staff is directed to notify anyone signed in tonight of that meeting.
After some discussion, the decision was made that if additional citizens contact the City
on this matter, their names will be forwarded to the County Board.
6. ADJOURN
Garfunkel moved, Stover seconded to close this session of the Board of Review, and
adjourn at 8:55 p.m. Motion passed 510.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED.
Kristine Kitzman, Recording Secretary
Timesaver Off -Site Secretarial, Inc.
ATTEST:
ATTEST:
WOODY LOVE, MAYOR
J�4V4-
JA#IES C. HURM, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
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