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Home My WebLink AboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority - Minutes - 11/21/2023HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OTTERTAIL COUNTY • MINNESOTA The Otter Tail County HRA Board of Commissioners Met for a regular meeting on November 21 , 2023 at 11 :45am At the Otter Tail County Government Services Center Board Members Present: Wayne Johnson, Chairperson Jeff Ackerson Kurt Mortenson Betty Murphy 515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls, MN Leland (Lee) Rogness, Vice Chairperson Others Present Barbara Dacy, OTC HRA Executive Director Amy Baldwin, OTC CDA Director Tanya Westra, OTC HRA Project Manager Julie Bakken, OTC HRA Accounting Specialist Paula Grunewald, OTC HRA Administrative Assistant 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson, Wayne Johnson, called the meeting to order at 11 :50 am. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Government Services Center 500 West Flr Avenue Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Barbara Dacy, OTC HRA Executive Director, stated that Resolution 261 "Adopting the 2024 Annual Budget'' had updates on the General Revolving Fund portion of Exhibit A and an amended Exbibit A was provided. Motion made by Lee Rogness, second by Betty Murphy to approve the November 21 , 2023 Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. There was no additional discussion. 3. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Motion made by Kurt Mortenson, second by Jeff Ackerson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. There was no additional discussion. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Resolution No. 258 Adopt Amendment To Community Housing Improvement Program Down Payment Assistance and the Emergency Housing Repair Program Requirements. Tanya Westra, OTC Housing Program Supervisor, stated that the Down Payment Assistance and Emergency Home Repair Programs need to be amended because of increasing housing costs. She stated that Resolution No. 258 amends the Down Payment Assistance Program Policy to increase the deferred loan amount to 6% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of $15,000, and decrease the homebuyer match requirement to 2% of the purchase price. She stated that Resolution No. 258 also amends the Emergency Housing Repair Program to increase the Lifetime Benefit to $20,000, add code violations as an eligible activity and increase the maximum estimated market value of the property to $250,000. Motion made by Kurt Mortenson, second by Betty Murphy to approve. Motion passed unanimously. B. Resolution No. 259 Adopting Write-Off Policy Tanya Westra stated that that the Write-Off Policy matches the current practice regarding tenant receivables, 218-998-8730 ® OTTER TAIL COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER @ ottertailcounty.gov LIVE YOUR best life HERE. r-~------ and it does not relieve the tenant's responsibility to pay amounts due to the HRA. She stated that the HRA submits any unpaid amounts to the "Revenue Recapture" Program, and the 2023 unpaid balances will be presented at the December meeting. Motion made by Lee Rogness, second by Jeff Ackerson to approve. Motion passed unanimously. C. Resolution No. 260 Adopting 2024 Public Housing Operating Budget Tanya Westra stated the Public Housing Operating Budget was based on year-to-date information through October 31 , 2023. She stated that HUD requires adoption of the form included in the packet and is required to be submitted electronically. She stated that the budget includes a $20,000 allocation of Special Benefit Levy for 2024, as has been done in 2022 and 2023. She stated that the HRA did not utilize the $20,000 in 2022 and it is anticipated that it will not be used in 2023. It was noted that there was increased fees in insurance, as well as management fees. Motion made by Kurt Mortenson, second by Betty Murphy to approve. Motion passed unanimously. D. Resolution No. 261 Adopting 2024 Housing and Redevelopment Authority Budget Director Barbara Dacy stated the proposed budget is approximately $1 million dollars smaller due to the completion of the Hidden Meadows development. She stated that this is a good example of how the HRA Budget can fluctuate from year to year because of various funding programs. She stated that the budget reflects the strategic initiatives of the HRA to keep people in homes (67% of the budget), create new homes (8% of the budget), and provide technical assistance (14% of the budget) and operating expenses (10% of the budget). She stated that the Special Benefit Levy provides a majority of the HRA funding but it leverages outside funding from the federal and state at a $1 to $1 .14 ration. Motion made by Lee Rogness, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve. Motion passed unanimously. E. Resolution No. 262 Appoint Amy Baldwin Housing and Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Effective December 4, 2023 Director Barbara Dacy stated that it is recommended that Amy Baldwin be appointed Housing and Redevelopment Authority Executive Director as of December 4, 2023. She stated that her Independent Contractor Agreement with the HRA terminates as of 12/31 /2023. She stated that transitioning now permits time for the transition of various administrative issues between Barbara Dacy and Amy Baldwin. She noted that the resolution identifies other duties that she will undertake in December. Motion made by Betty Murphy, second by Jeff Ackerson to approve. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Betty Murphy thanked Director Barbara Dacy and said, "she is amazing". Commissioner Johnson, stated "We have been very fortunate to have you." F. Resolution No. 263 Adopting Purchasing Card Policy and Procedures; Rescind Resolution No. 160 Director Barbara Dacy reported that the county recently updated to its purchasing card policy. She stated that the purpose of the resolution is to enable the issuance of a department card for the HRA and employees would need to abide by the policy. She stated that the HRA has a Home Depot credit card for emergency and non- routine supplies for the scattered site public housing units, but this is not a credit card by definition. Motion made by Jeff Ackerson, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve. Motion passed unanimously. 5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT 1. 117 NW 1!l Avenue, Pelican Rapids, MN. Director Barbara Dacy stated that the HRA has received an offer to purchase the property at 117 NW 1st Avenue in Pelican Rapids. She stated that statute requires a public hearing prior to the sale of HRA owned property, and a public hearing will be scheduled for the December 18, 2023, meeting, and potential action by the Board. Motion made by Lee Rogness to hold a Public Meeting on December 18, 2023 at noon, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve. Motion passed unanimously. Pg.2 2. North Fields of Dalton. Staff is considering preparing a competitive proposal process for the proposed development. 3. Statewide Affordable Housing Aid. She stated that Otter Tail County will receive $143,671 in December 2023 and December 2024. Staff will schedule time with the county finance committee to discuss potential uses of the funds. 4. Commissioners Training. Ms. Dacy stated that the next training, "The Role of the Commissioner in the Future of HRA", will be held on November 29 at 11 :30 am. 5. Small Cities Development Program. The deadline for submission is November 29 for Pelican Rapids. 6. GENERAL DISCUSSION -TOPICS BY COMMISSIONERS Amy Baldwin, OTC Community Development Director, stated a Request for Proposal or a Request for Qualifications will be distributed for additional expertise and technical knowledge regarding housing and redevelopment programs, especially federal programs. Ms. Baldwin stated that the recent Housing Summit on November 16 was a success and stated that the county should continue to hold them. She stated that the public seems to appreciate the information and it was well attended. Director Barbara Dacy said it has been a tremendous honor to serve the Otter Tail County HRA. 7. ADJOURNMENT At 12:47 pm a motion was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting. Kurt Mortenson/Secretary/Clerk Pg.3