BOARD OF REVIEW Minutes 071701
BOARD OF REVIEW
CITY OF MUSKEGO
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD JULY 17, 2001
The Board of Review of the City of Muskego was called to order by City Clerk-Treasurer
Jean Marenda at 9:12 AM. Also present were Board Members Lynda Guhr, Henry
Posbrig and Charlotte Stewart, Atty. John Macy representing the Board, Assessor Laura
Mecha, Reid Terry of Cole Layer Trumble (CLT), and Mark Link of CLT (arrived 9:22
AM).
Clerk-Treasurer Marenda stated the meeting was noticed in accordance with the open
meeting law.
Charlotte Stewart nominated Lynda Guhr as Chairman. Henry Posbrig seconded. As
there were no other nominations, Lynda Guhr was elected Chairman.
Chairman Guhr assumed the chair. Lynda Guhr nominated Henry Posbrig as Vice
Chairman. Charlotte Stewart seconded. As there were no other nominations, Henry
Posbrig was elected Vice Chairman.
Clerk-Treasurer Marenda noted that the three Board members present have met the
mandatory training requirements.
The assessment roll and sworn statements from the Clerk were received by the Board.
Assessor Mecha reported the assessed value increased from $1,243,812,860 in 2000,
including real and personal property but without manufacturing, to $1,487,338,110 in
2001.
CLT representative Reid Terry stated he will present testimony on the commercial
properties, and Mark Link will be present for the other properties. He advised that
informal hearings and an open book period were held.
Chairman Guhr noted that the Board may need to hear the objections and deliberate at
a later time because there may be a lack of a quorum at some hearings and time will
have to be allowed for others to listen to the tapes and review exhibits. The Board
determined that when a quorum is present to hear the objections they will deliberate at
the conclusion of the hearing if time allows. Atty. Macy noted there was a potential of a
special Council meeting tonight to appoint another alternate to avoid the lack of quorum
situation. If that occurs, he recommended that possibly the Board would hear the cases
and deliberate later in order to give the new member an opportunity to get a better
understanding of the process. Clerk-Treasurer noted that it’s a possibility that if there is
a prospective alternate to be appointed tonight that he or she may be able to attend the
hearings this afternoon to observe the process before serving tonight.
Atty. Macy also noted that if someone objects to some testimony or exhibit, in the past it
has been the Board’s procedure that the Chairman will state that we understand your
objection and it’s noted for the record and will be accepted for what it’s worth. It’s not
worth fighting over was it hearsay, or wasn’t it; but during deliberations you need to note
that, for example, an appraisal was submitted, but the appraiser wasn’t here to be cross
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July 17, 2001
examined, so it’s difficult to determine what weight should be given it. However, if
there’s a strong feeling by the Board they may exclude it by motion and vote.
Clerk-Treasurer Marenda noted that Notices of Intent forms were filed for all the
Objection forms filed and scheduled for hearing. She noted that now we’re starting to
get Notices of Intent that were not filed 48 hours prior to the first meeting of the Board.
CLT Representative Mark Link asked to be heard to familiarize the Board with the
documents he will be using as part of the exhibits. A sample property record card and
sales comparable sheet were reviewed. Each category was explained in detail. He
noted there are 7,350 residential properties. At the informal appeal process, there were
about 390 Open Book cases. 174 were changed based on evidence presented, and
214 had no change. Each property owner was presented with their property record card
and sales comparable sheet.
Assessor Mecha explained the information made available to those who appeared at
Open Book as well as others who inquired about their assessment. A lot of information
was made available in person and over the phone.
The Board accepted the schedule of appointments as prepared by the Clerk. Clerk-
Treas. Marenda stated more objections are being filed as the Board is still in session.
The Board asked for review of those who had not filed the intent 48 hours prior to the
first meeting of the Board. The first is David and Patricia Kielpinski, W175 S7217 Lake
Drive, filed 7/16/01. Intent stated they were out of town and unable to return the form
Saturday or Sunday due to out of town for family medical reason. The Board found
good cause shown and directs the Clerk to schedule the Objection for a hearing.
Hoppe/Weiner, S75 W19020 Circle Dr., filed 7/16/01. Intent stated saw 7/17/01 date
and thought that’s when form had to be filed, and noticed over the weekend it should be
filed 48 hours prior to that date. Board found good cause shown and directs the Clerk
to schedule the Objection for a hearing.
Heger-Casey, W188 S7718 Oak Grove Dr. filed 7/16/01. Intended to file Friday, but
due to a meeting at work this was not possible. Therefore dropped off Monday morning
at 8:00 AM. Board found good cause shown and directs the Clerk to schedule the
Objection for a hearing.
The Board directed the Clerk to set additional hearings for the evenings of July 23rd and
July 26th.
The Board determined that the assessment roll would be reviewed between hearing
cases.
The following objections were heard by the Board, with the Board deliberating and the
Clerk providing the Notice of Determination to the taxpayers:
Shan Mason, W190 S7066 Wentland Dr.
Thomas W. Duelge, W186 S9190 Racine Ave.
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July 17, 2001
The Board recessed for lunch.
For the afternoon session, present were Board Members Lynda Guhr and Charlotte
Stewart, Atty. Eric Larson representing the Board, Assessor Laura Mecha, CLT
representative Mark Link and Clerk-Treasurer Jean Marenda. The Board heard the
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following objections, with deliberations to take place on Monday, July 23 after Board
Member Henry Posbrig listens to the recording and reviews exhibits. Notice of
Determinations to be mailed to the taxpayers.
Jack and Mary Ann Ronchetto, W176 S7509 Harbor Circle
James Samolinski, W132 S6493 Saroyan Ct.
Janina and Jerzy Zurko, W207 S8008 Hillendale Dr.
James G. Parnau, S75 W13153 Oxford Ct.
Howard Schneider, W186 S6850 Jewel Crest Dr.
It was noted that the appointment for Steven and Elizabeth Eberhardt, S103 W20677
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Heather Lane. was cancelled and would be discussed on July 18.
The Board recessed for supper.
For the evening session, present were Board Members Lynda Guhr and Henry Posbrig,
Atty. Eric Larson representing the Board, Assessor Laura Mecha, CLT representative
Mark Link and Clerk-Treasurer Jean Marenda. The Board heard the following
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objections, with deliberations to take place on Monday, July 23 after Board Member
Charlotte Stewart listens to the recording and reviews exhibits. Notice of
Determinations to be mailed to the taxpayers
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Walter A. Machulak, W124 S10077 S. 124 St.
Michael and Annette DuPlanty, W165 S7423 Bellview Dr.
Donald J. Ewald, W125 S8456 Country View Ct., was scheduled but did not appear.
Mr. Ewald withdrew his objection by phone.
The Board adjourned to 9:00 AM on Wednesday, July 18, 2001 to continue hearing
objections.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean K. Marenda, CMC
Clerk-Treasurer
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(An audio recording of the entire proceedings will be on file in the Clerk-Treasurer’s
office for seven years)