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Mr. Bash stressed the importance of determining whether the assessment policy complies with <br />State statute, which does not care about highest and best use. He added the final test will be to <br />comply with State statute by determining whether the property value increased. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated he agrees but for the sake of due diligence, the consultant will <br />review the assessments and provide an opinion. <br /> <br />Mr. Bash stated the consultant will not provide a full real estate proposal on all the properties, <br />because this is a commercial area. <br /> <br />City Engineer Westby stated it is difficult to be equitable because lots are different sizes and <br />shapes, but there are many ways of applying assessments. He added he referred to truck traffic <br />because it is accepted that one truck has as much roadway impact as 4,000 passenger vehicles. <br /> <br />Councilmember Shryock asked whether Connexus is being assessed on different tax levels for <br />separate lots, or if it is one assessment. <br /> <br />Mr. Bash stated Connexus is the largest taxpayer in the City of Ramsey. He added property <br />taxes are paid by Connexus electric poles, wires and transformers, in addition to property. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated the Committee is in agreement with what Mr. Bash has to say, <br />and the assessment policy must be fair. He added the consultant will provide a valuation, and the <br />Committee will make a recommendation to the City Council. <br /> <br />City Engineer Westby stated the Connexus parcel is unique in that it has access to both Ramsey <br />Boulevard and Bunker Lake Boulevard. He added the property could have been split, and the <br />assessed property value would have been commensurate with two separate properties. <br /> <br />Councilmember Johns asked how commercial properties with multiple driveways are assessed. <br />Westby stated this is an unusual case, and generally parcels with multiple accesses are <br />residential. <br /> <br />Councilmember Johns thanked Mr. Bash, adding it is a valid point and the Committee is happy <br />to discuss it. He added there are nine other businesses involved, and City staff will review <br />County assessments and values <br /> <br />City Engineer Westby stated assessment rolls must be filed with Anoka County in November <br />2017, or the process for collecting assessments will be on hold for a year. <br /> <br />Mr. Bash thanked the Councilmembers for their time and attention. <br /> <br />Councilmember Johns stated she appreciates the feedback, as the commercial campus and <br />roadway is a difficult and unique project, and feedback and comments are greatly appreciated. <br /> <br />5.02: Improving Pedestrian Crosswalk Visibility in the COR <br /> <br />Public Works Committee / September 19, 2017 <br />Page 4 of 11 <br /> <br />