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Committee Minutes

MINUTES
CITY OF GRAND FORKS - BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
May 2, 1994

The city council of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota was called to meet as the Board of Equalization in the city council chambers on Monday, May 2, 1994 at 7:30 p.m. with Mayor Polovitz presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Beach, McCabe, Hoeppner, Kulas, Glassheim, Crawford, Carpenter, Lien, Beyer, Shores - 10; absent: Council Member Geller - 1.

APPROVE MINUTES

Typewritten copies of the minutes of the Board meeting held on Tuesday, April 12, 1994 were presented and read. It was moved by Council Member Shores and seconded by Council Member McCabe that the minutes be approved as read. Carried 10 votes affirmative.

COUNCIL MEMBER HAGNESS REPORTED PRESENT

REFER FORMAL PROTESTS TO FINANCE COMMITTEE

Mayor Polovitz called for presentation of protests and/or appeals. Formal protests were presented by the following property owners, protesting the assessed valuation of their property:

1) Becky Schoeneck, 729 Belmont Road
2) Bruce Betcher, 503 27th Avenue South
3) Charlotte Ohlheiser, 415 4th Avenue South
4) Rose A. Pinger, 102 Seward Avenue
5) Darlyne Hegg, 520 Plum Avenue
6) Don Anderson, 814 28th Avenue South
7) Greg Norman, 822 South 9th Street

COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON REPORTED PRESENT

8) Mary Davidson, 1409 Cottonwood Street
9) Ken Bauer, 206 Conklin
10) Martin Simmonds, 1204 Cottonwood Street
11) Linda Quamme, 2566 Glen Circle.

Council Member Hagness asked the city assessor to explain how reach valuation. Mr. Carsen reported they compare their appraisals to sales, then determine from sales what inflation should be for the following year; when studied 1993 sales, they were 8.9% below on city-wide basis which resulted in adjustments area by area; that his office then sent notices to property owners who received 7.50% increase or more. He also reported that the State requires valuation of 100% of market value; and that City's share is 25% of overall tax bill. Council Member Hagness also stated it comes down to whether to cut services or increase taxes; and also noted that 50% of sales taxes going to reduce City's port of tax dollar. Mayor Polovitz stated that
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there is a shortage of houses in Grand Forks at this time, and when have shortage people pay more; market dictates assessed valuation. It was noted that the School District, Park District, County of Grand Forks and the State of North Dakota also receive a portion of the tax dollars.

12) Lee Hulteng, 1330 Walnut Street
13) Darrell Hinger, 2991 Columbine Court

COUNCIL MEMBER HANSON REPORTED PRESENT

14) Roy Lindvall, 2503 South 11th Street
15) Adelaura O'Connell, 530 Princeton Street
16) Butch Riske, 3318 Primrose Court

COUNCIL MEMBERS LIEN, CARPENTER AND HANSON
EXCUSED

17) Lonny Winrich, 606 South 4th Street. Mr. Winrich expressed concern re. expansion of water plant, whether they will raze block across street, and whether that taken into account in this assessment.

COUNCIL MEMBERS LIEN, CARPENTER AND HANSON
REPORTED BACK

18) Bill Phalen, 3016 Legend Lane
19) Gary Towne, 425 Cottonwood Street. Mr. Towne stated he was not sure he wants to protest, questioned how assessment arrived at.
20) Albert Miller, 5311 Chestnut Street
21) Marvin Leier, 2602 South 10th Street
22) Jeff Tiedeman, 30 Conklin Avenue
23) Tim Burke, 208 Conklin Avenue. Mr. Burke stated he was not here to protest but concerned about windfall, and suggested council pass resolution and send to other governmental entities.

Mr. Schmisek also reported that written protests had been filed with his office:
1) Donna Whaley, 1506 South 19th Street
2) Robert M. Jacobson, 1015 Reeves Drive
3) Leila M. Olson, 814 Stanford Road
4) Tim Rerick, 2520 Olive Street
5) Rodney Medalen, 3504 11th Avenue North, Unit Nos. 7 and 21
6) Jim Fish, 112 Chestnut Street

There were several other individuals present, who did not speak to the Board, but signed listing of individuals protesting 1994 market values:
1) Diane Lindgren-Knauf, 1834 Lewis Blvd.
2) Michael Mann, 707 Cottonwood Street
3) Martin C. Lund, 919 South 9th Street
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4) Susan Reinertson/Paul Jacobson, 1106 25th Avenue South
5) Lynn Wright/Beth Benson, 624 South 9th Street
6) Cindy Filler, 1138 South 36th Street
7) Eugene Barna, 1120 South 36th Street
8) Dick Wilhelmi, 1417 Oak Street
9) Kevin Grosz, 1411 Cherry Street
10) Richard Paul, 814 South 9th Street
11) Orrin and Marilyn Abbey, 2823-2825 Knight Drive
12) Marijo D. Whitcomb, 2209 University Avenue
13) Merv Rud, 1501 7th Avenue North
14) Roland Nasinec, 2200 South 29th Street, 73S
15) B.J. Clayburgh, 1626 Belmont Road
16) Graeme Dewar, 1212 Reeves Drive
17) Marvin L. Leier, 2602 South 10th Street
18) Michael Tetrault, 917 South 9th Street
19) Michelle LaMotte Bry, 2005 13th Avenue South
20) Marilyn and Robert Peterson, 409 Hamline Street
21) John and Julie Starren, 316 Alpha Avenue
22) Vernon Lilleberg, 1106 15th Avenue South
23) Al Forsman, 1015 28th Avenue South
24) Paul and Jessie Belbas, 614 25th Avenue South
25) Max Allard, 1023 15th Avenue South
26) Suzanne Fry, 3007 E. Elmwood Drive
27) Bill James, 606 Plum Avenue
28) Lynn Holbrook, 3711 Belmont Court
29) Melodie Reese, 108 Conklin Avenue
30) Curt Tanabe, 415 27th Avenue South
31) Arnold Westgard, 505 Pakenham Avenue
32) Robert Bushfield, 4911 Belmont Road
33) Joel D. Medd, 1203 South 22nd Street

REFER MATTER OF PROTEST BY TRIPLE A
OF NORTH DAKOTA BACK TO COMMITTEE

The finance committee of the city council reported having considered the protest by Triple A of North Dakota on property at 2701 South Columbia Road, and recommended that we concur with the assessor's recommendation that the Board of Equalization reduce the market value of this property from $944,900 to $856,500.

It was moved by Council Member Shores and McCabe that this recommendation be and is hereby approved.

It was requested by Council Members Shores and Kulas that this matter be referred back to the finance committee for further consideration, and Mayor Polovitz referred the matter back to committee.

CONFIRM MARKET VALUE OF PROPERTY AT
110 32ND AVENUE SOUTH

The finance committee of the city council reported having
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considered the protest by Roland Scott on property at 110 32nd Avenue South, and recommended that we confirm the market value of
the property as assessed by the city assessor.

It was moved by Council Member McCabe and seconded by Council Member Johnson that this recommendation be and is hereby approved. Carried 13 votes affirmative.

RECESS

There being no further protests to be presented to the Board, it was moved by Council Member Beyer and seconded by Council Member Hoeppner that the Board of Equalization recess and reconvene June 6, 1994 at 7:00 p.m. after the finance committee has held its hearings and has had time to make its recommendations to the Board of Equalization. Carried 13 votes affirmative.

Respectfully submitted,

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk