HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 04-12-2004 BOEAdopted Minutes
2004 Board of Appeal and Equalization
April 12, 2004
The meeting of the Plymouth City Council sitting as the 2004 Board of Appeal and Equalization
was called to order by Mayor Johnson at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 3400
Plymouth Boulevard, on April 12, 2004.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Johnson, Councilmembers Neset, Stein, and Bildsoe.
COUNCIL ABSENT: Councilmembers Black, Slavik, and Hewitt.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens City Assessor Bye, Senior Appraiser Olsson,
Commercial Appraiser Zent, Appraisers Kingsbury, Bowman, and Henderson, Assessment
Technician Lokken, Temporary Appraiser Vander Linden, Finance Director Hahn, and City
Clerk Paulson.
City Assessor Bye reported that the total market value of residential properties in the City
increased 9.3%, of which 2.7% was attributed to new construction. She stated $8 billion was
approximate value of properties as of January 2004. She stated the average sale price on the
existing single-family homes was $323,900. She noted that the value of single-family homes
increased 9%, the value of condominiums increased 6%, and the value of townhomes increased
7%. She explained the median sales ratio. She indicated that sales of commercial properties
decreased by 4%.
Robert Fernelius, 5220 Larch Lane North (11-118-22-21-0057), stated he feels his two bedroom
unimproved home is valued higher than it should be. He added that there are no properties of
comparable value in their neighborhood to compare it to.
Christiana Otubushin, 5620 Trenton Lane North (01-118-22-34-0045), submitted a written
request but didn't address the Board.
Teresa Salberg and Neil Thompson, 14145 43rd Avenue North (15-118-22-22-0068), objected to
the value of their home as it is valued at $223,200, and adjacent properties recently sold for
197,000 and $199,000.
Steve Craig, 4725 Ithaca Lane (09-118-22-41-0021), stated he believes his property is over
valued $12,000 to $15,000. He had previously spoken with City staff when there was an
appraisal completed in June 2003 for refinancing purposes, and he recently had a market value
analysis completed. Both of these were lower than his assessed value. He stated adjacent
properties are also valued lower than his property.
John Redding, 11130 57d' Avenue North (02-118-22-41-0065), stated he owns a townhome, and
its value has increased 11.5%, which is higher than the average increase of 7%. His property is
valued at $318,600, while his adjacent neighbor is in the process of selling his property and has it
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April 12, 2004
Page 2 of 3
listed for $289,000. He questioned how staff determined the value of his home when it's
comparable to his neighbor's.
Lee LaMere, 13625 58`h Avenue North (03-118-22-24-0061), stated his estimated market value
is $442,000, and if he would take the 8% increase in his property value, it would be $432,000.
Phil Klone, 18700 28`h Avenue North (19-118-22-33-0026), stated he is concerned about
increasing taxes for individuals who are on fixed incomes. He stated he feels his assessed value
is too high, and he has provided some comparables City staff to review.
Carol Burgess, 16705 121h Avenue North (32-118-22-21-0059), presented a packet of materials
to the Board. She stated she is concerned that her property's assessed value increased 15%. She
explained that two homes adjacent to hers only increased 5%. She stated that her property is on
the north side of Gleason Lake, and she only has half of a lot with 75 feet on the lakeshore. She
stated that she started to compare properties beginning with 1210 Dunkirk Lane, and the houses
average $300,000. She stated the homes across the street from her have an assessed value of
200,000. All of these homes are larger than her home. Therefore, she feels her assessed value
is unreasonable.
Tim, Vice President of the West Medicine Lake Club, 1705 Evergreen Lane North (26-118-22-
42-0001), stated they are concerned that their assessed value increased from $126,000 to
300,000 in one year.
Kevin Kretsch, 18215 34`h Avenue North (19-118-22-12-0023), submitted a written request but
didn't address the Board.
Jeff Schipull, 5553 Vinewood Lane North (03-118-22-43-0037), asked if staff utilizes appraisals,
other than just sales comparables. City Assessor Bye replied they review them to determine if
they are comparable, but usually appraisals are prepared during refinancing. With refinancing,
there are many factors that drive the appraisal.
Shibin Li and Zhengyu Luo, 17540 48`h Place North (07-118-22-41-0075), stated he purchased
this property four years ago, and the assessed value has increased 47% over the past four years,
which he feels is higher than the average, for his type of property.
Guoguang Chen, 17530 49`h Avenue North (07-118-22-41-0061), stated his assessed value is
322,900, which is a 14% increase. He stated the value of his home has increased 50% in the
past four years.
Nilabh Narayan, 13205 55th Place North (03-118-22-43-0018), submitted a written request but
didn't address the Board.
Mr. Redding and Mr. Clone addressed the Board again and conveyed their concerns that they are
retired, are on fixed incomes, and action needs to be taken to stop the increase in property taxes.
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April 12, 2004
Page 3 of 3
Don Olson, 10825 40"' Avenue North (13-118-22-32-0074), stated last year, his taxes were based
on his limited market value. He explained the reason why his value increased 14.3% is because
they are the same as the assessed value this year. He stated he appreciates the City's efforts.
Ms. Burgess added that property near hers just sold for $493,000, and it had an assessed
valuation of $351,000.
Nilabh Narayan, 13025 55`h Place North (03-118-22-43-0018), commented that many residents
have been affected with the economic downturn, and it becomes a challenge to just keep up.
City Assessor Bye read into the record the following property owners who have contacted staff
by letter or facsimile prior to this evening's meeting:
1. Frank Moriaty, 3885 Niagara Lane North (16-118-22-42-0107)
2. M. Susan Clark, 13 Union Terrace Lane North (36-118-22-34-0055)
3. Sergey A. Selifonov, 4625 Merrimac Lane North (07-118-22-44-0030)
4. David L. Bearman, 3725 Wellington Lane North (13-118-22-33-0039)
5. Jacqueline Ulwelling, 17620 25`h Avenue North (30-118-22-11-0026)
6. David D. Swenson, 18135 39th Avenue North (18-118-22-42-0064)
Mayor Johnson declared the meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
44—v- .
andra R. Paulson, City Clerk