City Council Minutes 04-22-2003 Board of ReviewMINUTES
(� SPECIAL MEETING- MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
BOARD OF REVIEW
Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 7 p.m.
Members Present: Roger Carlson, Glen Posusta, Robbie Smith, Brian Stumpf and Bruce
Thielen
Members Absent: None
1. Call to Order.
Mayor Thielen called the meeting to order and declared a quorum present. Greg Kramber and
Dan Weber from the Wright County Assessor's Office were present.
2. Board of Review.
Greg Kramber and Dan Weber explained the purpose of the Board of Review noting that it is to
deal with valuation for taxes due and payable in 2004. They also explained the appeals process.
Brian Stumpf asked if they still physically review a quarter of the properties each year. Greg
Kramber indicated that they do but their parcel review does not follow specific geographic
boundaries. Dan Weber stated that when they review the property they are looking to verify the
accuracy of existing information about the property, make adjustments for any improvements made
since the last review of the property or any deterioration of the property.
Dan Weber stated that assessed value must come in at 90%-105% of what the parcel sells for.
Based on 198 residential sales, the sales ratio was at 89.98% so they did have to increase the
values. The increase on residential properties was 5%. Dan Weber reviewed the changes to other
property types. Commercial and industrial land values increased by 20%; 4 -unit apartments
increased 15%; apartments containing 5 units or more increased 5% and agricultural land increased
25%.
There was also some discussion on green acres property. Wright County has more green acres
property than most counties. In an effort to ensure that only properties that meet the green acres
criteria receive the green acres designation, the county next year will require all green acres property
to reapply for green acres.
John Erlandson came before the Board of Review concerning the value set for the Southside Dental
Clinic on Sandberg Road. Particularly he was questioning the value established for the property he
purchased from the city. The value for the 12,500 sq. ft. parcel was set at $29,400. Mr.
Erlandson felt because of the 30 foot setback requirement on both sides and the storm sewer that
runs through the parcel it is not a buildable lot. Greg Kramber reviewed the land prices for
commercial properties. He noted that sales are averaging $7.50-$12/sq. ft and he felt this was a
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good indication of what the property is worth. This property is in close proximity to TH 25 and the
value of $2.35/sq. ft. was a conservative value considering what raw land is selling for. Mr.
Erlandson reiterated that with the setback requirements and the storm sewer, only 6,000 of the
12,500 sq. ft. should be considered usable. Greg Kramber stated that setbacks are not normally
considered when establishing value .
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO MAKE NO CHANGE IN THE VALUATION SET FOR
PARCEL 155-127-002024. ROBBIE SMITH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Brian Stumpf informed the property owner that he has a right to appeal the valuation at the County
level. The County's Board of Review is scheduled for June 17, 2003. The property owner does
have to notify the County of his intent to appeal.
Dan Weber had a number of parcels where changes in the valuation were being recommended and
these parcels were reviewed by the Council.
Mark Parnell, owner of Steele's Collision at 4071 Chelsea Road West. The parcel is
approximately 7 acres and the much of the parcel is either road or waste land so it was proposed to
reduce the land value by one acre. In addition the building is partially completed and they were
recommending reducing the 50% completion value to 33% completion value. These changes would
reduce the value from $1,625,800 to $1,464,100.
ROBBIE SMITH MOVED TO APPROVE THE ASSESSOR'S RECOMMENDED CHANGES
IN VALUATION FOR PARCEL 155-141-001010. ROGER CARLSON SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Glen Posusta asked whether the building being vacant had any impact on the valuation. Greg
Kramber stated that the value was based on the completed structure and not whether it was
occupied.
Dan Weber reviewed a letter received from Jay Morrell regarding parcel 155-018-003060. The
parcel is 5.4 acres and approximately 4 acres of the parcel is a stormwater ponding area. For that
reason he was recommending that the land be valued as waste land. This would reduce the
valuation by $9,400.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO REDUCE THE VALUATION FOR PARCEL 155-018-003060
BY $9,400 AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ASSESSOR. ROBBIE SMITH SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Glen Posusta questioned why the Erlandson property couldn't be handled in the same manner. It
was pointed out that the property is in a different area of the city and that the land values for
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commercial and industrial land differ significantly.
Jay Morrell also requested a reduction in values for parcels 155-500-142209 and 155-500-
142203. He stated that because there is no access to these properties from TH 25 the value should
be reduced. Dan Weber physically inspected the site and stated there is a gravel road to the
property and therefore access. He did not recommend a change in the valuation.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO APPROVE THE ASSESSOR'S RECOMMENDATION FOR
NO CHANGE IN THE VALUATION ESTABLISHED FOR PARCELS 155-500-142209
AND PARCEL 155-500-142203. ROGER CARLSON SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The property at 2502 Briar Oakes Boulevard (155-097-001170) was reviewed as the property
owner had questioned the value. The property owner stated that only a portion of the basement had
been finished. Upon review of the property the assessor recommended a reduction in value from
$290,900 to $283,500.
GLEN POSUSTA MOVED TO APPROVE THE REDUCTION IN VALUE FROM $290,900
TO $283,500 FOR PARCEL 155-097-001170. BRIAN STUMPF SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Three parcels formerly owned by St. Henry's were reviewed. The structures were in place on the
property as of January 2, 2003 although they were later demolished. However, the buildings had
been gutted as of that date so the assessor was recommending a reduction in the building value of
75%.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO APPROVE THE REDUCTION OF BUILDING VALUE OF
75% FOR PARCELS 155-010-0280801155-010-028090 AND 155-010-021040. ROGER
CARLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The building value for the Workforce Center at 106 Vine Street (155-010-053130) was also
reviewed. The assessor recommended reducing the building value by $35,000 which would result in
a building value equal to last years.
ROGER CARLSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE ASSESSOR'S RECOMMENDED
REDUCTION IN VALUE OF $3500 FOR PARCEL 155-010-053130. ROBBIE SMITH
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
There were no other residents present who had questions nor were there any other written requests
or comments for consideration. Greg Kramber thanked the Council for their support.
Special Council Meeting - 4/22/03
3. Adjourn.
ROBBIE SMITH MOVED TO ADJOURN THE BOARD OF REVIEW AT 8:00 P.M. GLEN
POSUSTA SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Recording Secretary
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