Print VersionStay Informed
Minutes of the Grand Forks City Council/Board of Equalization
Monday, April 19, 2010 - 5:30 p.m.___________________________

The city council of the city of Grand Forks, ND was called to meet as the Board of Equalization in the council chambers on Monday, April 19, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. with Mayor Brown presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Bjerke, Glassheim, Bakken, Kreun - 4; absent: Council Member Gershman - 1.

1.2 Comments by City Assessor.
Mel Carsen, city assessor, reported the council sits as the City Board of Equalization to consider the 2010 assessments as they have been placed on the tax roles, that he had handed out report showing the sales ratio study based on sales that took place in 2009, 581 residential sales with median ratio of 95.7%, that Grand Forks has generally set a target of 96%, commercial ratio is shown as 96.7%, however, misleading as did not have enough sales in 2009 to meet the State requirement of minimum of 30 sales, only had 23 commercial sales in Grand Forks and when that happens, have to supplement the previous year's sales. The target set by the State Board of Equalization for all jurisdictions used to be 95% to 105% but have narrowed that because of legislation that mandated no more than 100% and current target is between 95% and 100%. This means that residential is to maintain a 96% ratio and had to raise the value of the current real estate based on sales of various types of property.

Council Member Christensen reported present.

He reported that his report shows comparison of valuation from last year and this year and shows overall increase of 2.66% higher than last year, .6% is re-evaluation and the other 2% comes from new construction, properties having been exempt and now terminated or diminished.

1.3 Receive formal protests and refer to finance/development standby committee.
Mr. Carsen reported that tonight protests are received and filed on the 2010 valuation and that he and the city auditor have received several protests to the assessed valuation of property in writing and read for the record:

1. Wal-Mart Store, 2551 32nd Avenue South
2. Sam's Club Store, 2501 32nd Avenue South
3. Settle Inn Motel,121 North 47th Street
4. Guest House Motel, 710 1st Avenue North
5. Menard's Store, 3550 32nd Avenue South
6. Menard's Strip Mall, 3750 32nd Avenue South
7. Slumberland Furniture Store, 1449 32nd Avenue South
8. 15 properties (Grand Forks Homes, Terzetto Village, etc.)

Council Member McNamara reported present.

Russ Melland, Camrud, Maddock, Olson & Larson, LTD, representing Grand Forks Homes relative to the exemption request for 2010, along with one property missing - Homestead Place - and have supplemented their appeal of the exemption, was an oversight and discussed with Mr. Carsen and he considered it to be part of their appeal. He stated that they were here last year with most of the properties currently under exemption and have incorporated by reference all of the materials that they filed in those prior filings and nothing has changed except for the year, and that they would be including the testimony, transcripts and minutes, exhibits and supplements that they previously provided relative to those properties. He stated he does have for this body's consideration a legal update in this matter in the city of Mandan, that has now joined those in prior meetings, City of Bismarck, Minot - that Mandan has recently granted an exemption to Lakewood Village on March 16, 2010, that he has a copy of the minutes that he would provide to this body. He stated they still have not had resolution on the abatement request currently pending in District Court, that has been taken under advisement by the judge. He requested that they be given notice and a copy of anything that goes to the County from the City during this matter.

Mayor Brown asked if there was anyone in the audience who would like to file a protest or address the Board of Equalization. There were none.

Mayor Brown reported they are looking for the final Board of Equalization to be the third Monday in May; however, Council Member Christensen stated that some protests rather extensive and might have to have a special session, and asked that they have a legal analysis of justification for our position. Mr. Carsen stated that he expects to have report on each and every one of the protests, information received from the property owners and his findings to the finance committee for the public hearings.

It was moved by Council Member Bakken that the hearings be held at the finance/development standby committee, with final Board meeting on May 17, 2010; seconded by Council Member Kreun. Carried 6 votes affirmative.

It was moved by Council Member Bakken and seconded by Council Member Kreun that we recess to the third Monday in May - May 17, 2010. Carried 6 votes affirmative.

Respectfully submitted,


Saroj Jerath, City Auditor