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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/26/1987 Council Minutes (2)1 1 1 1 SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MAY 26, 1987 A special meeting of the Lino Lakes City Council was called to order by Mayor Benson at 6:13 P.M. Council Members present: Reinert, Bisel, Marier. Council Members absent: Bohjanen. City Administrator, Randy Schumacher and Clerk - Treasurer, Marilyn Anderson were also present. Mayor Benson explained the purpose of this special meeting was to interview candidates for the City Assessor position. Mr. Schumacher told the Council that he advertised the position in the St. Paul, Minneapolis and local papers. He had narrowed the candidates down to three and one of these three has since indicated that he is not interested in the position. The two candidates are Gregory Johnson and David Anderson. Mr. Gregory Johnson from Cambridge, Minnesota was the first candidate interviewed. Mr. Johnson gave his experience in this field and also his educational background. He has been in the real estate field for nine years and has experience with commercial construction. He also received his appraisal certificate in 1981 and has continued his ed- ucation in this field. He has worked part time for the City of Osseo for three years and currently works for Isanti County in the assessors office. He will be finishing his assessors degree at Anoka Ramsey Community College and plans to attend Metro University or Concordia College for a Bachelors Degree. He does plan to stay in this field after receiving his degree. Mr. Reinert asked Mr. Johnson if he had any experience with green acres. Mr. Johnson explained that Isanti County has many thousands of acres of green acres. He also noted that he has worked abatements and green acres payback. Mr. Bisel asked since his home is in Cambridge, what would he see as disadvantages in the Lino Lakes position. Mr. Johnson said the telephone. He has looked into the possibility of getting a watts line. This will be no problem. Also it is about a forty minute drive to Lino Lakes so he would plan each trip to encompass as much work as possible. Some advantages would be not having any relatives in Lino Lakes, and he could do a good job and not play favorites. Mr. Schumacher asked since Mr. Johnson has a full time position, when would he be doing the Lino Lakes assesment. Mr. Johnson explained, evenings, weekends and his wife would be assisting hint. His wife also has some education in this field. 30 SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MAY 26, 1987 In summary, Mr. Johnson said he felt he would be an assest to this City because of his knowlege in the field, his public relations skills and he believed in a fair taxation process. He also noted he has attended about seven Board of Reviews. Mayor Benson thanked Mr. Johnson for attending this evening and explained that Mr. Schumacher will get back to him with a letter and a telephone call. Mr. Bisel felt Mr. Johnson was personable and outgoing however a metro telephone would be a requirement. David Anderson, Fridley was the second candidate interviewed. Mr. Anderson presented his background to the Council. Mr. Anderson is a graduate of St. Thomas College and a certified assessor. He has worked for Anoka County, Oak Grove Township and Centerville. He has also worked for several lending institutions and has experience as a residential appraiser with First Minnesota. He is currently employed by Ramsey County and has experience with commercial properties particularly with apartments and also commercial and industrial properties. Mr. Reinert noted that Mr. Anderson has moved around somewhat. Mr. Anderson explained he has had three positions since graduating from college and he has moved to better himself. Mr. Marier asked if Mr.Anderson had any agriculture experience. Mr. Anderson explained that Ramsey County has only two farms but he has experience with hobby farms. Mr. Marier asked if he was switching from Ramsey County to Lino Lakes. Mr. Anderson explained that he would continue his present position and do Lino Lakes on weekends and .evenings. Since he did appraisals for Anoka County in Centerville he felt he was fairly familar with Lino Lakes. He has also done mortgage appraisals in Lino Lakes. Mr. Anderson said he would get a separate telephone line and return calls promptly. Mayor Benson asked Mr. Anderson to tell the Council why he would be an asset to Lino Lakes. Mr. Anderson explained he has a wide range of experience, works well with people and will do a good job. Mr. Schumacher asked Mr. Anderson if he would need help to do the Lino Lakes assessments. Mr. Anderson said he probably would and has worked with an individual for several years and this individual would be helping him. Mayor Benson asked what percentage of time would Mr. Anderson spend on the Lino Lakes assessments as compared to the assistant. Mr. Anderson said he would be responsible for the assessment and will take telephone calls. PAGE 2 1 1 1 131 SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MAY 26, 1987 Mayor Benson thanked Mr. Anderson for appearing before the Council tonight and explained that Mr. Schumacher will contact him by telephone and then by letter. Mr. Bisel was concerned that this City would hire Mr. Anderson and then he would contract the entire assessment out to an assistant. Mr. Schumacher explained that because of the time constraint, both Mr. Johnson and Mr. Anderson will have to hire additional help. Mr. Marier was concerned because he felt the residents need the personal contact. Mr. Schumacher felt that both Mr. Anderson and Mr. Johnson will be in the field but will hire additional help to do the book work. Mayor Benson felt the City is still getting personal service and would rather not go with the County. Mr. Reinert said he has the feeling that Mr. Johnson had a higher energy level and could relate to people better. Mr. Bisel felt Mr. Anderson was more low key. Mr. Marier was concerned because either Mr. Anderson or Mr. Johnson could contract out the entire assessment. He would like to see the contract state that the person the Council hired would he in the field at least a certain percentage of the time. Mr. Reinert asked if references had been checked. Mr. Schumacher said no. Mr. Marier was concerned that whomever this Council hires be able to meet with the residents as needed. Mr. Reinert noted that if the County were hired they would send out different people all the time. Mr. Marier asked how many applications for the position were received. Mr. Schumacher said twelve, eight wanted full time positions, one was not qualified, one dropped out and two appeared before the Council. There was further- discussion regarding how much time this individual would spend in the field and how much money is budgeted for this position. Mr. Schumacher asked if he should offer the position to Mr. Anderson with the stipulation that he spend 50% of his time in the field. If he will not do this should he offer the position to Mr. Johnson? Mayor Benson noted that since Mr. Anderson is only fifteen minutes from the City this would be an advantage. Mr. Bisel moved to direct the Administrator to explore the amount of time to be spent by the assessor and if it is at least 50% of the time and he will accept $14,000 for the 1987 assessment and if he is comfortable with the response of the references and the response from previous employers then he has the authority to hire Mr. Anderson. If this does not meet with the requirements of the Council 132 SPECIAL, COUNCIL MEETING MAY 26, 1987 then Mr. Schumacher should follow the same process with Mr. Johnson. Mr. Reinert seconded the motion. Mr. Reinert felt it was extremely important that some checking be done regarding the relationships Mr. Anderson and Mr. Johnson have in their County experience because it is extremely important that the City assessor be able to get along and be competent. There was further discussion regarding the amount of time the assessor spends in the field with Mr. Marier noting that he did not think this Council was going to hire an assessor for 50% of the time. Voting on the motion, motion carried with Mr. Marier voting no. Mayor Benson adjourned the meeting at 7:04 P.M. These minutes were considered and approved this 26th day of May,1987. 111 MAR LY1 G. ANDERSON Clerk - Treasurer Ma or PAGE 4 G.'BEI ON