HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/04/01 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionOfficial minutes
Special city council study session
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
April 1, 2024
The meeting convened at 5:30 p.m.
Council members present: Mayor Nadia Mohamed, Paul Baudhuin, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd,
Yolanda Farris, and Margaret Rog
Council members absent: Lynette Dumalag
Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), city assessor (Mr. Bultema), appraiser (Ms. Nathanson)
Discussion item
1. 2024 market value update overview.
Mr. Bultema and Ms. Nathanson presented the report.
Council Member Brausen asked whether homestead filings are done at the county or at the city
level, since the county is taking over homestead. Mr. Bultema shared that if a property owner
would like to come into the city, staff will still see them at the front desk. He stated most of
those folks have either a technological or language barrier and prefer to work on homestead
filing questions in person.
Council Member Brausen asked if people should now be guided to complete homestead filings
online or at city hall. Mr. Bultema stated either way is acceptable, and the paper forms are still
available if needed.
Council Member Brausen asked about the median value of a unit and how many class A, B and
C units are in St. Louis Park. Ms. Nathanson stated about one-half of all units are class A and B,
and about one-half are class C. Mr. Bultema added the NOAH units are in line with the class C
units.
Council Member Brausen asked how many assessments, on average, go to the county board
each year. Mr. Bultema stated the average is between two to four, and most are resolved
before a hearing is necessary. He added it is the city’s desire to get to mutual agreement with
the homeowner. When the city and homeowner are not in agreement, then it must come to
the county board for review.
Council Member Rog asked if the board also reviews issues with commercial and industrial
properties. Mr. Bultema confirmed that they do. Ms. Nathanson added many of those
properties take their case to tax court, which is private and not a public process. She added that
homeowners can also go straight to tax court instead of to the board.
Council Member Baudhuin asked if price per square foot data is available compared to the
other cities in the area. Mr. Bultema confirmed that he can obtain this data but noted St. Louis
Park homes are smaller than Edina and Golden Valley homes, which affects price point.
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Special study session minutes -2- April 1, 2024
Council Member Baudhuin asked if houses of worship are ever assessed for market value. Mr.
Bultema stated they are required to assess all parcels including non-profit parcels, houses of
worship, schools and some exempt areas of Methodist Hospital.
Council Member Budd asked about the line in the comparison chart noted as “suburban.” Mr.
Bultema stated that the chart represents all 47 suburban cities and the distinction is made
because Minneapolis is the economic engine of Hennepin County related to property tax.
Council Member Budd asked what the shaded neighborhood areas referenced. Mr. Bultema
stated that shading refers to the five-year review of a particular neighborhood. Postcards are
sent to all properties to alert residents that the city’s assessors will be in the neighborhood to
review properties. Photographs are taken for comparison over time.
Council Member Budd said it looks like St. Louis Park will attain $10 billion in market value, and
asked if this puts the city in a different class. Mr. Bultema clarified that it will not because a
city’s class, per statute, is population based vs. valuation based.
Communications/meeting check-in (verbal)
The meeting adjourned at 6:01 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor
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