HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority - Minutes - 06/18/2024HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
OTTERTAIL
COUNTY · MINNESOTA
The Otter Tail County HRA Board of Commissioners
Met for a regular meeting on June 18, 2024 at 11 :45am
At the Otter Tail County Government Services Center
Board Members Present:
Wayne Johnson, Chairperson
Jeff Ackerson
Kurt Mortenson
Betty Murphy
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
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Johnson called the meeting to order at 11 :45 am.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Government Services Center
500 West Fir Avenue
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Motion made by Kurt Mortenson, second by Betty Murphy to approve the June 18, 2024 Agenda without any
changes. Motion passed unanimously.
3. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
No items pulled and no additional discussion was needed on the Consent Agenda Items. Motion made by
Lee Rogness, second by Jeff Ackerson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously.
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Motion requesting addition of Housing Assistance Coordinator Position
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director, stated that in the last six months the staff has been assessing the long
term needs of the HRA department for staffing. Based on the assessment, staff is recommending the addition of a
second Housing Assistance Coordinator. Areas of work for the position would include managing the Public
Housing program and other HRA owned rental property; Down Payment Assistance program; and Single Family
Tax Rebate Program (if the program ends at the end of 2024 there are still seven years of administrative duties);
and to become a lender for MN Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program and Emergency & Accessibility Loan
Program (RLP/ELP).
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Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director, stated that the position funding would be split between HRA, CDA and
County, though primarily funded by the HRA. The current department organizational chart was presented and
potential salary was discussed.
Motion made by Lee Rogness, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve. Motion passed unanimously.
A. Motion to Authorize Property at 117 NW 1st Ave., Pelican Rapids be listed for sale
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director, stated that the buyer was not able to proceed with the purchase of the
property. The HRA purchased the tax forfeited property in 2021 and removed the blighted structure. The assessed
value of the lot is $6,400. Tanya Westra, Housing Program Supervisor, informed the Board that CDA will be
utilizing a realtor to sell lots in Pinewood Estate in Pelican Rapids and is requesting that we partner with the CDA
for realtor services. Motion made by Lee Rogness, second by Betty Murphy to approve the motion to authorize the
sale of property at 117 NW 1st Ave., Pelican Rapids with a realtor for specific time as determined. Motion passed
unanimously.
5. DISCUSSION
A. Agency 5 Year Plan -Goals & Objectives, timing
Tanya Westra, Housing Program Supervisor, with Barbara Dacy's help has been working on the Agency 5-Year
Plan. She presented the 2025-2029 5 Year Plan which included updated goals and objectives. The goals and
objectives discussed included: partnering with area agencies to offer all rental assistance participants programs
and information on budgeting, caring for rental property and homeownership; to apply for additional rental
assistance vouchers that serve target populations such as foster youth, veterans, persons without a home and
others by county need; to rehabilitate existing owner occupied and rental properties (CHIP); and to administer the
Small City Development Program.
B. Agency Plan -Goals & Objective
Tanya Westra, Housing Program Supervisor, stated that we want to maintain integrity of current programs; adopt
updated Administrative Plan for Housing Choice Voucher Program; and Adopt Admissions and Occupancy Plan
for Public Housing. She also discussed offering supplemental information and programs to empower current
participants; that we will own and manage 6 units of senior affordable rental housing; and the ability to extend
senior affordable rental housing to New York Mills.
C. HRA proposed changes to Administrative and Admissions & Continued Occupancy Plans
Tanya Westra, Housing Program Supervisor stated the proposed changes to the Administrative and Admissions &
Continued Occupancy Plans. She presented the regulatory changes HUD has issued through HOTMA. She stated
delays are occurring and as a result we have two plans prepared 1) HOTMA and 2) our plan. She presented the
non-regulatory changes for the HCV program.
D. Proposed Capital Fund Activities
Tanya Westra, Housing Program Supervisor discussed the Capital Fund Five Year Action Plan for 2022-2026. We
will continued with updating units at the time of vacancy; updating lig ht fixtures to LED ; and investigating options
to convert furnaces in Underwood units from propane. A public hearing notice with a 45-day Comment Period will
be published on June 29, 2024. Comment period is open from June 29, 2024 through August 12, 2024 with the
Public Hearing to be held on August 20, 2024 at the Regular Board Meeting.
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6. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Amy Baldwin, HRA Executive Director stated that the North Fields of Dalton infrastructure was complete, bids for
construction contracts have been requested and the closing of the property is pending. The Groundbreaking Event
should take place in July or August and that excavation will start next month with delivery of the homes in mid to
late August.
She also reported that the 2023 Audit is in progress; the 2025 budget is recommended to maintain 76% of the
max levy; our CD Renewal rate is 5.1 % (it was 4%); and she updated the Commissioners on the Owner Occupied
Loan status that was previously discussed.
7. GENERAL DISCUSSION -TOPICS BY COMMISSIONERS
None
8. ADJOURNMENT
At 12:59 pm a motion was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.
Secretary/Clerk
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Date
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