City Council Minutes 04-13-2004 SpecialBoard of Review Minutes - 4/12/04
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
BOARD OF REVIEW
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Members Present: Roger Carlson, Glen Posusta, Brian Stumpf and Bruce Thielen.
Members Absent: Robbie Smith
1. Call to Order.
Mayor Thielen called the Board of Review to order at 7 p.m. and declared a quorum of the
Council present.
2. Board of Review - Wright County Assessor Office.
Greg Kramber and Dan Weber from the Wright County Assessors Office were present and
explained the purpose of the Board of Review. Only the valuations set for 2004 would be
reviewed at this meeting. Valuations from previous years or questions on actual taxes would
not be addressed at this meeting. Dan Weber explained the 2004 assessment for the City of
Monticello pointing out that residential land and buildings increased approximately 4%;
commercial and industrial land increased by approximately 20%; commercial buildings
increased approximately 5%; apartments increased by approximately 5% and agricultural land
values increased by approximately 20%. 900 parcels in Monticello were reviewed by the
Assessors Office this past year.
No residents had made an appointment with the Assessors Office and none were present at the
Board of Review. Dan Weber indicated he did receive a number of calls and letters relating to
valuations.
Dan Weber read a letter from Jay Morrell protesting the valuations set for parcels 155-500-
142203 and 155-500-142209 arguing that the restricted access from TH 25/Sandberg reduced
the value of the property. The property in question is valued at $3.75/sq. ft. which is in line
with the other properties. The Assessors Office cited other sales of commercial lands with
prices ranging from $6/sq. ft. to $10/sq. ft. Dan Weber noted that there was no increase in the
building value only the land value.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED THAT NO CHANGE BE MADE IN THE VALUATION FOR
PARCELS 155-500-142203 AND 155-500-142209. ROGER CARLSON SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED WITH GLEN POSUSTA VOTING IN OPPOSITION.
Glen Posusta stated the reason for his vote in opposition was that he felt the land values were
too high. He did not believe a property that received improvements such as sewer and water
years ago should be valued as highly as property that just recently received improvements
Board of Review Minutes - 4/12/04
since the cost of the improvements are higher. Greg Kramber, Wright County Assessor
provided a number of examples showing the land values and indicated that the valuation set
for this property was reasonable based on other land values.
Dan Weber then read a letter from Jay Morrell protesting the valuation on lots in the Oakwood
Industrial Park; parcel numbers 155-018-003060, 155-018-003071 and 155-018-003070. Dan
Weber noted that one of the lots was vacant and the other two contained pole sheds. The
vacant parcel had a value of $.65/sq. ft. and the other lots had a value of $.75/sq. ft. The three
parcels combined had a total of 10.75 acres. Greg Kramber did note that with industrial land
there were a number of vacant buildings county wide and because of that they tried to keep the
increase to industrial buildings minimal.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO HAVE THE ASSESSOR MEET WITH THE PROPERTY
OWNER TO REVIEW THESE PROPERTIES PRIOR TO THE NEXT REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING. ROGER CARLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Dan Weber then review three properties that he had received calls and had gone out to
examine the parcel.
155-142-004110 - 9711 Woodside Court : This is new construction that is in tax forfeiture.
The interior of the structure was not finished and therefore he was recommending a reduction
in value from $150,300 to $102,200.
ROGER CARLSON MOVED TO APPROVED THE REDUCTION IN VALUE FOR 155-
142-004110, 9711 WOODSIDE COURT FROM $1501300 TO $102,200. BRIAN STUMPF
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The next parcel reviewed was 401 Front Street, 155-113-001010. The amount of river
frontage was reduced from 160 feet.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO REDUCE THE VALUATION FOR 401 FRONT STREET,
155-113-001010 FROM $59,000 TO $52,000. ROGER CARLSON SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The remaining parcel that was reviewed was 318 West Broadway, 155-010-037090 which was
the site of the Broadway Kwik Stop. The building had a rental unit in combination with the
business. The owner has removed the rental unit and converted the space to convenience store
use. The assessor was recommending at reduction of 25% of the value of $40,900 or $10,225.
ROGER CARLSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE REDUCTION IN VALUE OF
$10,225.00 FOR 318 WEST BROADWAY, 155-010-037090. BRIAN STUMPF
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2
Board of Review Minutes - 4/12/04
Greg Kramber and Dan Weber briefly summarized their efforts in the City of Monticello.
Many of the residents questions and concerns were addressed by the Assessor's office on a
one to one basis prior to the Board of Review.
3. Adjourn.
The Board of Review adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Recording Secretary
J