HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019/04/22 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularfI/ St. Louis Park 3JI «y +so
Official minutes
Local Board of Appeal & Equalization
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
April 22, 2019
1. Reconvene the St. Louis Park Local Board of Appeal and Equalization
The St. Louis Park Local Board of Appeal and Equalization was reconvened at 6:30 p.m.
2. Roll call - Declaration of Quorum
Board Members present: Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Rachel Harris, Anne Mavity, Thom Miller,
Margaret Rog, and Jake Spano.
Board Members absent: None
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Assessor (Mr. Bultema), Associate City
Appraiser (Ms. Clarke), Associate City Appraiser (Mr. Jurek), Residential Appraiser (Mr. Hoppe),
Commercial Appraiser (Ms. Nathanson), Hennepin County Administrator (Ms. Hebert),
and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
3. Acknowledgement of trained members (Miller and Rog)
The Board acknowledged board members Miller and Rog as their trained members.
4. Acknowledgement of assessing staff members in attendance
The Board acknowledged City Assessor Cory Bultema, Lead Residential Appraiser Lisa Clarke,
Residential Appraiser Jessie Jurek, Residential Appraiser Mark Hoppe, Commercial Appraiser
Bridget Nathanson and Hennepin County representative Janene Hebert.
5. Review of properties in appeal
Judith Moore, 1430 Independence Ave S, St. Louis Park, appealed her 2019 assessing
revaluation of $241,800.
Ms. Moore noted the market boom and renovations her neighbors have done over the years.
She cited many examples where neighbors purchased homes, renovated top to bottom, and
then resold for $40,000 to $60,000 more.
Ms. Moore stated she has no problem with these renovated properties; however, also noted
homes around hers that have not been updated in many years, adding she is now bookended
with affordable homes. She is contesting the 17% value increase.
Ms. Clarke noted staff's inspection and stated the home is well maintained and in average
condition, with various remodels over the years. She stated based on the market value, staff
recommends increasing the valuation to $260,000. The board took the appeal under
advisement.
L o c a l B o a r d o f A p p e a l a n d E q u a liz a t io n -2 - A p r il 2 2 , 2 0 1 9
M r . B u lt e m a n o t e d t h a t C o lle e n C h ild e r s , 4 4 1 2 4 4 S t . W ., w a s n o t a b le to b e a t th e m e e t in g
t h is e v e n in g . M s . C la r k e g a v e a d e s c r ip t io n o f t h e p ro p e r t y , w h ic h is s it u a t e d o n th e E d in a
b o r d e r , is w e ll m a in t a in e d a n d in g r e a t c o n d it io n , w it h s ig n ifi c a n t re m o d e li n g a n d re n o v a t io n s .
S h e s t a t e d t h e 2 0 1 9 a p p r a is e d v a lu e w a s $5 9 8 ,1 0 0 , a n d s t a ff w ill s u s t a in t h is v a lu e .
B o a r d M e m b e r M a v it y a s k e d if w a t e r d a m a g e , a n is s u e n o t e d b y t h e a p p e lla n t , w e r e fa c t o r e d
in t o t h e v a lu a t io n . M r . C la r k e s t a t e d s h e d id n o t se e e v id e n c e o f w a t e r d a m a g e . M r . B u lt e m a
a d d e d s t a ff w a s n o t a w a r e o f a n is s u e w it h w a t e r a n d if t h e r e is w a t e r d a m a g e , th e o w n e r is
a s k e d t o p ro v id e a p h o t o g r a p h t o s t a ff s o t h e y m a y ta k e it u n d e r co n s id e r a t io n . M s . C la r k e a ls o
n o t e d in 2 0 1 6 a co m p le t e w a t e r d r a in a g e s y s t e m w a s in s t a lle d a t t h e p ro p e r ty . T h e b o a r d to o k
t h e a p p e a l u n d e r a d v is e m e n t .
Eli a n d E m m a T e m k in , 2 7 3 0 Ot t a w a A v e . S ., a p p e a le d t h e ir 2 0 1 9 a s s e s s in g v a lu a t io n o f
$5 3 3 ,5 0 0 .
M s . T e m k in s t a t e d t h e y a r e n e w t o S t L o u is P a r k a n d a r e s u p p o r t iv e o f t a x a t io n in g e n e r a l. T h e y
w a n t e d h ig h q u a lit y s e r v ic e s a n d t h a t is o n e o f t h e re a s o n s t h e y m o v e d to S t . L o u is P a r k .
H o w e v e r , t h e y d o w a n t t o c h a ll e n g e t h e fa ir m a r k e t e v a lu a t io n , a n d n o t e d co m p a r a b le h o m e s
t h e y re s e a r c h e d in t h e ir n e ig h b o r h o o d .
M r . T e m k in s t a t e d t h e ir h o m e in c r e a s e d 3 7 % o v e r t h e p a s t 5 y e a r s , w h ic h is h ig h e r th a n a n y
o t h e r c o m p a r a b le s , w h ile n o c h a n g e s w e r e m a d e t o t h e h o m e d u r in g t h is t im e . H e a d d e d th e ir
h o m e lo o k s t o h a v e b e e n a s s e s s e d a s a n o u t li e r v s . o t h e r h o m e s in t h e a r e a , a n d th e ta x b u r d e n
s h o u ld b e s p r e a d m o r e e v e n ly . H e s t a t e d t h e y p u r c h a s e d t h e ir h o m e f o r a b o v e th e a s k in g p r ic e
a t $5 2 1 ,0 0 0 , b u t in co m p a r in g t o o t h e r h o m e s in t h e a r e a , h e b e li e v e s it is a s s e s s e d fo r to o
m u c h .
B o a r d M e m b e r H a llfi n s t a t e d h e d o e s n o t t h in k t h e T e m k in 's o v e r p a id fo r t h e ir h o m e a t th e
t im e o f p u r c h a s e , a n d t h a t t h e y p a id w h a t it w a s w o r t h tw o y e a r s a g o . M r . T e m k in st a t e d h e
h o p e s it w ill re t a in it s v a lu e o v e r t im e , b u t a d d e d t h e h o m e p r ic e s s e e m t o b e in c r e a s e d w h e n
t h e y g o u p fo r s a le , a n d t h e a im o f a s s e s s m e n t s h o u ld b e t o h a v e a n e v e n p la y in g fi e ld .
B o a r d M e m b e r R o g t h a n k e d t h e T e m k in s fo r d o in g a g r e a t jo b o n e d u c a t in g t h e m s e lv e s a n d th e
b o a r d o n t h is , a n d a s k e d w h a t k in d o f c r it e r ia t h e y u s e d t o c h o o s e c o m p a r a b le h o m e s . M s .
T e m k in s t a t e d t h e y lo o k e d a t a b o v e g ro u n d s q u a r e fo o t a g e o f h o m e s t h a t h a d s o ld re c e n t ly .
M r . B u lt e m a s t a t e d t h a t s t a ff re q u e s t e d in s p e c t io n a ft e r t h e y p u r c h a s e d it a s s t a ff s u r m is e d p e r
ro u t in e s a le re v ie w t h a t p e r m it s w e r e n o t p u ll e d c o r r e c t ly fo r t h e im p ro v e m e n t s m a d e to th e
h o m e p r io r t o t h e T e m k in 's p u r c h a s e . W h e n s t a ff d id re v ie w t h e p ro p e r t y , t h e r e w a s a ta x
im p li c a t io n .
B o a r d M e m b e r S p a n o s a id t h e T e m k in s m o v e d in t o t h is h o m e in 2 0 1 7 , a n d a s k e d w h y t h e y d id
n o t a s k fo r a h o m e v a lu a t io n in 2 0 1 8 .
M r . T e m k in s t a t e d a ft e r p u r c h a s in g t h e h o m e , t h e y w e r e t a g g e d b y t h e a s s e s s o r 's o ff ic e , b u t
d e ci d e d n o t t o h a v e t h e h o m e e v a lu a t e d s in c e n o t h in g h a d c h a n g e d . H e a d d e d th e y w e r e
L o c a l B o a r d o f A p p e a l a n d E q u a liz a t io n -3- April 22, 2019
surprised when they saw the large increase, and decided to have the assessor review the home
and to go through the local appeal process.
Mr. Jurek noted staff's inspection and stated the home is well maintained with extensive
remodeling over the recent timeline. He noted the inspection request following the sale in July
2017 and reviewed the current market sales used in the revaluation. He stated based on the
market value, staff recommends sustaining the valuation at $533,500. The board took the
appeal under advisement.
Joseph Dobrin, 2512 Quentin Ct., appealed his 2019 assessing revaluation of $377,300. He
stated he has concerns that the valuation is less about absolute value and more about relative
value. He presented several comparable townhomes in his complex that are similar and very
dissimilar to his, adding his is very overvalued vs. others. Mr. Dobrin stated he is asking for a fair
valuation, and likes the amenities in St. Louis Park, but added the actual value of his property is
dissimilar to others in the same complex and has been overvalued the last 10 years.
Board Member Mavity asked Mr. Dobrin what he thinks is the appropriate valuation of the
property. Mr. Dobrin stated an assessment of $377,000 suggests the tax base is higher than it
should be.
Ms. Clarke noted staff's inspection and stated the property is well maintained. She reviewed
the timeline of the purchase (October 2017} and that the review concluded with a
recommendation to sustain the value at $377,300.
Board Member Rog asked staff their opinion of Mr. Dobrin's valuation. Mr. Bultema stated
staff's function is accuracy first and equity second. He added the biggest issue is imperfect data
and imperfect com parables. The board took the appeal under advisement.
Qian Li, 4530 Park Commons Dr, #109, appealed his 2019 assessing revaluation of $128,000. He
stated he and his wife have lived in the condo for almost 5 years, and understand the prices do
go up. However, he noted his condo has had no remodels in the last 5 years and it has
depreciated. He indicated several examples of poor condo management, including neighbors
falling on ice, ceiling water leaks, and scratches on floors.
Mr. and Mrs. Li argued about the percentage increase of 22%, adding there is a discrepancy
between this increase and the quality of life in this condo community.
Ms. Clarke noted staff's inspection and reviewed the property attributes. Her review concluded
with a recommendation to sustain the value at $128,000.
Board Member Mavity noted that units 109, 209, and 309 are all assessed at this same value,
but the surrounding values are assessed much lower and asked why.
Mr. Bultema stated it was related to 1-bedroom vs. 2-bedroom condos being valued differently.
Ms. Clarke added there is a significant change between the 1- and 2-bedroom condo values.
L o c a l B o a r d o f A p p e a l a n d E q u a liz a t io n -4- April 22, 2019
Board Member Mavity stated to the owners that what they seem to be describing is poor
property management, adding she is willing to help them address that issue with the owners.
The board took the appeal under advisement.
Mr. Bultema noted updates on the following properties:
• Virginia Lindow, 4359 Coolidge Ave., is eligible to move on to Hennepin County for
appeal, and no inspection was done by the city.
• Virgil Voeller 11, 2809 Joppa Ave. S., does not intend to continue with the appeal.
• Rob Schwartz, 2918 Huntington Ave. S., has had no response back to the city.
Sa. Board action -where petitioner & assessing staff are not in agreement
It was moved by Board Member Brausen and seconded by Board Member Mavity
to set the assessment noted below at $255,000:
Judith Moore 1430 Independence Ave S 06-117-21-32-0036
The motion passed 5-2 (Board Members Miller and Hal/fin opposed).
Sb. Board action - where petitioner & assessing staff are not in agreement
It was moved by Board Member Hal/fin and seconded by Board Member Brausen
to sustain the assessments noted below:
Colleen Childers
Eli & Emma Temkin
Joseph Dobrin
Virginia Lindow
Virgil Voeller II
Rob Schwartz
4412 44 St. W.
2730 Ottawa Ave. S.
2512 Quentin Ct.
4359 Coolidge Ave.
2809 Joppa Ave. S.
2918 Huntington Ave. S.
07-028-24-34-0038
31-029-24-31-0105
3 1-029-24-24-0026
07-028-24-33-0066
31-029-24-44-0065
3 l-029-24-44-0027
The motion passed 7-0.
Qian Li 4530 Park Commons Dr #109 06-028-24-43-0101
The motion passed 6-1 (Board Member Brausen opposed).
Sc. Board action - where petitioner & assessing staff are in mutual agreement
The properties in agreement were read into the record:
Phillip Murphy
Olsen & Luetschwager
Benjamin Wheeler
1841 Hampshire Ave. S.
3665 Huntington Ave. S.
3660 Glenhurst Ave.
05-117-21-44-0080
06-028-24-44-0048
06-028-24-44-005 I
L o c a l B o a r d o f A p p e a l a n d E q u a li z a t io n -5-
Donna & Todd Gause
Thomas &Sheila Letscher
Arlis & Erwin Grossman
James Benda
Rande Garnett
Thomas & Ilene Adam
Dalton Schmidt
Kenneth Braun
Jason & Katrina Schlude
Richard Thomson
Candace Huzel
Paul Beshah
Kenneth Koehler
Nolan & Carey Goodman
Susan Boen
Susan Bloyer
Dale Anderson
Esakakondo Lohese
Jennifer Dalquist
Douglas Hughes
Peter Flom
Daniel Wesser
Keith Lutgen
Wade Linkert
Nicolle Schneider
Ryan & Kelsey Conant
Matthew Eckholm
Brigita Petrovic
Brett Hoffman
Cynthia Davies
Paul Salmela
Rachel Meyer
Anthony Dinicola
Donna Dahnke
Barbara Ratner Trust
Dorothy Lebakken
Paul Lauber & Ellen O'Gara
Matthew Johnson
Kimberly Schexnayder
AnnLebens
Louis Goldenberg
MMP (by representative)
36 Park LLC
David A Podany Rev Trust
1300 Independence Ave. S.
8900 Westmoreland Ln.
1640 Virginia Ave. S.
8500 Virginia Cir. S.
2200 Flag Ave. S.
4233 Toledo Ave. S.
4104 Utica Ave. S.
8054 Victoria Way
2535 Aquila Ave. S.
9344 28th St. W.
2605 Xylon Ave. S.
7719 22nd St. W.
2531 Pennsylvania Ave. S.
7931 25th St. W.
2945 Rhode Island Ave. S.
2935 Pennsylvania Ave. S.
2700 Vernon Ave. S.
2628 Vernon Ave. S.
2830 Webster Ave. S.
3204 Colorado Ave. S.
3301 Yosemite Ave. S.
3344 Zarthan Ave. S.
3418 Yosemite Ave. S.
3049 Kentucky Ave. S.
3213 Jersey Ave. S.
3100 Pennsylvania Ave. S.
3135 Texas Ave. S.
3675 Independence Ave. S.
8624 35th St. W.
7409 Edgebrook Dr.
7121 Excelsior Way
4045 Xenwood Ave. S.
6126 42nd St. W.
1630-32 Natchez Ave. S.
2301 Parklands Rd.
2540 Lynn Ave. S.
2643 Vernon Ave. S.
2717 Huntington Ave. S.
2721 Joppa Ave. S.
2924 France Ave. S.
2822 France Ave. S.
1400 Zarthan Ave. S.
3601 Park Center Blvd.
1700 State Highway 100
April 22, 2019
06-11 7-21-32-0012
06-117-21-34-0012
06-11 7-21-44-0052
07-11 7-21-13 -0055
07-11 7-21-22-0017
07-028-24-32-0158
07-028-24-32-0001
07-11 7-21-41-0082
07-11 7-21-42-0084
07-11 7-21-33-0050
07-117-21-42-0013
08-117-21-22-0022
08-117-21-24-0041
08-117-21-32-0030
08-117-71-33-01 33
08-11 7-21-34-0091
09-11 7-21-31-010 2
09-11 7-21--31-00 81
09-117-21-34-0043
16-117-21-22-011 5
16-11 7-21-24-010 3
16-117-21-24-0185
16-117-21-31-0025
17-11 7-21-12-0059
17-11 7-21-13 -0053
17-11 7-21-22-0048
17 -l 17-21-22-0094
18-117-21-33-0164
18-117-21-42-0080
20-11 7-21-21-0069
20-117-21-24-0038
21-11 7-21-24-013 2
21-11 7-21-32-0080
30-029-24-34-0055
31-029-24-12-0067
31-029-24-13 -0074
3l-029-24-32-0023
3l-029-24-41-0020
31-029-24-41-0048
3l-029-24-44-0009
31-079-74-44-0113
04-117-7 1-37-0089
06-028-24-33-0019
31-029-24-22 -0001
L o c a l B o a r d o f A p p e a l a n d E q u a liz a t io n -6- April 22, 2019
It was moved by Board Member Brausen and seconded by Board Member Mavity to
approve the assessments listed in the updated roster sheet for the meeting.
The motion passed 7-0.
6. Instruct assessor to complete record of changes for submittal
7. Instruct assessor to inform petitioners of board action via mail
t-
I
Petitioners will be informed via mail.
8. Complete the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization Certification Form
9. Adjourn if board business is completed
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
iller, Local Board of Appeal and
qualization Chair