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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority - Minutes - 02/17/2022HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OTTERTAIL COUNTY -MINNESOTA The Otter Tail County HRA Board of Commissioners Met for a regular meeting on February 17, 2022 at 2:30 pm At the Otter Tail County Government Services Center, West Battle Lake Room, 500 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls, MN Board Members Present: John Lindquist Robert Maki, Secretary Kurt Mortenson Leland Rogness, Vice Chairperson Wayne Johnson, Chairperson -via Teams Betty Murphy -via Teams Others Present: Barbara Dacy, OTC HRA Executive Director Paula Grunewald, OTC HRA Administrative Assistant Amy Baldwin, OTC CDA Community Development Director Tanya Westra, OTC HRA Project Manager, via Teams 1. Call to Order Government Services Center 500 West Fir Avenue Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Via Teams, Chairperson Johnson called the meeting to order at 2:27 p.m. Meeting turned over to Lee Rogness, Vice Chairperson at 2:28 p.m. 2. Approval of Agenda Motion made by Maki, second by Mortenson to approve the February 17, 2022 Agenda with changes noted: under 5D to remove Resolution No. 188. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Approval of Consent Agenda Items Motion made by Lindquist, second by Mortenson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Lindquist asked if the January 2022 minutes needed to report the time that the Board moved between regular session and the closed session. Commissioner Mortenson reported that the minutes are in a form that they can be approved by the Board. 4. Old Business A. Resolution No. 180 Amending the 5 -Year Public Housing Agency Plan and Adopting a Revised Administrative Plan for the Housing Choice Voucher Program; Effective June 1, 2022. Director Dacy reported that there was not a motion made and approved at the January 2022 meeting for Resolution No. 180. Motion made by Mortenson, second by Maki to approve. Motion passed unanimously. 218-998-8730 ® OTTER TAIL COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER @ ottertailcountymn.us LIVE YOU R best life H ERE. --------7 5. New Business A. Resolution No; 185 Adopting the Revised Utility Allowance Schedule for the Public Housing Program For 2022. Director Dacy discussed that a company was hired to'provide the Utility Allowances. A question was asked if Resolution 185 and 186 were requirements and Da:cy responded yes. Motion made by Mortenson, • second by Lindquist to approve; Motion passed unanimously. • B. Resolution No. 186 Authorizing Amended Ceiling Rent Amounts for 2022 for-the Public Housing Program. Motion inade by Lindquist, second by Mortenson to approve. Motiori passed unanimously. C. Resolution No. 187 Authorizing Recurring Automated Clearing House Withdrawals -for Certain Vendors; Director Dacy is requesting approval to make Automated Clearing House Withdrawals fcir certain vendors. These vendors include utility companies, the credit card company, and vendors identified in Exhibit A of the Resolution. This request should create more efficiency and the plafl is to also include landlords. Commissioner Undquisl asked about adding additional businesses to thii; list and: Dacy responded that th_e Board should review and approve a resolution amending Exhibit A. Motion made by 1-cindquist, second by Maki to approve. Motion passed unanimously. D. Resolution No. 188 Authorizing Submission of the Section 8 Management Assessment Program Certification for 2021. This resolution was removed from the agenda because a submission is not required for· · the 2021 fiscal year. • •• • • • E. Resolution No. 189 Adopting the Acquisition and Disposition ·Policy._ Director Dacy discussed that this policy is for acquiring and selling property. She stated that the policy establishes a basic process, but when using federal money, the rules would be different. She stated that legal counsel has suggested changes to modify Section Ill. Negotiation Authority to revise both the Acquisition and Disposition paragraphs, and #3c. Motion made by Maki, second by Mortenson to approve. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Discussion • A. Draft Policy for Housing Trust Fund and American Rescue Plan. Director Dacy gave a Power Point presentation discussing the expectations from the December 2021 Board meeting for distribution of the American • Rescue Plan and Housing Trust Fund. Dacy described eight guiding principles, the priority funding programs for "new construction" and "rehabilitation" and provided an overview of a quarterly application review process. She also provided a summary of recent data supporting the need for new construction, housing rehabilitation, and housing navigation services. She stated that there will be more data presented at the February 23 rd joint HRA CDABoard Meeting. Commissioner Johnson asked .. about the poiential amounts provided for infrastructure. Baldwin said it depended on the need and what the variables and what the infrastructure was, but staff is suggesting a maximum amount of 50% of costs, up to a maximum of $100,000. Commissioner Rogness asked what the probability would be that the ,;:aunty would get.the funding back in 5 years or 2Cl years. Dacy responded if it was owner occupied, the payback would be difficult to obtain the full amount, .and that new property iaxes would be the payback. Commissioner Rogness stated there is a depreciation method. Baldwin said it would be grant moriey or "patient" money. Rogness said we need security of some kind. Cominiss_ioner Rogness stated th_at this looks like a good program at the high level: Commissioner Johnson says the quarterly c1pplication appears to be clean and easy to follow and asked when would funds be available? • Baldwin stated that funds need to be committed by 2024, spent by 2026. Ms. Dacy stated that there is developer interest so applications could be processed soon. Pg.2 Commissioner Rogness asked if these applications need to be. at the County Board for a particular reason. Baldwin said to make sure there is awareness ,at the county level. Commissioner Rogness siated we have sanctioned the c·DA and HRA as separate units of government to function and .rieed to be careful to not hijack their authority. Commissioner Johnson asked how does the foldirig CDA and HRA boards together impact this program. Dacy. said right now we are okay, butwe do need to research that question. • 7. Executive Director Report Sileciai Meeting February 23. 2022. with the CDA Board for the Housing Needs Analysis Presentation by Maxfield Research. Ms. Dac;y stated that the special meeting will begin at 12:30 p.m. • •• 2020 Audit. . Dacy reported the 2020 audit is coming to a conclusion and there were 3 findings. The audit presentation will occur, at the March meeting. Dalton Redevelopinent Agreement Dacy reported there is. solid interest from a developer to purchase one of the lots to build a twin home. HRA Staffing Update . An Accounting Specialist has beeri hired, the Housing Assistance Co9rdinator position is open and interviews. will conducted in the near future. The Construction Specialist position will be_ posted in mid-March. • 8. General Discussion The Board complimented staff including Amy regarding the enormous amount of ground that has been covered and the amount of effort and assistance that has been given. Baldwin said the Housing Summit will be held April 7, rriorning to early afternoon atThumper Pond. Mortenson commented on ho_w he appreciated the PowerPoint • presentation on the Policy Draft for the Housing Fund information. 9. Adjournment At 3:37 p.m. a motion was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting. ~~ Robert.Maki/Secretary/Clerk Date Pg.3