HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995/11/29 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular MINUTES
1995 TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
November 29, 1995
Councilmember Jeff Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m
Present were Councilmembers Dorfman and Latz.
Councilmember Jacobs outlined briefly the purpose of the meeting which is to provide a forum for
soliciting public comment on the City's proposed 1996 budget and tax levy. The meeting is for the
sole purpose of soliciting comment; no action will be taken This meeting is only for the City of
St. Louis Park's 1996 taxes and the City's portion of those taxes. The County, School District
and various other taxing jurisdictions are required to hold their own Truth in Taxation meetings
which will be held on separate evenings.
He said anyone wishing to protest their property taxes will have an opportunity to do that in the
Spring when the Council meets as the Board of Equalization. Tonight's meeting will only address
the 1996 budget and tax levy.
Councilmember Dorfman invited anyone with questions, comments, etc. to,contact any
Councilmember as well as members of City staff Councilmember Latz commented concerns
about property taxes can be discussed with the City Assessor and he encouraged any residents to
contact him
City Manager Charlie Meyer and Finance Director Mac McBride gave a budget presentation
Councilmember Jacobs said the City had received two letters today, one from Stanford Strand,
4615 W. 28th St and the other from Nancy Fox, 1287 Black Oaks Ct , Plymouth (who owns a
condo at 2170 Ridge Dr, St. Louis Park). Those two letters will be made part of the hearing's
formal record.
Councilmember Jacobs next called on the individuals who had completed cards and wished to
speak. They were
Josh Gruber, 4608 W 39th St., St Louis Park
David Lebowski, 3350 Decatur Lane
Monroe Segal, 2621 Georgia Ave. So
Gene Laughlin, 4330 Brookside Ave
Ferda Olson, 2801 Joppa Ave.
Becky Perkins, 2630 Jersey Ave. So
Leonard Getzkin, 2912 Glenhurst Ave So
Jim Reid, 4121 W 28th St.
Edgar Rex, 4371 Dart Ave
Dave Runde, 7501 North St.
Darrell Brown, 5511 Vermont St. ,11
Liz White 2240 Oregon Ct.
Irving Golden, 2135 Glenhurst Rd 111
Roman Rubinstein, 2750 Louisiana Ave.
Joe Walbran, 3806 Glenhurst Ave
Lynn Carper, 4010 Highwood Rd
Comments made by those addressing the Council included taxes rising for people on fixed
incomes; efforts being made by the City to cut costs, validity of on-going increases in property
valuation; with City service costs rising, are the services too splendid; what efforts are being made
to expand business tax base, need for a way to find more equitable distribution of the tax burden,
not just giving real estate a disproportionate share, negative appearance of neighborhoods belies
the ever-rising taxes; apparent inequality in taxes vis-a-vis property, and commercial tax base
seems to be declining which seems to have the result of putting a greater burden on residential
properties.
Mr Meyer and Ms. McBride addressed the various concerns as they arose, again reminding those
present that they are encouraged to contact the City Assessor with concerns about their property
taxes.
Councilmember Jacobs thanked the staff for its presentation on what is an extremely complicated
tax program. He thanked the public for the comments they brought to the Council, that they will
be shared with the remainder of the Council.
The hearing adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
141, ///i
Cou,ci e ber Ja •bs
Recording Secretary