HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority - Minutes - 01/16/2024HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
OTTERTAIL
COUNTY· MINNESOTA
The Otter Tail County HRA Board of Commissioners
Met for a regular meeting on January 16, 2024 at 11 :45am
At the Otter Tail County Government Services Center
Board Members Present:
Wayne Johnson, Chairperson
Jeff Ackerson
Kurt Mortenson
Betty Murphy
Absent:
Leland Rogness, Vice Chairperson
Others Present:
515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls, MN
Amy Baldwin, OTC HRA Executive Director
Tanya Westra, OTC HRA Housing Program Supervisor
Julie Bakken, OTC HRA Accounting Specialist
Paula Grunewald, OTC HRA Administrative Assistant
Via Teams:
Sarah Schake, CDA Project Manage.r
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Johnson called the meeting to order at 11 :46 am.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Government Services Center
500 West Flr Avenue
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Motion made by Kurt Mortenson, second by Betty Murphy to approve the January 16, 2024 Agenda without
changes. Motion passed unanimously with all here except Lee Rogness.
3. APPROVAL OF CONiSENT AGENDA ITEMS
Motion made by Betty Murphy, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously
with no items pulled and no additional discussion.
4. ANNUAL MEETING ACTION ITEMS
A. Board Officers for Fiscal Year 2024
With the transition, the decision was to keep the Board Officers the same for 2024. Motion made by Betty
Murphy, second by Jeff Ackerson to approve the Board Officers for Fiscal Year 2024 as follows Chairpersonn
Wayne Johnson; Vice Chairperson Lee Rogness: and Secretary Kurt Mortenson. Motion passed unanimously.
8 . Legal Publication for Fiscal Year 2024
Motion made by Kurt Mortenson, second by Jeff Ackerson to approve the Fergus Falls Daily Journal as the
Legal Publication for Fiscal Year 2024. Motion passed unanimously. No additional discussion.
C. Depositories for Fiscal Year 2024-Resolution No. 274
Motion made by Jeff Ackerson, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve the Depositories for Fiscal Year 2024
with FM Bank -Resolution No. 274. Motion passed unanimously. No additional discussion.
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D. Board Member Per Diem for Fiscal Year 2024
Motion made by Betty Murphy, second by Jeff Ackerson to approve the Board Member Per Diem for Fiscal
Year 2024 at the State Statute of $75. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Day, time, Location, and Meeting Schedule for Fiscal Year 2024
The 2024 meetings dates have been set for January 16, February 20, March 19. April 16. May 20, June 18,
July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15, November 18, and December 16. All meetings begin at 11 :45
am and will be held in the Otter Tail Room at the Government Services Building. One exception is the
February 16th meeting which will be in the Big Pine/Rush Lake Rooms at 505 S Court St., Fergus Falls.
Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month except for the May, November and December which has
been moved to the 3rd Monday of the month due to County Board meeting conflict. Also included is this
schedule is the first meeting of 2025 -January 21st. Motion made by Kurt Mortenson, second by Betty Murphy
to approve the day, time, location and meeting schedule for 2024 as presented in the packet. Motion passed
unanimously.
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Resolution No. 275 Authorizing Execution of SAM Entity Administrator Certifi cate for the Otter Tail
County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director reported the HRA is registered in "SAM", the System for Awards
Management System. To update official information in the system, we are required to upload a notarized letter
formally designating the new Executive Director as the Entity Administrator. The HRA Chair is directed and
empowered to sign the letter. Motion made by Kurt Mortenson, second by Jeff Ackerson to approve Wayne
Johnson, Board Chairperson's signature on the SAM letter, the letter is notarized and that Executive Director,
Amy Baldwin files the letter with SAM. Motion passed unanimously.
6. OLD BUSINESS
A. North Fields of Dalton: Update and Authorization to Issue Bids
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director requested authorization to issue bids for modular construction and on-
site work of two triplex residential housing structures for the North Fields of Dalton project. Discussion included
modular construction, setting of triplex structures. price, interest, installers, broad solicitation, projected
completion date, onsite work and more. Commissioners suggested that the type of foundation and high water
table should be investigated as well as effective crawl space uses. Operational costs, borrowing money from
the County, State Affordable Housing Aid. geothermal, and available rebates were also discussed. OTC HRA
would be the General and would oversee the project which also saves on outside project manager costs. This
type of construction could be the future model for other projects in communities such as New York Mills and
Vergas. Motion made by Jeff Ackerson. second by Kurt Mortenson to approve to update and authorization to
issue bids for the North Fields of Dalton project. Motion passed unanimously. It was also noted that tree
removal has been done at the site.
7. DISCUSSION
A. Review of 2024 Community Development and Housing Work Plan
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director presented a spreadsheet with the projects that Community
Development and Housing staff are working on for 2024. The spreadsheet includes timelines for projects in
Housing: North Fields, Pelican Hwy. Garage Site. Pelican Rapids Tax Forfeit, Senior Triplex in Dalton, Pelican
Rapids Small Cities Grant and Battle Lake Youth Center. Timelines were also included for projects in
Childcare, Digital Opportunity, OTC Works, Marketing and On the Map.
B. A question was asked about a vacancy in a Public Housing unit. Tanya Westra, Housing Program
Supervisor explained the circumstances.
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8. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director reported:
• HRA is transitioning from Barbara's retirement.
• The voucher program has 100 vouchers -this is one of the highest numbers for a long time. We may need
to tap into our reserves.
• Tanya Westra, Housing Program Supervisor has completed the HCV Financial Management class and
has passed the test.
9. GENERAL DISCUSSION -TOPICS BY COMMISSIONERS
Chairman, Wayne Johnson asked if an agreement had been signed for the 117 1st NW Ave., Pelican Rapids
property. Tanya Westra replied no but contingencies are in place.
10. ADJOURNMENT
At 1 :50 pm a motion was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.
Kurt Mortenson 1secretary/c1erk
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