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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority - Minutes - 04/16/2024HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OTTERTAIL COUNTY -MINNESOTA The Otter Tail County HRA Board of Commissioners Met for a regular meeting on April 16, 2024 at 11 :45am At the Otter Tail County Government Services Center Board Members Present: Wayne Johnson, Chairperson Kurt Mortenson Betty Murphy Leland Rogness, Vice Chairperson Absent: Jeff Ackerson 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 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Johnson called the meeting to order at 11 :45am. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Government Services Center 500 West Fir Avenue Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Motion made by Lee Rogness, seconded by Kurt Mortenson to approve the April 16, 2024 Agenda with changes noted to add to General Discussion information about a request from a potential landlord. Motion passed unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Motion made by Kurt Mortenson, seconded by Lee Rogness to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Resolution 284 Adopting Amendment to Community Housing Investment Program Emergency Housing Repair Program Policy. Tanya Westra, OTC HRA Housing Program Supervisor, stated that there may be unique situations that are of a critical health or safety nature not currently listed as an eligible activity. A critical health or safety risk can be defined as a hazard that currently exists and has the potential to cause death or serious illness to occupants of a home. To provide flexibility in these situations, she suggested a two-step process -first the Project Manager reviews the request and makes the initial determination, second the Housing Program Supervisor or Executive Director would review to ensure that the activity meets the threshold. Motion made by Lee Rogness, seconded by Betty Murphy to approve. Motion passed unanimously. The Board requested that they receive a report at the next meeting summarizing the situation. 218-998-8730 ® OTTER TAIL COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER @ ottertailcounty.gov LIVE YOUR be~, life HERE. r---~~-~~- 5. Discussion A. Five-Year Plan and Annual Plan Tanya Westra, HRA Housing Program Supervisor, reported that the updated 5-Year Plan will be effective January 1, 2025 -December 31, 2029, and to expect changes to the Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan as well as the Public Housing Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy. There will be a posting in July's newspaper that gives a 45-day comment period and that a Public Hearing will follow at the September board meeting. Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director, stated the changes need to be clear and concise for the public and that Barbara Dacy, Independent Consultant, will be assisting with staff on the process and development of the Plans. Tanya Westra, HRA Housing Program Supervisor, presented the goals from the current 5 year plan for 1) Housing Stability and 2) Creating New Homes and what had been accomplished. She indicated that Senior Housing in Dalton was not checked yet but that it was in progress. 8. Purchase and Development Agreement North Fields of Dalton -modifications Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director, reported that Tanya Westra, HRA Housing Program Supervisor, had attended the April 2 City Council meeting in Dalton. The City of Dalton's attorney had some changes on the contract. These changes were printed at the meeting. Since that time staff and the HRA attorney have reviewed the proposed changes. The final plat has not been recorded. A contract for the installation of city infrastructure would need to be signed by May 31 , 2024 and completed by September 31 , 2024 to be able to move forward. Amy Baldwin also discussed that the amount of the Financing Assistance Agreement has been reduced to $825,000. 6. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director, stated that Barbara Dacy, Independent Contractor is monitoring changes at a Legislative level. Some specific changes have been discussed for HRA and Landlords and more generalized changes with prevailing wages in TIF programs. Commissioner Lee Rogness commented that there is a consideration that corporations may not own over 1 O single family homes. This could affect Perham and New York Mills. Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director, gave an audit update. Julie Balken, HRA Accounting Specialist, has been pulling the HRA information together. The Auditors will be onsite sometime between April 29 and early May. HRA uses an independent firm and the process has gone smoothly. This is the last year of the contract, which includes an option to extend. 7. GENERAL DISCUSSION -TOPICS BY COMMISSIONERS • Chairperson Wayne Johnson stated that a landlord had reached out to him about renting to a specific person who may qualify for rental assistance. Staff will reach out to this potential landlord. • Vacant lot in Pelican Rapids, the HRA acquired this lot as a tax forfeiture. There are a few options as to what can be done with the lot: 1. We can construct a home and sell it to an income qualifying household. Pg. 2 2. We can sell the lot to an income qualifying household with no structure. 3. We can give the lot back to the State of Minnesota. Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director, said she will follow up. • Lee Rogness asked if there was any way that HRA could help with tax forfeitures. • A reminder that the next meeting will be Monday. May 20. 8. ADJOURNMENT At 12:51 pm a motion was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting. Secretary/Clerk Pg.3