Minutes
of the
City of Franklin Board Appeal and Equalization Meeting
Monday, April 6, 2009
A Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting was held
on Monday, April 6, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. at the Franklin City Hall. Present were:
Barb Trochlil, Renville County Assessor; Ted Domeier, City Assessor;
City Council Members-Degner, Hoffman, and Munsell; City Staff-Pederson. Guests present were: David Braun, Craig Wepplo,
Bethany McCorquodale, and Paul Forsyth.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor
Degner. Prior to the meeting being
formally called to order Braun questioned Domeier regarding his homestead
status. Trochlil noted that Hoffman is
certified until 2011 and Munsell until 2012.
Wepplo questioned how his valuation of $147,300; the
house is $143,000, the garage is $2,800, and the land is $1,500. Wepplo noted that
he paid $70,000 for the house, about $16,000 for the garage, and $5,000 for the
lot. Domeier
explained that the house is measured at 32’ x 56’ and is assessed per square
foot. Wepplo
stated the dimensions are 28’ x’56’, reducing the house valuation by
$17,560.00. Munsell motioned to approve the corrected dimensions and corresponding
valuation reduction of Wepplo’s house; second by
Hoffman, RCV 3 Yes, 0 No.
McCorquodale questioned
the valuation of her residence, valued at $98,100 for the house, $16,400 for
the garage, and $1,900 for the deck. She
stated the house value had increased from $81,100 to $118,500 and feels it has
lost its value, rather than gain.
McCorquodale questioned the value of her deck, noting there is a formula
based on square footage. Domeier and
Trochlil explained the method of determining valuations is an average of sales,
noting she paid $131,000 and her valuation has decreased from her purchase
price. McCorquodale questioned her
property taxes, it was explained that taxes due not directly deal with
valuations, and was informed that there is an outstanding special assessment on
her property.
Forsyth questioned his
acreage that is timberland and how the tax rates are calculated, which was
explained.
At 2:35 p.m. Hoffman motioned to adjourn, second by Munsell, RCV-3 Yes.
Wendy
Pederson, City Clerk/Treasurer
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR
FRANKLIN
Monday,
April 13, 2009
A Regular Meeting of the Franklin City Council
was held on Monday, April 13, 2009, at 7:00 p.m., at City Hall. Council present were: Degner, Hoffman, Munsell, Schacher, and
Wiese. Staff Department Heads present
were: Degner and Kokesch. Guests present were: Ryan Robinson, Josh Hansen, Andy Kehren, Mark
Dummer, and Tim McGuire.
At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Degner called the meeting to
order and noted roll call showing all council present.
Mayor Degner requested approval of the agenda. Schacher motioned to approve the agenda,
second by Hoffman, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Mayor
Degner called for approval of the minutes of the March 9, 2009 Regular Meeting
and the April 6,
2009 Board of Appeals. Hoffman motioned
to approve the minutes as presented, second by Wiese, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Citizens were
addressed. Ryan Robinson and Josh Hansen
presented the Veteran’s Memorial sketch and plans for the ballpark upgrades to
be completed by July 18th; Degner observed possible frost problems
with the post holes; they are raising funds for the improvements. Hoffman
motioned to approve the plans for the Veterans Memorial Park; second by
Schacher, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No. Mark Dummer reported
that the lagoon road is full of ruts from the tractor and needs repair, city
will take care of repairs; Dummer also noted that he
does not want anymore wood chips or whole trees brought to the burn site.
Andy Kehren, Bolton and Menk, reported on plans for the proposed water and sewer
improvements, noting the 2004 project did not service all of the needs of the
city. Kehren noted that 40% of the water
pumped at the well is not accounted for as well as 3.12 times the metered water
was processed by the sewer plant in 2008.
Munsell motioned to approve
Kehren to submit the Preliminary Engineering Report and the Environmental
Report to USDA, second by Wiese, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
The
financial status of the city was reviewed and current bills were presented for
payment in the amount of $43,674.45; March receipts totaled $29,845.76. Schacher
motioned for approval of the bills and financial report as presented, second by
Hoffman, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Department Heads were addressed. Kokesch reported that the 2008 Drinking Water
Quality Report is available for inspection and posted; the new lawnmower
arrived today; the county is providing dust control at the same costs as last
year, the city has done 3rd Street and some of 1st Ave. Schacher moved and second from Wiese to
approve the same dust control as last year, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No. The council discussed the repairs to be done
at the lagoons. Pederson noted problems
with the city web site.
No
zoning permits were issued.
Tim
McGuire, Clarey’s Safety Equipment, Inc. presented
information about the ambulance and their bid of $126,500.00 for the new
ambulance. McGuire explained some
financing options. Hoffman motioned to approve the Clarey’s
Safety Equipment bid for the new ambulance, second by Schacher, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No. McGuire will
send a draft “Intent to Purchase” contract for Mayor Degner to approve.
The
council did not discuss LGA Cuts or Cooperative Meeting Updates as there was no
news to report.
Summer
recreation was discussed and the council consensus was to try to work with
Morton on the summer recreation program.
Swimming lessons were discussed and the consensus is to continue them at
Morgan and suggest parental supervision on a volunteer basis.
Renville
County Heartland Express requested funding based on the city’s per capita. Munsell
motioned to approve a $200.00 donation to Renville County Heartland Express,
second by Schacher, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Vacant properties were discussed and a draft
Vacant Properties Policy was modified to include commercial property as
well. Wiese motioned to approve the modified Draft Vacant Properties Policy,
second by Hoffman, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Hoffman motioned to
approve and Wiese seconded for Mayor Degner to attend the Mayor’s Conference
and the League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Councilor requests were addressed. Wiese received a request to change the
direction of the stop sign on the intersection 3rd Ave. and 5th
Street and it was noted that traffic would speed in from the gravel road and
this deterred speeding, the council felt no changes should be made.
At 8:59 p.m.,
Mayor Degner called for adjournment, with Hoffman motioning for adjournment,
second by Schacher, RCV-5 Yes, 0 No.
Respectfully Submitted by David Munsell
Transcribed by Wendy Pederson, City
Clerk/Treasurer