081898 CC WS Min
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CITY OF SHOREWOOD
JOINT WORK SESSION MEETING
MONDA Y, AUGUST 18, 1998
ORONO COUNCIL CHAMBERS
2750 KELLEY PARKWAY, ORONO
8:00 A.M.
MINUTES
1. CONVENE CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORK SESSION MEETING
The meeting began at 8:00 a.m.
A.
Roll Call
Present:
Shorewood Councilmembers O'Neill, Champa and Garfunkel; Shorewood City
Administrator Hurm and Deputy Clerk Naab; Orono Mayor Jabbour and
Councilmembers Gotten, Peterson and Kelly; Orono City Administrator Moorse;
and County Assessors May and Hanscom
B.
Review Agenda
2. DISCUSSION OF ASSESSING NEEDS
Mayor Jabbour highlighted his experiences with the County Assessing Department in years past
and his most recent experiences. He said Orono is looking for a high level of customer service.
County Assessor Hanscom explained the level of certification needed to be an assessor. He
explained how the County has facilitated these requires and gone beyond to keep good assessors.
Councilmember O'Neill questioned how the County would keep values from excessive increases
when an assessment is done.
County Assessor May explained the law prescribes that parcels must physically be inspected and
re-evaluated every four years. During the interim period the appraisal staff utilizes computer aided
software to analyze individual parcels.
County Assessor Hanscom explained one draw back to having the County provide assessing
services to individual cities would be the location of the records. The County feels having office
space in one of the cites would allow the records to be stored more closely to where they would be
needed. This would also provide the two cities with consistent service from the same person.
Each city would be required to also provide some clerical support to accept homestead applications
and answer basic questions.
County Assessor Hanscom explained the County is currently contracting with fifteen cites to
provide services. Ofthose, Golden Valley, Crystal and Richfield have full-time on-site assessors.
He explained the postcard they use to announce the assessor will be in the area during such a
period and the brochure that is handed out to each property owner after contact. He noted all
comments received this year have been very positive.
Administrator Hurm questioned the appeals process. He asked how the County would handle
residents appearing at the Local Board and then going on to the County Board.
County Assessor May explained different appraisers would be responsible for different levels of
appeals. He also noted in 1997 a law was passed which allows cities contracting with the County
an option of not holding a Local Board of Review but would require the County Assessors to hold
an informational meeting for residents.
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CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 18, 1998 - PAGE 2
County Assessor Hanscom explained some of the on-going educational options available to his
assessing staff, including: assessment procedures, computers, management, public relations, self
defense and conflict management.
County Assessor May presented each city with a cost breakdown for services which would be
based on a per parcel basis with residential being calculated on a tier system. The cities would
have some additional initial start up costs such as computers, hook up to County system and filing
cabinets.
Administrator Hurm clarified that special requests by each City would be included in the contract
price. He asked what kind of terms the County would like with regard to length of contract.
County Assessor May explained they propose a six year contract with optional four year
extensions.
Mayor Jabbour stressed he did not feel it would be morally right to bind a future council to a six
year contract. He suggested the County consider a two year contract with possible extensions, or
the Orono Council would consider adoption of a resolution declaring a vacancy and the County
would then be required to step forward and help with the 1999 assessment.
Councilmember Champa stated he would not be in support of a six year contract either.
County Assessor May stated he would discuss this with the County Attorney and get back to each
city the following day.
3. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
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T M DAHLBERG MAYOR
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JA S C. HURM, CITY ADMINISTRATOR