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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-12-99 'a:, CITY OF LAKEVILLE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 12,1999 Mayor Zaun called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call was taken. Present: Council Members Ryan, Sindt, Mulvihill, Luick and Mayor Zaun. Also present: B. Erickson, City Administrator; D. Feller, Finance Director; J. Jamnik, Assistant City Attorney; C. Friedges, City Clerk. BOARD OF REVIEW Mr. Feller provided an overview of the property tax structure and. the methods by which property taxes are calculated. He explained that the major factors that determine property taxes are: • Market value • Tax capacity class rate and resulting tax capacity value • Tax capacity rate and. resulting property taxes The assessor's estimated market value is multiplied by the tax capacity rate to determine the tax capacity value. The tax capacity class rate is established by the • State Legislature and will vary by type of property classification. The tax capacity value is multiplied by the tax capacity rate to determine the final property tax. Mr. Bill Peterson, Dakota County Assessor, explained that the assessor's office is responsible for determining 1999 property valuations, based on the current market conditions, for taxes payable in 2000. Property sales from the period of October 1, 1997 to September 30, 1998 were analyzed and considered in determining the 1999 market value assessments. The County uses a Computer Aided Mass Appraisal (CAMA) system to calculate the market value based on the property's physical characteristics and other factors, such as market (sales) trends. He explained that the State Board of Equalization requires the median value of assessment to be between 90% and 105% of market value. Lakeville's median values are at 95% of market value. Mr. Peterson stated the County Assessor's Office conducted "Open Book" meetings in March. Fifty-five people from Lakeville attended this year's "Open Book" meetings. Thirteen property owners have submitted letters appealing the market values placed on their properties. He stated the median value of residential property in Lakeville, excluding new construction, is $139,100, an increase. of 5.9% over the previous year. He explained that approximately 50% of the commerciaUindustrial properties in the City were revalued for the 1999 i CITY OF LAKEVILLE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 12, 1999 PAGE 2 • assessment. Overall, commerciallindustrial property values increased approximately 16%. Mayor Zaun opened the meeting to general questions from the audience. There were none. Mayor Zaun recessed the council meeting at 7:27 p.m. to allow property owners in attendance to meet individually with staff members from the County Assessor's office. Mayor Zaun reconvened the Council meeting at 7:35 p.m. ITEM 7 99.73 Motion was made by Sindt, seconded by Mulvihill to approve Resolution No. 99- 88 approving for distribution an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the extension of Ipava Avenue and realignment of 192"d Street and 195th Street, Improvement Project 98-10. Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes, Ryan, Zaun, Sindt, Mulvihill, Luick. • :ITEM 8 Mayor Zaun presented information prepared by City staff regarding odd versus even election years for municipal elections. He pointed out that in a recent survey on election structure conducted by Decision Resources, Lakeville citizens strongly supported switching City elections to even years. Citizens also supported extending the current terms of office one year to accomplish this. Assistant City Attorney Joel Jamnik pointed out that there are a variety of methods in which to achieve the transition from odd-year to even-year elections. He explained that the mechanics to switch to even-year elections are specified in State Statute. The quickest, easiest and most economic way would be to cancel the 1999 election. However, because the necessary ordinance to make the transition to even year elections is not effective for 240 days after its adoption, and since there are less than 240 days until the 1999 election, special legislation is . required. The alternative to canceling the 1999 election is to have elections in both 1999 and 2000. Under this scenario, decisions would have to be made on which terms are shortened or lengthened to provide the transition. Council Member Mulvihill stated she feels terms should be extended, rather than shortened. She stated that while she feels local issues tend to get lost in a state or national election, she supports the switch to even years due to the significant cost . savings. , CITY OF LAKEVILLE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 12, 1999 PAGE3 Council Member Sindt indicated a willin ess to serve one additional ear on the ~ Y City Council Council Member Ryan stated he doesn't think the Council can draw conclusions from survey question #73 asked by Decision Resources. He stated that question contained an incorrect statement that state law requires terms to be extended by one year. He stated that while he supports the switch to even year elections, he feels there needs to be ample time for public feedback before current terms are extended. Council Members Mulvihill and Sindt argued that a petition requesting a referendum on the ordinance is unlikely, given the fact that 66% of those surveyed by Decision Resources supported the switch to even year elections. Council Member Mulvihill stated she feels the City is in a unique position to make the transition this year, being that Mayor Zaun and Council Member Sindt, whose seats are up for re-election this fall, have already announced that they would not seek an additional. term. Council Member Luick stated he feels that making the transition this year makes the best sense. In response to Council Member Luick's inquiry, Mayor Zaun indicated he would be willing to serve another year as Mayor. He added that he-was recently appointed to the Transportation Advisory Board, a very important position for the City of Lakeville and surrounding area. The extra year would give him the opportunity to fulfill his obligations. Beyond the extra year, he stated he would not be willing to serve. Mr. Jamnik stated that time is of the essence in getting this special legislation considered prior to adjournment of the legislature in mid-May. 99.74 Motion was made by Mulvihill, seconded by Sindt to approve ResolutionNo. 99- 89 requesting special legislation facilitating the change of municipal elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years. _ Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes, Zaun, Sindt, Mulvihill, Luick. -Nay, Ryan. Council Member Ryan stated he would hesitate to extend current terms of office without more public comment. BOARD OF REVIEW (Continued) Mr. Peterson announced that his staff met with 14 property owners; and eight of • those properties need to be reviewed. The assessor's office will report back to the CITY OF LAKEVILLE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 12, 1999 PAGE 4 • City Council on any adjustments that need to be made. He requested the Board of Review reconvene its meeting on May 3rd at 6:00 p.m. 99.75 Motion was made by Sindt, seconded by Luick to receive letters from the following property owners appealing the market values on their properties: • Robert R. & Ellen L. McDonnell, 17739 Layton Path • Ed & Cathie Lipscomb, 16775 Javelin Avenue • Franklin & Alice Wicker, 9991 Oak Shore Drive • Curtis G. & Diane E. Craig, 19710 Jersey Avenue • John M. & Marilyn M. Raplinger, 11897 West 210th Street • Ivan J. Hodson & Pearl R. Shirley, Lakeville Highview Investments • Richard J. Krentz, Total Dairy Nutrition • Glenn W. Hasse, Jr., Hasse Real Properties • Glenn W. Hasse, Jr., Ryt-way Industries, Inc. • Robert W. Reynolds, Menasha Corporation • Jan Sawicky, Marell, Inc. • Alan G. & Cynthia T. Miner, 17680 Italy Path • Michael J. Wright, 16840 Firestone Path • Richard Brown, 16285 Crystal Hills Circle Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes, Zaun, Sindt, Mulvihill, Luick, Ryan. 99.76 Motion was made by Sindt, seconded by Mulvihill to reconvene the Board of Review meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Monday,. May 3, 1999. Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes, Sindt, Mulvihill, Luick, Ryan, Zaun. Mayor Zaun adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Charlene'Friedges, City C D e Zaun, May