Committee Minutes
MINUTES
CITY OF GRAND FORKS - BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
June 7, 1999
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, June 7, 1999 at 7:30 p.m. as required by the North Dakota Century Code, with Mayor Owens presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Brooks, Polovitz, Lucke, Hamerlik, Bouley, Glassheim, Carpenter, Klave, Beyer, Babinchak, Bakken, Hafner - 12; absent: Council Member Martinson - 1.
ACCEPT VALUATION OF ASSESSOR ON PROPRETY
AT 2509 AND 2513 SOUTH 18TH STREET
Committee No. 1, Finance, considered the matter of protest to assessed valuation of property by Dakota Realtors, Inc., 2509 and 2513 South 18th Street, and recommended to accept the assessor’s recommendation of value of Lot 1 at $9,000 and Lot 2 at $9,900 (2509 and 2513 South 18th Street).
It was moved by Council Member Brooks and seconded by Council Member Babinchak that this recommendation be and is hereby approved. Carried 12 votes affirmative.
COUNCIL MEMBER LUNAK REPORTED PRESENT
APPROVE VALUATION OF ASSESSOR ON PROPERTY
AT 4732 RIVER OAKS CIRCLE
Committee No. 1, Finance, reported having considered the matter of protest to assessed valuation of property by Robert J. LaBine, 4732 River Oaks Circle (Lot 9, River Oaks Addition), and recommended to uphold the assessor’s recommendation that 4732 River Oaks Circle be valued at $66,500 and that staff be instructed to contact Mr. LaBine about Monday’s meeting.
It was moved by Council Member Brooks and seconded by Council Member Hamerlik that this recommendation be and is hereby approved. Carried 13 votes affirmative.
APPROVE VALUATION OF ASSESSOR ON PROPERTY
AT 1511 NORTH 4TH STREET
Committee No. 1, Finance, reported having considered the matter of protest to assessed valuation of property by Todd Powell,
1511 North 4th Street, and recommended approval of the assessor’s
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recommendation of a value of $46,100 on 1511 North 4th Street.
It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Brooks that this recommendation be and is hereby approved. Carried 13 votes affirmative.
APPROVE ASSESSOR’S VALUATION OF PROPERTY
AT 223 27TH AVENUE SOUTH
Committee No. 1, Finance, reported having considered the matter of protest to assessed valuation of property by Leslie And Martha Klevay, 223 27th Avenue South, and recommended approval to uphold the assessor’s recommendation that 223 27th Avenue South be valued at $130,700.
It was moved by Council Member Brooks and seconded by Council Member Babinchak that this recommendation be and is hereby approved. Carried 12 votes affirmative; Council Member Glassheim voted against the motion.
UPHOLD ASSESSOR’S VALUATION OF PROPERTY
AT 1165-C SOUTH COLUMBIA ROAD
Committee No. 1, Finance, reported having considered the matter of protest to assessed valuation of property by Dr. Greg M. Frokjer, 1165-C South Columbia Road, Haake’s 2nd Addition, Block A, Unit 1165-C, and recommended approval to uphold the assessor’s value of 1165-C South Columbia road of $457,300 and that Dr. Frokjer be contacted and told of the committee’s action and of the meeting on Monday night.
It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council member Brooks that this recommendation be and is hereby approved.
Dr. Frokjer reported that he was advised that his value went from $312,457 to $457,000 in one year and thought excessive for the value of that property; that it was explained by the city assessor that the value of that property was low, that there actually was $488,000, that he doesn’t feel that the assessed valuation is appropriate based on the fact that the building he received after being built was not the building that he contracted for as it was being built; that the assessor has stated that he agreed to pay $455,000 for that building and that’s correct but he didn’t get the building he contracted for
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- the building he contracted for was a steel and concrete soundproof building which is appropriate for professional setting, what he got was made out of wood and sheetrock and analogy is close to a cheap apartment building, it is inappropriate for a professional building, he’s stuck with it for various scheduling problems with getting into the building and trying to do modifications to make it better but that building has not been closed upon and his attorney working with the developer on that building, that it could not sell for that amount; and assessments excessive.
Council Member Babinchak stated that all the condos in this building are assessed at the same rate as this building.
Mel Carsen, city assessor, reported that the difference between the 1998 and 1999 values, that for 1998 the building was essentially 65% complete so had a 65% assessment, and in 1999 made an appraisal of $457,300, and at that time Mr. Herz was not aware of any appraisal, not aware of the cost or the contract with the developer and found out that information after the fact, and that’s when found out the contract was for $455,000 plus some extras of $30,000+, and an appraisal of $475,000; those seemed to support the assessor’s value and are not suggesting that the value be increased from $457,000 but that simply is in fact your proper value. Mr. Carsen stated that taxes are based on a wood-frame building with wood floors and a basement, not based on the valuation of a concrete building and a concrete floor, but plans are very clear that it’s a wood frame building, and a wood floor between first and second floors.
After further discussion and upon call for the question, the motion carried 12 votes affirmative; Council Member Lunak voted against the motion.
UPHOLD ASSESSOR’S VALUE OF PROPRTY AT
13 SOUTH 4TH STREET
Committee No. 1, Finance, reported having considered the matter of protest to assessed valuation of property by Norby’s Work Perks, 13 South 4th Street, Doug Norby, and recommended to uphold the assessor’s value of 13 South 4th Street of $260,900.
It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Brooks that this recommendation be and is hereby
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approved. Carried 13 votes affirmative.
CERTIFY ASSESSMENTS TO COUNTY AUDITOR
It was moved by Council Member Brooks and seconded by Council Member Carpenter that the tax rolls as presented by the city assessor and as equalized by the Board of Equalization be and are hereby certified to the county auditor, Grand Forks County, North Dakota. Upon roll call the following voted “aye”: Council Members Brooks, Polovitz, Lucke, Hamerlik, Bouley, Glassheim, Carpenter, Lunak, Klave, Beyer, Babinchak, Bakken, Hafner - 13; voting “nay”: none. Mayor Owens declared the motion carried and the assessments certified.
ADJOURN
It was moved by Council Member Brooks and seconded by Council Member Bouley that we do now adjourn sine die. Carried 13 votes affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
John M. Schmisek
City Auditor