Meeting Minutes for April 12, 2005

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL

APRIL 12, 2005

The Mayor Skalko called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Allen Nelson, Dale Irish, Ed Roskoski, and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Jill M. Forseen, Municipal Services Secretary; John Jokinen, St. Louis County; David Sipola, St. Louis County; Cindy Okstad, St. Louis County; Mel Hintz, St. Louis County; Fred Hyppa, St. Louis County; and Dan Christianson, St. Louis County. 

John Jokinen, Residential Appraiser for Saint Louis County, advised the City Council that all of the residential property was re-evaluated in Mountain Iron. Cindy Okstad, Commercial Appraiser for Saint Louis County, said that the commercial property was re-evaluated in Mountain Iron in 2004.

Glen Avikainen, 8750 Fairview Lane, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0055-00300, said that his valuation had increased from $62,800 in 2004 to $69,600 in 2005. He said that had not made any improvements to the home and it currently needs a new roof and siding. Mr. Jokinen said that the property was listed as in fair condition. Mr. Sipola said that the homeowner was not home when he evaluated his property, so he did not view the inside of the home. 

It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Skalko to have parcel 175-0055-00300 re-evaluated by the County Assessor and make a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Dan and Mary Jo Miettunen, 8739 Fairview Lane, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0055-01450, said that their valuation had increased from $56,900 in 2004 to $65,000 in 2005. He said that they have not made any improvements to the home. Mr. Jokinen said that the County classified the property as below average quality condition, 1960�s era, and in average condition. 

It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko to have parcel 175-0055-01450 re-evaluated by the County Assessor and make a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Jim Techar, 5497 Coral Lane, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0063-00160, said that the valuation had increased from $149,500 in 2004 to $194,200 in 2005. He stated that he had receipts for construction materials in the amount of $153,700 and he completed some of the labor on the house himself. He said that the basement is not finish and the yard is not landscape. He said the property that is immediately across the street from him sold for $169,700. 

It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to have parcel 175-0063-00160 re-evaluated by the St. Louis County Assessor and make a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Matt Kishel, 5483 Bluebell Avenue, Virginia, Parcel Code 175-0013-00170, questioned how the calculations were made and stated that it was unfair to compare the homes with the sales in the area. He said that his property value went from $59,900 in 2004 to $68,000 in 2005. 

It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to have parcel 175-0013-00170 re-evaluated by the St. Louis County Assessor and make a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Brad Hamilton, 8433 Mud Lake Road, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0071-01530, said that his valuation went from $58,600 in 2004 to $98,700 in 2005. He said that he is remodeling the house, which was built in 1966, and it will take approximately five to six years to finish the remodeling. He said that his property is located on Mud Lake.

It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko to have parcel 175-0071-01530 re-evaluated by the St. Louis County Assessor and make a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Robert Kohler, 8764 Merritt Place, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0055-01830, said that his valuation went from $62,800 in 2004 to $80,600 in 2005. He said that the garage cement floor is cracked and he has a leak in his basement. 

It was moved by Irish and supported by Skalko to have parcel 175-0055-01830 re-evaluated by the St. Louis County Assessor and make a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

William Buria, 5440 Garden Drive, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0055-02400, said that the valuation went from $74,800 in 2004 to $88,200 in 2005. He said that he purchased the house on a foreclosure. The County Assessor said that no one was home when he did his evaluation.

It was moved by Skalko and supported by Roskoski to have parcel 175-0055-02400 re-evaluated by the St. Louis County Assessor and make a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Steve Papin, 5456 Park Drive, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0055-00060, said that the valuation went from $56,100 in 2004 to $62,700 in 2005. He said that he purchased the property through a foreclosure and he paid $33,000 for the property. The County Assessor said that no one was home when he did his evaluation. 

It was moved by Skalko and supported by Prebeg to have parcel 175-0055-00060 re-evaluated by the St. Louis County Assessor and make a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Gale Claesson, 4836 Butler Road, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0071-05035, said that the valuation went from $89,000 in 2004 to $105,900 in 2005. She said that there have been no improvements made to the property and they own 12 acres of land. 

It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skalko to have parcel 175-0071-05035 re-evaluated by the St. Louis County Assessor and make a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Susan Berglund, 8749 Mud Lake Road, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0070-01510, sent a letter questioning the large increase in her property value. Her valuation went from $129,400 in 2004 to $187,900 in 2005. The County Assessor said that there were some questions concerning her property regarding whether the home was constructed on a slab versus a foundation. The County Assessor said there was also an error on her land valuation. 

It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to have parcel 175-0071-5035 re-evaluated by the St. Louis County Assessor and make a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Peter Cerkvenik, 5376 Mineral Avenue, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0070-01645, a letter questioning the property valuation increasing from $105,800 in 2004 to $117,700 in 2005. 

It was moved by Skalko and supported by Roskoski to have parcel 175-0070-01645 re-evaluated by the St. Louis County Assessor and make a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried

Ronald and Shirley Klabunde, 1601 South 11th Street South, Virginia, Parcel Code 175-0065-01050, a letter questioning the property valuation increasing from $36,200 in 2004 to $53,300 in 2005.

It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to have parcel 175-0065-01050 re-evaluated by the St. Louis County Assessor and make a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Thomas Nikolanci, 8821 Unity Drive, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0070-01325, questioned his valuation increasing from $137,700 in 2004 to $247,200 in 2005.

It was moved by Skalko and supported by Irish to have parcel 175-0070-01325 re-evaluated by the St. Louis County Assessor and make a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

At 7:32 p.m., it was moved by Irish and supported by Skalko to recess the Board of Review meeting until 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 18, 2005. The motion carried.