041805 CC Reg Min
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BOARD OF REVIEW
CITY OF SHOREWOOD
MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2005
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1. CONVENE BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING
Chair Love called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
A. Roll Call
Present: Chair Love, Boardmembers Callies, Lizee Turgeon, and Wellens; Administrator Dawson
Absent: None
Also present: City Assessors Kunik and Winge
B. Review Agenda
Wellens moved, Lizee seconded, Approving the Agenda as presented. Motion passed 5/0.
2. PRESENTATION BY HENNEPIN COUNTY ASSESSOR
Administrator Dawson explained the Council would be acting as a Board of Review for the evening to
review valuation of properties established by Hennepin County Assessors. Tom Kunik and Rob Winge of
the County Assessor's office were present this evening. Mr. Kunik noted valuation was detennined as the
amount informed buyers and sellers would pay for a particular piece of property, and stated the purpose of
the meeting was to review values and make comparisons with other City properties. He went on to explain
the assessors had received a number of inquiries regarding issues pertaining to limited market value
increases on properties within the City. The limited market value on properties was in issue that was being
phased out over a period of six to seven years that had begun in 2001.
Chair Love reviewed the process for the evening. He also stated, should it be necessary, the next Board of
Review Meeting would likely take place on April 25, 2004, at 6:00 P.M. at City Hall for further
consideration of issues presented this evening.
Mr. Kunik reviewed the duties of an assessor, noting their purpose was to provide an estimate of the market
value of a property for taxation purposes. . The market value was defined as the highest value a buyer and
seller would pay for a property. Within the City of Shorewood, he explained, mean growth for lakeshore
properties increased by 11.9% and off-Iakeshore properties by 6.7%.
Mr. Kunik also explained the appeals process for residents, noting that the next level was the Board of
Equalization in Hennepin County that took place the last two weeks in June.
Chair Love thanked Mr. Kunik and Mr. Winge for their efforts, and noted this Board was the first step in
the review process.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING MINUTES
April 18, 2005
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3. APPEALS BY RESIDENTS
Bob Manders, 6105 Rampart Court, P.I.D. 33-117-23-44-0040, stated he had spoken with Mr. Kunik
prior to this meeting, but Mr. Kunik had not yet been able to view the property. He stated he had no
problem with the value of his property; however, it had gotten out ofline with his immediate neighbors as it
had increased by 17.9% in recent years. While he knew he was not allowed to have a change in a 2004
valuation, he thought the valuation should be reviewed as all neighborhoods houses had been built at the
same time and there was a discrepancy.
Chair Love suggested Mr. Manders meet with the assessors present to attempt to remedy the situation.
Dick Lundy and Lucille Goodwyne, 5525 Timber Lane, PID 34-117-23-22-0029, stated he had noticed
on the Internet that his property's land value had been valued more than his neighbors despite his lot being
smaller. He had spoken with Mr. Kunik prior to this meeting and Mr. Kunik had reduced the valuation by
$102,000; however, he remained uncertain why his valuation continued to remain higher than several of his
neighbors' properties. He noted several factors he believed would mitigate any increased valuation, and he
was uncertain about the aspect of "effective" lakefront as explained by Mr. Kunik in earlier conversations.
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Mr. Kunik stated he had reviewed the property and believed his adjustment at this time was fair and the
valuation was fair in terms of the current market. In response to Ms. Goodwyne's question, Mr. Kunik
explained certain issues associated with site adjustments for lakeshore properties.
Chair Love noted the purpose of this Board was to ensure a process had been followed and whether the
posed valuation would resemble an open market transaction. Mr. Lundy and Ms. Goodwyne stated they
would speak with Mr. Kunik further on the remaining issues of concern regarding their valuation.
Boardmember Turgeon requested information be shared at the next meeting of the Board regarding
effective lakeshore frontage versus actual frontage issues.
John Cross, Minnetonka Moorings Inc., dba Shorewood Yacht Club, 600 West Lake Street, PID 34-
117-23-21-0061, stated he would meet with Ms. Kim Jensen of the County Assessors Office regarding
commercial valuation issues associated with his properties. He then shared aerial photos of his property
taken in September 2004. He was concerned that there had been a discrepancy in the valuation of a
wetland property, in an overall valuation of two sites, and in a lot that was not present in any survey
information.
Administrator Dawson explained that there was a slightly different process followed for commercial
property valuations in that the property owner typically met with the County Assessor directly responsible
for valuations of commercial properties. He suggested the Board await that report since Mr. Cross was
meeting with Ms. Jensen in the moming.
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Scott and Vicki Young, 26865 Edgewood Road, PID32-117-23-22-0021, stated they had met with Mr.
Kunik in 2004 regarding the building valuation for their property. Mr. Young submitted a packet of
information for Board review regarding their valuation. Mrs. Young explained that estimated market
values had been provided through 2005, and she specifically noted the large number of area properties she
believed similar to her property that had building values that were valued less than what their building
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CITY OF SHOREWOOD BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING MINUTES
April 18, 2005
Page 3 of 4
valuation had been valued. She stated she did not believe the assessed valuation of $545,000 to be correct
for their property.
Mr. Kunik explained there were several houses in the neighborhood with different factors than what the
Youngs had presented, and while he believed his valuation to be correct in this case, he would review the
information submitted and reexamine those differences.
Judy Tonolli, 25410 Mann Lane, PID 33-117-23-32-0013, stated she thought this meeting was to be
informational, but she would like to meet with the assessor regarding the valuation for her property as the
inside of her house had never been seen by an assessor. She agreed to contact Mr. Kunik to set up an
appointment for an inside tour of her house.
John Unger, 4940 Shady Island Road, PID 33-117-23-31-0012, stated he believed his estimated market
value to be quite high and he requested a review of his property assessment as he had the property
appraised in the last year with a significant difference in value.
Mr. Kunik explained that his recent experience had found that refinancing appraisals did not always reflect
the highest price that a property could be sold for on the market; however, he would be willing to meet with
Mr. Unger to further discuss the matter. He also stated most of the increase in Mr. Unger's case reflected
an increase in land values.
Chair Love noted a written appeal had been received from Glenn R. Kessel, 21095 Radisson Road, PID
35-117-.23-11-0078.
4. BOARD DIRECTION TO ASSESSOR
Chair Love requested the assessors provide further direction to the cases discussed this evening and report
back at the Reconvened Board of Review Meeting next week.
5. ESTABLISH DATE FOR BOARD TO RECONVENE
The Board had agreed to reconvene on April 25, 2005, at Shorewood City Hall at 6:00 P.M. for further
discussion and review of these topics. Chair Love stated all residents heard this evening would receive
notification of the reconvened Board of Review on Monday, April 25, 2005. Chair Love explained this
was the last year that the Council would be acting as a Board of Review as next year the Board of Review
would be handled at the County level. He thanked all parties present for their efforts and attendance this
evemng.
Turgeon moved, Callies seconded, Closing the Appeals Process, noting no further appeals would be
taken after this evening, and also establishing April 25, 2005, at 6:00 P.M. at City Hall as the date to
reconvene the Board of Review. Motion passed 5/0.
CITY OF SHO~WOOD BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING MINUTES
# April 18, 2005
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ADJOURN
Lizee moved, Wellens seconded, Adjourning the April 18, 2005, Board of Review meeting at 7:50
P.M. Motion passed 5/0.
RESPECTFULLYSUBNUTTED,
Sally Keefe,
Recording Secretary
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