Meeting Minutes for April 24, 2001

MOUNTAIN IRON CITY COUNCIL BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING

Mayor Brunfelt called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Stephen Skogman, Joe Matanich, Ed Roskoski, and Mayor Mitchell Brunfelt. Also present were: Jill M. Forseen, Municipal Services Secretary; Rick Vidmar, Residential Real Estate Appraiser for Saint Louis County; Mel Hintz, Appraiser for Saint Louis County; Cindy Okstad, Commercial Real Estate Appraiser for Saint Louis County; Dan Christianson, Assistant Saint Louis County Assessor; John Jokinen, Appraiser for Saint Louis County; and Mary Durward, Saint Louis County Assessor.

Dan Christianson advised the Board that Mountain Iron had been entirely re-appraised. He said that the total market value went from $65,907,800 to $72,693,200 to the value of Mountain Iron. Mr. Christianson advised the audience of the procedures that would be followed for the meeting and the appeal process.

The Mayor informed the audience that when the Board of Review will recess today and will reconvene on Monday, May 7, 2001 at 6:30 p.m.

Pete Cerkvenik, 5376 Mineral Avenue, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0070-01645, said that there was a significant increase in the valuation. The valuation went from $88,000 in 2000 to $122,200 for 2001. He said that he has not made any improvements to his home and it currently needs siding, a new roof, and has some structural cracks in it. It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to direct the County Assessor to re-evaluate parcel 175-0070-01645 and bring a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Daniel Riccio, 5314 Mineral Avenue, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0070-01651, doesn’t believe his house is worth the value that has been placed on it. The valuation went from $96,000 in 2000 to $98,600 in 2001. It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Prebeg to direct the County Assessor to re-evaluate parcel 175-0070-01645 and bring a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Tammy Hejda, 401 2nd Street, Parkville, Parcel Code 175-0051-00690, said that there was a significant increase in the valuation. The valuation went from $74,300 in 2000 to $110,500 in 2001. She said that on the assessor�s field card her basement was listed as 25% unfinished, she said that the basement is unfinished. She said that the valuation should be lower for the condition of the neighborhood. It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to direct the County Assessor to re-evaluate parcel 175-0051-00690 and bring a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Rod Erchul, 5 Park Drive, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0055-00420, valuation went from $102,700 in 2000 to $110,600 to 2001. He said the home needs a new roof, no improvements have been made recently and the basement is only partially finished. It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to direct the County Assessor to re-evaluate parcel 175-0055-00420 and bring a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Frank Buffetta, 27 Fairview Lane, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0055-00920, estimated market value went from $97,800 in 2000 to $111,200 in 2001. The Board said they would take it under advisement and would make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

Beth Grahek, 18 Garden Drive, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0055-01295, valuation went from $77,200 in 2000 to $91,000 in 2001. She said that there have been no changes or improvements made on the home in the last year. She said that the home needs new windows, carpeting, kitchen flooring, and the basement is 40% complete. The County Appraiser said that the home is listed as having 840 square feet. The County Appraiser said that this was one of the parcels that was adjusted last year from $83,300 to $77,200. The Board said they would take it under advisement and would make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

Gale Claesson, 4836 Butler Road, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0071-05035, valuation went from $81,000 in 2000 to $89,200 in 2001. The County Appraiser said that he felt that he appraised the house fairly. The Board said they would take it under advisement and would make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

Dennis Benz, 5207 Mineral Avenue, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0071-03034, said he bought the house four years ago and the valuation has gone up $50,700 since he purchased it. The valuation went from $115,600 in 2000 to $133,900 in 2001. The County Appraiser said that Mr. Benz paid $120,000 for the property. Mr. Benz said that the home needs new windows and siding and the home is 26 years old. The Board said they would take it under advisement and make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

Tony Perpich, 123 Spruce Drive, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0012-00130, valuation went from $113,400 in 2000 to $126,300 in 2001. Mr. Perpich said that he had the house re-appraised 1 � years ago and the value was significantly lower. It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Prebeg to direct the County Appraiser to re-evaluate parcel 175-0012-00130 and bring a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Tom Nikolanci, 80 Park Drive, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0070-01325, valuation went from $125,800 in 2000 to $145,600 in 2001. Mr. Nikolanci said that the home is seven years old, 1580 square foot rambler with three bedrooms and two baths, basement is unfinished and the home has cracks from the blasting. He said that he has 28 acres. The Board said they would take it under advisement and make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

Rainer Makirinne, 4917 Spirit Lake Road, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0058-00100, valuation went from $120,100 in 2000 to $150,100 in 2001. He said that the house is 20 years old and the valuation is too high. The Board said they would take it under advisement and make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

Paul Jarvi, 4913 Spirit Lake Road, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0058-00210, valuation went from $11,200 in 2000 to $12,200 in 2001 and Parcel Code 175-0058-00110, valuation went from $96,100 in 2000 to $122,100 in 2001. He said that he has a small house with a tuck under garage that was built in 1984. It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skogman to have the County Appraiser re-evaluate parcels 175-0058-00210 and 00110 and bring a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Pentti Mahonen, 4929 Spirit Lake Road, Mountain Iron, Parcel 175-0058-00080, valuation went from $104,900 in 2000 to $121,200 in 2001 and Parcel Code 175-0058-00180, valuation went from $10,200 in 2000 to $11,100 in 2001. Mr. Mahonen reminded the Board about the septic systems problems in the area of Spirit Lake Road because of where the road was placed. The Board said that they would take it under advisement and make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

Joe Giru, corner of Mud Lake Road and Highway 169, Parcel Code 175-0071-00950, valuation was $74,700 in 2000 and 2001. The County Commercial Appraiser said that Mr. Giru paid $90,000 for the property. The County Commercial Appraiser said that she could provide of list of sales of land in the area. The Board said that they would take it under advisement and make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

Hubert Johnson, 4701 Elbow Lake Road, Iron, Parcel Code 175-0071-05000, valuation was $7,300 in 2000 and $15,300 in 2001. He said that there is more swampland than designated. The County Assessor said that he would take a walk on the property. It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to direct the County Appraiser to re-evaluate parcel 175-0071-05000 and bring a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Hubert Johnson, 4701 Elbow Lake Road, Iron, Parcel Code 175-0071-05000, withdrew his appeal.

John Meglen, 8657 Highway 101, Iron, Parcel Code 175-0072-00012, valuation was $110,300 in 2000 to $124,600 in 2001. He said that the house is 20 years old. The Board said that they would take it under advisement and make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

Val Carpenter, 4884 Butler Road, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0071-05028, valuation went from $90,400 in 2000 to $105,100 in 2001. The County Appraiser advised the Board that this was one of the properties that the Board reduced last year. It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skogman to have the County Appraiser re-evaluate parcel 175-0071-05028 and bring a recommendation to the board. The motion carried.

Glen Avikainen, 40 Fairview Lane, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0055-00300, valuation went from $58,000 in 2000 to $66,300 in 2001. He said his home needs work. It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to direct the County Appraiser to re-evaluate parcel 175-0055-00300 and bring a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Mary Lynn Golobich, 1107 23rd Avenue West, Virginia, Parcel Code 175-0069-00370, valuation went from $100,200 in 2000 to $114,400 in 2001. She said that the home is 26 years old, two-story, with a partially finished basement. It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to have the County Appraiser re-evaluate parcel 175-0069-00370 and bring a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Gary Pagliaccetti, 1110 21st Avenue West, Virginia, Parcel Code 175-0069-00620, valuation went from $202,800 in 2000 to $253,200 in 2001. He said that the home has 2,263 square feet of living area. The County Appraiser said they could run a comparable value of homes in the area. The Board said that they would take it under advisement and make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

At 8:47 p.m., Councilor Roskoski left the meeting.

At 8:50 p.m. Councilor Roskoski re-entered the meeting.

Barb Fivecoate, 1106 23rd Avenue West, Virginia, Parcel Code 175-0069-00410, valuation went from $97,900 in 2000 to $118,000 in 2001. The house is 1,584 square feet and the basement is not finished. It was moved by Matanich and supported by Prebeg to direct the County Appraiser to re-evaluate the property and bring a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Elizabeth Spragg, 1102 23rd Avenue West, Virginia, Parcel Code 175-0069-00390, left the meeting before addressing the Board.

Corrine S. Eden, 315 2nd Street, Parkville, Parcel Code 175-0051-00350, valuation went from $46,900 in 2000 to $62,500 in 2001. It was moved by Skogman and supported by Prebeg to direct the County Appraiser to re-evaluate the property and bring a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Margaret Pelkey, 416 2nd Street, Parkville, Parcel Code 175-0051-00570, valuation went from $1,200 in 2000 to $4,100 in 2001, and Parcel Code 175-0051-00580, valuation went from 86,500 in 2000 to $125,300 in 2001. She said that the home is a doublewide mobile home that is five years old with no basement. The County Appraiser said that the home needs to be re-calculated as a doublewide mobile home.

At 9:05 p.m., Councilor Skogman left the meeting.

Councilor Prebeg advised Al Pelkey to contact the Director of Public Works regarding water problems in the area.

At 9:08 p.m. Councilor Skogman re-entered the meeting.

The Board said that they would take the Pelkey parcels, 175-0051-00570 & 00580, under advisement and make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

Gerald Maki, 413 2nd Street, Parkville, Parcel Code 175-0051-00660, valuation went from $97,400 in 2000 to $121,100 in 2001. It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skogman to direct the County Appraiser to re-evaluate the property and bring a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Al Stanaway, 5154 Spirit Lake Road, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0071-02550, valuation went from $138,000 in 2000 to $156,800 in 2001. He said that a lot of his property is lowland, with 36� acres over half is swamp. He said that he had his property appraised and the value came in at $10,000 less than the estimated market value. The Board said that they would take it under advisement and would make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

Al Flaschberger, 110 3rd Avenue, Parkville, Parcel Code 175-0051-00030, valuation went from $47,200 in 2000 to $52,900 in 2001. The County Appraiser said that the house has 848 square feet of living space. It was moved by Skogman and supported by Roskoski to direct the County Appraiser to re-evaluate the property and bring a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Gary Rikala, 313 1st Street, Parkville, Parcel Code 175-0051-00150, valuation went from $36,400 in 2000 to $64,200 in 2001. He requested that a re-appraisal be completed. It was moved by Skogman and supported by Roskoski to direct the County Appraiser to re-evaluate the property and bring a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Eugene Specht, 103 Spruce Drive, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0012-00020, valuation went from $97,800 in 2000 to $101,600 in 2001. The County Appraiser said that he made a reduction of 10% on their property value because of the Group Home across the street from them. The Board said that they would take it under advisement and would make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

Roger Koski, 901 20th Avenue West, Virginia, Parcel Code 175-0013-00110, valuation went $67,500 in 2000 to $83,100, he requested an interior inspection. It was moved by Roskoski and supported by Skogman to direct the County Appraiser to re-evaluate the property and bring a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

The following appealed in writing:

August Kujala, 405 2nd Street, Parkville, Parcel Code 175-0051-00680, valuation went from $56,400 in 2000 to $65,200 in 2001. It was moved by Skogman and supported by Matanich to reduce the value of the land by $3,000, for a total valuation of $62,200. The motion carried.

John Kendall, Kendal Lake, for the following parcels:

Parcel Code 2000 Valuation 2001 Valuation

175-0071-04800 $7,600 $18,800

175-0071-04830 $5,900 $13,500

175-0071-04940 $4,100 $ 7,300

The Board said that they would take the John Kendall parcels under advisement and would make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

Jeff Skaudis, vacant land north of Minntac, Parcel Code 175-0090-00835, valuation went from $5,300 in 2000 to $13,000 in 2001. There is 30 acres of property. The Board said that they would take the request under advisement and would make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

Bruce Fox, Floor to Ceiling, 10 Enterprise Drive North, Virginia, for the following parcels:

Parcel Code 2000 Valuation 2001 Valuation

175-0032-00170 391,800 412,000

175-0032-00180 63,300 63,300

The County Commercial Appraiser said that she would review the property and make a recommendation to the Board for action when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

Larry Tokarczyk, 25 Fairview Lane, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0055-00930, valuation went from $163,300 in 2000 to $191,100 in 2001. The County Appraiser said that there is 1,410 square feet of living area. The Board said that they would take the request under advisement and would make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

Rose Rynes, 1109 22nd Avenue West, Virginia, Parcel Code 175-0069-00480, valuation went from $100,700 in 2000 to $107,300 in 2001. The County Appraiser said that she has 1,900 square feet of living area. The County Appraiser said that he would rework the figures on her home to see if that would make a difference. The Board said that they would take the request under advisement and would make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

Larry Johnson, 5425 Mineral Avenue, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0059-00060, valuation went from $97,000 in 2000 to $119,600 in 2001. There is 1,500 square feet of living area. It was moved by Matanich and supported by Roskoski to direct the County Appraiser to re-evaluate the property and bring a recommendation to the Board. The motion carried.

Harold McGregor, 4860 Butler Road, Mountain Iron, Parcel Code 175-0071-05023, valuation went from $141,000 in 2000 to $147,000 in 2001. The Board said that they would take the request under advisement and would make a decision when the Board reconvenes on May 7, 2001.

At 10:00 p.m., the Board of Review recessed until 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 7, 2001.