April 3 Newsletter from Council Member Lisa Goodman
Friday, April 3, 2020 at 2:53PM
It’s hard to believe that another week has gone by as we all continue to adapt to a new way of living and working in the age of COVID-19. Below are the new updates and resources I’d like to share with you. From the bottom of my heart I hope you and your family are healthy and safe and doing your best to cope at this incredibly challenging time. Know that me and my staff, Patrick and Judy are all here for you and available should you need to reach out.
Lisa Goodman
Message from Park Board Commissioner Jono Cowgill
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Thank you Lisa for graciously allowing space for me to share information regarding park safety in your newsletter to Ward 7 Constituents. This is a critical time and I appreciate the collaboration. Jono Cowgill, Commissioner; Park Board District 4 jcowgill@minneapolisparks.org or 612.283.5630 |
Keeping Our Parks Safe for All
As your Park Board Commissioner and President of the Park Board, I want to take a moment to notify Ward 7 Residents of the Minneapolis Park Board efforts to keep our parks safe and open to all during Governor Walz’ Stay at Home order. During this unprecedented time, it is critical that our parks remain open for people to exercise and it is critical that people using our parks can do so safely. I’d like to offer a few updates and suggestions on how to keep our parks safe.
1. Everyone can help. We all can work on being aware of the space around us and reminding others to have the same consideration. Six feet!
2. Signage reminding people to social distance is going up around the park system. This signage is being placed along popular pathways and in parks.
3. Ambassadors are being deployed at popular park destinations to remind people of social distancing guidelines. These ambassadors are working in coordination with Park Police and MPD.
4. Certain busy parkway locations in the system, including West River Parkway, St Anthony Main, Lake Harriet Parkway, and Nokomis, have been opened for pedestrian use until April 10th. This will allow for park path users at busy locations to spread out at safer distances.
5. Additional measures are being considered to ensure safety for those exercising. As we monitor park use during this time, park staff will be evaluating concerns around groups at playgrounds, soccer fields, beaches, basketball and bocce courts.
If you have questions or ideas, feel free to reach out to me at jcowgill@minneapolisparks.org or by phone at 612.283.5630
Property Tax Notice of Valuation Statements have been Mailed
The City Assessor’s office has mailed out this year’s 2020 Valuation and Classification Notices and since these often generate questions and concern I want to be certain to share a couple of points and the process for filing an appeal should you want to challenge the assessor’s determination.
The biggest point I want to make about these notices is that the values are a backward look based on comparable sales from October 2018 through September 2019.
Last week the City Assessor, Patrick Todd gave a detailed presentation to the Ways and Means committee and you can watch that through this link: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/tv/citycounciltv
Many people ask me about challenging your valuation and if you would like to talk with me prior to talking with the assessor, feel free to reach out to me via email. I’m happy to share what I know and the experience I’ve gained over the years about this process.
The process to appeal is as follows:
If a property owner has questions or disagrees with the classification or valuation
- The first contact should be to the assessor listed on your statement
If a property owner has questions about the homestead status
- Contact homestead@minneapolismn.gov or call 612-673-2483.
Appeal Application
- The appeal application will be available on our department website once the notices have been mailed.
- There are two application options
- online application
- paper application which can be downloaded from our website, printed and either:
- mailed to our office (address is on the notice)
- delivered to our drop box on the 3rd floor of the Public Service Center (Note: This is a change due to the closure of the City of Lakes Building. We will regularly collect the applications for processing.)
Change to inspection procedures
- We will be conducting desktop reviews rather than onsite property inspections.
- The online application allows property owners to attach documents and photos that support their appeal.
- They will also have the opportunity to email the appraiser additional photos or documents.
- If the property owner would prefer, the appraiser can schedule a Skype video conference.
The 2020 Local Board of Appeal and Equalization Convenes May 6, 2020
The Local Board of Appeal and Equalization process is the next option for those that do not agree with the appraiser’s review of their estimated market value. The Local Board hears the appeal from the property owner, the assessor’s office provides the Board their appraisal review and the Board makes a decision on the estimated market value. Because these have been in-person hearings we have already begun conversations with the City Clerk’s Office and our partners at the County and State to discuss a virtual meeting format solution. Once we have those details confirmed we will provide you an update. With the technology we have available and the success witnessed at the Committee and Council meetings, we are confident that we can move our Board meetings to a virtual setting.
Mapping Tax Increases Across Minneapolis
Neighborhood 2020 Public Comment Period Has Been Extended
The Neighborhood & Community Relations Department announced this week that the public comment period on the Neighborhoods 2020 program guidelines has been extended 90 days until July 15, 2020. The guidelines are now expected to go before City Council for a vote by mid-August.
Hennepin Avenue Downtown Road Construction Starting Spring Work Early
With the early spring weather and with social distancing due to COVID-19 leaving downtown quieter than usual, road and sidewalk construction on Hennepin Avenue downtown will begin next week from 7th St. to 12th St.
Utility work including Xcel, fiber, water, and storm sewer work will continue on all areas of the project, and is nearing completion on the south end of the project from 7th to 12th streets. The utility and development work is now ramping up on the north end of the project.
Income Tax Deadline Extensions
Both the IRS and the Minnesota Department of Revenue are extending the 2019 tax return deadline for individual income tax returns and payments until July 15, 2020, without assessing penalties or interest.
- The FEDERAL extension includes businesses and 2020 estimated tax payments
- The STATE extension includes all estimated and other tax payments for tax year 2019 that would otherwise be due April 15, 2020. It does not include estimated tax payments for 2020.
- The STATE has not changed filing dates for Corporation Franchise, S Corporation, Partnership or Fiduciary taxes; however, these taxpayers may qualify for an automatic filing extension.
Governor Walz Signs Executive Order for Eviction Moratorium
The moratorium suspends evictions beginning March 24th at 5pm
- Except for cases where the tenant seriously endangers the safety of other residents or for violations of Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 504B.171, subdivision 1.
The Moratorium also requests that financial institutions place a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions related to COVID-19 impact
- “related evictions when the foreclosure or foreclosure-related eviction arises out of a substantial decrease in income or substantial out of pocket medical expenses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, or any local, state or federal governmental response to COVID-19. Financial institutions are also strongly urged not to impose late fees or other penalties for late mortgage payments related to the COVID-19 pandemic. “
The Minnesota Housing website has more details, including a Frequently Asked Questions document.
Summary of Executive Order 20-14
Frequently Asked Questions about Executive Order 20-14
Executive Order 20-14: Renter and Homeowner Guidance
Resources for Renters
Below is the HOME Line and Legal Aid information.
The City of Minneapolis contracts with HOME Line and Legal Aid as a resource for referral and legal services to Minneapolis renters.
HOME Line:
- Provides free and confidential legal advice to all Minneapolis renters
- Web Page: www.homelinemn.org
- Phone: 612-728-5767
- Email Form: www.homelinemn.org/e-mail-an-attorney
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid:
- Provides free legal services for income qualifying renters
- Web Page: www.mylegalaid.org
- Phone: 612-334-5970
Links to additional information:
- COVID-19: Renters' Rights and Court Changes During the Pandemic
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fact Sheet
