Reconvened Regular City Council Meeting

Reconvened Local Board of Adjustment and Equalization Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

The recessed regular meeting of the Mazeppa City Council and Local Board of Adjustment and Equalization reconvened at 6:00 PM by Mayor Chris Hagfors.

Pledge of allegiance was said.

Present:             Mayor Chris Hagfors. Council Persons Steve Liffrig, Mike Hammes, Dustin Wiebusch, and Erica Young.

Others Present:  City Administrator Clerk Karl Nahrgang, Eva Van DeWalker, John Clemens, Josh Skattum, Dale Matthees, and John Gruhlke.

Attending via electronic meeting:  Wabasha County Assessor Jean Meyer.

Motion by Hammes, second by Liffrig to approve the agenda and addendum. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to close the regular Council meeting and open Board of Equalization Hearing. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Regular meeting closed and Board of Equalization Hearing was convened at 6:02 PM.

Jean Meyer from Wabasha County Assessor’s office gave a brief explanation of purpose of the B.O.E. meeting and the responsibility of the Board of Equalization. Meyer also gave statistics explaining the general increase within the City of Mazeppa and that recent sales have moved the average market price significantly higher.

Wabasha County experienced a 5% increase in market value of 5%.

Base market value within the City of Mazeppa was 15%.

Newer subdivisions in the City of Mazeppa increased by 33%.

There may have been some equalizations in frontage formulas within neighborhoods within the City.

A property owner asked several questions about the increase in value on a property including if a property or properties next to the property in question were in a state of disrepair, would that affect the neighboring properties.

Ms. Meyer said that if a property were located next to a business or industrial area, it may affect the value, but not necessarily by a property in disrepair.

A second resident asked for Ms. Meyer to clarify why frontages were to be reviewed if the older part of Mazeppa has nearly identical frontages.

Ms. Meyer replied that the County double checks the formula for valuing lot frontage to be sure every property has been updated,

Parcel R23.00283.00. Owner requested that the value be reviewed. His December 2021 property appraisal was less than the 2022 market value listed. Ms. Meyer agreed to review his appraisal documentation and bring it to the appeals board at the County level.

Motion by Wiebusch, second by Hammes to not change 2022 valuation on parcel R23.00283.00. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Parcel R23.00283.27. Owner stated that the building on this property no longer houses a business and is being used as storage only. Ms. Meyer stated that she must talk with the person in the Assessor’s office that deals with commercial properties to determine what, if any adjustments can be made. This will be reviewed at the appeals board at the County level.

Motion by Young, second by Liffrig to not change 2022 valuation on parcel R23.00283.27. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Parcel R23.00242.06. Owner contacted Assessor’s office before LBAE meeting to question 2022 increase in value. An error was found in value calculation.

Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to approve change in 2022 valuation on parcel R23.00242.06 from $337,100 to $277,000. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Parcel R23.00095.00. Owner contacted Assessor’s office before LBAE meeting to question 2022 increase in value. An error was found in value calculation.

Motion by Young, second by Wiebusch to approve change in 2022 valuation on parcel R23.00095.00 from $248,100 to $132,100. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Parcel R23.00211.00. Owner contacted County Assessor’s office before LBAE meeting. Ms. Meyer said that since this was one of the sales that was used in the market value calculations, it could not be changed, but may be eligible for adjustment in future years due to the condition of the structure.

Motion by Young, second by Wiebusch to not change 2022 valuation on parcel R23.00211.00. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Parcel R23.00149.00. Owner questioned the amount of increase in valuation for 2022 when the property has experienced substantial value increases multiple increases over consecutive years. Ms. Meyer stated she would have to consult the individual that works with the commercial property valuations in the Assessor’s office and contact the parcel owner for possible adjustment at the board of appeals at the County level.

Motion by Wiebusch, second by Liffrig to close the Local Board of Adjustment and Equalization hearing. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

LBAE closed at 7:05 PM.

Motion by Wiebusch, second by Young to open the regular Council meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Regular Council meeting re-opened at 7:06 PM.

No presenter available for preliminary plat request.

Motion by Young, second by Hammes to table Olson preliminary plat. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Motion by Young, Second by Wiebusch to adjourn the meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Carried.

Meeting recessed at 7:11 PM.

Next meeting: 6:00 PM, May 11, 2022 for the regular Mazeppa City Council meeting.