06-07-1972CITY OF RICHFIELD
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION'
June 7, 1972
The Board of Equalization of the City of Richfield met in the council chambers
of the City Hall, 6700 Portland Avenue, on Wednesday, June 7, 1972, at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Councilmen Anderson, Jacobsen, Luettinger and Kenealey, and
Mayor Law (arrived at 10:30 p.m.), as well as resident members
Donald A. Sundt, 7417 Emerson Ave., and Donald L. Russell,
6635 Morgan Avem
Also present: Ann Huisman, deputy city clerk, Vernon L. Anderson,
city assessor, and Robert W. Martin, assistant super-
visor of assessments, Hennepin County, representing
Wayne Johnson, county assessor.
Mr. Martin asked the audience to hold comments to providing proof that their
property is over assessed since this is the only basis for lowering an assessed
evaluation.
Lawrence Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, asked if the evaluation was under valued,
could he speak on that?
Robert Martin answered, "'Yes, and any property owners affected by an increase would
have to be notified".
The names of property owners who had previously asked to be heard were called on
in the order they had registered.
Paul Ruffenach, 6717 Girard Avenue, said his new evaluation is $3,000 more than
1971. He stated his property is worth $22,000 or $24,000 because he lives on the free-
way.
Arthur Riddersen, 7433 - 5th Avenue, said his evaluation was increased from
$26,220 to $29,300 and that he would sell his property for $29,300 but definitely it
would not sell for that.
A motion was made by Councilman Anderson, seconded by Councilman Jacobsen, to
sustain the assessor's market value of the two property owners who had just come
before the Board. All ayes - Carried.
Mrs. William Huffman, 7339 - 17th Avenue, asked what was the basis of reassessment?
Vern Anderson answered - "The size and quality of the lot were the basis and that
most values had increased somewhere within a range of 10% to 15%, as shown by a study
of sales throughout Richfield that did not include any 3snprovement to the property".
Miss H. Manes,. 7214 Portland Avenue, stated her evaluation was too high because
consideration was not given to the fact that her property is next to a church and a
school yard. The church creates problems on Sunday because cars block the property°s
driveway and noise from the school yard and balls hitting her house constantly disturb
her.
A motion was made by Jacobsen, seconded by Anderson, to leave the evaluation as
set by the assessor`s department. A11 ayes - Carried.
- 2 - June 7, 1972
Miss Manes was advised by members of the council to ta~Ce the parking and access
problems of her property up with the church people.
The following names were called and were not present:
Ben Nelson, 6739 Humboldt Avenue
H. Sickle, 7614 - 16th Avenue
Richard Lewin, 6913 Chicago Avenue
Harold Slettemark, 6344 - 5th Avenue
John B. Tollefson, 1315 - 17, W. 66th Street, stated his new evaluation was
too high because of the constant noise from the ramps on 35W. He stated he had moved
from the home even after air conditioning the home because he could not sleep nights.
The property was vacant for two months becair~e renters could not be found,
A motion was made by Anderson, seconded by Kenealey, to decrease the evaluation
at 1315-17 W. 66th Street, from $40,000 to $38,400. A11 ayes - Carried.
The following names were called and were not present:
Roy C. Nicholson, 6607 Grand Avenue
Robert Kleven, 6932 Oakland Avenue
A. W. Fournier, 7144 - 18th Avenue, stated that questions he had were previously
answered by the preceding `discussions.
Einar Jo~ensen, 7336 Lyndale Avenue, stated his valuation was too high because of
the increased traffic on Lyndale and since the recent "No Parking" signs had been
placed his property is less desirable because he cannot provide parking for company.
A motion was made by Jacobsen, seconded by Russell, to dectease the evaluation at
7336 Lyndale Avenue from $22,500 to $21,500. Po11 of votes::•~•Ayes - Luettinger, Jacobsen,
Russell and Sundt. Nayes - Anderson .and Kenealey. Carried.
The following name was called and not present:
M. A. Martenson, 6608 Lynwood Blvd..
Mrs. Milton Maygren, 7009 Nicollet Avenue, felt the valuation too high bejcause the
lot is a non-standard size of 39' and First Federal would only provide a loan of
$15,000 for the property.
A motion was made by Anderson, seconded by Jacobsen, to decrease the valuation at
7009 Nicollet Avenue from $23,100 to $22,500. All ayes - Carried.
The following names were called and were not present:
Roger Whitney, 6409 - 20th Avenue
Louis R. Hanson, 7609 Upton Avenue
Vernon Anderson presented information previously delivered to him by Mr. David
Lindo, 6210 Morgan Avenue.
A motion was made by Jacobsen, seconded by Anderson, to accept the information and
act on this at a later date. A11 ayes - Carried.
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June 7, 1972
C1ark~Belford, 6701 Grand Avenue, stated his valuation was raised and added
that the Legislature imposed new taxes (4% sales tax, cigarette and liquor tax) to
keep property taxes down. He further stated that with increased evaluations taxes
will increase.
A. motion was made by Anderson, seconded by Jacobsen, to sustain the evaluation.
All ayes - Carried.
The following were called and were not present:
Wm. Frenz, 1400 Lake Shore Drive
William Vetsch, 7005 Columbus avenue
Charles Miller, ?200 Oakland, stated the valuation in November of 1970 was higher
than what he purchased the property for then and since the new evaluation is based on
this it is too high.
A motion was made by Anderson,. seconded by Jacobsen,. to sustain the evaluation.
A11 ayes - Carried.
A motion was made by Jacobsen, seconded by Anderson, to hear the next four people
present on the list and adorn the meeting to Wednesday, June 14, 1972, at 7:00 p.m.
in the council chambers. A11 ayes - Carried.
Mrs. Jean Mellett, 7525 Humboldt Avenue, asked if she- could mail a letter to
Councilman Luettinger since she could not be present June 14th.
The following were called and were not present:
Clifford G. Lund, 6836 Park Avenue
_ Don Sivinsky, 7614 - 14th Avenue
Mr. & Mrs. Merton Knudson, 6840 Grand Ave.
Dwaine M. Linde, 7544 Bloomington
Roy Glenna, 6608 Clinton Avenue
Mrs. M. C. Krohn, 7639 Penn Avenue
G. L.. Herald, 906 W. 63rd Street
J. P. McDonnell, 6214 Morgan Avenue
Donald Lawson, 6308 E. 68th Street
Lillian Anderson, 6345 - 4th Avenue
John Williams, 6809 Portland, stated each house should be considered individually.
In September of 1971 the house was purchased for $36,000. Now the evaluation is
$38,000. He feels his property should be assessed on what he paid for it.
A motion was made by Jacobsen, seconded by Luettinger, to direct the assessing
department to make an assessment of the house and present it to the council.
All ayes ~ Carried.
Lloyd Walstad, 6635 Nicollet Avenue, stated that in October of 1968 he paid
$19,500 for the property and has since added a garage that cost $1,600. His new
evaluation is $28,100 which is much higher than a realtors opinion he had obtained
setting the market value at $24,000 or $25,000.
A motion was made by Anderson, seconded by Jacobsen, to sustain the assessor's
valuation. All ayes - Carried.
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June 7, 1972
.. Vernon Blank, 709 Graham, stated his evaluation was high because a new buyer
would be influenced by the three commercia]; buildings surrounding his property.
A. motion made by Jacobsen, seconded by Kenealey, to decrease the evaluation
at 709 Graham Avenue from $21,400 to $20,60Q. A11 ayes - Carried. -
Richard Ziemer, 6229 Xerxes Avenue, spoke on the property at 6227-29 Xerxes and
6400 and 6404 Vincent. He presented the council with four pages of data on comparable
properties.
A-motion was made by Luettinger, seconded by Jacobsen, to accept the information
and to act on it at a later date. A11 ales - Carried.
A motion was made by Jacobsen, seconded by Luettinger, to ad3ourn until Wednesday,
June 14, 1972, at 7:00 p.m.
Date Approved:
Thomas J., gran City Clerk
~• Mana er
or g
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June 26, 1972