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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 06/18/2024MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY Government Services Center, County Board Room 515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537 June 18, 2024 Call to Order The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 1:02 pm, June 18, 2024. Vice President Jeff Ackerson led the meeting in the absence as Dave Schornack, CDA President. Attendance was as follows: Present in person Present via Technology Absent Board Members: Jeff Ackerson x Dena Johnson Joined at 1:10 Val Martin x Kurt Mortenson x Dave Ripley x Betsy Roder x Lee Rogness x Heidi Samuelson x Dave Schornack Joined at 1:45 Staff: Amy Baldwin, CDA Director x Tanya Westra, Housing Program Supervisor x Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator x Paula Grunewald, HRA Administrative Assistant x Ava Weber, Intern x 2. Approval of Agenda Approval of Agenda motion was made by Kurt Mortenson, second by Dave Ripley and unanimously carried to approve as presented. CDA Board Yea Nay Absent Abstain Jeff Ackerson x Dena Johnson x Val Martin x Kurt Mortenson x Dave Ripley x Besty Roder x Lee Rogness x Heidi Samuelson x Dave Schornack x 3. Approval of Consent Agenda Dena Johnson joined the meeting at this time. Motion by Lee Rogness, second by Dave Ripley to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. CDA Board Yea Nay Absent Abstain Jeff Ackerson x Dena Johnson x Val Martin x Kurt Mortenson x Dave Ripley x Betsy Roder x Lee Rogness x Heidi Samuelson x Dave Schornack x To guarantee a quorum of members were present, with Lee Rogness needing to leave early, all items requiring a vote were moved up in the agenda. 5. Regular Business Items A. Community Growth Partnership Program Application: City of Dalton Amy Baldwin, Community Development Director, stated that the City of Dalton submitted an updated application to assist with infrastructure for the Northfields subdivision. Sewer and water infrastructure is needed for the HRA Senior Housing project, as well as the other lots in the subdivision. Bids have been received by the City with the low bid having the total project cost of $97,117. The requested grant amount is up to $48,558 (half of the contract amount) with the balance of the project funded by the City of Dalton and/or through a loan from the Minnesota Rural Water Association. Motion by Kurt Mortenson, second by Val Martin to approve the grant request and direct staff to prepare necessary agreement with the City of Dalton for signature. Motion passed unanimously. CDA Board Yea Nay Absent Abstain Jeff Ackerson x Dena Johnson x Val Martin x Kurt Mortenson x Dave Ripley x Betsy Roder X Lee Rogness x Heidi Samuelson X Dave Schornack X B. Community Growth Partnership Program Application: City of Henning Amy Baldwin, Community Development Director, stated through conversation with the City and developers, the Ted and Beth Rose Family, that the Rose’s would construct a new cost efficient 3BR/ 2BA single family spec home with no garage. The City of Henning is waiving the fees, which will count towards the required match. The project is expected to cost $250,505 and the grant request of up to $5,252.50 matching the amount committed by the City of Henning. This grant will help cover the value gap; the final award will be determined based on sale price and final development costs. The project would be funded by developer cash as well as a loan from First National Bank. When completed, the home will be sold to an income qualified family at 115% of median income. Motion by Lee Rogness, second by Dena Johnson to approve the grant request to direct staff to prepare necessary agreement with the City of Henning for signature but to change the reimbursement term from 12 months to 18 months. Motion passed unanimously. CDA Board Yea Nay Absent Abstain Jeff Ackerson x Dena Johnson x Val Martin x Kurt Mortenson x Dave Ripley x Besty Roder x Lee Rogness x Heidi Samuelson x Dave Schornack x Lee Rogness left the meeting at this time. C. Pinewood Estates: Authorization to Issue Realtor RFP A request for authorization to issue a Realtor Request for Proposals was discussed. The RFP will be issued on July 8th to list lots for the Pinewood Estates in Pelican Rapids, the HRA owned lot in Pelican Rapids and future homes to be built by the CDA. Motion by Dena Johnson, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve. Motion passed unanimously. CDA Board Yea Nay Absent Abstain Jeff Ackerson x Dena Johnson x Val Martin x Kurt Mortenson x Dave Ripley x Besty Roder x Lee Rogness x Heidi Samuelson x Dave Schornack x 4. Reports and Presentations A/B. Director’s Status Report / Committee Reports Housing Growth and Investment Amy Baldwin, Community Development Director reported that approximately 40 people attended the virtual Housing Convening. She also said there was a press release issued on the Pelican Rapids Pinewood Estates project. Workforce Support and Digital Equity A virtual workforce convening is scheduled for Wed., June 26 that will highlight Empowered Workers. Amy Johnson, Workforce Navigator, is ready to accept referrals, but needs state grant documents signed before working with clients. Amy Baldwin, Community Development Director, presented labor force data. Director Baldwin also stated we have our summer intern, Ava Weber, working on how we compare to other counties in industries, wages, etc. The Commissioners brought up the Promise Act Grant program. Director Baldwin stated that Otter Tail County was well represented but there were many applications submitted to West Central Initiative. The grant awards have not been announced yet. C. On the Map Report Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator, stated that a small town safari was recently held with four recent University of Minnesota graduates. A feedback survey was conducted and showed the experience positively moved the needle on their rural perceptions. Erik Osberg also informed the Board that a NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) visit would be occurring on July 13 with athletes from the University of Minnesota. They would visit Arvig as part of the visit. Dave Schornack joined the meeting virtually at approximately 1:45pm. Erik Osberg also reported on the metrics and that the social media numbers look good. D. Board Member Updates Commissioner Val Martin reminded the board that the Phelps Mill Festival will be held July 13 and 14. Commissioner Dena Johnson reported the Pelican Rapids Friendship Festival had a good turnout with approximately 850 people. 6. Discussion and Communications A. 2025 Budget and Agency Priorities Amy Baldwin, Community Development Director stated that the 2025 Budget is suggested to maintain the same dollar request as last year. CDA funding includes Special Benefit Levy (705 – HRA levy) and non-special Benefit levy (706 – general levy appropriation). The 705 fund includes Community Growth Partnership Grant Program, development efforts for eligible housing or redevelopment projects and administration expenses. The 706 is for non-housing or redevelopment efforts and Perham related uses. Onetime funding from the American Rescue Plan, which has supported childcare and workforce efforts, is winding down with the majority of funding obligated. The CDA needs and the HRA needs were discussed. Priorities for 2025 can be further discussed at the committee level along with a recommendation of necessary resources. A joint session of the HRA and CDA boards was suggested. B. Other Communications Dena Johnson reported that she will be late at the next Board Meeting. Upcoming meeting: Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 1:00pm, Commissioner’s Room, Government Services Center with HRA Board meeting at 11:45am. Adjourned Meeting adjourned at 2:07pm.