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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Agency - Minutes - 01/16/2024MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY Government Services Center, County Board Room 515 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls MN 56537 January 16, 2024 Call to Order The Otter Tail County Community Development Agency convened at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 16, 2024. Attendance was as follows: Present in person Present via Technology Absent Board Members: 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 Staff: Amy Baldwin, CDA Director x Tanya Westra, Housing Program Supervisor x Sarah Schake, Project Manager x Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator x Paula Grunewald, HRA Administrative Assistant x Others: Jordan Grossman, Pelican Rapids CEDA x Approval of Agenda Approval of Agenda motion was made by Dave Ripley, second by Dena Johnson and unanimously carried to approve as presented. Approval of Consent Agenda Motion by Jeff Ackerson, second by Kurt Mortenson to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed unanimously. Reports and Presentations A. Director’s Report:  Amy Baldwin, OTC Community Development Agency Director, reported that there have been 82 applications in 2023 for the tax rebate program. She presented a map of the rebate program homes showing a growth in the township areas.  2023 Community Development and Housing Annual Report will be presented in February. B. Committee Reports Housing Growth and Investment  The Battle Lake former youth center site has been demolished and a Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) for the redevelopment of the site was published. One bid has been received and it was decided to repost with a deadline date of January 26, 2024 to ensure an adequate exposure of the request was available. Communications with Val Martin, City of Battle Lake clerk, have also occurred.  There will be a Housing Convene in February to introduce the new MN Housing Director of Local Government Housing Programs and highlight the New York Mills apartment project. Workforce Support and Development (committee did not meet)  In 2023, Youth Workforce Navigation really centered around the youth.  December Workforce Convene was attending by 35 employers and workforce partners. Childcare Investment (did not meet)  With grant funding support from WCI, the contracted Child Care Project Managers will continue to provide support through December 2024.  On January 29, the City of Fergus Falls Rural Child Care Innovation Program team is hosting a Churches for Child Care event. C. On the Map Report Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator reported:  He recently presented at the Community Venture Network meeting.  Otter Tail Lakes Country Association membership is going very well with more members than 2023 and generating more revenue; the magazine expanded to 116 pages. At the end of November there were over 10.5 million views and over 500,000 engagements. D. Board Member Updates  Val Martin handed out an invite regarding the Battle Lake EDA Annual Meeting held on February 1 with motivational speaker Tim Eggebraaten.  Dave Schornack stated that we there has been a lot of publicity for Otter Tail County with the New York Mills project, Battle Lake projects and Vergas project. Expressed a thank you for a great 2023 year.  Congratulations were given to Kurt Mortenson for becoming Otter Tail County Board Chair. Regular Business Items A. Consideration of CDA / Otter Tail County 2024 Services Agreement Amy Baldwin, CDA Director included a copy of the County of Otter Tail Services Agreement in the packet. This is an agreement between CDA and the County regarding workspace, technology, staff compacity, etc. No changes were made to last year’s agreement. Motion by Val Martin, second by Dena Johnson to approve. Motion passed unanimously with no additional discussion. B. Pinewood Estates Plat: Authorization for Executive Director to Sign Amy Baldwin, CDA Director, reported that the final plat for Pinewood Estate has been approved by the Pelican Rapids City Council. Infrastructure should be finished by the end of the summer. The funding has been awarded for the construction of at least two homes. She is requesting permission to sign the plat. Motion by Kurt Mortenson, second by Dena Johnson to approve. Motion passed unanimously. C. Community Growth Partnership Grant: Pelican Rapids Housing Study The City of Pelican Rapids is seeking a $5,000 grant for a housing study. Work would initiate in April and be completed by the end of November 2024. Jordan Grossman from the Pelican Rapids CEDA was online to answer any questions: no questions were asked. Dena Johnson said that Pelican Rapids has contracted with Jordan Grossman for economic development services and has confidence the study will be completed with Jordan’s direction. Motion by Dena Johnson, second by Jeff Ackerman to approve. Motion passed unanimously. Discussion and Communications A. 2024 CDA Planning  Committees o Amy Baldwin, CDA Director asked if the composition of the committees: Housing, Workforce, and Childcare are relevant for 2024. Committees will be formalized in February 2024. Discussion on replacing Childcare with Business Development as Childcare now has other outside groups formed to help with their support. o It was asked what are our goals and strategy? How do we coordinate more with West Initiative Fund, Lakes Country Services Cooperative, Greater FF, etc. to bring all resources together to be additive and supportive. Suggested a presentation with groups. o Each committee should create their goals and revise them as needed. Feedback is needed from committee members.  Work Plan o A spreadsheet was presented with work plans for CDA and HRA.  Board Meeting Dates o Due to election equipment training at the Government Services Building, the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 20 in the Big Pine/Rush Lake rooms at the 505 South Court St. location. In the months of May, November and December the board will meet on the third Monday: May 20, November 18 and December 17. All other meetings are the third Tuesday of the month. o February will be the CDA Annual meeting. Upcoming meeting: Tuesday, February 20, 2024 @ 1:00 p.m., the Big Pine/Rush Lake rooms at the 505 South Court St., Fergus Falls with HRA Board meeting @ 11:45 a.m. Adjourned Meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.