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Home My WebLink AboutHousing & Redevelopment Authority - Minutes - 07/21/2022£, OTTER TAIL OTTER TAIL COUNTY I HOUSING ~' COUNTY-MINNESOTA The Otter Tail County HRA Board of Commissioners Met for a regular meeting on July 21, 2022 at 2:30 pm At the Otter Tail County Government Services Center Board Members Present: Wayne Johnson, Chairperson John Lindquist Robert Maki, Secretary Betty Murphy Leland Rogness, Vice Chairperson Via Teams 500 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls, MN Kurt Mortenson via Teams (cannot participate in voting) Others Present: Barbara Dacy, OTC HRA Executive Director Paula Grunewald, OTC HRA Administrative Assistant Kevin Currie, OTC HRA Construction Specialist Amy Baldwin, OTC CDA Director David Helgerson Via Teams Tanya Westra, OTC HRA Project Manager, and also in person Kris Vipond, OTC Assistant Finance Director 1. Call to Order Chairperson Johnson called the meeting to order at 2:32 p.m. 2. Approval of Agenda Government Services Center 500 West Fir Avenue Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Motion made by Maki, second by Rogness to approve the July 21 , 2022 Agenda with no changes noted. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Introduce Construction Specialist Kevin Currie Director, Barbara Dacy, introduced Kevin Currie as the Construction Specialist. He will be responsible for the Small City Development Program rehabilitation projects in Underwood and Battle Lake, do routine maintenance at the Public Housing properties and assist with projects such as Hidden Meadows, North Fields of Dalton and the tax forfeit properties in Pelican Rapids. 4. Approval of Consent Agenda Items Motion made by Murphy, second by Lindquist to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. 5. New Business A. Resolution No. 199 Approving The Internal Revenue Service Mileage Reimbursement Rate Effective July 1, 2022. Director Dacy informed the board members that the IRS has updated the mileage rates to 62 .5 cents/mile effective July 1, 2022. She also requested that this becomes a standard to follow in the future -to immediately change the rate upon notification by the IRS without board approval. This approach then could be suggested to 218-998-8730 ottertailcountymn.us hra@co.ottertail.mn.us the CDA after unification. Motion made by Lindquist, second by Rogness to approve. Motion passed unanimously. B. Resolution No. 200 Repealing Resolution No. 132 And Resolution No. 133 Regarding Transferring Funds And Check Preparation Policy Director Dacy reported that previous resolutions regarding check preparation and transferring funds are no longer applicable to HRA operation. To make sure that the records are clear she recommended repealing Resolutions 132 and 133. Motion made by Maki, second by Murphy to approve. Motion passed unanimously. C. Resolution No. 201 Approving Utility Allowance Bid For The Housing Choice Voucher And Public Housing Programs For 2023-2027 Director Dacy reported that approving Utility Allowance bids is a routine item. After receiving bids from Nelrod, ECO and Zappling it was found that Zappling's bid was the most favorable for the next 5 years. Motion made by Murphy, second by Maki to approve. Motion passed unanimously. D. Resolution No. 202 Authorizing Closing The Public Housing Security Deposit Account Director Dacy reported that the Public Housing Security Deposit Account is no longer needed and that the funds will be transferred to the Low Rent Public Housing Account. Motion made by Rogness, second by Maki to approve. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Discussion A. Status of 2022 Initiatives and Budget for 2023 Director Dacy discussed the status of strategic initiatives. The NMLS number was issued, applications are increasing for rehab programs, vouchers are steady but still under-utilized, public housing is at a 0% vacancy, and participation is growing with down payment assistance and first-time home homebuyer program. She also reported that the RFP Hidden Meadows RFP is being prepared, options are being considered for Pelican Rapids lots and a preliminary plat for Dalton is finalized. Commissioner Johnson asked about the role of the HRA in tax forfeited properties. Ms. Dacy stated that staff has been asked to assist in evaluation of those properties for rehabilitation and/or demolition . Commissioner Murphy asked if this was the type of items that Kevin Currie would be doing, and Ms. Dacy stated yes. Commissioner Lindquist questioned the costs and how they would be handled. Dacy said all items would be brought to the board's attention to discuss. Ms. Dacy stated that the 2023 levy amount allocation is recommended to be the same amount as 2022 at $1 ,851 ,525, for both the CDA and HRA. Director Dacy stated that $1 .3 million is recommended for HRA programs. She stated that this amount will likely be lower than the amount authorized in statute because the statutory formula is based on estimated market value. B. Housing Choice Voucher "Special Housing Types" Director Dacy presented two "special housing types" that can be considered in the Housing Choice Voucher program: Shared Housing and Manufactured Homes. She defined them as follows: 1. Shared Housing is when a participant leases a portion of someone's home with the requirement that the owner cannot be related to the participant. The housing assistance payment is based on a pro rata calculation of the unit used. Ms. Dacy stated that she will work with MAH UBE OTWA, who can assist finding eligible households. 2. Manufactured Homes is the second Special Housing Type. Assistance can be received for help with rent of a lot and housing expenses. Ms. Dacy stated that these "Special Housing Types" help activate the existing housing stock to create additional housing opportunities for people in need. 7. Executive Director Report A. North Fields of Dalton; Four Plex Update Director Dacy presented a Four Plex Concept Design for Dalton. This design was created by Kevin Currie, HRA Construction Specialist, using the software program BlueBeam. The application for funding is pending and she stated that there will be a development agreement considered at a future meeting, the Commissioners will review the staff recommended floor plans and building design. Pg.2 B. Unification process update Director Dacy provided an update on the unification of the HRA and CDA. We are halfway through at this time. C. Minnesota Affordable Housing Tax Credit Program Directors Dacy and Baldwin attended the webinar. Ms. Dacy stated that this program was created by state legislation and is a simple straight forward tool to create additional "private investment" for affordable housing. The tax credit program starts in 2023 and taxpayers can contribute a minimum of $1 ,000 and up to a maximum of $2,000,000 and get a taxpayer credit. The program was modeled from a North Dakota program. D. Ad Hoc Committee Members to CDA Ad Hoc Committee Members were suggested to join the CDA Board as a result of HRA Board input to insure a robust transition of HRA programming and their purposes. Commissioner Lee Rogness, recommended John Lindquist and Betty Murphy to be Ad Hoc Committee Members. A motion was passed with both Murphy and Lindquist agreeing but with a request from Lindquist to continue to search for a replacement for him. CDA Director Baldwin commented that a program participant should also be on the board. 8. Presentation -Appreciation For Commissioner Maki In appreciation of his service, Chairperson Johnson presented Commissioner Robert Maki with a plaque for his twelve years of dedication. Maki thanked the group and said he has learned a lot and was glad to see progress being made. 9. General Discussion A letter from Commissioner Lee Rogness was handed out. He was bringing to attention of the Board a potential conflict of interest. The Commissioners were to review the letter and discuss at August's meeting. 10. Adjournment At 4:10 pm a motion was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting. /t:.:t-n f)4~ Secretary/Clerk Pg.3