Print VersionStay Informed
Minutes of the Grand Forks City Council/Finance-Development
Committee - Monday, April 25, 2011 - 5:30 p.m. _______________
The Finance/Development Committee met on Monday, April 25, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers in City Hall with Chairman Christensen presiding. Present at roll call: Christensen, Sande, Gershman (ex officio).

Also present were: Greg Hoover, John Herz, Keith Lund, and Council Member Bjerke.

1. Application for abatement for 2009 and 2010 taxes at 717 S. 19th Street.
John Herz, asst. city assessor, reported this is routine application for exemption, applicant
qualifies for disabled veteran’s benefit credit and qualifies for 2009 and 2010; that the owner passed away in March and his unremarried spouse would continue to receive the exemption. Motion by Sande and Christensen to approve the application and refer to city council. Motion carried.

2. Application for property tax exemption for new or expanding business by Halverson Family Investments, LLP______________________________________________________________
Mr. Herz stated routine exemption for new business located at 1700 block of S. 43rd Street
(west of S. 42nd Street and south of 17th Ave.S.) will house the Black Gold home office and they are requesting exemption for step-down exemption over a period of 5 years (100%, 80, 60, 40 and 20%) and exemption related to the taxes on real estate.

Keith Lund, Grand Forks Economic Development, stated the request is in keeping policy of
supporting corporate headquarters in Grand Forks and is very similar to AE2S project - is a new and expanding business exemption which is a calculation of the property taxes and nothing to do with development cost and is 100, 80, 60, 40 and 20%. That if move forward will have a public hearing on June 6 and will also be discussing PACE Program with the company, that is on a timeline agenda for the Jobs Development Authority on June 6 and everything done at the same time. Motion by Sande and Christensen to approve and move forward to council for the public hearing. Motion carried.

3. Application for exemption of remodeling improvements to residential or commercial buildings at various locations.____________________________________________________________
Mr. Herz reported these applications are for remodeling exemptions for period of 5 years.
Sande asked for clarification on residential applications, that part of the restrictions are that improvements must increase the market value of the property by at least 10% or by $5,000, that these are standard applications and bringing them forward as long as they are meeting the qualifications. Motion by Sande and Christensen to approve recommendation and refer to city council. Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

Alice Fontaine, City Clerk